These kits, products and 3D printing templates help consumers make a camera that could be used for everything from home security and thermal imaging to hobby photography.
The rise of maker culture has inspired consumers to become creators who are familiar with the inner-workings of useful devices. At the same time, smartphone photography has become so widespread that many creatives are looking to differentiate themselves with a DIY camera that's more closely tailored to their needs.
These DIY camera projects can be made from a range of materials. For instance, the Pop-Up Pinhole Co.'s 'Viddy' camera is made from cardboard, while the 'The Focal Camera' boasts a laser-cut wooden frame and Pinhole Printed's 'Flyer' model is made from 3D-printed ABS plastic.
10 DIY Camera Projects
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3D-Printed Pinhole Cameras
This 3D-Printed Camera Brings a New Perspective to Old Photography
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DIY Thermal Cameras
The Thermocam Kit Allows Users to DIY Their Own Thermal Imaging Camera
8
DIY Vintage Cameras
The Konstruktor F by Lomography is a Modernized Vintage Product
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DIY Security Cameras
This Microsoft Project Lets You Build Your Own Security Camera
6
Sophisticated DIY Cameras
'The Focal Camera' Teaches Anyone to Make an Advanced Cameras
5
DIY Camera Kits
This Pinhole Camera is Made from Durable Recycled Card Material
4
DIY Instant Cameras
The PolaPi Instant Thermal Camera Offers Instant Printing for Makers
3
Wooden Pinhole Cameras
These Cameras Offer a Unique Alternative to Digital Photography
2
Modular Imaging Blocks
The Cambits Imaging System Allows For Convenient Scientific Imaging
1
DIY Pinhole Cameras
The Viddy Camera is Made of Cardboard and Reclaimed Materials
Related Ideas
Download a Paper Pinhole Camera
DIY Camera Filters
The Brit & Co. Blog Shows How to Take Creative Shots
DIY Tiltshift Camera Lens
This DIY Camera Lens Lets Users Take Soft Focus Shots in a Snap
Ultra-Revealing Cameras
The Hypercam Can Photograph the Veins Beneath Your Skin
Thermal Night Vision Goggles
These Military Goggles Combine Thermal Imaging & Night Vision Systems
Classically Constructed Camera Lamps
These Vintage Cameras are Now Fancy Contemporary Lamps
DIY Wireless Speakers
This DIY Project Lets Makers Create Custom AirPlay Speakers
Funkily Festive Fashion Catalogs
The Nasty Gal Gift Shop 2013 Lookbook Stars Chloe Norgaard
Vintage Cardboard Cameras
The Pinhole Hasselblad by Kelly Angood Can Actually Take Photographs
Filtered Polaroid Cameras
The Lomo’Instant Cameras Bring Back Traditional Filters and Polaroids
Mini See-Thru Computers
The 'PINE64' Quad-Core Mini PC is Capable of a Variety of Functions
DIY Vintage Cameras
The Konstruktor F by Lomography is a Modernized Vintage Product
DIY Security Cameras
This Microsoft Project Lets You Build Your Own Security Camera
Instant Filter Camera Lenses
The Lomography Petzval Portrait Lens is Inspired by 1840s Technology
Paper-Thin Digital Cameras
This Ultra-Thin Camera is No Thicker Than a Piece of Paper
Apple-Inspired PC Cases
The DUNE Circular Aluminum PC Case Allows Users to DIY Their Own PC
DIY Camera Phone Lenses
Creative Project Uses Old DVD Focus Lens to Improve Photos
Photography TP Dispensers
Polaroid Tissue Playfully Masquerades as a Bathroom-Mounted Camera
3D-Printed Storage Solutions
This 3D-Printable Pegboard Offers Makers Enhanced Storage and Control
Sophisticated DIY Cameras
'The Focal Camera' Teaches Anyone to Make an Advanced Cameras
DIY Camera Kits
This Pinhole Camera is Made from Durable Recycled Card Material
DIY Instant Cameras
The PolaPi Instant Thermal Camera Offers Instant Printing for Makers
Educational Camera Kits
The Naturebytes Wildlife Camera Lets Kids Learn About Nature by Coding
Wood-Made Film Cameras
The ONDU Wooden Camera Brings People Back to Classic Photography
Heat-Detecting Smartphone Cameras
The 'Seek' Thermal Imager for Android Detects Hot and Cold Spots
Pinhole Polaroids
Take Old School Pictures with the Cardboard 'Flutter in Pinhole' Camera
DIY Belted Camera Straps
Lomography Get Stylish with this Vintage-Looking Leather Camera Holder
