zung hoang builds fully functional 35mm film camera using LEGO parts
the LEGO zh1 camera can shoot pictures on 35 mm film
Vancouver-based artist Zung Hoang is gathering online votes as we speak to turn his latest creation, the LEGO ZH1, into an actual selling product. Revealed earlier this summer, ZH1 is a fully functional 35mm vintage film camera built of 582 LEGO parts in metallic, silver, and black. It also boasts the company’s serif-designed logo from 1934 to match the overall analog design.
‘The main goal is also to make it affordable and portable; that’s why I try to make it as compact as possible,’ writes the artist on the LEGO Ideas Forum where votes are being collected. With 2,509 supporters so far, the camera concept needs to hit the 10,000 mark for the company to consider developing it into a retail good. Once sold on the market, LEGO lovers can assemble their own ZH1 and snap photos with it on a 35mm film.
all images courtesy of Zung Hoang
packed with fully functional and repaired features
Specs-wise, the LEGO ZH1 includes a working shutter button, film advance and take-up reel, winder lever with wind release, and a customizable lens. It can also shoot in full-frame or half-frame. ‘The main lens is based on the existing magnifying part. I also made a special pinhole lens, which provides a pretty good effect and style that you can see in the samples,’ notes Hoang.
Before reaching full operability, the artist had to work around certain challenges. Mainly he had to repair several holes found between the bricks inside the camera frame to avoid light leaking out of them while capturing on film. ‘The biggest challenge is to make the body lightproof as my first and second film rolls were completely fogged up […] It took me several days to figure out how to seal it completely and also remain portable,’ he continues.
If you’d like to support the artist, head to the LEGO Ideas forum and cast your vote!
LEGO ZH1 with the company’s 1934 logo 
the camera is built of 583 LEGO parts in metallic, silver, and black
the camera can shoot pictures on 35 mm film
fully operational features, including a shutter button, and film advance and take-up reel
project info:
name: LEGO ZH1
type: 35mm film camera
design: Zung Hoang
voting: here
