failed modding attempt with kodak disposable lens

I saw on Youtube that you can use the lens from a Kodak disposable camera and mod it to you camera.

No one told me that actually you cannot do it for a Canon DSLR because of the Incompatible Flange Focal Distance (FFD), which basically means that you need to place the lens so close to the sensor that it is impossible mechanically to get a picture.

No camera has been damaged during this test

Test steps:

1. Save the lens from the Kodak disposable camera

2. Drill hole into EF MOUNT body cap

3. Add the lens

4. First test failed - no image in focus except macro scenario where the camera needs to be at max 5 cm from the subject

5. Changed the position, no proper results. Reversed the lens, no results.

6. Added gaffer tape to the lens so I can play with the position, no real progress.

Test results

Reason why it is failing for DSLR Canon cameras found on google:

he lens from a Kodak disposable camera (typically a 30mm or 31mm f/10 single-element plastic lens) does not work on Canon cameras—specifically Canon DSLRs—primarily because of flange focal distance incompatibility and physical constraints. 

Here is the breakdown of why this DIY hack rarely works without significant modification:

1. Incompatible Flange Focal Distance (FFD)

The "flange distance" is the space required between the back of the lens and the film/sensor. 

• Disposable Cameras: These lenses are designed to sit very close to the film plane, typically at a distance of around 20mm–25mm.

• Canon DSLRs (EF/EF-S Mount): These cameras have a long flange distance (approx. 44mm) to accommodate a mirror box.

• The Problem: The lens needs to be positioned inside the camera mirror box (closer than the camera mount) to achieve proper focus. If you just tape the lens to a body cap, it is too far away, resulting in only extreme macro (near-focus), blurry images, or a failure to focus at all. 

2. Mirror Interference (DSLR Specific)

If you try to mount the disposable lens on a Canon DSLR (like a Rebel, 90D, 5D, etc.), the lens must be positioned so close to the sensor that it will likely physically obstruct the movement of the mirror, causing the camera to lock up or damaging the mirror mechanism. 

3. Fixed Focus and Aperture

Disposable camera lenses are fixed-focus, designed to keep everything from about 1 meter to infinity in focus. When forced onto a camera with a different flange distance, this focus range is lost, and the lens cannot be adjusted, making it impossible to fix the focus manually. 

Why it Works on Mirrorless (But Not DSLRs)

You may see people online using these lenses on Sony or Canon mirrorless cameras (RF/EF-M mount). This is possible because:

• Mirrorless cameras have a very short flange distance (e.g., 20mm for RF).

• There is no mirror, allowing the lens to sit deep enough in the body to achieve focus. 

Sony Cybershot Steadyshot DSC-W320

Bought this camera from a yard sale because I saw it is powering on and always wanted a point and shoot like this

---

Testing the Cybershot

The camera is power on and all functions work including the smile detection which is funny cuz it existed so long time ago.

Unfortunately the senzor is busted and the videos and the photos are captured in magenta and purple tones. I hoped it is only the display that may be faulty but it is actually the senzor. Also there is almost no sharpness but you can manage to see the subjects in image.

The camera is pretty worn out maybe because it wasn’t handled with the care it was needed but it is fully functional

There is a new trend regading circuit bent portraits and glitch core and I believe this little camera can be used exactly for this purpuse. Below I have attached a video and photos captured with it.

I don’t have the proper charging states for the battery so I have improvides with a Kodak charger and some plastic holders to make the battery charge, but as far as I read on the internet it is not necessarely a good thing to do. The proper charger for it is usb charger from Newell, DC-USB for SONY NP-BN1, NP-BN which supports DSC-W320 model

RO

Testarea Cybershot-ului

Camera porneste si toate functiile merg, inclusiv detectia zambetului, ceea ce e amuzant pentru ca exista de atat de mult timp.

Din pacate, senzorul este stricat, iar videoclipurile si pozele sunt capturate in tonuri de magenta si mov. Am sperat sa fie doar ecranul defect, dar de fapt este senzorul. De asemenea, nu prea exista claritate, dar poti sa deslusesti subiectii in imagine.

Camera este destul de uzata, probabil pentru ca nu a fost manuita cu grija necesara, dar este complet functionala.

Exista un nou trend legat de portrete "circuit bent" si "glitch core" si cred ca aceasta camera mica poate fi folosita exact in acest scop. Mai jos am atasat un video si poze facute cu ea.

Nu am statia de incarcare potrivita pentru baterie, asa ca am improvizat cu un incarcator Kodak si niste suporti din plastic pentru a face bateria sa se incarce, dar din cate am citit pe internet, nu este neaparat un lucru bun. Incarcatorul potrivit pentru ea este incarcatorul USB de la Newell, DC-USB pentru SONY NP-BN1, NP-BN, care suporta modelul DSC-W320.

tests

Porst Relex TL and the locked lens

Some while a friend of mine brought me a film camera called: Porst Reflex TL. I’ve never heard of Porst before so it seems that the base model is Cosina Hi-Lite rebranded with Porst name and the lens mount is M42. I’ve put it away on a shelf and forgot about it.

At the of 2025 I started a journey of testing new gear, old gear or broken gear to see what is the end result. So this is how I started to check this camera.

I bought a cheap FOMAPAN 400 film to test the camera. When I checked the view finder it seems that it has some dust either on the interior side of the lens or on the diaphragm. Next tried to detach the lens but I couldn’t to clean the dust up but I couldn’t so I gave up with the cleaning process.

Next I’ll be loading the film, watch a tutorial on how to use the camera and I’ll upload the text results.

The story of Panasonic Mini Cassette recorder RQ-L309

This weekend I found a Panasonic Mini Cassette Recorder RQ-L309 so I wonder how it may be used for enhancing audio for videos or other creative projects

---

Testing the recorder

The recorder works perfectly when using both recording and play options, the speaker is not that great especially when playing at maximum volume.

A nice feature is a counter that is running when you play or record and it can be reset manually

You can connect the device with via jack but the sound is mono so you’ll hear it in one speaker/headphone.

I believe that the strong suit of this recorder is that the sound may contain artefacts which are harder to be emulated digitally so if you want to capture the sound with a late 90’ vibe this is the tool.

I really like the estetic and the simple design that works just fine after 36 years.