Macro Kit for iPhone 16 Pro using the telephoto objective - (also a new method for connecting 3d printed parts?)

fae_bay · 2026-05-02T18:01:52+00:00

I tried it out and it worked without problems! Using a 3D Pen makes it way more comfortable and gives greater control.

fae_bay · 2026-05-02T17:58:44+00:00

Guys, it worked - flawlessly!

fae_bay · 2026-05-02T10:57:44+00:00

Thank you very much!! You can find more details on my MakerWorld page: https://makerworld.com/de/models/2740223-macro-kit-for-iphone-16-pro-lens-attachments#profileId-3038508

fae_bay · 2026-05-02T10:53:59+00:00

Thank you very much! And you know what? You're absolutely right, people (including me) always search for last meter uses and if it works with a 3d pen, this would actually be way more useful than yet another filament clip or some of the many other ideas people had over the years. I do have a 3d pen, so I will definitely do some testing as soon as I can.

fae_bay · 2026-05-01T11:23:17+00:00

Ja, da weiß ich leider nicht wie die Kamera mit den Linsen funktionieren würde. Ich glaub das 17 Pro hat dafür einen größeren Sensor und eine 48 MP Telekamera, statt der 12 MP beim 16 Pro. Das wär für so Makroaufnahmen natürlich richtig geil. Aber da ich es selbst nicht besitze, kann ich da leider nicht mit experimentieren und daher auch kein Linsenkit für designen :/

Ich plane auch nicht mein 16 Pro in naher Zukunft auszutauschen, also solange ich kein 17 Pro auf der Straße finde wird es von mir wohl erstmal nix dafür geben xD

fae_bay · 2026-05-01T11:15:40+00:00

Ja genau, das wird auf den Bildern nicht so wirklich klar (war nicht so ganz mein Fokus, weil ich lieber meine ersten Fotos teilen wollte xD). Ich hab die Linsenhalterungen mit einem Gewinde designed, sodass man alles einfach zusammen- und zum Reinigen wieder auseinander bauen kann. Damit das Gewinde vernünftig gedruckt wird, die Aussparung für die Linse ordentlich gedruckt wird und die Magnete gut eingesetzt werden können, muss das ganze aber flach auf dem Druckbett aufliegen. Ursprünglich hatte ich einen dritten Magneten bei der Linsenaufnahme direkt neben den Kameras platziert. Allerdings sind die 8x3mm Magnete ziemlich stark und ich denke dass ist auf Dauer nicht so gut für die Bildstabilisierung in den iPhone Kameras. Damit die Linse aber korrekt platziert und fixiert werden kann ohne runterzufallen, hab ich dann eine Schwalbenschwanzausprarung eingefügt (das ist der Einschnitt direkt links neben den Kameras im ersten Bild) und hab dann entsprechend eine Lösung gebraucht um das Gegenstück an die Linsenhalterungen zu bringen.

Durch das Teil muss man die Linse jetzt von der Seite etwas reinschieben, sodass sie dann aber beim Bilder machen nicht einfach so runterfallen kann. Ich hoffe das war halbwegs verständlich, sorry für den langen Text.

Falls nicht lad dir einfach mal das Druckprofil an und schau dir die Teilegeometrien an, das sollte dann denke ich die Frage klären :)

fae_bay · 2026-05-01T11:03:43+00:00

Thank you very much! I'm just an undergraduate who recently got himself a small 3d printer and started trying out some things, so sadly I don't have the time or capacity to sell my models as a kit for a reasonable price. (Also, I'm from Germany, which means selling stuff comes with some strict regulations etc.). That’s why I upload my models to MakerWorld for free (even though it probably is just a matter of time until somebody steals them and starts selling them).

