We brought our compact SANDMARC setup to the city that never sleeps, New York City. From golden hour skylines to nighttime streets, we tested our Telephoto Lens and Creator Grip in fast-paced, low-light environments to see just how far a minimal iPhone setup could go.

As you move through a new city, countless sights will grab your attention. Sticking with one lens, like the Telephoto helps you capture those moments quickly, without wasting time switching between lenses. For this shoot, we focused on photographing the architecture of New York City, from its memorable bridges to its iconic buildings. Knowing exactly what frame you’re working with makes it easier to compose shots on the fly.

Even if you have a set itinerary, leaving room for spontaneity, like being drawn in by an unexpected building can lead to some of your best shots.

The Telephoto Lens also performs well in low-light conditions, making it the perfect choice for shooting from day to night. City excursions often last all day, so having a single, lightweight lens paired with an ergonomic grip helps prevent fatigue and keeps you ready for whatever you discover next.

For this shoot, we used the Telephoto 2x Lens and the Creator Grip. This setup allowed us to capture quick, steady shots while navigating the fast-paced streets of New York City. With the city constantly in motion, having the Telephoto Lens helped us stay focused, especially when capturing architectural details. It gave us a consistent frame to work with, making it easier to compose clean, intentional shots. We highly recommend this setup for sightseeing in any new city you’re exploring.

Exploring New York City with just our iPhones, a Telephoto 2x Lens, and the Creator Grip reminded us how powerful a minimal setup can be. From golden-hour architecture to nighttime skylines, this compact kit helped us stay agile and focused.

Whether you're capturing iconic landmarks or stumbling upon unexpected corners of a city, having the right gear can elevate every shot. For any urban adventure, we highly recommend this setup for its simplicity, flexibility, and performance.