Simple Macro Lens for IPad/iPhone/iPod

this is a really simple lens you can put together to get nice macro shots for any mobile or tablet camera. i have seen this a few times before but i have seen ways that could damage the device or just take to much time.

Step 1: Materials and Tools

the materials you will need are:

Laser pointer
clothes line peg (plastic)

Optional:
lens cloth
string

Tools:
engraver/drill with small drill bit (size of lens)
or
any circular cutting tool

For this I used an old engraver I had in my room

Step 2: Getting the Lens

all we need from the laser pointer is the lens. so pull it apart and carefully pry out the lens. It should only be something like 5-8 mm wide. Before we move onto the next step try putting the lens over the camera and holding something just above the lens until the picture is focused, this is hard because even the slightest movement can move it. I noticed as i held it above the lens it would move every 3 quarters of a second or so, I realized this was just my heart beat which slightly moved my fingers.

Something else I noticed was that because this lens was from a laser pointer the focus point was really small. This is because the lens was made to focus the red light into a tiny beam and not for photography.

Step 3: Creating

Basically all we are making here is something to hold the lens, I have seen people use gaffer tape to hold the lens down but I thought that would leave sticky residue on the back and what if i wanted to use it on the front? I have also seen people create a whole device which holds the lens in place, and can be lowered or lifted for perfect focus. I really liked this idea however I didn't want to go through all this trouble of building a whole mounted device so i came up with this idea.

first of all pull apart the peg so that there are to pieces. Then use your drill/engraver or circular cutting tool to cut a hole in the end of the peg where it clamps down at (the peg should have a flat surface there for where it clamps, if there is no flat surface it will be more difficult but doable). After the hole has been cut out push the lens (either side doesn't matter) into the hole so it is flush with the base of the peg. after the lens has been securely slotted in shave off the top of the peg a little bit so that there is more room to get really close to the lens.

Step 4: Finished!

Sweet, the lens clamp/holder is done you can now clamp it over the device with the lens over the camera. go and take some awesome macro shots/videos. If you want wrap the cloth around the peg and inside it so the lens doesn't get damaged or scratched. Then to hold it together tie string around it that can loosen and tighten.

In the comments ask any questions, if you make one of your own post a picture of it and I will send you a patch :)

Also please don't forget to vote for me in the portable work station contest and the laser contest if you think I should win :) THANKYOU