Jun 8, 2016 | By Tess
For those who have not given up their high quality SLR cameras or their vintage camera lenses for more compact smartphone cameras, you know how much purchasing, maintaining, and adapting a good quality camera can cost. Generally though, the quality of shots, along with the century old process of developing photos make the results worth it. A big part of what has drawn people away from more traditional photography, and the versatility of different lenses is not only the money however, but the cumbersomeness of carrying around multiple lenses and the cameras that fit them. So, what if we told you there was a way to shoot any sort of photo, from medium to large format negatives, to old Polaroids, to Fuji’s Instax film, and even to digital, all on one camera? Now, with the launch of Mercury, the world’s first universal camera, through Kickstarter, this could become a reality.
The modular, open camera system was designed to offer experienced as well as aspiring photographers an affordable, lightweight and extremely versatile camera hardware option capable of taking professional quality photos. The Mercury universal camera was conceived and primarily designed by Zach Horton, a professor of media and literature—and a dedicated photographer—who had the goal of creating the ultimate camera. Andrew Duerner, a robotics engineer, Joe Babine a machinist, and designer Alexandra Magearu were also key players in the development of the camera.
So, what makes the universal camera so special? According to the camera’s crowdfunding page, the Mercury is “capable of adapting nearly any lens ever made, can use numerous backs from numerous manufacturers…and can shoot film or digital, in nearly any format from 35mm to 4x5”.” If you’ve been wondering what to do with old lenses you have stored away, or a roll of large format film negatives, the versatile Mercury could be the solution. As mentioned, the camera is also capable of shooting instant film like Polaroid and Fuji Instax formats, and offers a higher quality of photo thanks to adaptable lenses and manual controls.
Of course, what the camera’s modularity also means is that not only can old camera lenses or backs be used with it, but new camera parts can also be adapted for it. So, in this sense, the universal camera is future proof.
Rezza: Medium Format Mercury
Rich: Large Format Mercury
So far, the team has a number of working prototypes for the Mercury camera, which have been 3D printed. And while many of the camera’s specialty parts will continue to be produced through 3D printing, for instance lens adapters and certain backs, the Mercury team is hoping to ultimately use injection molding for the camera’s main body, to “perfectly meet [their] specs with regard to dimensional fit, finish, strength, and mass-producability.” The Kickstarter campaign has been launched in order to raise funds for this, and having already amassed more than $15,000 of their $50,000 in just a few days, the crowdfunding campaign is looking promising.
If the prospect of getting your hands on one of these innovative and fully modular 3D printed cameras excites you, you’ll be happy to know, you won’t necessarily have to shell out thousands of dollars to get one. The most basic version of the camera, the Rezza Medium Format Mercury is going for the fair cost of $120 through Kickstarter rewards, while the Max 2: Complete Merc Perk, the ultimate medium format kit which “shows Mercury off at its best” is going for $375. The most expensive reward, at $1,500, is for the Dave 2: Medium Format Digital Merc, equipped with a full frame 645 digital sensor.
Max 2: The Complete Merc Perk
Dave 1: 35mm Digital Merc
Because of production time frames, and the wait time for the injection mold tooling, the Mercury team has broken their rewards down into batches, the first of which can expect to ship around December 2016. In other words, the sooner you make a pledge, the sooner you will get the camera! Check out the Kickstarter campaign here.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
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hello how can I bay this camera 3D project, medium format MERCURY - 6X6 -6X9 - OTHERS ? for using polaroid 600 SE lens and mamya lenses objectief 75mm /150mm/ 80mm / 90 mm /53 mm with film back on 6x9 universal polaroid/mamiya what is this prise & shipping to Belgium/EUROPE thank you VM stefaan de bruyn 4stefaandebruyn@gmail.com
4stefaandebruyn@gmail.com wrote at 2/8/2019 3:20:03 PM:
hello how can I bay this camera 3D project, medium format MERCURY - 6X6 -6X9 - OTHERS ? for using polaroid 600 SE lens and mamya lenses objectief 75mm /150mm/ 80mm / 90 mm /53 mm with film back on 6x9 universal polaroid/mamiya what is this prise & shipping to Belgium/EUROPE thank you VM stefaan de bruyn 4stefaandebruyn@gmail.com
The truth will out wrote at 6/9/2016 5:36:32 AM:
The optics aren't printed and the electronics aren't printed. Where is this 3d printed camera? This is just a 3d printed camera shell!! More lies from the marketing department.
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