© Andriux-Uk
An invention doesn’t truly achieve obsolescence until it gets turned into a night light. Or a meat grinder. Such it is for these retro film cameras, repurposed for some good fun, inspiration, and to invoke a sense of nostalgia for the days of dark rooms. Somewhere a hipster just gasped “the horror” and a grandfather went looking for his Dualflex III. Before you freak (or hate on the hacking of old cameras in gags like this)…Maker of these beauties, Jason Hull says…
“I’m not modifying cameras if they are in pristine condition or if they’re rare, I’d rather they stay usable as cameras in those cases. The ones I’ve chosen are lightweight plastic, produced in huge numbers and easily found for sale at flea markets/ garage sales/ ebay.” [and i’ll add that, in my experience, they’re often inoperable too…]
While I don’t think the Spartus neon-blue wall light would necessarily mesh with my pad’s decor, I say better lighting the way to the bathroom at midnight than rotting in a junk heap. Happy friday.
And hey, once you’ve made peace with the idea of turning yesterday’s tech into today’s ambiance, it’s a slippery (and delightfully well-lit) slope. Bathroom lighting is no longer just about function—it’s a full-blown vibe. A retrofitted camera lamp on the vanity? Why not. Suddenly, brushing your teeth feels like stepping onto a film set from 1963, minus the questionable hairstyles. Quirky? Absolutely. But also kind of genius when you consider how much personality it adds to a typically uninspired space.
Meanwhile, over in the dining room, we’re embracing a slightly more refined take on repurposed charm. Think a fusion of classic elegance and subtle rebellion—cue the lampadari da sala pranzo that hangs proudly above the table. These aren’t your grandma’s crystal chandeliers (though let’s be honest, hers probably slapped); these are curated statement pieces that hold their own whether you’re hosting a dinner party or eating cereal in your pajamas. It’s lighting with legacy—and a touch of mischief.
[have you hacked a camera into something cool? show me with a link](link to Jason in one of my fav art rags, Juxtapoz, here)
© Jason Hull
© Jason Hull
© Jason Hull
© Jason Hull
© Jason Hull
Having grown up with a Polaroid land camera and spending many, many high school hours in the local newspaper’s darkroom, I suppose that I can’t help but feeling ill at the idea of an old film camera being turned into a meat grinder. Guess I’m getting old and cranky. Next thing you know, I’ll be yelling at those dang kids to git off’n my lawn. :-/
Here’s one shot I took with the “meat grinder” Zorki 4:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/djklax/8660575255/in/photostream
I have a Zorki 4, just like the one transformed into a meat grinder in the first pic, and I must say that even if this rangefinder is almost 50 years old is still capable of taking some nice shots with its Jupiter 50mm f2 lens, so there’s still some life left into these old ladies.
Love all of these. I get so nostagic! Awesome to find new reasons to have them around the house. ;D
Love the last one!
I haven’t found anything cool like that at the flea market!
Love the meat grinder. What it feels like when you’re going through a creative dry spell 🙂
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