The unarguable benefits of digital photography has rendered the analog SLR obsolete for almost purposes. This ways that a wide selection of cameras and lenses are bachelor on the second manus market for pennies on the dollar, making them ripe targets for hacking. [drtonis] decided to experiment with a quick and like shooting fish in a barrel digital conversion to an old Canon A-1, and it'southward got us excited about the possibilities.

Who needs Instagram filters? Simply distort in-camera!

Information technology'southward a simple hack, but a fun one. The SLR is opened up, and the bound plate for holding the moving picture is removed. A Raspberry Pi photographic camera then has its original lens removed, and is placed inside the picture show compartment. It'south held in with electric tape, upon a 3mm shim to space it correctly to work with the original eyes.

[drtonis] notes that the build isn't perfect, with some abnormality likely acquired by the reflective electrical tape in the motion-picture show cavity. Notwithstanding, nosotros think it's a nice proof of concept that could go and then much further. A Raspberry Pi Zero could be easily squeezed inside along with the camera, and everything glued in place to make things more robust. A specialist paint such as Stuart Semple's Black 2.0 could likewise aid cutting down on low-cal leaks inside. Plus, there'due south enough of pocket-size screens that can be used with the Raspberry Pi that would provide a useful preview part.

Nosotros'd beloved to come across more conversions like this one. While information technology'southward unlikely they'll compete with commercial DSLRs on outright performance, anybody loves a little bit of charming distortion here and there, and all manner of fancy lenses tin can be had for inexpensive for analog platforms. We'll exist keeping a shut middle on the tipline for further This fundevelopments – you know what to practise!