ESP32 Camera Lens Adjustment Tools

[whitedavidp]

I wrecked my first OV2460 trying to adjust the focus for a short-focus application (water meter reading). I was warned here and elsewhere that this could happen. I though I had put together some adequate tools for the job shown here. But they were still inadequate.

Finally, I stumbled upon the plans for these tools specifically for this purpose. But having no 3d printer (my wife would kill me), I had no way to get/use them on the replacement OV2640 I ordered.

At the same time, I was searching for a case to fit the ESP32 camera and found Jay on Etsy. The case he had was closest to my needs. In conversing with him prior to my purchase of the case, I mentioned that I need these tools and he kindly offered to print them for me.

They arrived along with the case and worked quite well. Please note that these tools do NOT preclude using something (I ended up using some dental pick tools) to remove the dab of super glue the OV2460 maker uses to lock the focus at factory specs. There are some decent instructions/pointer for this on the web here and elsewhere. But once properly done, these tools make doing the focus adjustment very straight forward.

I just wanted to let interested parties know about Jay and these tools in particular. I like both tools and case so much, I purchased a second set and may get a third.

Best!

[caco3]

Thanks for the links, I will add them to the documentation.

[mixu-]

Isopropyl alcohol (IPA), ie. "rubbing alcohol" worked great for me in order to get a stubborn focus ring moving.

At first I did cut the glue with a sharp knife as instructed but that didn't do it. After dabbing the thread with some IPA and waiting a minute or two I was able to adjust the focus pretty easily. As a bonus(?) of this method, the focus ring gets glued in place again after the IPA dries up. I guess you can remove the glue remains completely if you want an adjustable focus.

[whitedavidp]

Thanks. I have one that just will not move. I will try this.

[gekkehenkie11]

The tools were pretty useless to me. The alcohol method worked wonders though!! Everything you said about it is indeed important, it takes 2 minutes, then you can turn it (I used regular pliers but keep pressure very moderate or you'll destroy the lens casing). And after a while it becomes dried up again and you'll need to repeat in order to be able to turn again.

WAY easier than the knife cutting method. And like said, the printable tools were unfortunately of not much use

[whitedavidp]

Did you print yourself or buy the tools? Jay told me something about doing some aspect of the printing differently. But I didnt understand. Also, I had to very carefully select the one to use on my lens. 2 seemed to "fit". But only one actually got a grip good enough to really work. Still, alcohol seems much better.

[gekkehenkie11]

I printed them myself, at "high quality" mode, in PETG. The alcohol method just worked super good. I guess you could even combine the 2 methods, but I felt that the printed tools didnt have enough grip on the lens.

Just use alcohol, wait 2 minutes, hold the lens in one hand and the pliers in the others. Just be carefull not to apply too much force, because you'll destroy the lens, which happened with my first test (that was before using alcohol). Luckily I bought a few and the alcohol method was succesfull on the other ones.

BTW for miniature work like this I just LOVE these lenses: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BL2QT8D4?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1 Also for soldering miniature stuff, these are just a must-have.

[whitedavidp]

Here is what Jay told me:

a) for something like this it may be better to be printed in ABS as PLA may not be rigid enough, ABS is much more hygtoacopic

b) I only print with a .4mm nozzle, .6 typically is to print bigger projects a bit faster but the tradeoff is you lose some precision in your print

I know next to nothing at all about 3-d printing. If I had more years available to me, I would get a printer and start tinkering myself. At this point, my wife would kill me and solve the problem that way :-) Best