Introduction: Canon Camera Costume

About: Software/Data Engineer | Former Startup Co-Founder| Mini-Makerfaire Co-Lead Organizer | Programmed the computer imaging and robotic subsystems for a microscope platform

Disclaimer: I apologize for the lack of real detailed instructions on how to build this project as I never thought I'd be writing an instructable on it. I do think it gives you enough idea to how to make your own.

If the time spent on preparing for a particular festivity is any indication of how much one loves that celebration, I guess it could be argued that Halloween is my favorite holiday.

So the costume theme at my work was to come dressed as anything that starts with the letter C. Obviously, NSFW costumes are prohibited so get rid of those 4 letter C words from your head. After some contemplation, I tossed around ideas like computer programmer, chameleon, etc. and finally decided to go as a camera. And of course, it had to be a Canon camera.

After a few conceptual drawings and surfing the Canon website, I headed over to Home Depot for some Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipe. I bounced over to a very common letter delivery company for some cardboard boxes and then started constructing the core of my costume. Late Monday night with only the main structure created, I went to bed with a growing concern as to whether or not Id be able to complete my costume or not. I guess I could always go as a cardboard box&

The next day, I bought more odds and ends for the little embellishments and some colored gift wrapping paper. Later on that night, I realized its the little details like logos, controls and covers that get you. Tired and crabby, I decided to press on and the AlanShot HI808 was finally conceived.

And yes, that is a fully functional flash you are seeing.

Step 1: Building the Main Structure

I wanted the costume to be somewhat sturdy so the main structure is build out of PVC. I didn't have any PVC cement so I just taped the connection points of the structure. Make sure the whole structure is large enough to fit you and and you have a cardboard box big enough to surround it. I didn't have one that was big enough so I ended up taping and folding smaller cardboard boxes together to make the skin of the camera.

The white box on the right actually houses the flash. It was hooked to my camera with those cheap Ebay remote triggers.

And the packing filler material in the middle is so my head looks right out of the "camera lens"

Step 2: Skinning the Costume

Like I said, it's the fine details that really make this costume "believable".

The lens port is actually a black oil drip pan with a hole cut in the bottom. The bigger part of the lens port was one of those large sandwich party plates.

The whole skin was covered with wrapping paper. I suppose I could have spray painted it but I was short on time and was afraid that it wouldn't dry in time.

Step 3: Adding Fine Details

I ended up going to multiple camera websites and downloading logos that fit the text and controls of my camera. These had to be scaled to fit the proper dimensions of the costume.

This can take a bit of time but I believe the extra effort is worth it.

The "LCD screen" on the back is actually a picture from an old calendar. I liked the pic and it was a good size.

Step 4: Have Form

If you do a good enough job, people will ask you if they can take a picture with you.

Step 5: Have Function

Now that they take a picture of you, why not make use of being a camera and take pics of them. And who doesn't like posing for the "camera". Hopefully you'll have memorable moments like this.

P.S. Having a working flash really pays off here.

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