One common complaint among smartphone owners is the natural weakness of the entire optical system when it comes to taking photos. Of course, high-end models have implemented more robust solutions, and the market hasn't hesitated to respond with a wide variety of accessories, but there are times when it's worth embracing the DIY approach. For example, how complicated is it to make a macro lens compatible with your phone? Actually, you only need four items...
All our recent camera guides have focused on relatively affordable DSLRs like the D3300/D3400, the Canon EOS 1300D, and the Nikon D5300. Why? The answer is simple: even when the market categorizes them as entry cameras, they can demolish any point-and-shoot and smartphone camera in their path, not to mention the fact that they teach us more about photography... but here at NeoTeo we greatly respect the idea of doing more with less, and if all you have at your disposal right now is your phone's built-in camera, don't worry: there's plenty of room to improvise.
What You'll Need
- An old 35mm compact camera (preferably one with the best lens)
- A popsicle stick
- A rubber band
- Your smartphone with a camera app
The hack is incredibly simple: start by sacrificing a compact camera. Any 35mm model should do, and if you have a choice, pick one with the best lens. Obviously, you don't need to spend a fortune on this step—quite the opposite. Cameras that are non-functional or have serious mechanical issues that aren't worth repairing are excellent candidates.
The rest comes down to gluing the lens to the end of a popsicle stick and using a rubber band to keep the lens in the correct position. Open your phone's camera app, and you're ready to go! The results in the video are spectacular, but even if you only achieve half the quality of those images, it's definitely worth giving it a try.
