The Gakkenflex
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As I've mentioned before, my family and I went to Japan last May. We've encountered a lot of interesting stuff and this was one of them.
Pictured at the right is the do-it-yourself camera called the Gakkenflex.
It came from Otona no Kagaku, a mook by Gakken, that is known to feature DIY gadgets like radios, a mini electric guitar, etc. For an average of just 2500 Yen an issue, how can you lose? This time they featured a fully working film twin lens reflex camera (TLR) you can build for yourself.
On to the camera...
It comes in a box pasted along with the magazine, with the parts, including a small screwdriver neatly placed in it's styrofoam packaging. The magazine contains Japanese instructions on how to build the camera. Don't worry much about the language since it has diagrams of the parts with arrows on what goes where. It took me around an hour to finish (a few days after watching my brother build his).
The best thing about building your own camera is learning how it works. You get to place each part and see it interact with the rest of the pieces. There were easy parts like screwing the bigger parts together. There were delicate parts that need to be done carefully so the camera will work properly once completed.
The part I liked most was seeing the shutter work. It was a little hard working with the small springs that make up the shutter mechanism but after seeing it work smoothly makes it all worth it. I've always loved creating things since I was a kid and this tops the things I've made so far since I get to see it work and actually have practical use for it.
So the camera has a fixed shutter and aperture setting. This is good since we won't be needing to think of these things and just try to compose that artistic shot. The lens can be used for focusing from around 50cm to infinity. The viewfinder on top is a little blurry but focusing by sight is still possible.
Before I share the photos I took with the Gakkenflex, here's my mini model, Yotsuba, to show you the finished product:
So on to the shots...
I used a 24-shot (the recommended size/length), ISO400 Fujicolor roll I got in Japan.
Click the photo to see some additional comments regarding the shot.
Outdoor
Totoro, KittenBus and Yotsuba
Our Backyard Court
Curly the elusive cat
Indoor
Toro prepares for the Prom
Sun Worshipers
As I've mentioned before, my family and I went to Japan last May. We've encountered a lot of interesting stuff and this was one of them.
Pictured at the right is the do-it-yourself camera called the Gakkenflex.
It came from Otona no Kagaku, a mook by Gakken, that is known to feature DIY gadgets like radios, a mini electric guitar, etc. For an average of just 2500 Yen an issue, how can you lose? This time they featured a fully working film twin lens reflex camera (TLR) you can build for yourself.
On to the camera...
It comes in a box pasted along with the magazine, with the parts, including a small screwdriver neatly placed in it's styrofoam packaging. The magazine contains Japanese instructions on how to build the camera. Don't worry much about the language since it has diagrams of the parts with arrows on what goes where. It took me around an hour to finish (a few days after watching my brother build his).
The best thing about building your own camera is learning how it works. You get to place each part and see it interact with the rest of the pieces. There were easy parts like screwing the bigger parts together. There were delicate parts that need to be done carefully so the camera will work properly once completed.
The part I liked most was seeing the shutter work. It was a little hard working with the small springs that make up the shutter mechanism but after seeing it work smoothly makes it all worth it. I've always loved creating things since I was a kid and this tops the things I've made so far since I get to see it work and actually have practical use for it.
So the camera has a fixed shutter and aperture setting. This is good since we won't be needing to think of these things and just try to compose that artistic shot. The lens can be used for focusing from around 50cm to infinity. The viewfinder on top is a little blurry but focusing by sight is still possible.
Before I share the photos I took with the Gakkenflex, here's my mini model, Yotsuba, to show you the finished product:
So on to the shots...
I used a 24-shot (the recommended size/length), ISO400 Fujicolor roll I got in Japan.
Click the photo to see some additional comments regarding the shot.
Outdoor
Totoro, KittenBus and Yotsuba
Our Backyard Court
Curly the elusive cat
Indoor
Toro prepares for the Prom
Sun Worshipers