14 DAY TRIAL // Digital cameras and camcorders may be the main type of photo and video capture devices on sale right now, but classic reflex cameras still find homes with collectors or people who like old-fashioned things. That is why Leo Marius will probably see his crowdfunding campaign raise all the cash it needs.
Reflex cameras are the old-school generation, the photography devices that use film to snap pictures, which have to be developed later in a dark room.
They have been slowly going out of favor as better and better digital cameras have taken over, with their massive resolutions and post-processing capabilities.
However, Leo Marius may just manage to revive interest in them, at least for a short while, thanks to the crowdfunding project he has posted on French website Kiss Kiss Bank Bank.
The project is for a completely 3D printed reflex camera, called OpenReflex and capable of using not only any film, but most types of lenses as well.
You see, the newcomer not only has adjustable lens rings, but boasts custom black covers that can be switched out based on the type of film you intend to employ.
Marius has posted the instructions for building the OpenReflex camera on Instructables so, in theory, you could put one together from parts and print each component yourself if you own a 3D printer.
The device is, after all, an open source item, meaning that the files can be downloaded for free from the website, and there is no limit on how many cameras you can freely make.
However, not many are those who possess the 3D printing experience or the simple disposition to 3D print the device themselves. Knowing this, and not adverse to making some money while providing a service, Leo Marius has posted the crowdfunding campaign we mentioned above.
If you are willing to part with around $108 / €80, you can receive the assembly kit, though it does not include the lenses. And if you want the full product already put together, you will have to hash out $340 / €250 or so.
The pledges made by fans will also allow Leo Marius to improve the open source documentation, as well as refine the model further. Finally, it is, in theory, possible to 3D print a digital version of the OpenReflex camera. Nevertheless, the crowdfunding campaign will have to pay off first before the designer embarks on that new engineering quest.