Even if you've got a newer phone with an auto-focus lens you may still be able to take advantage of this resourceful macro lens hack. Disassemble an old DVD player for the lens, fabricate a lens holder out of cardboard, and place it before the standard lens with some poster mount, and you've got yourself a decent DIY macro lens.
[cnflikt via DIYphotography]
Posted by Adam Flaherty |
Aug 25, 2009 04:00 AM
Cellphones, DIY Projects, Photography |
Permalink
| Comments (4)
| Email This |
| Digg this!
Oldest comments listed first.
Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!
Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.
$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)
Check out all of the episodes of Make: television
 |
MAKE on Facebook Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE! |
 |
MAKE on Twitter Follow our MAKE tweets! |
 |
MAKE on Flickr Join our MAKE Flickr Pool! |
Why advertise on MAKE?
Read what folks are saying about us!
Click here to advertise on MAKE!
Gareth Branwyn
Senior Editor
Phillip Torrone
Senior Editor
| AIM | Twitter
Becky Stern
Associate Editor
| AIM | Twitter
Marc de Vinck
Contributing Writer
| AIM | Twitter
John Park
Contributing Writer
| Twitter
Sean Ragan
Contributing Writer
| Twitter
Matt Mets
Contributing Writer
| AIM | Twitter
Dale Dougherty
Editor & Publisher
| Twitter
Shawn Connally
Managing Editor
| Twitter
Goli Mohammadi
Associate Managing Editor
Kip Kay
Weekend Projects
| AIM | Twitter
Collin Cunningham
Contributing Writer
| AIM | Twitter
Adam Flaherty
Contributing Writer
| AIM | Twitter
More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)
Weekend Project: Beetlebot
Simple robot from your parts bin that avoids obstacles. Thanks go to Jerome Demers for the original article in MAKE, Volume 12. To download the Beetlebot video, click here or subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Beetlebot article...
More...
www.flickr.com
|
www.flickr.com
|
Help | Write for MAKE | Contact Us | Subscribe | Advertise with Us | Privacy Policy| About MAKE | FAQ
© 2009 O'Reilly Media, Inc.
All trademarks and registered trademarks appearing on makezine.com are the property of their respective owners.
RSS
Very nice! I like the vignetting on these shots. I've gotten great results with my iPhone using a lens from a disposable camera-- it's a little plastic dome with a lip, so it's easy to keep one nearby with a little duct or gaffer tape. Example close-up here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/salsaviz/2474038774/
(yes, makers always seem to have scrap PCBs around...:)
Stores with photo developing stations usually have a bin of disposable cameras, and people who work there have been happy to hand over a few when I explain I'm working on projects. CAREFUL when taking them apart since they have big capacitors which are usually partially charged-- easy to discharge with a screwdriver.
Reply to this comment
Does this work with CD player lenses, too?
Reply to this comment
Will this work with a lens from a gaming system?\
Ex: PS3, PS2, Xbox.. etc.
Reply to this comment
Nice! I tried this with my iPhone and it works great. The pictures turned out really interesting, you can see them on my blog over at http://pappmaskin.no/2009/09/diyhow-to-make-your-own-iphone-macro-lens/
I used the lens from an older cd-rom drive, but it magnified the image way more than the examples on this page, which I find really interesting. I think I will have to test different lenses, and perhaps try to find some kind of solution for holding several different lenses to make it easy to swap them?
I am also curious about the black vignette around the edges. I just taped my lens with clear tape straight to the phone, which works well, but I like the effect of the vignette here, I suppose it comes from the cardboard that perhaps is a little higher than the lens and therefore casts a shadow? Must be experiented with!
Reply to this comment