Maker Helge “MisterHW” Wurst has put collectively a useful instrument for the images fanatic, designed to supply improved lighting and focus for macro images with out the majority: the credit score card-sized LEDCard, which slots proper into your pockets.
“Concepts,” Wurst writes of the primary LEDCard prototype, developed again in 2017: “LED ring gentle; macro lens; battery-powered; notches to have the ability to repair it to a tool with rubber bands. [But] the LED effectivity [was] too low, CR2032 batteries insufficient, inrush present could result in contact degradation of the push-button over time, [and the] rubber band concept turned out to be extra of a combat than a function.”
The LEDCard goals to show any smartphone right into a macro-shooting marvel, because of on-board LED lighting. (📷: Helge Wurst)
Over time, Wurst continued to instrument round with the concept, swapping the paired CR2032 cells of the unique design to LIR2430 rechargeable lithium-ion button cells, including USB charging, adjustable brightness, whereas dropping the band-notches of the preliminary prototype.
The core idea, nevertheless, stays unchanged: a macro lens, mounted in a cutout on the board’s middle, turns any smartphone digital camera right into a close-up digital camera — whereas a tough ring of surface-mount LEDs encircle it to supply even lighting from all instructions.
The preliminary prototype included notches for fastening bands, which proved extra awkward than useful. (📷: Helge Wurst)
The entire board is designed to be sufficiently small to slip right into a pockets, offering moveable macro-photography capabilities with out the majority. Its exact optical specs rely upon the lens fitted, with the creator having examined three plano-convex acrylic lenses efficiently: One providing +49mm, one +65mm, and one +120mm.
Wurst has launched the schematics, design information, and Gerbers for the LEDCard on GitHub underneath an unspecified open supply license on his GitHub repository. Anybody trying to make their very own, nevertheless, could wish to anticipate a deliberate however not but launched redesign that resolves a flaw during which the battery might be discharged and destroyed if the check button will get held down throughout transportation or storage.
