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CameraTester Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #1 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? I've created what I call, the Lynny, an artistic, creative, selective focusing lens. It's made of just a macro extension tube and macro filters (as lens elements), with electric and gaffers tape. Also it has a 52mm to 37mm step down ring to act as an aperture and to allow more macro filters for macro photography, a lens hood, or anything else that fits 37mm threads. What the Lynny comes with is a 37mm wide angle lens, which you screw on the step down ring, and it gives the photos a wider angle, and also gives the photos a way softer focus, a more dreamier look. (you can remove for a different look to the photos) Without the wide angle lens, the photos have heavy chromatic aberration (which I like), a zooming blur which you can control by moving the lens around, and the focal length is 85mm or so With the wide angle lens, the chromatic aberration is eliminated, and the zooming blur is softer, and the look is way softer and dreamier. The focal length is about 65mm or so. I am looking for ways to make the design better, and/or to upgrade this in any way. If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for this lens, please post a reply. Thank you! First design Second design Third design Current design Resulting photos Photo with the wide angle lens on Photo with the wide angle lens off EDIT: Here is a comparison between the Lynny and the original Lensbaby: Here are some collages I made with test shots: Edited on Feb 04, 2012 at 02:02 AM · View previous versions Jan 25, 2012 at 02:49 AM

corposant Online Upload & Sell: On p.1 #2 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? After you figure out how to get the tape out of the equation, I would patent it and try to license it to the Lomography store. Jan 25, 2012 at 03:54 AM

CameraTester Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #3 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? That's one of my main goals, to get the tape out of the equation. But what would I use to hold it together? And also am I infringing patents from Lensbaby? Jan 25, 2012 at 03:56 AM

CameraTester Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #4 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? Also what about selling the product with other brand name parts on it, for example a NEEWER wide angle lens, or a Zeikos UV filter? Is that wrong? Jan 25, 2012 at 03:57 AM

CameraTester Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #5 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? See, my main goal is to get the tape out of the equation, and replace it with a better look, but still having the ability of moving the lenses around. I really need everyones help on finding a way to do this to create a better product. Tape works, but is NOT sell-worthy. Jan 25, 2012 at 04:00 AM

CameraTester Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #6 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? I was thinking that unless I come up with another design besides with tape, I could keep the tape design (it's a whole lot easier to do and works great) and I could make it look worlds better with the use of a can of liquid rubber: https://www.getflexseal.com/ or something similar (if anyone else has any other suggestions, please mention them), spray that on nice and evenly, which also gives it a nice feeling and texture, then I'll give it an even coat of black spray paint, or any other basic colors if I decide to make this lens available in colors other than black. Then I may possibly give it a nice finish or some sort (again, if anyone has any suggestions on what finish to use, please mention it) Thanks for any help with this Jan 25, 2012 at 05:30 AM

williamkazak Offline Dedicated FM Upload & Sell: On p.1 #7 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? 1. What are macro filters? You mean +1,2,3? 2. Are you are aware of using +10 filter on the end of a tube for a soft focus lens? 3. Are you are aware that a focusing mount is needed in #2 for that lens to become truely useful? 4. Are you are aware that Sima produced such a lens with a sliding tube and interchangable aperture discs for soft focus effects? It is called a Sima soft focus lens. 5. Are you are aware that photogs also use a Vivitar macro focus 2x tele-converter and take the glass out and place a +10 on the front for a soft focus lens that also focuses? 6. Does your lens moves side to side to create soft focus and swirl effects? 7. Is your lens like any of the above lenses with the additi0on of side to side movements? Edited on Jan 26, 2012 at 05:33 AM · View previous versions Jan 25, 2012 at 05:43 AM

