How can I make a fixed-focus webcam focus at 5–20 cm for close-up work?

Question

I have a webcam with a fixed plastic lens that is currently focused for subjects beyond about 40 cm. I need it to focus much closer, roughly 5–20 cm away. I tried a magnetic smartphone macro attachment, but it acted like very strong magnification and was too much for what I need. Are there lower-power close-up options for a webcam, or is it better to modify the webcam’s existing lens/focus mechanism?

webcam macro lens-modification focus close-up

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

11y ago

user34574 · Accepted Answer

Here's how you could refocus a Logitech C310 webcam:

Open it up:

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Lens held on by two screws:

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Lens removed:

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Lens itself:

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All you need to do is slightly increase the space between the lens and the sensor. If you loosen the screws slightly, the space may be enough to bring the focus where you want it, or for a more preeminent solution you could add small pieces of paper as spacers between the lens mounting points and the circuitboard.

Just be careful about dust, my webcam was ruined by creating this series of images because of the dust that fell on the sensor. I didn't care though because it's used for computer vision, not art, and computer vision doesn't care about dust.

How can I make a fixed-focus webcam focus at 5–20 cm for close-up work?

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