If you’re wondering what kind of experiments come out of a “Schlaboratory,” the answer would be 3D-printed pinhole cameras by a guy named Todd Schlemmer. I’ve been following him on Twitter for a while, and besides having an interesting fashion sense, he is quite the proponent of film photography.
As for his cameras, he has two models available on his store, both of which take medium format film. The terraPin, available with two different focal length extensions, is larger than the terraPin Bijou, which does not have this capability. As the description of his store puts it, these cameras are “Hand crafted…with a [3D-printing] robot.” Though perhaps not for everyone, this type of photography produces some very interesting images.
If you’d like to see if this form of photography is right for you before purchasing one of “The Schlem’s” excellent models, Kodak has instructions for making one of these simple devices out of a box or can. Or if you have a 3D-printer, you can print one based on Schlemer’s design for the original or the Bijou. It’s hard to deny the benefits of digital photography (like instant feedback), but film definitely has its place if you have the patience to wait for it to develop!
