Thomas Hack has composed a list of the top 10 hacks on Flickr

“The number one hack for Flickr would have to be Flickrleech. Flickrleech is a site developed by Andrew Houser (who is also a kick ass photographer), or simply Houser as he is often called, with the tagline, “because paging sucks.” “

If you’re really on a budget or maybe you forget to bring your flash diffuser in an occasion, you can use this step-by-step guide on how you can make a flash diffuser from a foam plastic drinking cup. It’s really simple to make as you only need your foam plastic drinking cup and a scissor.

>> Budget flash (strobe) diffuser by FocusFinder

Hobbyman.se has written an interesting step-by-step guide on how you can make a cheap camera monopod with a bottle-cork . What you need to have is a 6mm long tripod screw (1/4″) and a bottle-cork.

Tim Anderson has a great step-by-step tutorial on how you can make your own waterproof digital camera enclosure to avoid buying expensive underwater cases.

“This design will work with almost any camera, digital camera, or camcorder. It gives you access to all the camcorder’s features. You can either look throught the bag into the viewfinder or use the lcd, although most lcds aren’t any good in sunlight. I wanted mine for kitesurfing, but it’ll work underwater too. If it leaks you’ll be able to see water in the bottom of the bag or bubbles escaping and return to the surface before your camera is harmed.”

I know that this article is a bit oudated as it was written back in 2000 where digital camera was a luxury item. But I guess it’s still an interesting project to do..

“My approach basically involves trashing a $100 scanner. I disassembled the scanner and took out all the electronics, the CCD image sensor, and the stepper motor mechanism, and built a new mechanism to hold it all together, and rotate the CCD and lens assembly to scan its environment, instead of a piece of paper.”

>> Continue reading Build a Digital Camera from a Flatbed Scanner

Photojojo has a new tips and tutorial on how you can customize your fish tank with your own photo backdrops to freshen up your home or apartment.

“A great photo aquarium requires a great photo. Here are some photo ideas to get you going:
Other animals (Example: your kitty, ready to pounce), Landscapes and cityscapes (Take Goldie to the Grand Canyon or Times Square!), Large portraits or colorful, abstract photos that match your aquarium rocks and decor, Small, fish-sized subjects to give Goldie some new friends. Maybe a photo edited to show 2″ versions of you and your friends!”

ElectricStuff has some tips for changing the EOS 300D/Rebel focussing screen to help manual focussing and a tutorial on how you can modify your Canon EF Extension tube for EF-S Lens.

“Canon’s EOS 300D digital SLR comes with a lens in a new variation of Canon’s EF format, EF-S. This has a projection on the rear, which prevents the use of old Canon extension tubes for close-up work. Canon have redesigned the tubes (new ones have a II designation - e.g. EF25 II), however if you already have one of the old EF tubes, this page describes how they can be modified to fit the EF-S lens, to save the expense of upgrading. The older tubes will probably also be available more cheaply second-hand. “

>> Continue reading Changing Focus Screen & Modifying Canon EF Extension tube for EF-S Lens

Strobist has published a great step-by-step tutorial on how you can make your own Grid Spots for your flash. With this accessory, you can create professional looking environmental portraits that emphasizes the subject, yet downplays the environment like this picture.

>> Continue reading Grid Spots for Your Flash

I’ve been wanting to buy a tilt-shift lens to shoot pictures like these for ages, but when you’re looking at the price and thinking that you just want to use the lens for fun, then those lenses are just too expensive. Fortunately, Dennison has written a really nice step-by-step tutorial to build your own PC Shift lens. What you need are Lens, Rubber Plunger, Cardboard, and Plastic Body cap.

“The lens you use must be intended for a format larger than the format you intend to use the lens on. IE: In this example i use a lens intended for 6×6 image on a 35mm camera. If I wanted to build this for medium format I would not only need a larger plunger, but a lens that was capable of at least 6×8, with 6×9 being preferable.”

Read more »

Kim has hacked his dusty holga camera and turn it into a Canon EF lens for his Canon 20D. What you need is EOS body cap, EOS lens cap, Holga lens, Empty 35mm film canister, Scissors, xacto knife and some super glue, Electric drill with 1 in. hole bit, and a 3/16 in. drill bit, Dremmel with sanding attachment.

“The process was really simple and it took me about three hours to finish the project from thinking up how to do it to finally getting the vignetting right. The good thing about this experimental home made lens is that I can focus from 5 inches away to infinity.”

Check out some sample photos taken with this lens here