If you’re playing Arc Raiders, you’ve probably noticed various items scattered across the map. One item that often comes up in discussions among players is the Camera Lens. In this guide, I’ll explain what it is, how it works in the game, and how most players handle it in practice.
What is the Camera Lens in Arc Raiders?
The Camera Lens is classified as an uncommon, recyclable item in Arc Raiders. Its main function isn’t as a weapon or equipment, but as a source of crafting materials. In general, most players don’t carry it around for direct use; instead, it’s collected to be broken down later in crafting stations.
The item weighs 0.8 kg, and its in-game value is around $640. While this might seem like a lot, in practice, the price is less important than its recycling potential.
Can You Craft a Camera Lens?
No. The Camera Lens cannot be crafted directly. Unlike some other items in the game, players cannot combine materials or recipes to create a new Camera Lens. This makes finding them in the world your only option if you want to use them for recycling.
Where Can You Find Camera Lenses?
Camera Lenses are generally found in Security areas of maps. In practice, this usually means zones where drones, cameras, or security systems are common. Most players focus on these areas when farming items because the lenses tend to spawn consistently there.
In general, you won’t find them lying around in random locations, so knowing where to look saves time and frustration. Security zones often have multiple loot points, so you might pick up several Camera Lenses in a single run.
How Does Recycling and Salvaging Work?
The primary use of the Camera Lens is recycling and salvaging. In Arc Raiders, there are two main ways to break down items: at the Raider Den or at Topside salvage points.
Recycling at Raider Den: One Camera Lens usually yields 8 Plastic Parts.
Salvaging Topside: You get fewer materials here—4 Plastic Parts per lens—but this is often convenient if you are already on the surface completing other objectives.
Most players prioritize recycling at Raider Den because it gives the highest return. Usually, a good supply of Plastic Parts is critical for upgrading equipment and crafting other items, so the Camera Lens is valued for this indirect benefit.
How Do Players Usually Collect Camera Lenses?
In practice, players adopt a few different strategies:
Target Security Areas: Most players focus on areas with cameras, turrets, or other security measures, as lenses spawn there regularly.
Group Farming: In team play, one or two players can focus on collecting these items while the rest handle combat or objectives. This makes farming more efficient.
Recycling Efficiency: Players often hoard Camera Lenses until they can recycle multiple at once. This avoids repeated trips and maximizes the use of Raider Den facilities.
Are Camera Lenses Valuable?
It depends on how you define "valuable." Most players don’t consider Camera Lenses as currency or end-game loot. Instead, their value is indirect: the Plastic Parts you get from recycling are essential for crafting other items.
It’s also worth noting that some community discussions mention arc raiders blueprints for sale. While the lenses themselves aren’t sold directly, players often look for materials like Plastic Parts to support crafting these blueprints in practice.
Tips for Handling Camera Lenses
Don’t Hoard Excessively: While it’s tempting to collect every lens, they can weigh down your inventory. Most players carry a manageable number, just enough for a few crafting sessions.
Check Security Spawn Points Regularly: Lenses respawn in known security areas, so running the same route can be efficient.
Plan Recycling Trips: If you are already visiting Raider Den for upgrades, bring all your lenses. You’ll get the best return by recycling multiple items in one session.
In general, the Camera Lens is a support item, not a primary loot target. It can’t be crafted, but it can be recycled into Plastic Parts, which are useful for crafting and upgrades. Most players find them in Security areas, and the best return comes from recycling at Raider Den. Handling them efficiently requires some planning, but once you understand where and how to collect them, they become a consistent source of materials.
While they aren’t directly exciting, Camera Lenses are a small but useful part of resource management in Arc Raiders, especially for players who want to maximize their crafting output.