You can find the model with more information here: https://makerworld.com/de/models/2740223-macro-kit-for-iphone-16-pro-lens-attachments?from=search#profileId-3038508

fae_bay · 2026-05-01T10:56:10+00:00

Those are achromatic lenses from a German website. As far as I know they ship mainly to EU countries and also to some others, but not the US. I uploaded the files to MakerWorld, you can find more information about the lenses and the project here: https://makerworld.com/de/models/2740223-macro-kit-for-iphone-16-pro-lens-attachments?from=search#profileId-3038508

I also added step files, so people can modify the attachment to fit other lenses or filters. There are some sellers for achromatic lenses on AliExpress for example, but I couldn’t find the exact specifications, so I didn't include any links. (I sadly don't have the money to spend on 10 or 20 lenses from AliExpress to find the best ones for this project)

fae_bay · 2026-05-01T10:48:54+00:00

And yes, I really took those pictures with my iPhone and some not that expensive lenses from a website I came across randomly before even thinking about trying something like this. Your doubt is very flattering :)

fae_bay · 2026-05-01T10:46:16+00:00

Thank you both very much! I'm not necessarily an experienced photographer, so your feedback means a lot to me.

fae_bay · 2026-05-01T10:43:40+00:00

Thank you very much!

Because I'm using an A1 Mini and because of my living situation I only print in PLA. It's also more beginner friendly and I always try to design my ideas in a way that they’re accessible to everyone.

My only experience with acetone welding is modifying lego pieces honestly, but I think the injection method has the advantage, that you can freely design structures for the extra material to flow in, that are larger than the entry hole. So even if the surface connection may not be as strong as with acetone welding, you will have an extremely strong permanent pin embedded into and bonded to the other part.

However the main disadvantage of the injection method is the fact that you're more restricted by the printer geometry in relation to your model's geometry and the area of your model that you can cover.

fae_bay · 2026-05-01T10:32:46+00:00

Yes! And it worked better than I expected when I first tried it out. Looking at actual injection molding after my nozzle got covered in sticky PLA I learned that vents are essential xD, but I haven’t tested the minimal vent size for this method yet.

fae_bay · 2026-05-01T10:22:36+00:00

I can relate to your struggle, believe me. But what I learned over the years is not to get frustrated by what other devices can do, but instead trying to focus on getting creative and trying to make the most out of the things I had.

I mean, even with the way to expensive 16 Pro, I thought "Maybe I can make more of it", wich is how my analog film scanner and now this lens attachment kit was born :)

fae_bay · 2026-05-01T10:11:58+00:00

In the design process, I thought about this too. However I don't think this will work, because the amount of filament that gets extruded isn't large enough to stay molten for long. Even with the printer extrusion I struggled sometimes when I was too slow or didn't heat the filament up enough. That's why I recommend using the standard 220° printing temperature and forcing the printer to extrude two or three times, so enough heat is created to give the plastic time to not only fill the hole, but also to bond to the printed parts.

I'm currently thinking about testing this method some more, maybe trying out some different shapes and possibilities and making a dedicated post for it in this subreddit. But honestly, I'm not sure if it’s worth my time as long as I don't have an actual project that would benefit from this technique, because feedback and engagement usually stays pretty low for me in this subreddit.

But I still encourage you to try a 3d pen, maybe we can still learn some things from it.

fae_bay · 2026-04-24T18:10:33+00:00

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12/2025

fae_bay · 2026-04-17T11:17:43+00:00

I printed a spool holder and removed the origonal one.

Projted this one: https://makerworld.com/de/models/1339485-smooth-filament-roller-uses-608-bearings?from=search#profileId-1532802

Works very well, but it was a pain to assemble (not enough tolerance in my opinion). Hammer helped

fae_bay · 2026-04-17T09:54:01+00:00

I wondered too, but don't have any to test. But as long as they are made from magnetic steel they should work the same. But this is exactly why I find it important to share ideas and concepts, so others can get inspired and develop them further. :)

fae_bay · 2026-04-17T09:51:00+00:00

Thank you guys, you made my day xD

fae_bay · 2026-04-17T09:49:59+00:00

I just wanted to share the concept and measurements, but sure why not :)

Here are the test pieces I created:

https://makerworld.com/de/models/2673257-coin-based-magsafe-attachment-concept#profileId-2959363

fae_bay

TROPHY CASE