If you fancy taking a couple of fish-eye photos with your new DSLR but find it hard to part with the cash to purchase a branded fish-eye lens, then this creative DIY method of creating one might be a good project for this weekend.
Using a fish-eye door viewer, a couple of pieces of scrap wood, and duct tape, you too can create perfect fish-eye photographs.
The DIY fish-eye lens above has been fitted to a standard Nikon 18-105mm VR lens.
Materials and Tools Needed
To get started on this DIY project, you will need a few basic materials and tools. Here’s a list to help you gather everything you need:
- Fish-eye door viewer (commonly available at hardware stores)
- Scrap wood pieces (to create a sturdy mount)
- Duct tape (for securing the components together)
- A saw (to cut the wood to the desired size)
- Sandpaper (to smooth out the wood edges)
- Glue (optional, for additional stability)
Once you have all the materials, you can start assembling your DIY fish-eye lens. The process involves cutting the wood to create a mount that will hold the door viewer in place and then attaching it securely to your DSLR lens using duct tape. Make sure to measure carefully and ensure that the door viewer is aligned properly with your camera lens to achieve the best results.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the steps involved in creating your DIY fish-eye lens:
- Measure the diameter of your DSLR lens and the fish-eye door viewer to ensure a snug fit.
- Cut the scrap wood into two pieces: one to serve as the base and the other as a support for the door viewer.
- Sand the edges of the wood pieces to remove any splinters and ensure a smooth finish.
- Attach the door viewer to the support piece of wood using glue or screws, making sure it is centered.
- Secure the support piece to the base piece of wood, creating a stable mount for the door viewer.
- Use duct tape to attach the wooden mount to your DSLR lens, ensuring that the door viewer is aligned with the lens.
- Test the setup by taking a few photos and adjusting the alignment as needed to achieve the desired fish-eye effect.
This DIY method is not only cost-effective but also allows for a great deal of customization. You can experiment with different types of door viewers or modify the mount to suit your specific needs. Additionally, this project can be a fun and educational experience, giving you a deeper understanding of how lenses work and how to manipulate them to achieve different photographic effects.
Full instructions can be found over at Instructables.
Via Lifehacker
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