Amazing On-a-budget Macro Pics

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This is CRUDE - but was a test to build the system more prfessionally. I had a lot of fun with this.
Parts I used:
1. iPhone 4S or later (camera quality needed)
2. Laser pointer to rip the lens out of.
3. Scrap plastic from picture frame
4. Drill bit the size of the lens or a little smaller.
5. Electrical tape

Instructions:
1. Ruin laser pointer by removing lens
2. Cut scrap plexi piece from old picture frame (I traced my iPhone's corner on the plexi to match it up - the rest of the cut was random).
3. Drill hole in plexi same size as lens - b/c its plastic, the cooling effect after drilling makes the hole a micro bit smaller so the lens has a nice tight snap in fit.
4. Tape the slab with lens to the iPhone back while lining up the lens of the iPhone camera and mounted lens.
5. A CD and 3 water bottle caps formed what I rested the phone on b/c a 2X2 slid under the iPhone at this height is in focus - try something else to prop yours up if this does not work. When I did this the first time, the CD was not needed - the system is crude - but is proof of concept to build a better mechanism with this macro.

The macro pics came out amazing - scroll down...

Results:

Edited by Earle42
10/22/2015 5:48 pm

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Cool project.

You can share it on Instructables.com.

I freequent there as well. This was the inspiration for this. I had built a microscope (as in another post) from instructions there, but it was for my iPad which I found had a less than useable camera. Then my wife got an update to her iPhone and I inherited the 4s. I don't have a cell b/c I have no use and also don't want a 24 hour leash.

But I wanted one for its camera - so its fun and experimentation time!

I love it. But now I have to destroy a laser pointer.

It's amazing how well this works. With a DSLR, you have to use focus stacking to get closeup shots like this.

Quote:
It's amazing how well this works. With a DSLR, you have to use focus stacking to get closeup shots like this.

This system still has to stack things - water bottle caps and CDs

I know Darth Morgan has another thread where he shows his setup for taking non-macro coin pics showing toning, luster, etc. Even SsupperDdave said the pics he was getting with his iPhone 4S were amazing (and that's saying something!).

I cannot personally justify the cost for a professional camera so need to improvise - which is very fun.

Awesome and very educational thread! Thank you for sharing! That's definitely a good way to get better pictures for cheap.

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