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Awesome Cameras

Leica SL3 Mirrorless Camera

Leica SL3 Mirrorless Camera
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Leica’s follow-up to its SL2 camera is smaller, lighter, and has a much larger hand grip, making it more comfortable for extended use. The SL3 also has a new, hand-built full metal housing rated IP54 for water and dust resistance. The 60MP hybrid autofocus shooter also debuts Leica’s clearer and more intuitive touchscreen user interface.

Repainting Camera Knobs

Repainting Camera Knobs

The engraved markings on camera control knobs often have painted details to highlight functions. Camera repair technician Ryan Jones of RJ Repairs shows how he restores these details on a vintage Leica by applying Testors enamel model paint using a dental pick and then removing the excess using a Q-tip. It’s so satisfying to see the crisp shapes after cleanup.

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CD / Shutter Speed

CD / Shutter Speed

Captain Disillusion’s latest educational video about video explains how the speed and way a shutter opens and closes affects still and moving images. You’ll learn how shutters work in film cameras, CCD camcorder sensors, and modern CMOS-based digital cameras. Plus, why rolling shutters cause image distortion and the tech that can minimize it.

LEGO Ideas Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera

LEGO Ideas Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera
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This LEGO version of the iconic Polaroid OneStep SX-70 camera is based on a fan-submitted design. The 516-piece kit creates a near-perfect replica of the instant camera, and has a point-and shoot mechanism that ejects illustrated plastic “photographs.” The vibrant Time-Zero Supercolor film box provides storage for the three included photos.

Ilford Sprite 35-II Film Camera

Ilford Sprite 35-II Film Camera
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Love the grainy look of real 35mm film? It turns out you can still get compact film cameras from Ilford. The reusable Sprite 35-II Film Camera has a fixed-focus 31mm f/9 wide-angle lens and fixed 1/120s shutter speed, providing boundaries to challenge your creativity. It comes in silver/black, black/black, and silver/red versions and has a built-in flash.

LEGO Creator Retro Camera

LEGO Creator Retro Camera
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This awesome new LEGO Creator series kit is just under 20 bucks and makes a great gift for photographers. The 261-piece set offers three building options: a 35 mm camera with film cartridges, a camcorder, or a mini television. The only thing wrong with it is that it won’t ship until right after Christmas.

Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam

Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam
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With the front-facing Nextbase 622GW, the world’s leading dash cam maker delivers the best ride-along ally for 24/7 on-the-road protection. High-def 4K recording captures crystal clear images, and it doesn’t miss a detail thanks to advanced image stabilization to eliminate playback shakes and blurs.

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How Camera Lenses Are Made

How Camera Lenses Are Made

Japan’s Sigma Corporation makes all kinds of camera lenses. Process X takes us on a factory tour for a look at how their interchangeable lenses come together, from polishing glass to assembling tiny components and even hand-painting the dial markings. Production requires precision and cleanliness from start to finish. No wonder lenses are so expensive.

I’m Back Film Digital 35 MM Cartridge

I’m Back Film Digital 35 MM Cartridge

Do you love the image quality of your old 35 MM camera? This gadget lets you take advantage of analog optics but captures images digitally. The I’m Back Film adds a Sony digital image sensor in the light path of 35 MM cameras and snaps in where a film cartridge usually goes. An electronics and battery pack attaches to the bottom of the camera.

Endurax XL Camera Backpack

Endurax XL Camera Backpack
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Serious photography calls for big cameras with large image sensors and lots of lenses. This extra large backpack offers padded storage for a DSLR or two mirrorless cameras, 6 to 8 lenses, 2 to 3 flashes, accessories, a 15.6″ laptop, and a tablet. It also offers multiple tripod carrying positions, and comes with a rain cover.

Polaroid I-2 Instant Camera

Polaroid I-2 Instant Camera

The Polaroid I-2 represents a major leap over prior instant cameras. It’s Polaroid’s first analog camera with manual controls. The camera has shutter speeds from 1/250 to 30 seconds and apertures from f/8 to f/64, plus a long-exposure bulb mode. It’s also got automatic and multiple exposure modes and a sharp 98mm f/8 lens with LiDAR autofocusing.

HydroChrome Sutton’s Panoramic Belair Camera

HydroChrome Sutton’s Panoramic Belair Camera
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Lomography’s lo-fi analog camera captures 35mm panoramas with a creamy, dreamy aesthetic. Its unique lens can be injected with water-based liquids to create a variety of in-camera effects. It includes four interchangeable aperture plates and exposes panoramic images all the way onto the film’s sprockets.

