Digital Film Cartridge for Analog Cameras (using Raspberry PI)

This video shows how to build a custom film cardridge that turns any analog camera into a digital camera that then is able to do things like digital photos, videos and even live streaming via WiFi.

Parts list (Amazon affiliate links):

Raspberry PI Zero W

(Account has to be created to copy, modify and download the design)

[nemopteridae]

With the smaller sensor you've effectively increased your crop factor quite a bit. Maybe 5x or more! So your 35mm lens is giving you a telephoto image, I'm guessing something like 200mm. If you could get a larger sensor (ideally full frame, i.e. 24x36mm) it would be more zoomed out and like the image you would expect on film. Really cool project! I've seen several failed Kickstarters that tried to promise this, but here you are with a working prototype. Well done!

[ARC]

I always thought a company would start selling a digital film adapter, but it never happened and here you are with such a device. Amazing project!!!

[earlfenwick]

This is the most promising solution to this goal that we've been waiting on for the last 20 years!

[brankopetricevic]

Branko P.
Finally someone made an effort to reuse the old cameras - their optics congratulations on an outstanding first step.
Bravo!

[beverpix]

How many of you thought of this a long time ago? Well I did and finally someone made it work. Great project, congrats!

[pulykatojaas]

Dude develop this further and you will definitely be a millionaire, what an amazing idea.

[patricklgreen]

Best proof of concept I have seen for something like this I have seen. You find a method to take digital stills and increase the sensor size and you have something truly spectacular that there is a market for. In the meantime, you have quite the achievement and you should be proud of the attention you are getting. Well done!

[tonydee]

Please develop this further. Definitely a market for 35mm and bigger cameras.

[SchardtCinematic]

I actually imagined a device like this back I'm the early 2000's but had no clue how to make or implement this. So glad to see it come to life very simular to what I thought up. Although mine was slightly smaller in my head.

[zeekwolfe]

I have several film cameras with very expensive lenses left unused in a drawer. Sooner or later a large camera company will figure out how to convert film cameras to digital cheaply and effectively. This man has made a good start.

[ForeverYoungAaron]

If this was developed to the point of accepting maybe a micro 4/3 sized sensor at first, then moving into full frame 35mm as tech is developed, I would be so on board. There have been film back replacements for just one camera but being able to choose any of my 35mm cameras to shoot with (particularly my old folding ones), would be absolutely incredible. You are a great mind to come up with something like this. Thank you for at least showing the concept in action

[nolanleh]

Glad someone is making functional prototypes of this. Learning photography during the transition from film to digital I had thought of this in the early 2000's, but never had the digital hardware or programing skill to test it out.
Would love to see a full frame sensor version, with the ability to use the original shutter and change ISO so that you could use the full functionality of the camera.

[jp]

Love it! been talking about this exact idea for years, but you did it! Now if you can fully encase it in an adjustable cartridge with a full frame sensor along with software that responds to the shutter release and film advance of the camera… you’ll put it through the goalposts. FANtastic!

[nrb]

Kickstarter? I’m ready to contribute. I have wanted this for my Canon A-1 for 20 years and now it’s here! Well done….

[cullen]

As an amateur photographer I thought of this years ago but had no clue how it could be achieved. I really thought that one of the quality camera manufacturers would do something. I've gone digital now but have still got some decent 35mm and medium format cameras.
Would be great to see them in use today!

[congeeSTAR]

there was a student that made a website with this concept for his web-design class a decade ago... it blew up. I so glad someone is finally actually doing something like this. If developed further it will be a massive hit.

[TK-]

I guess like many of you I have been thinking of a setup like this for years, at least the concept. It is nice to see the results of someone actually achieving to build something with off the shelf components. At some point this will work with an actual high quality 35mm sensor. The really hardpart will be the integration of the (minimally required) mechanical components of the camera to make it full functional. One thing is sure, this technology will not be offered by the camera industry :) Great for the nostalgic enthusiast.

[trels]

Wow this is bonkers, the fact that its all contained in the film compartment without the need to remove the film door for a large digital back. Really impressive!

[Apreche]

If this had a full size sensor I would pay quite a bit of money for it. Genius idea. A++

[Ferndalien]

Somewhere around 30 years ago, maybe 35 a startup company announced they were going to develop this device. Or an early version of it. They advertised in computer magazines for a couple of months, I think they were looking for investors, then disappeared. I don't think the technology was there yet back then. Interesting to see someone has successfully revived the idea.