An external lens won’t completely fix your webcam woes, but it has its benefits

An exterior lens received’t fully repair your webcam woes, however it has its advantages

Not too long ago, a number of the hottest webcams have been troublesome to purchase at main on-line retailers as folks purchased them to assist keep involved whereas social distancing or working from house through the pandemic. For instance, as of this writing, Logitech’s widespread C920 HD Professional webcam is bought out on Logitech’s US on-line retailer, and its listed value on Amazon US is presently effectively above Logitech’s personal $79.99 asking value. Different fashions can be found, however the scenario means you may not get the precise webcam you need.

Meaning folks have needed to get inventive by utilizing standalone cameras and even previous iOS or Android units as alternative webcams. However right now, I’ve been making an attempt out a unique strategy: utilizing an aftermarket lens from Second to enhance my laptop computer’s current webcam, relatively than changing it totally. The lens mount was initially designed for smartphones (the place most of Second’s focus has usually been), however Second tells me it began focusing on laptops in response to buyer demand.

The Second Webcam Set, which I’ve been testing, is a $77.98 bundle (presently discounted to $61.98) that features an O-Sequence mount and an 18mm wide-angle lens. Alternatively, if you happen to’ve already bought a Second lens, you should purchase a mount individually for $29.99. (There are variations for each its O-Sequence and newer M-Sequence lenses.) It additionally works with telephones and tablets. Importantly, all of those kits are presently listed as out there on Second’s on-line retailer; there aren't any inventory shortages right here.

When hooked up, the mount lined a part of my display.

You safe the mount to a laptop computer with a screw on its again.

Set up is easy. The mount has a screw with a rubber cap on it, which you flip to carry it regular towards the again of your laptop computer display, and you'll shift the entrance a part of the mechanism up and down in order that the lens gap strains up together with your webcam. (I discovered it helped to have my digicam app open whereas I used to be doing this so I might get the alignment proper.) Second says the lens mount helps laptops as thick as 10.75mm, and there’s a thicker rubber screw cap included for slimmer laptop computer lids. Then, you may connect the lens itself into place on the mount.

The impact of the wide-angle 18mm lens was apparent, as you may see from the photographs beneath; it gave my webcam a a lot wider area of view. Whereas beforehand, my Floor Laptop computer’s webcam usually solely included my face and the tops of my shoulders, with the lens put in, its area of view stretched right down to my chest and included rather more of my environment (but in addition, regrettably, the mount itself). It’s even a a lot wider area of view than the Logitech C920 HD Professional I included as a comparability. Naturally, this impact will differ relying on which lens you employ, which laptop computer you’re mounting it to, and whether or not you go for the O-Sequence or the M-Sequence mount (the latter of which is designed for bigger lenses).

There are some limitations to this strategy. The largest, clearly, is that it depends in your laptop having an current webcam to work. So if you happen to’re engaged on a laptop computer just like the webcam-less Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 or a desktop laptop with an exterior monitor, then an exterior lens received’t be a lot assist.

Even when it does, it received’t do a lot to basically change the standard of your webcam. Placing a lens over it doesn’t change the truth that my first-generation Floor Laptop computer remains to be taking photographs utilizing a 720p webcam. In comparison with an honest standalone 1080p webcam just like the C920, the distinction is stark. And sure, I attempted to see if I might mount Second’s lens to the entrance of the C920, however Logitech’s webcam was, sadly, too thick.

It’s additionally a bit of cumbersome. As soon as put in, the arms on the Second mount lined a part of the highest center of my display, and it goes with out saying that you simply received’t be capable of shut your laptop computer with the lens mount put in. Oh, and on my machine, the mount additionally appeared to interrupt Home windows Whats up’s face unlock. The constraints imply that you simply’d most likely wish to detach the lens everytime you’re not utilizing it, however fortunately, that’s a reasonably straightforward course of.

The mount doesn’t totally cowl the display, however its arms can get in the best way.

You possibly can neglect about closing your laptop computer with the lens hooked up.

That doesn’t imply the lens mount is with out its makes use of. Having the ability to change your webcam’s focal size could possibly be actually useful. The 18mm lens that comes within the bundle, for instance, makes the sphere of view a lot wider, good for getting your complete household in body for a Zoom name. Higher nonetheless, if you happen to’ve already bought one among Second’s lenses mendacity round, getting a mount on your laptop computer is a reasonably low-cost funding and one thing you should use throughout a number of units.

I don’t assume Second’s webcam equipment is for everybody. The price of the bundle is akin to an honest standalone webcam (if yow will discover one in inventory). And if you happen to select proper, an exterior webcam ought to offer you enhance in picture high quality. However if you happen to’re somebody who’s already invested in Second’s lenses, then its webcam mount is a neat strategy to get extra out of your current {hardware}.

Images by Jon Porter / The Verge