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Sony Alpha 7CR Camera

Sony Alpha 7CR Camera

Sony’s Alpha 7CR mirrorless camera packs a punch in a compact body. Its 35mm full-frame sensor captures 61 MP images, and its pixel-shift mode can assemble 240.8 MP images. It shoots from ISO 50 to 102400 and can record 10-bit, 4K60 video. It accepts standard FE-mount lenses and has 7-step, in-body image stabilization to keep shots smooth.

Sony Alpha 6700 Mirrorless Camera

Sony Alpha 6700 Mirrorless Camera

The Alpha 6700 is the latest in Sony’s compact mirrorless camera line has a 26MP APS-C sensor that shoots oversampled 6K/4K video at 60 FPS, 4K video at up to 120 FPS, 1080p at 240 FPS, and pro-quality stills at up to 11 FPS. AI tech improves tracking and object recognition for perfect focus. Available body only, with a 16-50mm or 18-135mm power zoom lens.

An Overly-Complicated 3D Rendering Technique

An Overly-Complicated 3D Rendering Technique

Anyone who has worked with 3D graphics software knows about composing scenes with virtual cameras. Sirrandalot used Blender’s Cycles path-tracing engine to model a 3D camera body, simulate the optical properties of a film camera, then render scenes through its virtual lens. Check out the final not-photos on Imgur. (Thanks, Orion!)

Canon Powershot V10 Vlogging Camera

Canon Powershot V10 Vlogging Camera

Canon’s pocket-size camera is ideal for vloggers. It shoots 4K/30 and 1080p/60 video through a 19mm equiv. wide-angle F2.8 lens and captures crisp images with a 20.9 MP 1″ sensor. It offers landscape and portrait modes, high-quality stereo mics, and can live stream out of the box. A 180º touchscreen monitor lets you check yourself as you record.

FLEX Bolt Lightning Photography Trigger

FLEX Bolt Lightning Photography Trigger

Ever wonder how photographers capture those amazing images of lightning? It’s all about timing the shot perfectly. The MIOPS FLEX Bolt automatically detects lightning and triggers your camera’s shutter at the right time. The add-on sits in your DSLR or mirrorless camera’s hot shoe and connects to any standard trigger input.

Mini Camera Fidget Slider

Mini Camera Fidget Slider
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This unique metal fidget toy looks like a tiny rangefinder camera. Its front is packed with neodymium magnets so you can slide it back and forth. Plus, it has a clicky shutter button, a rotating lens, and a magnetic teeter-totter on its back. It’s available in stainless steel or titanium.

TOKK CAM C2+ Compact Wi-Fi Camera

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This tiny camera lets you discreetly monitor and record activity in your home, office, on your body, in your car, or even on your bike. It has a built-in clip and can attach magnetically to metal surfaces, beaming video back to your phone wirelessly. It runs for up to 90 minutes per charge. Save $29 in The Awesomer Shop.

Canon EOS R5 Nemesis Prime Transformer

Canon EOS R5 Nemesis Prime Transformer
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Canon and Takara Tomy teamed up to create this special Nemesis Prime Transformer that turns from a Decepticon into a Canon EOS R5 camera. When in disguise, the 80% scale camera looks just like the real thing, though sadly, it doesn’t snap photos. Preorder by 4.6.2023 for 1.2024 shipping.

Taking Photos with Oranges

Taking Photos with Oranges

It’s not difficult to make your own pinhole camera. But we would have never thought to make one inside of an orange. While you could use any enclosed container, the idea of snapping pictures with citrus fruit is a novelty. We’re going to get to work on a canteloupe camera next.

The Right Way to Use a Backup Camera

The Right Way to Use a Backup Camera

Backup cameras have been a great addition to modern cars, improving rear visibility and reducing fender benders. But they don’t all do a good job telling you how far you are from objects. This guy came up with a clever hack to ensure he always parks just the right distance from the wall in his garage.

First-Person View Racing Slot Cars with Tiny Cameras

First-Person View Racing Slot Cars with Tiny Cameras

If you’ve ever wondered what it might be like to shrink down and drive inside of a slot car, this video is for you. Project Air teamed up with DIY Perks to create a 200 foot-long slot car track, then rigged the cars with tiny cameras and wireless transmitter, and wore video goggles for a first-person view while driving.

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