ZH1 is a functional 35mm film camera made of LEGO parts

the LEGO zh1 is built using 582 lego parts

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 using 582 LEGO parts (metallic, silver, and black). Matching Hoang’s analog design is the company’s serif-type logo from 1934, printed on the lens cover and front of the camera.

‘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.

zung hoang builds fully functional 35mm film camera using LEGO parts

all images courtesy of Zung Hoang

packed with fully functional and repaired features

Specs-wise, the LEGO ZH1 includes a working shutter button, a film advance and take-up reel, a 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 between the bricks inside the camera frame to avoid light leaking out of them while capturing a shot. ‘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!