Make a Smartphone Projector for Only $5 | Make:

By Danny Osterweil and Photojojo
Time Required: 1–3 Hours 
Difficulty: Easy

Print this Project

Slide projectors are great, but outdated, and digital projectors cost a bundle. Fortunately, you can show off your mobile photos and your phone hack savvy by turning your phone into an inexpensive smartphone projector.

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November 11, 2013, 10:03 am PST

Parts
/
Tools

Parts

Smartphone
Magnifying glass, low power
Matte black spray paint or black paper, (optional)
Paper clip
Shoebox
Electrical tape or black duct tape

Tools

Pencil
X-Acto knife

Steps

Step #1: Prepare the projector box.

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If the inside of your shoe box is a bright color, paint it black or tape up some black paper for best image quality.
On a short side of the box, trace the outer edge of your magnifying glass and cut it out.
For extended use, cut a small hole at the back of your box for your phone’s power cord. Tape the magnifying lens securely in place, and make sure there are no holes to let light in.

Conclusion

Taking It Further

Other stand ideas include this ultra-portable Tiltpod, this handy dandy Gorillapod, or this super creative lego stand from this cool tutorial.
Use a large aperture camera lens with a focus ring for more flexibility with projection size and focus distance.
Use your magnifying glass to get an up-close perspective on your phones pixels.
Try using your computer screen instead of your phone as the display in a new projector project.
Check out this crazy sophisticated DIY digital projector that can create a 120″ HD screen!
This mini film projector fits in the palm of your hand and was made from an Altoids tin!
Leave it to the Japanese to do something this awesome with a projector. Hint: Samurai swords, shadow battles.

This project first appeared in MAKE Volume 36, page 127.

Danny Osterweil

Photojojo

Photojojo is on a mission to make photography more fun for everyone! It publishes an insanely great newsletter and carries only the most awesome photo gifts and gear for photographers. photojojo.com