Raspberry Pi 12mp dslr

**Sam_I_am** · 04-30-2020, 06:59 PM

I just saw this today and it made me go hmmm...

What a way to resurrect an old Pentax that cannot be repaired, or any other old camera for that matter.

Here is the article..

Raspberry Pi unveils a high-quality interchangeable-lens camera | Engadget

Any thought?

photoptimist · 04-30-2020, 07:24 PM - **3 Likes**

It's not really a camera so much as it's a naked camera sensor circuit board (using a C-mount screw-on lens -- sold separately) that you attach to a Raspberry Pi (sold separately), which you attach to a display (sold separately), put in your own box (sold separately), and attach to a power supply (sold separately).

It's a very nice little bit of electronic/computer hobbyist kit but the tiny sensor (crop factor 5.6X!) isn't going win any image IQ awards.

leekil · 04-30-2020, 09:35 PM

Similar sensor as the Pentax Q

**BigMackCam** · 04-30-2020, 10:54 PM

Moved to Non-Pentax Cameras forum

**BigMackCam** · 04-30-2020, 11:17 PM - **1 Like**

As @photoptimist points out, it's really just a camera sensor module with a mount. It needs a Pi SBC and power source to operate, so you'd need to fit those three things inside the target camera, along with an LCD screen for composition and review... then find a way to integrate the computer with the electro-mechanical controls and mechanisms of the camera. The "I'm Back" product is a similar idea, but hasn't been well received by members here...

**StiffLegged** · 05-01-2020, 12:19 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by photoptimist

It's not really a camera so much as it's a naked camera sensor circuit board (using a C-mount screw-on lens -- sold separately) that you attach to a Raspberry Pi (sold separately), which you attach to a display (sold separately), put in your own box (sold separately), and attach to a power supply (sold separately).

It's a very nice little bit of electronic/computer hobbyist kit but the tiny sensor (crop factor 5.6X!) isn't going win any image IQ awards.

But hey, if you’re looking for something to spend the lockdown days on...!

**Rondec** · 05-01-2020, 02:50 AM

Originally posted by leekil

Similar sensor as the Pentax Q

I think you'd be better off with one of the Qs. Sensor quality may be similar, but the optics available and ergonomics of this don't seem awesome by any means.

Racer X 69 · 05-01-2020, 03:26 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by photoptimist

It's a very nice little bit of electronic/computer hobbyist kit but the tiny sensor (crop factor 5.6X!) isn't going win any image IQ awards.

So this is just unbridled optimism then?

photoptimist · 05-01-2020, 07:19 AM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by Racer X 69

So this is just unbridled optimism then?

LOL!

It might be a way to get better IQ out of a Canon lens! ;-)

**Sam_I_am** · 05-01-2020, 09:30 AM - **2 Likes**

I can appreciate the idea of building your own "box". I had already thought about taking a point and shoot digital, and seeing if I could put the components in an old Kodak Pony.

photoptimist · 05-01-2020, 10:27 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Sam_I_am

I can appreciate the idea of building your own "box". I had already thought about taking a point and shoot digital, and seeing if I could put the components in an old Kodak Pony.

Sounds like a fun project!

With the c-mount removed, there's a chance you might be able to fit the 38mm x 38mm camera board into the film gate area of the Pony. If it doesn't fit, there's always the option of using a larger body like the Kodak Brownie series. Some of those old Kodak Brownie bodies are probably big enough for both the camera AND the Raspberry Computer and maybe even the display!

For extra credit you might also horse around with adding a strong positive supplementary lens between the main lens of the old camera and the sensor. With a bit of luck and care, that supplementary lens can de-crop the image somewhat, shift the focal plane closer to the lens and provide more room at the back of the camera for a display.

Too much fun!

**ThorSanchez** · 05-01-2020, 01:02 PM - **3 Likes**

Originally posted by Rondec

I think you'd be better off with one of the Qs. Sensor quality may be similar, but the optics available and ergonomics of this don't seem awesome by any means.

I don't think the point is to beat the Q in image quality, so much as it is a platform to build your own camera with whatever requirements, software, hardware, etc that you want. You could go without a display and build a rangefinder, we have certainly had a number of posts/posters who wanted an ultra-simple ILC. You could embed the module in some kind of unconventional place like a car dashboard or a hole in the wall, or I don't know, a hollowed out tree or a baseball bat. It's $50, it's not quite disposable, but almost. Plenty of TV shows like Mythbusters broke a lot of cameras, and maybe they could take something like this, put it in unique enclosures, and get some otherwise unobtainable shots. The sensor doesn't have to be in the same physical location as the Pi that drives it, you could connect the two with a cable. You could cut a hole in the back of your oven, cover it with some kind of high-temp glass, embed the camera behind that, and rig up a way to watch what you're baking remotely, or support your own YouTube cooking channel.

The whole idea is supplying components to build and invent things that nobody ever has before. If you want a refined, integrated body with super high IQ you go buy an off-the-shelf ILC.

**Sam_I_am** · 05-01-2020, 01:25 PM

How about that whole series of Pentax film cameras with the plastic gears that failed. You might be able to gut the camera and actually make them usable. 😉😄

Alem · 11-29-2020, 11:24 AM

And speaking of the Q... would there be any way to get an API for the Q lenses? That way they would be usable with this and future Raspberry sensors O: We could make our own Q's!

Angelic Layer · 11-29-2020, 10:02 PM

Very interesting.
It still need a proper housing with LCD screen.