Eco-Friendly Computer Peripherals
The 'Rogue Router' File Server System Features a Solar Panel
DIY Photo Flash Filaments
Manipulate Lighting with a Camera Add-On Using Optical Fibers
Pinhole Packaging Cameras
Linna Xu Designs a Film Box That Doubles as a Pinhole Camera
Edible Computer Paper
This Edible Paper Can be Used with Food-Grade Inks for Decorations
DIY Camera Battery Extenders
Make Your DSLR Last Five Times Longer with a Little Battery Hacking
Building Block Cameras
The LEGO Leica M8 is a Playful Replica for Only a Fraction of the Cost
Retro Instant Cameras
The Lomo'Instant Wide Camera Brings Glorious Instant Film Back
Wooden Pinhole Cameras
These Cameras Offer a Unique Alternative to Digital Photography
DIY Lomography Camera Kits
The Konstruktor Allows You to Build Your Own 35mm from Scratch
DIY Cameras
SuperHeadz Kit Lets You Build Your Own Camera
Curved 3D-Printed Keyboards
This Ergonomic Keyboard Design is a Functional DIY Model
Vintage Camera Slicers
The Say Cheese Instant Slicer Provides Cheese in a Wonerfully Retro Manner
Movement Mimicking X-Ray Exhibits
This Digital X-Ray Mirror Devices Shows Anatomical Appearances
Colossal Cameras
The World's Biggest Photograph Goes on Display at the Culver Center of the Arts
Cartoony Instant Cameras
The Fujifilm Instax Mini Hello Kitty Camera Kit Features a Selfie Mirror
Disturbing Pin Hole Cameras
Belger Uses Bones, Organs & HIV + Blood
Receipt Paper Polaroids
The PrintSnap Instant Camera Prints Pictures on Thermal Receipt Paper
3D-Printed Toy Drones
The Firefly Drone Features Components Created Using a 3D Printer
Automatic Editing Video Cameras
The 'Kiba' Smart Video Camera Determines the Best Content
Polaroid-Inspired Lomo Cameras
The Belair X 6-12 Instant Back Prints Vintage-Like Photos Instantly
Modernizing Satellite Imaging
Will Marshall's Space Photography Keynote Revolutionizes the Future
DIY Interface Modules
The 'NextDev' IoT User Interface System is a Low-Cost Module for Makers
Underwater 3D Imaging Projects
This Underwater 3D Imaging Project Explores Pearl Harbor Wreckage
Pork Product Packaging Cameras
This DIY Pinhole Camera is Made Using a Few Household Materials
Hipster Camera Infographics
This Infographic Shows How Analogue Photography Works
Customizable Vintage Camera Cases
These Woodskin Cases Breathe New Life Into Old Tech
Wearable Live-Viewing Remotes
The 'REMOVU P1' Allows Users to View Live GoPro Footage
Solar Charger Building Kits
This New Development Board Lets You Build Portable USB Solar Chargers
Recycled Paper Cameras
"CAP" is a Pinhole Camera With a Rough-Looking Exterior
3D-Printed Medical Tools
These 3D-Rendered Parts Help Doctors Manipulate Medical Imaging
Mirrorless Lens Cameras
Polaroid is No Longer a Thing of the Past with the Polaroid iM1836 Camera
Love-Day Lomography Cameras
Capture Valentine's Day with the La Sardina 'Virginia is for Lovers'
Thermal Imaging Cameras
This Heat-Detecting Camera Mounts Drones to Help Firefighters and Farmers
Parasite-Finding Smartphone Microscopes
The Cellscope Scans Blood for Parasitic Worms in Minutes
Toothy Spy Cams
Uncover Illegal Activity in Your Mouth With a Super Secret Toothbrush
DIY Digital Camera Kits
Build Your Own Camera with the Educational Bigshot Set
Clever Transparent Cameras
Lomo Konstruktor Has Come Out With a New See Through Camera
All-in-One Security Cameras
The Samsung 'SmartCam' HD WiFi Camera Works in Dark or Light Settings
Ultra-Thin Thermometers
This Micro Thermal Sensor Can be Attached Directly Onto Baby's Skin
Portable Thermal Cameras
CES 2016 Revealed FLIR Systems' Heat-Sensing Camera Called Scout TK
Ingenious Instant Cameras
The Lomo'Instant Allows You to Instantly Print Distinctive Photos
Wearable Camera Kits
The Sony HDR-AS30V Action Cam Comes with Wearable Accessories
Crafty Camera-Assembling Kits
The Konstruktor Camera Kit from Lomography Lets You Build a Camera
DIY Pinhole Cameras
The Viddy Camera is Made of Cardboard and Reclaimed Materials
Building Block Cameras
The LEGO Pinhole Camera is a Fully Functional Picture Taker
Methane-Detecting Cameras
This Highly Advanced Camera Can Detect Invisible Methane Gas
Simultaneous Imaging Microscopes
This Fermion Microscope Can Freeze Particles in Time