LightShow Offline Dedicated FM Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #8 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? The simplest method I can think of is heat-shrink tubing, it's available in many sizes, some even has a glue to hermetically seal out moisture, dust... And you can get different colors too. The downside is the heat could cause problems with parts of the lens, plastics and lube to name a few. am I infringing patents from Lensbaby? I don't think so, selective focus is far from a new idea, as long as you don't have parts that function in the same way, I don't think you will have an issue, but it's best to check with a patent lawyer if going down the commercialization path. selling the product with other brand name parts on it, for example a NEEWER wide angle lens, or a Zeikos UV filter? Is that wrong? It's best to contact the company, especially if there are patents. Also to see if they would be willing to sell you their rejects or normal quality components unmarked or marked at a reduced cost. Jan 25, 2012 at 06:27 AM

millsart Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #9 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? Go with the tape, it looks horrible and tacky, but I could see that actually being considered sort of "hip" or "steam punk" or "lo fi" etc by the very people who would enjoy the type of images your invention produces. The very fact it looks like something made in the garage really sets it apart Jan 25, 2012 at 07:58 AM

CameraTester Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #10 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? LightShow wrote: The simplest method I can think of is heat-shrink tubing, it's available in many sizes, some even has a glue to hermetically seal out moisture, dust... And you can get different colors too. The downside is the heat could cause problems with parts of the lens, plastics and lube to name a few. am I infringing patents from Lensbaby? I don't think so, selective focus is far from a new idea, as long as you don't have parts that function in the same way, I don't think you will have an issue, but it's best to check with a patent lawyer if going down the commercialization path. selling the product with other brand name parts on it, for example a NEEWER wide angle lens, or a Zeikos UV filter? Is that wrong? It's best to contact the company, especially if there are patents. Also to see if they would be willing to sell you their rejects or normal quality components unmarked or marked at a reduced cost. Hmm. Heat shrink tubing. That would be ok, but I can't seem to find it in 2 1/4 inch diameter. Not to mention I'm afraid you can't get it in the middle where the lens bends around, not to mention it might not bend or go back and forth. I contacted Lensbaby about it last night. The main lady for customer service who I've seen in the Lensbaby videos contacted me back and said she forwarded the email to Craig Strong, the president, who I wanted it to be directed to in the first place. I might just check with a patent lawyer. And yeah I just might have to contact Neewer at least, I don't necessarily need the UV filter. Oh and I'll also need to contact the makers of the macro filters unless I can find either of them unmarked at a cheap price, can't seem to find them. Thanks for the reply Jan 25, 2012 at 05:13 PM

CameraTester Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #11 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? millsart wrote: Go with the tape, it looks horrible and tacky, but I could see that actually being considered sort of "hip" or "steam punk" or "lo fi" etc by the very people who would enjoy the type of images your invention produces. The very fact it looks like something made in the garage really sets it apart That's one thing I thought of too, I'm not sure many people would mind having it with tape, like you mentioned, especially the people who like the kind of photos this lens produces. It is a do it yourself lens made by a 19 year old, what should anyone expect, haha. But I've been making things for my cameras for a while now. Like I said, I might spray liquid rubber on it, and then evenly spray black spray paint on it, also with some sort of finish, and see how that looks. I'm sure it will look more "professional" Compared to with tape. Jan 25, 2012 at 05:17 PM

CameraTester Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #12 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? And about getting this patented. What would happen if I didn't? And does anyone else here think I should? I've heard it before a few times. What are the advantages of if I did? EDIT: And how much would it cost to get the lens patented? Are there renewal fees too? Jan 25, 2012 at 05:20 PM

jotdeh Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #13 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? You would have to find something that is actually patentable (i.e. not previously published *anywhere* in the world). Already with what you published here, pretty much the only significant country you could get a patent in is the US, where there is a one year grace period. In Germany for example, if it's published, it's in the public domain and not patentable anymore. Also, if you do find something patentable (which in your case would have to be something pretty specific, not a broad claim - maybe that you are using self-adhesive tape where typically cloth bellows have been used) then you would have to look critically at what the value of it is. Could someone make essentially the same thing as you but changing something just a little bit to get around your patent? Then you spent a lot (A LOT!) of effort and money on getting a patent, and you wouldn't get anything out of it. In your case, imho, best option would be to work out how you can make lots of these quickly and cheaply (source all your parts in good quantities, maybe start with a batch of 100), prepare user instructions and start selling them. See how many you can sell at a price that covers materials and all the time you put in. I think about the maximum you could reasonably ask for this is in the $50-70 range. Then again, I don't know much about the hipster culture - they might pay more, if your marketing story is good. These are just my ~$0.02, don't put too much value in it (except the patent stuff, I really think your resources wouldn't be put to good use with that). Good luck, keep us posted! Jan 25, 2012 at 08:32 PM

