For all of us that own small, pocket-sized digital cameras, sometimes the wish for having a high-dollar telephoto lens can get pretty intense. Current multi-megapixel micro-digicams have a plethora of neat features to choose from, along with a decent optical zoom lens for most models.

Yet, that 3X zoom just won't cut it in cases when you really need to get closer to that rare bird or sports action. While it may seem odd, you may be able to produce a decent result by just sitting a pair of high-power binoculars in front of your camera's lens and let it become a surrogate telephoto lens for the time being.

Using some cardboard, tape and hopefully a binocular eyecup that fits perfectly over the end of your digicam's zoom lens, you can have a makeshift telephoto lens that will probably produce very passable zoomed-in shots if your camera doesn't have a threaded lens to add more specialized lenses (most small digicams don't). Plus, think of the savings you'll see by re-purposing those binoculars!