Thanks to the advent of Kickstarter, many interesting and innovative products are making the jump from prototype to reality. Kickstarter funded products made a big splash at CES this year, while some big name vendors were absent from the show altogether. A new Kickstarter funded project from Lomography is bringing a new twist to analog or “retro”photography. Lomography has developed the Smartphone Film Scanner, which will allow Iphone and most Android smartphone users to digitally scan their 35mm negatives.
The Smartphone Film Scanner is a portable device which attaches onto the Iphone and most Android devices. Once the unit is attached, users can turn on the device’s backlight and insert 35mm negatives, which are then captured by Lomography’s included app. The app also includes some editing features, such as the ability to create a multi-frame animations, turn the image into a positive, and stitch together panoramas. Social network sharing is also included in the app, allowing users to quickly and easily share all those embarrassing kid pics with others.
Lomography is known for keeping analog photo processes alive in the digital age, and are currently celebrating their 20th anniversary.
“In our 20 years so far, we have a strong track record of developing many different cameras, films and accessories independently. For example, last year we released the Belair X 6-12, which is a new and breathtaking 6×12 medium format camera. Looking further back, we have also produced cameras such as a 35mm camera called the Spinner 360° which can take 360° panoramic shots, the LomoKino which is a 35mm movie camera and the Diana F+which is a reinvention of a cult classic 1960s camera.In addition to developing cameras, we also love developing new films and accessories. Last year, for example, we introduced a range of brand new 110 films to the world – a previously discontinued film we raised from the dead. We also produce accessories such as the DigitaLIZA which helps you to scan 35mm films using a regular flatbed scanner.”
A $40 pledge will get you a Smartphone Film Scanner upon release. If you have loads of 35mm lying around, are currently using the medium or love digging around for old photos, this is the peripheral for you.
Click here to check out the Kickstarter page
The Lomography Smartphone Film Scanner: How Scanning LomoKino Movies Works from Lomography on Vimeo.
[Via Kickstarter , Engadget]