CameraTester Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #14 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? Yeah, I'm most likely going to pass on getting a patent on this. Not worth the money and time and effort, and did I say money? I'm going to try to raise enough money and buy everything in a bulk of 100 of each items, and then spend a lot of time building each one and making it sell worthy, and sell them, collect the money from them, and buy more parts to make more, until I have a lot of them, and I'll offer them to the lomography store to see if they'll sell them for me. I've got a lot of thinking and preparing to do. But just a heads up, I have a new addon for this lens I literally made in like 10 minutes, but it takes my lens to a WHOOOOOLE new level of creative photography!! I'll give you all a hint......drill bits, a drill, and a rubber cap for the wide angle lens. I tested it out indoors, and it is pretty cool. I'll give more info when I have test shots from outside shots when there is day light. I'll try to do that tomorrow, but you do not want to miss this. It's super cool and is the ONLY lens that can acquire shots like this addon does! Stay tuned! Jan 26, 2012 at 05:17 AM

millsart Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #15 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? I think sadly the only way most people would want to buy one is if its cheap. Lensbabies were cool back when they were $70, because its just a once in a while item, then they got to be a few hundred bucks and for that type of money people expect a lot of use, and by nature its not that type of item. I think the problem you'd find then is that to price it at a point where it sells would be quite low and the amount of profit you'd make for all the work wouldn't be worth it. Unless of course you can get a slave labor force lol Probably better to just share it with people on the web and how they can make one from the parts they can order off Amazon. Not to discourage you, but its very easy to spend more than you'd make getting this type of thing off the ground, and its a very niche product, so its not like its ever going to move half a million units, know what I mean. Also have to remember as well that many who like this look probably already own a lensbaby as well, which with the plastic optic lenses gives a similar look, so its not exactly offering something thats never been done. Still a cool project just the same Jan 26, 2012 at 05:56 AM

CameraTester Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #16 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? I did sell one, for $90. That's a good amount to make for this. Thanks for your helpful comment. Jan 26, 2012 at 08:04 PM

CameraTester Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #17 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? And here is what some of you have been waiting for. The new thing I made in like 10 minutes, but takes the lens to a WHOLE NEW level. This cap for the wide angle lens: Makes photos look like this!: What do you all think of this new piece? Jan 26, 2012 at 08:07 PM

CameraTester Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #18 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? Guess no one likes the new part I made for the lens? I like it. And I need help. I'm wanting to upgrade the lens, but need suggestions on the part(s) I need to get. I'd like to get a solid tube like part, with large threads with tons of space in between the threads to allow fast and little turning, maybe threads that only circle around 1 or 2 times per inch around the tube part. Something like a PVC pipe that I can cut into pieces if I need to, preferably no metal, and that will be fit closely to the inside of an extension tube, exactly 2 inches in diameter or maybe 1 1/2. and I need two pieces, one male end and one female end. I really need to be able to cut this in pieces to make for more lenses, and to find which size I need. I need this so I can make it instead of pushing and pulling to and from the camera, you screw in and out, while still keeping the tilt function. Someone please suggest me a part. I can't find anything. I don't know what to search for. Thank you! Feb 04, 2012 at 01:46 AM

jotdeh Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #19 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? Try searching for helicoids on ebay, or take junk lenses apart. Push-pull might be good enough though, no? I mean, CY Zeiss 35-70 or Canon 100-400 are of that type, too... Feb 04, 2012 at 02:14 AM

CameraTester Offline Upload & Sell: Off p.1 #20 · Any ideas/suggestions for my lens invention? Thank you, but a helicoid isn't what i need. It needs to be a simple tube with a male and female part, these don't fit that need. And yes, push-pull is great, but I'd like to make another one with the screw feature. Does anyone know a part that I can use for this? Feb 04, 2012 at 02:31 AM

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