This article was taken from the July 2012 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
The lens in a DVD player makes a cheap macro-lens smartphone add-on. Here's what you need to do and how.
You'll need: Mobile phone with camera
DVD drive from a computer or a DVD player
Small Phillips-head screwdriver
Razor blade, or X-Acto knife
Piece of tape
Safety first
A DVD player has high-voltage components. Unplug it and never turn it on when the housing is off. Looking directly at the laser can cause eye damage.
Find the laser
Open the DVD player casing. Look for a small carriage with a laser mounted in the middle. This holds the focusing lens for the laser -- the bit that you want.
Remove lens
Carefully pry the lens from its housing. You may need to cut through glue -- a razor or other thin blade is ideal. You may also need to break some plastic tabs.
Mount it
Clean the camera lens. Stick the flat side of the DVD lens to the camera lens with small strips of tape. The rounded side should be sticking out away from your camera.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
