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Mar 7, 2018 | By Benedict

Samuel Mello Medeiros, an Italy-based designer, has created “I’m Back,” a 3D printed accessory for converting old analog cameras into digital ones. The $279 device is now on Kickstarter, and works with vintage cameras including those made by Nikon, Canon, Pentax, and Leica.

A few weeks ago, we saw how one maker had developed a handy 3D printed negative scanner for digitizing old 35 mm photos. Lots of people seemed interested in getting their hands on the accessory, which bodes well for Samuel Mello Medeiros, creator of another 3D printable product for turning analog photography digital.

Medeiros invention, called “I’m Back,” is totally different from that negative scanner. Because while it is also designed for analog photographers, it can actually cut out the “film” element altogether. (If desired...)

I’m Back, an attachment for old film cameras, allows photographers to turn their film cameras into digital ones, essentially making them “hybrid” cameras. The attachment simply connects to the analog camera body, and combines the analog lens and body of that camera with an internal digital camera for capturing images.

“I love photography, be it analogue or digital, and I love the great cameras that, by a sudden change of technology, ended up being archived and forgotten inside a box or drawer,” explains Medeiros. “So I couldn't stop thinking how to revive those wonderful vintage 35 mm cameras.”

Medeiros’ clever gizmo uses a system called “image photo over the focusing screen” which ensures that the entire 24x36 area is optimized and digitally recorded. It functions as a "Depth-of-field" (DoF) adapter, through which an image is projected onto the focusing screen and then captured with a digital camera. This process produces no crop factor.

At $279, the accessory might seem a bit expensive for a 3D printed gadget, but there's high-end photographic equipment in the kit to justify the price. I’m Back’s digital camera element consists of a 16-megapixel Panasonic sensor that provides pictures and movies of 20, 16, 12, 8, 4, or 2 megapixels. A focusing screen provides what Medeiros describes as the “vintage flavor” of a 35 mm camera, while a smart 2" touch screen makes the device user-friendly.

Photos and videos can be transmitted through WiFi and can be saved on a smartphone, and a smartphone display can even be used as a larger screen and control pad.

“I'm Back is unique in its kind; an extremely affordable solution to use your fantastic analogue photo-camera in a digital way,” Medeiros says. “Whenever you want, you can pull off the back, put [in] a roll of photographic film of your choice, and shoot analog photos like in the 1950s!”

I’m Back is currently available in versions for these cameras: Nikon F, Nikon F2, Nikon FM, Nikon FE, Nikon S2, Canon F1, Canon A1, Canon AE1, Pentax ME super, Pentax spotomatic, Pentax K1000, Praktica b200, Praktica MTL, Contax II, Contax RTS, Contax G2, Olympus OM1, Olympus OM2, Minolta Dinaxx 7000, Olympus OM10, Yashica JP, Yashica FX3, Leica M, Leica R, Diana F, and Diana F mini.

However, Medeiros has also devised an all-in-one adapter for other analog cameras.

I’m Back is rapidly raising funds through a 20,000 euro Kickstarter campaign, which offers customers two options: get the 3D printable STL files and source your own components for 45 euros ($56), or get the complete accessory for 225 euros ($279) or more.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Application

 

 

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