Build your own macro lens with a Pringles can!

This one is not for the faint of heart, but the guy over at Photocritic.org managed to rig himself a macro lens for his Canon 20D using naught but a Pringles can (that wonderful tool of hackerdom), a cheap lens, and a few other odds and ends. The results aren't too shabby either, he manages to get some sweet pics with his setup that are worth a look even if you're not quite brave enough to mod this one up.

[Thanks, Jerry]

[SuxMariahSux @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Can you believe this stuff on this web site? There is this post about Madonna throwing away her Xbox because it overheated---and there is this tirade about Ipods!

[fogd00d @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Cool I've always wanted to remove my EF-S lens and put a salty and greasy Pringles tube on the end of my Rebel XT.

After I'm done shooting some National Geographic closeups of the crap on my desk, I can take the Pringles can war driving ... (does anyone still use Pringles cans for that?)

[jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

sick!

[Wry Cooter @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

If you have ever bought a macro-extender that would generically fit any camera body with an adapter ring (the most common sort sold) you would realize that you might be getting something better kluging something out of a Pringles can. All that is needed is a bit more distance from the film (or CCD) plane, to focus in tighter on something, without allowing any light leaks.

[Sam @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

So now you are copying Slashdot posts, even copying the same mistake in the headline? This isn't "building" a lens. This is making extension tubes.

http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/12/12/1725209&tid=222&tid=126

[David Fingergut @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

I have... used them before... but only for stealing wifi from my neighbors :P

[sanserif @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

or you could just break off the lens off of an old cheap Kodak camera which i've got. a DX3600.

here's a link to something i've taken.

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/871/ant7jp.jpg

yes, that's a normal sized brown ant.

[Jason @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

This is one of many ways to get a cheap macro shot from an SLR. The more common method (and, IMO, more practical) is to simply reverse the lens. This too is often done with a hack.

BUT know this: eBay has both reversing rings and spacers available for very little dough if you want to avoid sawing and gluing and whatnot. I see no reason to hack if you can find a specialized piece for under $10. The more expensive versions (extension tubes) are expensive because they give you wires that maintain the autofocus control.

[Nobuyuki Idei @ Dec 19th 2005 2:31AM]

Actually, macro lenses are fairly inexpensive. Check this one out:
http://www.photographyreview.com/cat/lenses/35mm-primes/vivitar/prd_84631_3111crx.aspx