Mystery Object Filter: What the heck is this?

October 31, 2021 7:00 AM

A friend asked me what this is. I have no clue. Looks like a tripod but what's the attachment thingy?
posted by storybored to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (7 answers total)

It's a small web cam (the cylinder on top), on a tripod. In between is an adjustable holder to grab on to a phone (in case you use that for your video calls instead), like a style many people have in their car.

These combo units are sold to podcasters and vloggers and folks who do a lot of video calls -- but they also work well for someone who wants a second camera, or someone who wants a camera that's better than their laptop's built-in one.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:08 AM on October 31, 2021 [1 favorite]

The middle thing is some sort of height adjustment thing based on the big knurled knob (linear actuator). The bottom is just a tripod, the top is the camera interface area that lets you mount and point. The middle thing just lets you go a bit up/down without messing with other things. I think.
posted by zengargoyle at 7:41 AM on October 31, 2021

Like (but not) this: Mini Tabletop Tripod Phone Camera Tripod Removable Ball Head Foldable for DSLR/Mirrorless Cameras DV LED Video Light.
posted by zengargoyle at 7:55 AM on October 31, 2021

It's just a lens, not a full camera. The bit in the middle holds your phone and you set it so the lens is immediately on top of your phone camera. This "zooms in" everything optically. The tripod is for mounting it on a table.
posted by goingonit at 8:00 AM on October 31, 2021 [3 favorites]

Is there a Micro- or Mini USB jack on the back, or is it really just a glass lens? (That would be a heck of a lens for a phone.)
posted by wenestvedt at 7:37 PM on October 31, 2021

Pretty sure it's just a lens -- here is a similar one for instance.
posted by goingonit at 5:23 AM on November 1, 2021 [1 favorite]

I am convinced! It is just a lens.
posted by wenestvedt at 10:08 AM on November 1, 2021