Photographer Launches Adapted Optics with Customizable
Thomas Spicher founded Adapted Optics to sell the Everyday Lens, a customizable manual lens built around a disposable camera optic.
Photographer Thomas Spicher has launched Adapted Optics, a new company selling a customizable manual focus lens called the Everyday Lens. The lens uses a common disposable camera optic housed in a 3D-printed body and is designed to combine the character of film with modern build quality.
Spicher told PetaPixel the idea began when he adapted a lens from a Kodak VR35 K12 point-and-shoot for his mirrorless camera. "It opened the door for me to adapt other optics like it," he said. After experimenting with various lenses and noticing audience interest, he decided to develop a product.
Lens Design and Specifications
The Everyday Lens is built around a readily sourced optic from disposable cameras. It is a manual focus lens with interchangeable aperture plates. The lens will be available in a range of popular camera mounts.
The included aperture plates are f/7 (open), f/10 (everyday), f/16 (control), f/23 (motion), and a cross-shaped creative aperture. Spicher explained that different camera mounts require optical adjustments to achieve infinity focus due to varying flange distances.
Customization and Company Vision
A major focus for Spicher was making the lens customizable. Photographers can configure the focus ring's texture and color, choose their lens mount, and select a cinema version with industry-standard mod gears. "Creative people like to express themselves, so why shouldn't they be able to choose the colors, textures, and details of something they carry every day?" he asked.
Spicher, who studied graphic design, said founding the company was an unpredictable path. He described it as the most in-depth project of his life, requiring immense hours on tasks from lens design to branding and website building. He hopes Adapted Optics becomes known for unique offerings rather than the sharpest or fastest lenses.
Market Position and Availability
Spicher acknowledges other companies have adapted disposable lenses but believes his product offers superior control through precise manual focus and swappable apertures. The first production run is limited to 50 units, which will be built to order based on customer specifications. Pre-orders will open soon, with availability notifications via the Adapted Optics website.
Spicher hopes the compact and lightweight lens makes photography fun and accessible. "I might be biased, but this lens reignited my passion for photography," he said. He also hopes his project inspires others to pursue their own creative passions.
