A $150 DIY camera capable of taking 489-megapixel photos sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Let’s take a look at how this thing is made and what shots you can expect to get from it.
The megapixel arms race is alive and well for many camera manufacturers. Every year we hear about the latest releases and many of us salivate at the thought of a new camera with an even higher megapixel count. Enter the stage on the left, Yunus Zenichowskiphotographer and inventor, who in his latest video, built a DIY scanning camera capable of capturing his beautiful 489 megapixel images.
The first thing to note about Zenichowski’s camera is that it was created using a Epson v37″ flatbed document scanner, which was first released in 2012. Traditionally, scanners like these are not meant to be used inside cameras but can be made to work with some modifications. One downside of using a scanner like this is that the capture time is much longer than with a traditional camera. The video shows a byproduct of this limitation, as we see some distortion and ghosting if there is any movement while the “shutter” is open.
This DIY camera won’t replace your current setup, but it can become a fun and unique addition to your camera bag. The resulting images look a bit like low-tech film to me, which may be desirable for you if you don’t mind the quirks and limitations that come with such a camera. . I can see an artist and photographer loving the rawness that a DIY device can bring, especially when combined with the super large file size that allows for extremely detailed prints. Zenichowski said he could make this camera for about $150, which by today’s standards isn’t a lot of money. You can reduce that number if you already have a suitable lens to use in such a project. This camera is still a work in progress, with the potential to become even more useful with a few improvements. Expect to see more of these DIY cameras come along as things like 3D printing and electronics become more accessible to the masses.
If you want to build this camera, Zenichowski kindly provided path into the 3D files that you will need to print out the body.
What do you think of this crazy DIY camera? Would you use such a thing? Would you like to create your own version? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.
