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Question

Are there accessory lenses for the Kodak Zi8?

Feb 4, 2015 4:55AM PST

I just picked up a Zi8 on eBay and am impressed. I particularly like the audio-in jack for an external mic or padded-down mixer feed. BUT... I notice that focus is sharp from infinity to about 4 feet, and then with the internal closeup lens engaged, at about 5 or 6 inches only. A lot of my work is tabletop, so good focus at 2-3 feet is critical. I find that you can carefully set the closeup lens lever to a midpoint and sort-of focus the camera that way, but it sure would be nice to simply snap-on an accessory lens that would give good focus between 2 and 4 feet. Anyone have ideas? Maybe a pair of drugstore 'reader' glasses in front?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
The problem is that such lenses will be hit or miss.
Feb 4, 2015 4:59AM PST

I'll take it you know Kodak is no longer around so the market for lenses is no more. Rather than fight with this why not shop for a better camera? Table top work is not very demanding for the camera. That is I find lighting to be where I get my bang for the buck.
Bob

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True, but...
Feb 4, 2015 5:09AM PST

Gee, just half an hour ago I registered in the Support section on the Kodak Website. Must be going through a time warp or something. I appreciate your advice, but the Zi8 remains a popular simple camera, and Amazon, at least, still lists third-party snap-on accessory lenses. These are wide-angle, however, and I'm looking for something different. With a fixed lens position, the distance to the subject dictates the focal length of the lens. My proposal for putting the lens from a pair of reading glasses in front of the camera might do the trick, so I'll probably give it a try. Thanks anyway.

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My tape of choice for quick tryouts is painter's tape.
Feb 4, 2015 5:13AM PST