From flatbed scanner to digital camera
Nowadays, digital cameras are so cheap that we are half a step away from getting them for free with happy meals at McD. That wasn’t the truth back in the day, however, which was why Matt Wandel decided to build his own. He cannibalised a $100 flatbed scanner, and used the parts to build a primitive scanning digital camera.
Of course, it is completely pointless now that the price of digicams has come down, but I felt all tingly-hearted when I came across this article – the mechanics involved are beautiful in their primitive way, and the results aren’t bad at all!
(cheers, Tom, for tipping us about this one. Do you have a tip? Why not email us on post@photocritic.org)





























My day job, if it can be called that, is being a writer. I've got one book out there so far and it's awesome, so go ahead and buy a copy! It's available from
In front of you, five hyperactive men with guitars, drums, and microphones. Behind you, five thousand fans. In your hands, a camera... You're going to need more than just a little bit of good luck to pull this one off. That's where this book comes in.
Take a Canon EOS 450D. Attach a Canon 50mm f/1.4 lens. Hit the streets of London. See what happens.




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