How to Make a Camera Lens

Generally, the creation of a camera lens is a complicated, time-consuming procedure that's done only by skilled individuals using high-tech equipment. This complex manufacturing process is impossible to reproduce on your own. But you can make a simpler camera lens like a tilt-shift camera lens. These special lenses can cost more than $1,000, but you can make your own for much less.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Oversized lens
• Stiff, non-corrugated cardboard or stiff black plastic
• Plastic camera body cap
• Hot glue
• Glue gun
• Rubber plunger with bellows design
• Hobby knife
• Metal wood or steel file

1. Find an oversized spare lens that's for a larger film format than the camera you'll be putting the lens on.

2. Hollow out the center of the camera body cap with the hobby knife. File down the inside to smooth the surface so there are no burrs or jagged areas.

3. Cut a hole at the top of the plunger where the stick is. The hole should only be large enough to stretch across the base of your lens. This area will be used to create the flexible camera bellows. Place the cut plunger over the lens and adjust the size as needed.

4. Create a backing by cutting a ring out of the cardboard or plastic. Make sure you've painted the cardboard black to cut down on light refraction in the bellows. Be sure to make the inner circle the same circumference as the body cap.

5. Hot glue the body rap to the ring. Glue the ring to the bellows with the black side in.

6. Attach your new camera lens to your camera.