A new modding project has emerged with the goal of bringing the classic Polaroid instant camera into the modern age. Enthusiast Nico Rahardian Tangara combined a Raspberry Pi 3B+ computer with a Waveshare E Ink display HAT to create a custom DIY Polaroid camera. The display has a 264 x 176 pixel resolution and can only display four shades of gray, but its unique feature is its ability to maintain the last image displayed indefinitely, even when disconnected from a power source.
The E Ink display comes with four programmable buttons, one of which has been modified to execute a script that triggers the camera module and captures a photo. This script was created using artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, which demonstrates the potential for users with minimal programming knowledge to take on similar projects.
The housing for this camera was designed using 3D printing technology, with the software Blender and Snapmaker being used to bring it to life. One downside to this custom-built camera is that it doesn’t have a viewfinder, which makes it difficult to frame the perfect shot before taking a picture.
With the ability to capture and display images on a unique E Ink display and minimal programming knowledge required, this project could be an exciting opportunity for anyone looking to create their own DIY camera.
