The Zi8 is an excellent pocket cam, with an extraordinary electronics package worth far more than a mere 0. In fact some think it has the electronics package of a 0 camera. However, it does suffer from a narrow Field of View. This video is a how I successfully added a step down ring to modify my Zi8. I use this camera for beekeeping videos and on meteorite expeditions. The Field of View is too narrow, and I want the option to add a wide angle to fix it. So modifying it for a step down ring is a no brainer. If you have modified yours, feel free to submit your video as a video response.
After purchasing the Kodak Zi8, I wasn't happy with the angle of the built-in lens, nor was I happy with the macro aperture. I then purchased a Magnetic / Detachable Wide Angle + Macro Lens from usbfever.com. The Magnetic Lens attachment took 2 minutes to install and here is the first video I took with the macro lens. What do you think of the results? The 0.68X Wide-angle lens will be tested during daylight hours in the day or so. I'll post those as well...
www.chrismarquardt.com I've modded my Kodak zi8 because the default field of view wasn't wide enough. I found this cheap 10 Euro wide-angle extender for compact cameras on eBay that comes with a metal ring that you attach around the lens and then it clicks on with a magnet. Unfortunately this didn't work with the zi8 because of the shape around the lens, so I used hot glue to attach the ring. Please don't ask me what brand or make the extender is, I have no idea. On its outside it says "Digital Optic 0.6x Super High-Definition Magnetic Wide Angle AF Lens with Macro 31mm" The quality isn't as good as with an expensive extender for sure, but it is actually quite decent given he price of the exender, and it'll do in a pinch. And as it's attached magnetically I can take it off whenever I need to. I'm looking forward to testing this outside in sunlight. Added bonus of the mod the wider angle reduces the depth of field, so that the focusing distance is now close enough to hand-hold the camera while shooting footage of myself. That wasn't possible before, my arm was too short.
Put together a quick test video to show the differences between the regular Flip Ultra HD lens and the wide angle lens mod. The Flip is such a great little camera, the only hindrance being the lens. With this mod you can capture so much more. The wide-angle lens is a Sunpak 0.5x wide-angle lens which I purchased from Best Buy for . Cheap, easy mod with great results.
I used: Sandpaper Superglue/gorilla glue 30.5-37mm step up ring 37mm lens of choice I got the 37mm kenko wide angle/telephoto kit and the lensbaby 37mm macro kit from amazon. hathcocked.blogspot.com
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