LEX is an Open Source Sony E-Mount Film Camera
LEX is a new prototype open source film camera that features a E-mount, allowing Sony photographers to use their existing collection of lenses.
But the 18mm flange focal distance used by the E-mount ruled out adapting his lenses for existing film bodies, so Gee decided to create a new camera system from scratch.
“I wanted to learn CAD and designing a camera seemed like a pretty good challenge,” Gee tells sonyalpharumors. “Along the way I’ve also learned a huge amount about 3D printing, manufacturing, materials science, and I even built a mini foundry to make metal parts for LEX. The whole process was a lot of fun and now I only need to carry one set of lenses in my bag.”
The LEX is built around the shutter mechanism from the Sony a7.
Gee has built a completely functional prototype of the camera.
Here are some sample photos shot by Gee using his prototype:
Gee’s planning on releasing the camera and its designs to the world soon as soon as he figures out the best way to do so. A small batch of cameras may also be offered for sale through a crowdfunding campaign prior to the designs being published. You can be notified by email when the camera launches by signing up on the website.
Image credits: Photographs and illustrations by Alexander Gee
