Lego bricks can bring us to bankruptcy with their official kits, or give rise to fabulous creations like keyboards and monitors. In that list we also have to include cameras, and one of the best examples out there is the Lego ZH1, designed by Zung Hoang. Its current version uses fewer than 600 pieces, and to judge by the photos online, it works much better than we imagined…
We've heard it said countless times: a camera is “simply” a black box with a small hole that lets light in. In fact, the MVC (Minimum Viable Camera) project points in that direction and can be easily reproduced. However, enthusiasts who want a more complex DIY design have the chance to support Zung Hoang's Lego ZH1, known as zung92 on Instagram.
Lego ZH1: A 35mm Camera Made with 595 Lego Bricks
Zung explains that the biggest challenge was avoiding light leaks in the camera body. His first photos all came out cloudy due to that issue, exacerbated by the colors of some bricks and unwanted gaps between them. The main lens is based on a small magnifying glass, but he also created a “pinhole” variant that produces different effects.
Now, the camera is much more than a toy. Shutter, film advance and rewind, full-frame and half-frame modes, a hot shoe on top… everything works just as you'd expect from a traditional camera. In total, the Lego ZH1 uses 595 pieces, measures 10 x 25 x 12 centimeters, and weighs approximately 500 grams.
Zung has shared several of his photos on Instagram, but the ultimate goal is to turn the ZH1 into a product. His project has been on the Lego Ideas portal for two years, and with 34 days to go, he needs about 2,200 votes to cross the 10,000 threshold. Some Lego cameras have already reached the market (the kit for the Polaroid OneStep SX-70 costs $80 and is still available), and we hope the ZH1 can join that select group.
Lego ZH1 on Lego Ideas: Click here
Zung92 on Instagram: Click here
