SPK-AZ1 Flat Lens Modifier (requires 40 mm UV photographic filter)

thingiverse

NEW Version 2 has been posted One of the biggest disappointments of the Sony HDR-AZ1 is the fact that there is no flat lens mount or flat lens underwater housing. With the current SPK-AZ1 it is all but unusable underwater since the curved lens results in out of focus video despite the high quality of the Zeiss lens. This adapter helps correct that. The back side of the flat lens will sit approximately 1.5 mm away from the front of the HDR-AZ1 camera lens. See instruction page for more information and required hardware. STEP file included with version 2 for anyone that wants to modify it themselves. Instructions Please DO NOT print this using PLA as we want to maintain the waterproof nature of the SPK-AZ1. What you need for this is two additional items. the first is some 3M waterproof double-sided tape or equivalent, something like 3M VHB 4926 which is available in 1.5" discs from places like Digikey. A cheap 40 mm video camera UV filter from eBay. You must make certain that the glass can be removed from the metal housing of the filter. Installation Carefully press the front lens of the SPK-AZ1 from the inside toward the outside to break the seal of the existing adhesive. You can press fairly hard since it is a glass lens. Once the convex lens is removed, clean off all the remaining tape residue from the face of the housing. place a circle of the 3M tape where the existing tape used to be. Remove the upper protective layer from the tape and press the modifier (this piece you are looking at right now) in firmly. Place another circle of tape in the top edge of the modifier and set it aside. Take you UV filter and unscrew the housing parts to remove the actual optical glass. Make sure it is cleaned on all sides. Go back to the housing and remove the backing from the tape and firmly press in the UV glass filter. Set the whole unit aside to allow the adhesive to set. Note: Do this mod at your own risk, I make no guarantees as to the usefulness of this modification. In my case is works, YMMV.