ShiftCam has once again raised the bar for mobile creators. The company, best known for pushing the boundaries of smartphone photography, has officially introduced the LensUltra Explorer Series—headlined by a 240mm equivalent 10x periscope telephoto lens that promises to bring professional-grade reach and clarity to the pocket of every smartphone shooter.

This new addition marks a bold step forward in mobile optics. Whether you’re shooting wildlife from a distance, capturing the energy of a stadium concert, or zooming in on fast-paced sports action, the Explorer Series is designed to deliver sharp, vibrant, and cinematic results—all without the bulk of a DSLR setup.

“Smartphones are now the world’s most important creative tool,” said ShiftCam CEO Benson Chiu. “With the Explorer Series, we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in mobile optics, giving creators reach that matches their vision. Combined with Planck, the world’s most compact SSD, we’re re-engineering the mobile creator workflow from capture to storage.”

What the LensUltra Explorer Series Brings to the Table

At its core, the Explorer Series is about giving creators professional telephoto capabilities in a form factor built for mobile. The 240mm 10x periscope lens comes packed with features that aim to transform smartphone videography and photography:

• Extreme detail from afar – Zoom in on wildlife, concerts, or sporting events without losing clarity.

• Cinematic compression – Long focal length provides that sought-after background separation and film-like depth of field.

• Edge-to-edge sharpness – Multi-element optics ensure minimal distortion and chromatic aberration.

• Portable by design – Despite its pro-level reach, the lens is compact, mounts seamlessly to ShiftCam cases and rigs, and is travel-ready.

And that’s just the start.

A Macro Twist: Close-Up Power Built In

The Explorer Series also introduces something new for ShiftCam—a dedicated macro converter system. With magnification ranging from 10x to 40x, the telephoto lens can double as a macro powerhouse. Think textures, flowers, insects, and product shots in breathtaking detail. This dual personality makes the Explorer Series more than just a zoom lens—it’s a versatile creative toolset.

Filters for Full Creative Control

To round things out, ShiftCam is bundling a three-piece filter set that lets creators fine-tune their shots on the fly:

• CPL filter – Reduces glare, enhances skies, and deepens colour saturation.

• 1–5 stop variable ND filter – Perfect for balancing exposure and achieving smooth motion blur.

• 6–9 stop VND filter – Designed for shooting in bright conditions or creating dramatic long-exposure effects.

Together, the Explorer Series isn’t just a lens—it’s shaping up to be a full ecosystem for mobile storytelling, delivering DSLR-level control in a smartphone-ready package.

The LensUltra Explorer Series launches on 1st October 2025.

Planck SSD: Storage Reimagined for Creators

Alongside the Explorer Series, ShiftCam announced the global release of Planck, its ultra-compact Creator SSD that debuted on Kickstarter earlier this year.

Weighing just 10 grams and smaller than a credit card, Planck is designed with creators in mind. Despite its size, it offers sustained write speeds of up to 1050 MB/s, making it capable of handling demanding formats like ProRes Log and 4K/120fps recording—without frame drops or overheating.

What makes Planck stand out is that it’s more than just storage. It’s engineered as part of the mobile workflow: lightweight, gimbal-friendly, and thermally stable, so creators can record continuously, anywhere.

Available in 1TB ($189) and 2TB ($299) configurations, Planck positions itself as the missing link in the mobile production chain—from capture with the Explorer Series to reliable storage on the go.

Final Thoughts

With the LensUltra Explorer Series, ShiftCam is making a strong statement: smartphones aren’t just casual cameras anymore—they’re evolving into all-in-one creative systems. Pairing pro-level optics with tools like Planck SSD, the company is offering mobile storytellers the reach, clarity, and workflow efficiency once reserved for high-end camera rigs.

For creators who demand more from their phones, October 1st marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.