Background information
A snapshot: 5 months travelling with a cheap lens
by David Lee
This high school student has built a faithful replica of his Canon camera
21.8.2020
Translation: machine translated
Jonas treats himself to a Canon EOS RP for his upcoming birthday. But instead of unpacking the camera, he makes a wooden model of it. Behind this strange-sounding story lies the combination of two hobbies.
When I open my computer for the first time after my summer holidays, I find a message in my mailbox from a Jonas Forrer I don't know.
There are also numerous pictures from which I can see that the lens on this wooden camera can be changed and that Jonas has apparently built several lenses for it. The screen can apparently be folded out and rotated like the original.
I'm impressed. That must have been a lot of work. As I have no flair for craftsmanship myself, something like this would never occur to me. That's why I not only want to see the wooden model, but also get to know the person behind it. Jonas agrees and visits me in the editorial team. To do this, he has to get an absence from the cantonal school in Wattwil authorised.
Fully committed
Jonas unpacks his models, neatly wrapped in bubble wrap, from a large plastic bag. One camera. One lens. Another lens. Another camera. And more lenses. In the end, an impressive photo arsenal lies on the table in front of us - all made of wood.
I could already see from the pictures in the email that Jonas has built two cameras. Originally, he wanted to buy an EOS M50. He first put together a mock-up of it, including three lenses.
But then Jonas said to himself: if you're going to do it, do it properly - and decided to go straight into full format. It had to be a Canon EOS RP, not an M50. So he built another wooden model. Here, too, he went one step further. The M50 model does not yet have a movable screen. The lenses are attached to the body with magnets. With the EOS RP, on the other hand, the lens is screwed in - just like with a real bayonet mount.
The complete replica equipment:
The attention to detail is evident in many small things. For example, the camera has a holder for carrying straps that works. The 18-150mm lens comes with a removable lens hood. Jonas has also recreated the handle that matches the camera - it can be screwed onto the camera true to the original.
Photography + modelling = wooden camera
The cameras and lenses feel light. They consist of many plywood panels glued together, which give the model its fine line pattern. Jonas cut out the wood with a jigsaw and sanded it by hand.
If someone has photography and model railways as hobbies, the model replica of photographic equipment is no longer so unusual. It even seems obvious to me.
By the way: Jonas' father bought the Canon EOS M50 that Jonas modelled first - probably not entirely by chance.
David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
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