A Canadian photographer and camera enthusiast, Malcolm-Jay Wilson, has crafted a unique waist-level monochrome digital camera, and you can too! Wilson's latest creation combines two of his previous projects, resulting in a camera that's both functional and affordable. Wilson's journey began with converting a broken Yashica film camera into a compact Raspberry Pi-powered digital infrared point-and-shoot camera, as reported by PetaPixel in July. The results were impressive, despite the small image sensor.
In August, Wilson took it a step further by combining a Mamiya C220 TLR viewfinder, a Raspberry Pi, a Sony Type 1 image sensor, and a 3D-printed body to create a waist-level viewfinder digital camera. Now, he's combined these two projects into an easy-to-use monochrome waist-level viewfinder digital camera.
The new camera is powered by the Raspberry Pi 5 and features a full-spectrum monochrome image sensor, specifically the Sony IMX585 8.4-megapixel Type 1/1.2 CMOS sensor. This sensor is popular for amateur astrophotography due to its large pixel size and high sensitivity. Wilson aimed to create a more affordable alternative to expensive commercial monochrome digital cameras and full-spectrum monochrome conversions for traditional color cameras.
The final kit costs around $1,000 and includes a 3D-printed body with an open, customizable layout, a replaceable sensor module, and mounting plates. It uses a standard C-mount lens system and is compatible with M42 lenses. Photos are stored on an SD card or USB storage, and the camera has a USB-C charging port, a large top display, and a custom-built user interface. Wilson even created custom film simulations for Delta 400, Ilford HP5, and Kodak Tri-X films.
One of the key refinements Wilson made was in the body design and user interface, making it modular for future enhancements and easy to build for others. By making the sensor plate and assembly modular, the camera can do more than just take monochrome photos. Wilson has also experimented with the color version of the IMX585 and a Raspberry Pi HQ camera module, opening up a world of possibilities.
Other improvements include a battery door, an upgraded 4-inch removable display compatible with various viewfinders, an enhanced lens mount, and a user interface. During development, Wilson added selectable aspect ratios and more film simulations. The biggest challenge was finding the right power supply solution, balancing portability and battery life with the Raspberry Pi 5's power demands. He achieved around two hours of battery life using LG 18650 batteries and optimizing Pi services.
Wilson offers fully assembled kits for $800, but also sells digital files for $40, allowing photographers to print and build the camera themselves. On December 14, he'll host a live online workshop, providing a comprehensive guide to building the kit. Subscribers to his paid Substack get access to the seminar and codes for free.
Image credits: Malcom-Jay Wilson (Substack: Why I Might Never Shoot Film Again)
