How to Adapt a Door Viewer "Fish-eye Lens" on to a Full-size Camera

We've seen tutorials on this website that show you how an inexpensive door viewer can be used as a fish-eye lens on a simple point and shoot digital camera, but what if you want to try the effect on a camera with a full-size lens? This Instructable shows you how you can use an inexpensive plumbing part to make an adapter for the end of a camera lens with a diameter of approximately 49-55mm (or roughly 2 inches) - such as those on a "bridge" camera (an advanced point & shoot model that has many functions similar to a DSLR, but without a removable lens, mirror, and reflex system) or DSLR camera. This can also be used on manual-focus film cameras.

CAUTION: Even though the final step in making this adapter is to add a felt buffer to reduce the risk of scratching the lens, you will want to be careful when using the adapter. It happens that this particular model of camera has about a 1/8th-inch plastic border around the glass lens and the adapter rests mainly on this border, rather than the lens. Depending on your model of camera, the adapter ring may be seated on the glass. As a precaution, use a UV filter or similar functional filter to protect the lens, especially since a bridge camera cannot have its lens removed. At the very least, do not push the adapter against the lens and slide it around to adjust its position; rather, cap it gently over the lens and keep it in place when taking pictures. (See Step 7 for notes on using this adapter.) I assume no responsibility for damaged equipment.

Step 1 Materials and Tools Required

The basic materials for this project can be obtained at a hardware or department store for under $20.

Materials

- 1 Door viewer, available at any hardware store from about $5 to $12 in cost
- 1 Plastic plumbing reducer coupling (see picture) that will fit on the end of your camera lens and fit the door viewer - in this example, the wide end of the reducer has a 2-inch exterior diameter, while the long, narrow end has an exterior diameter of 3/4 of a inch
- 1 Scrap of felt (or similar soft material) at least 3-inches by 3-inches square
- A strip of cloth (such as flannel) or paper towel for padding

Tools

- 1 hacksaw or coping saw with fine teeth
- An indelible marker with a fine point
- Ruler
- 1 Thick rubber band (such as used for broccoli)
- Scissors
- Contact cement or a similar multi-purpose glue, safe for use on plastic
- Various files, sandpaper, or a sanding block
- Utility knife (optional)

And If You Have Access to Them...

- A bench-mounted vise
- A bench grinder or hand-held power grinder (e.g. Dremel with sanding disc)

Comments

[mastermakoko]

can i use a 1,5 inch cpuling thingy for my sony handycam hcr hc17?

[izzyinsf]

This is a very cool setup! I'm able to do a similar effect on my Panasonic DMC-FZ28 (18x superzoom) just by purchasing a 55mm lens cap ($3.49), drilling a 3/4" hole in the center and threading a peephole right into the lens cap. I fortified it with a little hot glue. I use a skylight filter, plus the "hood adapter" that came with my camera which adds about 1/4" of buffer zone between the fisheye setup and the lens. Works like a charm, and it's hands-free.

[Scottishsamurai_545]

The lens cap makes sense, as the space would prevent the lens from being scratched, on top of allowing your hands to be free. This model of camera comes with a rather cumbersome lens cap, as you can see in the second picture, and I don't think it's easy to find an inexpensive replacement now that the model is obsolete. Good idea if you have a model of camera where you can get standard sized lens caps and related accessories, though.

[mechimatic]

You can get a P880 lens cap direct from Kodak here (although I don't know if it would still attach if you drilled into the spring buttons):
http://www.kodak.com/global/en/service/products/replacementParts.jhtml?camera=P880
You might be better off using a P880 lens adapter:
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=263&pq-locale=en_US&cameraEkNumber=EKN030484&skuID=S29768&Visible=false&navCategory=EKN030484

[Scottishsamurai_545]

Thanks, everyone. It takes some practice to get it to work right, but once you get the feel for the adapter working with the lens, you can make some interesting pictures. One thing I have found since I first experimented with this is that the door viewer tends to collect all the light from a direct source in one place, creating a large white area in the frame. If you set the camera exposure before placing the adapter over the lens, you can often correct this issue. You're not going to get the same effect as with a proper fish-eye lens, but you can have some fun with it.

[Weissensteinburg]

Cool, the results remind me a lot of those from a Holga.

[alvincredible]

yeahh!

[codester]

WOW!!!! I'm Impressed with the results!!