projects

3D-Printed Extension Lens Project for Cost-Effective Macro Photography (on-going)

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This project introduces a 3D-printed extension tube system that makes macro photography affordable and accessible. By extending the distance between a camera’s sensor and lens, the tube enables close-up shots with magnifications up to 1:1 or higher, rivaling expensive macro lenses. Using low-cost materials and open-source designs, this DIY solution empowers hobbyists, students, and budget-conscious photographers to capture stunning details of small subjects like insects or flowers.

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The system is built with 3D-printed PLA or PETG tubes (costing ~$0.50–$1 each), budget lens/body caps (~$5–$10), and simple electronic contacts like pogo pins (~$5–$10) to maintain camera-lens functionality, such as aperture control. Open-source STL files allow users to print customizable tubes of varying lengths (e.g., 12mm to 300mm) for different magnification levels, compatible with major camera mounts like Canon EF or Sony E. Total cost per tube is ~$15–$30, compared to $200–$1,500 for macro lenses or $20–$150 for commercial extension tubes.

 

This project democratizes macro photography by eliminating financial barriers. It supports applications from nature and product photography to scientific documentation, with lightweight, portable tubes weighing 50–100 grams. While non-macro lenses may show slight edge blur and longer tubes reduce light, stopping down or using a $20 ring flash mitigates these issues. By sharing designs on platforms like Thingiverse, the project fosters community collaboration, enabling anyone with a 3D printer to explore macro photography creatively and affordably.

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I am at the 5th version of my design. The performance is not as great as I had hoped. I am making revision in the next few months to get there. The graph below showed the evolution of my design - the grey one is where I am at.

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