How To Make a Macro Lens

In this instructable I'll show you how to make a Macro lens. Macro lens's are used to take close up pictures of stuff. Most cameras (like mine) can't take a clear picture if the object is to close, this lens will help when taking really close up pictures. This is great for taking pictures for an instructable!

You'll Need:

- Some small Lens's (you can get these from Binoculars, Cheap rifle scopes or small magnify glasses, or pretty much anything)
- A Dremel
- A Razor
- Card Board, Wood
- Small Plastic bottle

Step 1: Different Lens's

There are two different lens's I'll show how to make. I'll show you how to make a cardboard one first.
To make the cardboard type, cut out a circle of card board that fits over your cameras lens, then drill or cut a hole in the card board and insert the lens, Your Done!! (with that type) you can use either duct tape or tacky to keep it on.

Comments

[sgsidekick]

I have that same camera! It fits in my purse where my other one doesn't. And....find that the macro just doesn't do what I want it to, so this is a good instructable for me! What did you use for the lenses? I HAVE to go get it and make this!! I'm an amateur photog who is starting to win blue ribbons now at the fairs, but I want MORE!! *haha*

[Emsaid]

I got the lenses out my brothers old pellet rifle's scope, you can get cheap scopes at wal-mart for a couple of bucks.

[mrmartyman7]

Could a lens from another un working camera be used, or does it have to be from a scope or telescope?
I have a sony handyDCR-SR68camcorder , close ups are very hard to get clear.
It has auto focus will an additional lens effect the auto focus?

Also no software any one have the software I can download, i bought the camera
a month ago it was a display got a great deal but not happy with some functions.
Can anyone help ?

[Emsaid]

yes, any type of lens will work. however some may not work as well as others (not magnify as much as others)

[schumi23]

sounds to me like all lens are equal, but some are equalizer then others

[mrmartyman7]

Thanks for the fast reply I will work on it , nothing fancy at first and then post my results . After I see how to improve it I'll post more results.

This is a great thread thank you

[hpnerdghmk]

Thanks guy!! it work!
and sorry for my English "google translator".....

[Ray-l-l]

Nice idea. It looks like it works great.

[spooner2007]

The ingenuity of people :)

[captain Jack]

can you post more information on where to get these little lenses from? Ebay maybe? That's the most difficult part!

[mirusev]

I have these two, the results are amazing even with $50 camera :)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/30-x-21mm-Jeweler-Loupe-Eye-Magnifier-Magnifying-Light-/280561985220?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4152cc26c4

http://www.ebay.com/itm/30x-21mm-Jewelers-Eye-Loupe-Magnifier-Magnifying-glass-/180897430570?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1e53bc2a

[rishabkhincha]

can u please mail this pdf file to me
my email id is [e-mail]

[LegitimatelyEpic]

that is crazy! This will definitely help with my phone camera

[lopeznora]

I appreciate you for posting such a wonderful information.

[AmpOwl]

Great idea. This would be really good for taking pictures of my really small instructables.

[Emsaid]

I got these lenses from an old rifle scope. you can buy scopes from wal-mart for around $5

[killersquirel11]

yeah those scopes work pretty decent on top of a paintball gun/airsoft gun.  Great secondary use!
Another interesting idea would be to use a cap from a milk jug or something like that so you could easily adjust the focal length

[robert s.]

Wow sweet idea!

[lockdown96]

where you get the lens thing you put on cardboard ?

[lemonie]

Can you show how these mount on the camera? Diagram if you've only got the use of one camera at a time I suppose... L

[Emsaid]

sure!

[lemonie]

Oh yes, very nice - you do have 2 cameras then? L

[Emsaid]

4 actually, I by cameras off eBay fix them and sell them again, so really that's the only one I use, cause the rest are kinda broken. I used my Dad's camera for the Pics

[lemonie]

Why don't I see any "How to fix a digital camera" Instructables? Protecting your business...? L

[Emsaid]

well mostly because almost all cameras are different, with different problems and it would be really hard to show how to fix them

[lemonie]

Yes, but there are general principles, you could get at least one good Instructable out of this, people would most likely be interesred.

L

(e.g. my How not to...)

[The Ideanator]

You're right lemonie, people would be! I would be interested in fixing a buggy flip out screen.

[Emsaid]

yeah i could try..

[GarbageMan500]

haha WAS a tiny spider SQUISH!

[Emsaid]

...maybe...

[foobear]

Wow, the photograph of the eagle on the quarter is amazing. Better than the macro lens on my digital camera. nice!