I want to use the lens from a disposable 35mm film camera on my regular cameras (Nikon F mount, Sony E Mount, etc). I've been Googling and searching and have not been able to find any material that describes how to do it. I'm not really sure what would be involved in extracting the lens from a disposable camera and adapting it to a regular cameras mount. I'm also willing to just buy a pre-made one but I haven't been able to find that either. Any ideas?
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\$\begingroup\$ I have cameras with Sony E Mount and Nikon F mount that I would like to use it on \$\endgroup\$– user5359531Commented Mar 1, 2020 at 17:48
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1\$\begingroup\$ In my opinion, the quality of a disposable camera lens ( which camera ? ) is not worth the time, effort and expense to do this. Why do you want to do this ? \$\endgroup\$– Alaska ManCommented Mar 1, 2020 at 18:48
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\$\begingroup\$ because I like the image quality of disposable cameras. \$\endgroup\$– user5359531Commented Mar 2, 2020 at 2:33
1 Answer
I want to use the lens from a disposable 35mm film camera on my regular cameras (Nikon F mount, Sony E Mount, etc).
Adapting the lens from a single-use camera has a low probability of success.
Portions of the lens housing may be molded into the camera housing. It may not hold the elements together when cut away from the rest of the camera.
The registration distance of single-use camera lenses is less than the thickness of the camera, ~25mm.
This is far too short to use on DSLR cameras. It might work with some mirrorless cameras, but there won't be much room to work with.
The lens may work when attached to a lens cap with a hole drilled into it, but it depends on the FFD of your camera.
To adapt arbitrary lenses, I use a short M42/C-mount adapter and M42-M42 helicoid. The helicoid and adapter aren't able to bring single-use camera lenses close enough to the sensor to focus at infinity. Depending on your objectives, other lenses may be adapted.
I'm also willing to just buy a pre-made one...
Some manufacturers make lo-fi lenses.
Diana F+ 38mm Lens ~$40 + Diana F+ Lens adapter (EF) ~$20
Holga 60mm f/8 Lens (NF, EF) ~$20
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- Lomo LC-A Minitar-1 Art 32mm f/2.8 (L39, Leica M-mount) ~$350
- Lomogon 32mm f/2.5 Art (NF, EF, PK) ~$600
Loreo Lens in a Cap 35mm f/5.6 (PK, EF, FD, NF, MD, M42, Minolta AF) ~$27
Olympus M.Zuiko 9mm f/8 Fisheye Body Cap Lens (MFT) ~$100
Olympus M.Zuiko 15mm f/8 Body Cap Lens (MFT) ~$50
Pinhole body caps on your favorite auction site.
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\$\begingroup\$ Thanks, I was able to find the Holga 60mm f/8 for Nikon F locally for only $20. Also was able to get an adapter for my Sony and it seems to fit. Looks like this might be a good solution for this kind of image, I am trying it out. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Mar 2, 2020 at 2:26
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\$\begingroup\$ Problem with the Holga lens might be its focal length. A lot of fixed-focus cameras have ~38mm lenses (~25mm on APS-C). \$\endgroup\$– xiotaCommented Mar 2, 2020 at 2:40