I swear I didn’t mean to build an entire lens kit from scratch... it just happened.
As a creative — whether in filmmaking, design, or photography — I’ve always been inspired by new tech. Even if it’s just new to me. You probably know I love that dreamy, grungy, analog softness you get from old cameras and lenses that were never “great” by today’s standards. Polaroid cameras made before I was born. Vintage 4x5s made before my grandad was.
After building the ObscuraFlex system to cut the cost of large format photography, I wanted to experiment with interesting lenses. I stopped short of spending $2k on an Aero Ektar, but I did grab some classic Graflex glass and repurposed a projector lens or two. Eventually, I had to slow down — I needed something affordable, playful, and low-stress. Something that let me keep playing without obsessing over the cost.
But when I went looking, I couldn’t find anything that really scratched that itch — at least not for large format.
So I started building my own 4x5 lenses using any cheap optics I could get my hands on — and what came out of that process is the ObscuraFlex™ Modular "Toy Lens" Kit: a weird, affordable, ultra-lo-fi kit for adventurous large format shooters chasing that dreamy, analog aesthetic. It embraced all the beautiful weirdness of analog photography and that “happy accident” energy I used to love about shooting with my Polaroid Land camera.
The ObscuraFlex™ Modular "Toy Lens" Kit invites photographers to play and experiment, without breaking the bank.
I designed the first lens for myself to use — but realized there are probably more people out there who, like me, took their toys apart when they were kids, broke them, repaired them, and messed about with them to see what happens when you break the rules.
What I ended up creating isn’t just a nostalgic tribute, and it's more than just a toy. It’s a working tool for modern creators who want to dust off their 4x5 and get funky with it without spending a fortune on lenses, and with the ObscuraFlex™ on film and processing either.
About the Kit
The "Toy Lens" was built around a simple idea: If you don't need a shutter, an accurate f-stop, a flash sync, or any of that stuff... how cheap can you make a lens?
At its core, it’s a low-fi interchangeable lens system. You start with a custom twist-lock lens board specific to your camera, which lets you quickly swap out components without fiddling with threads or clips. From there you can either mount your existing large format lenses, or (using the modular twist-lock lens mount) choose from an expanding array of ultra-low-cost optics – we're talking new glass for under $20!
The glass alone will give you a ton of light, about f2.2 smeared across the image area in a dreamy blur with only the center in focus. Drop in one of the interchangeable aperture inserts from pin-hole to wide-open, and things start to get really interesting. I've created a range of traditional hex, nostalgic circle, slit-scan inspired, and even cheesy aperture shapes that dramatically change the image as you stop down and experiment with their effects. And since the inserts rotate, you can dial in just the right angle for your subject.
It’s equal parts photographic tool and creative toy. You can build the look you want — or embrace the surprises you didn’t expect.
Who's if for?
A "Toy Lens" isn’t a tool for those obsessed with image sharpness, deep focus, or pixel count — it’s for image makers who want to feel something when they shoot.
If you’ve ever looked at the image on a groundglass or peeped through the viewfinder of a Box Brownie and wanted to capture it just as you see it, or if you've ever wondered what would happen if you taped a magnifying glass to your bellows... this kit was made for you!
It’s not about perfection — it’s about mood, texture, and the kind of beautiful mess you only get when you let go of control.
Whether you’re chasing a specific look or just messing around, the Toy Lens invites you to be curious. Every photo feels like a little surprise.
Trial and Error
This thing took a lot longer to develop than I expected.
At first, I figured I could slap together a few cheap lenses, 3D print a mount, and call it done. But I got obsessed with making it actually work — reliably, swappable, and solid enough to use in the field.
Finding the right glass was the real challenge. I tried eBay and thrift stores, but nothing was consistent or scalable. Most suppliers sell precision lenses meant for medical gear — great optics, ridiculous prices.
Eventually, I found a source for basic “educational quality” lenses, the kind used in high school science kits. Cheap, consistent, and perfectly imperfect — and I can buy them by the dozen.
Field-Testing in London
But lab testing only got me so far. I wanted to see if this kit was something I would actually enjoy shooting with. So I took my vintage Graflex 4×5 on a month-long trip to London, where I grew up. It became my hilariously impractical travel camera. I wandered for hours each day, swapping between my "toy lenses" and “real” lenses, pin-holes and obscenely wide apertures to compare the looks. I fell in love with this fun new kit I'd invented.
I was able to switch between my toy lens and my classic Graflex lens in seconds — no tools, no fuss. The twist-lock system made experimenting effortless. I was swapping apertures, changing lenses, and shooting weird and wonderful shallow focus scenes all over London without babying the gear.
I learned a lot and brainstormed improvement to explore on my return. Once home I banged out a bunch of new prototypes and created this kit based on all that real-world experimentation. It’s not perfect. But it’s fun. And that’s the whole point!
What’s Next?
Better Optics — But Not Too Good
I’m exploring better glass options to expand the look. Slightly more contrast? Cool flares? I'm exploring aspherical lenses, coated lenses user for lasers and x-ray imaging. Why not!? I hope to introduce some of these as optional expansion lenses, they won't be quite as low-cost as the uncoated basics but it’ll always be a fraction of what a “real” lens would cost.
Expanded Compatibility
Right now, the system is optimized for use with ObscuraFlex adapters, but used with a Graflex Speed Graphic's back plan shutter would allow you to shoot 4x5 film. And I’m working on lens boards and adapters for Linhof, Intrepid, Toyo and others. Feel free to reach out if you have a camera in mind.
Join the Fun
If you’ve read this far, you’re probably the kind of creative mind this kit was made for. Whether you want dreamy portraits, surreal landscapes, or just a fun way to mess around with your old cameras — the Toy Lens kit is ready to go.
👉 Build your kit starting at just $69.99!
Each kit is made to order, assembled by me in my home workshop, and shipped with care. Quantities are limited as I scale things up — so if you're into it, don’t wait.
And if you take it out into the world, I’d love to see what you make with it. Tag your photos with #obscuraflex on Instagram — I’ll be sharing my favorites and building a Toy Lens Gallery along the way.
Thanks for supporting weird, homegrown photography toys. Now go make something cool!