Phone-O-Scope brings SLR lenses to the iPhone the hard way
By Donald Melanson 
posted December 2nd 2009 11:29AM
posted December 2nd 2009 11:29AM
We've seen a few iPhone camera mods and even the odd off-the-shelf case with interchangeable lenses -- but why buy new lenses when you already have some perfectly good ones for your SLR camera? That's the thinking behind this so-called Phone-O-Scope built by camera modder Bhautik Joshi, at least, which makes use of an always handy laser pickup from a CD player, some PVC pipe couplers and, of course, duct tape to let you attach any regular SLR lens to your iPhone. As you might expect, however, the end result isn't exactly flawless, but the Bhautik does seem to be happy with the "fuzzy, Holga-like images" he's able to get with the rig. Judge for yourself after the break, and find the details for building your own at the link below.
So I can buy an expensive lens to take crappy pictures?!
Awesome! Where do I sign up?
@glamajamma Don't bother - sign on the "I just complain about other people's funky little projects on the internet" list instead
@(Unverified)
Is there a "stop wasting duct tape for five minutes of internet fame" list?
Duct tape is a valuable resource. If we start taking it for granted, some day it just won't be there for us anymore.
@glamajamma
You have to admit thats some pretty sweet vignetting;)
@glamajamma
You're an imbecile. This isn't done so you could put a giant lens in your pocket. Some people like to hack things together for the sake of it - because they can. It's called creativity and doing things with products that go beyond their intended purpose, even if they yield bizarre results.
@Rick James actually no it isn't.
@(Unverified) You really should turn the sarcasm detector up a notch there--to 11 perhaps?
@(Unverified)
imbecile? really?
@glamajamma To be fair, that is a pretty crappy lens.
Wait up. So I'm supposed to take the lens OFF of my DSLR and put it ON my iPhone instead??
umm why do this? for the size of it, just carry your damn camera. who the hell wants to make a phone call holding that sh....
- Dan
@(Unverified) "Why do this?" Because you can!
Apple iPhone:
Not for nerds, not for the popular, not for the social, but for those who need a life, cause they have way too much free time.... and duct tape.
@(Unverified) yeah, why not just use the camera he used to take the picture of this stupid mod
Really?
Can YOUR network do that???
@nuck44 LOL
@nuck44 win!
@nuck44 I hope not...
@nuck44 DOUBLE WIN !
Sweet.
That's a lot of effort and money to take terrible looking photos.
GUESS WHAT IPHONE "modders" THE CAMERA ON IT SUCKS. GIVE UP ALREADY!
@(Unverified) LOUD NOISES!
crap
Wow! It's like hooking Bose speakers up to your Gameboy.
@samueljesusfreak Lol!
@samueljesusfreak Bose? More like Polk, or JBL.
@aznofazns Well, depends on the lense they used. I can't really see but it looks like a Canon. If not, it's probably an overpriced not-so-great(Bose) lense :P
Yes. Canon. So it is a good lense. Where's the edit button on all this? Gone? Lame.
@samueljesusfreak Do people still see Bose as a high end brand?
@thirdopticaltool Unfortunately, yes. I've seen far too many people drop $600 on a Bose CD player with integrated speakers. Oh, the humanity. :(
@samueljesusfreak Yeah bose aren't exactly what you should think of when you think quality. Funny comment though =)
@AtomSmasher5 It's all I could think of. . . and unfortunately most people relate good speakers straight to Bose. Thinking of the majority here :)
@samueljesusfreak except Bose isn't actually good.
@maveric101 It sure would be at 1/10th the price :0
LOL
I love it... and duct tape.
Cameras don't belong on mobile phones anyway.
Get an actual camera!
It's clearly a joke.
This is so sad, but made me laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.
i dont think i need this
Maybe someone should simply make an iphone app to control a DSLR.
@Wwhat
Sorry but the app will be rejected by Apple. Duplicate function, the iPhone already has a camera.
@Wwhat http://www.ononesoftware.com/detail.php?prodLine_id=38
@thirdopticaltool I am NOT an iPhone fan by any means but that DSLR remote control is pretty freak'n cool !!
I just duct taped by iPhone to my Canon DSLR.
Did you use apple-store duct tape?
@Wwhat
if not you void your warranty
@(Unverified) Now you have a phone camera.
did they start making a re-imagined version of MacGyver? the Ducktape just reminded me to the good old times.. but seriously now, the pic quality is nice if really shot with this combo