Convert a Camera Body to a Lamp

How to:prepare a camera body

for use as a lampkootoyoo … click & make

Please note:

This lamp was made for my personal use only.

Since the original post has gone bananas (which I totally did not expect). I’ve done further research on the light source for the lamp & found that there are a number of options including LED low voltage as well as a standard SES lamp. This might all be double dutch to you & in Australia it has to be. It is illegal to do any wiring of your own. You are required to have all this type of thing done by a qualified electrician/lighting professional. Safety first!

This is essentially a how to prepare the camera body to construct a lamp. There’s always the very obvious option of using a small battery operated LED torch which would require less financial outlay and you would avoid the need for the services of an electrician.

As with any project the key is having everything on hand that you’ll need.

*Camera choice: Please only use broken cameras that have no further click life. A film SLR is the way to go…there’s lots of room inside the body & the lens is quickly & easily removed from the body.

I’ve found that the easiest cameras to work with are the old praktica & the cosina. When you’re making your selection ensure that you can clearly see the screws holding the lens mount in place. That should mean that the lens will come apart fairly easily.

drill

tripod

heat resistant glue

film SLR - preferably not working *

teeny tiny tools

Begin by separating the lens from the camera body.

Now get to work taking apart the lens. You’ll need to keep all the bits so that you can reassemble the barrel. Don’t get too precious about it…we just want the idea of the lens OK?

Once you’ve removed the optics you can put the barrel back together making sure that the lens mount is in tact.

In some cases you might be able to rescue the lens info & this can be glued back inside the lens barrel using the heat resistant glue.

Open up the back of the camera & using your small pliers pull away the shutter curtain.

Now you should have a nice open space & be able to see the mirror from both front & back of the camera body.

Run a line of glue along the edge of the mirror & clamp it “open”. I used tape so that I could continue working.

Next drill a hole through the back of the camera – this is to accommodate your power cord/switch.

NB: No need for this step if you’re just going to use an LED torch.

OK…you’ve prepared the camera body. Now you need an electrician mate or you need to pay a visit to your local electrician or lighting shop. I’ve been advised that if you have the parts it will cost about $10 AU for them to wire it safely for you.

The options you have are either LED setup (on the left). This is preferred…super safe (12v) & cool touch.ORSES lamp holder & oven globe (on the right).

Use & enjoy.

©kootoyoo 2011