04-30-2020, 06:59 PM	#1
Sam_I_am Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Toledo, OR Posts: 851	Raspberry Pi 12mp dslr I just saw this today and it made me go hmmm... What a way to resurrect an old Pentax that cannot be repaired, or any other old camera for that matter. Here is the article.. Raspberry Pi unveils a high-quality interchangeable-lens camera \| Engadget Any thought?

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04-30-2020, 07:24 PM - 3 Likes	#2
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,121	It's not really a camera so much as it's a naked camera sensor circuit board (using a C-mount screw-on lens -- sold separately) that you attach to a Raspberry Pi (sold separately), which you attach to a display (sold separately), put in your own box (sold separately), and attach to a power supply (sold separately). It's a very nice little bit of electronic/computer hobbyist kit but the tiny sensor (crop factor 5.6X!) isn't going win any image IQ awards.

04-30-2020, 09:35 PM	#3
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	Similar sensor as the Pentax Q

04-30-2020, 10:54 PM	#4
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,642	Moved to Non-Pentax Cameras forum

04-30-2020, 11:17 PM - 1 Like	#5
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,642	As @photoptimist points out, it's really just a camera sensor module with a mount. It needs a Pi SBC and power source to operate, so you'd need to fit those three things inside the target camera, along with an LCD screen for composition and review... then find a way to integrate the computer with the electro-mechanical controls and mechanisms of the camera. The "I'm Back" product is a similar idea, but hasn't been well received by members here...

05-01-2020, 12:19 AM - 1 Like	#6
StiffLegged Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,610	Originally posted by photoptimist It's not really a camera so much as it's a naked camera sensor circuit board (using a C-mount screw-on lens -- sold separately) that you attach to a Raspberry Pi (sold separately), which you attach to a display (sold separately), put in your own box (sold separately), and attach to a power supply (sold separately). It's a very nice little bit of electronic/computer hobbyist kit but the tiny sensor (crop factor 5.6X!) isn't going win any image IQ awards. But hey, if you’re looking for something to spend the lockdown days on...!

05-01-2020, 02:50 AM	#7
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	Originally posted by leekil Similar sensor as the Pentax Q I think you'd be better off with one of the Qs. Sensor quality may be similar, but the optics available and ergonomics of this don't seem awesome by any means.

05-01-2020, 03:26 AM - 2 Likes	#8
Racer X 69 Moderator Man With A Camera Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: The Great Pacific Northwet, in the Land Between Canada and Mexico Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,064	Originally posted by photoptimist It's a very nice little bit of electronic/computer hobbyist kit but the tiny sensor (crop factor 5.6X!) isn't going win any image IQ awards. So this is just unbridled optimism then?

05-01-2020, 07:19 AM - 3 Likes	#9
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,121	Originally posted by Racer X 69 So this is just unbridled optimism then? LOL! It might be a way to get better IQ out of a Canon lens! ;-)

05-01-2020, 09:30 AM - 2 Likes	#10
Sam_I_am Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Toledo, OR Posts: 851 Original Poster	I can appreciate the idea of building your own "box". I had already thought about taking a point and shoot digital, and seeing if I could put the components in an old Kodak Pony.

05-01-2020, 10:27 AM - 1 Like	#11
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,121	Originally posted by Sam_I_am I can appreciate the idea of building your own "box". I had already thought about taking a point and shoot digital, and seeing if I could put the components in an old Kodak Pony. Sounds like a fun project! With the c-mount removed, there's a chance you might be able to fit the 38mm x 38mm camera board into the film gate area of the Pony. If it doesn't fit, there's always the option of using a larger body like the Kodak Brownie series. Some of those old Kodak Brownie bodies are probably big enough for both the camera AND the Raspberry Computer and maybe even the display! For extra credit you might also horse around with adding a strong positive supplementary lens between the main lens of the old camera and the sensor. With a bit of luck and care, that supplementary lens can de-crop the image somewhat, shift the focal plane closer to the lens and provide more room at the back of the camera for a display. Too much fun!

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05-01-2020, 01:02 PM - 3 Likes	#12
ThorSanchez Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,803	Originally posted by Rondec I think you'd be better off with one of the Qs. Sensor quality may be similar, but the optics available and ergonomics of this don't seem awesome by any means. I don't think the point is to beat the Q in image quality, so much as it is a platform to build your own camera with whatever requirements, software, hardware, etc that you want. You could go without a display and build a rangefinder, we have certainly had a number of posts/posters who wanted an ultra-simple ILC. You could embed the module in some kind of unconventional place like a car dashboard or a hole in the wall, or I don't know, a hollowed out tree or a baseball bat. It's $50, it's not quite disposable, but almost. Plenty of TV shows like Mythbusters broke a lot of cameras, and maybe they could take something like this, put it in unique enclosures, and get some otherwise unobtainable shots. The sensor doesn't have to be in the same physical location as the Pi that drives it, you could connect the two with a cable. You could cut a hole in the back of your oven, cover it with some kind of high-temp glass, embed the camera behind that, and rig up a way to watch what you're baking remotely, or support your own YouTube cooking channel. The whole idea is supplying components to build and invent things that nobody ever has before. If you want a refined, integrated body with super high IQ you go buy an off-the-shelf ILC.

05-01-2020, 01:25 PM	#13
Sam_I_am Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Toledo, OR Posts: 851 Original Poster	How about that whole series of Pentax film cameras with the plastic gears that failed. You might be able to gut the camera and actually make them usable. 😉😄

11-29-2020, 11:24 AM	#14
Alem New Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Posts: 6	And speaking of the Q... would there be any way to get an API for the Q lenses? That way they would be usable with this and future Raspberry sensors O: We could make our own Q's!

11-29-2020, 10:02 PM	#15
Angelic Layer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 254	Very interesting. It still need a proper housing with LCD screen.