Print PDF
Favorite
Email
For Halloween 2011, I made a fully functional DSLR camera costume. That's right, it really takes pictures, and comes complete with LCD display, pop-up flash, and shutter release button. I built this entire costume in one week, for only $35 dollars (excluding the cost of the camera equipment and laptop), with materials located at any local hardware store.
Watch this video to see it work:
Watch this video to see how I made it, and see some pictures it's taken
This instructable contains detailed instructions on exactly how I made mine, but with some simple modifications, anyone can make their own with any digital camera and laptop.
Seen on The Discovery Channel, Yahoo! News, HuffingtonPost, Gizmodo, Gizmag, Mashable, BuzzFeed, WINS.failblog, DPReview, PopPhoto, Wired, LaughingSquid, The Metro, PetaPixel, Geekologie, and many more.
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
For the body/structure:
Watch this video to see it work:
Watch this video to see how I made it, and see some pictures it's taken
This instructable contains detailed instructions on exactly how I made mine, but with some simple modifications, anyone can make their own with any digital camera and laptop.
Seen on The Discovery Channel, Yahoo! News, HuffingtonPost, Gizmodo, Gizmag, Mashable, BuzzFeed, WINS.failblog, DPReview, PopPhoto, Wired, LaughingSquid, The Metro, PetaPixel, Geekologie, and many more.
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
For the body/structure:
- Black duct tape
- Black spray paint (semi-gloss)
- Plexiglass (16"x18")
- window fogging spray
- glue/ spray-tack
- 5 gallon bucket with lid
- utility knife
- scissors
- Any DSLR*
- Any External flash
- Hot-shoe flash extension cord
- remote shutter release button (wireless or not)
- A laptop (that you don't mind disassembling)
Remove these ads by
Signing UpStep 1Constuct the main body
I started by making a rectangular box with no top or bottom, that fit my body (shoulder width and body depth is the main measurements you'll need, but remained proportional to the dimensions of my camera. Remember that you'll need room inside for the computer body too. I put two small squares of cardboard on both the left and right side, top and bottom, to make sure the box stayed rigid and square.
From this, I added the the flash base/ viewfinder part on to, and the angled top on each side.
It takes a little measuring, some simple multiplication, and trial-and error. If you're not comfortable making some of the angled contours, don't worry, just stick to basic geometry like squares and rectangles, and it will still look great, and still function the same.
For this step you will need:
- cardboard
- duct tape
- utility knife
- scissors
- Use a straight-edge and utility knife to cut the cardboard
- For the round pieces, use scissors
- tape both sides of every joint. You'll need the strength or the costume will fall apart!
- USE GORILLA-TAPE brand duct tape. It is MUCH more more durable than any other brand I could find, and only slightly more expensive.
- Save the painting until the very last step, or your tape won't stick.
- The more precise your measurements are, the easier the costume is to make, and the stronger the structure will be, so measure twice and cut carefully.
| « Previous Step | Download PDFView All Steps | Next Step » |
great one
Love this costume!
Great work!!
Your generosity by sharing the 'how-to' impresses as well. Thankyou & Good job, you!
My camera came with a remote shutter that's infrared and so I need to be in front of the camera to click away
If it doesn't, you'll have to mount the button somewhere that is in-line with your camera with nothing blocking the view from the remote to the camera.
sunshiine
Monday, October 31st, 2011
Tonight on Daily Planet....for Halloween, a local inventor drops in to show us a high tech costume. Only on Daily Planet!
...
Halloween Costume
A local inventor drops in to demonstrate some of his amazing Halloween costumes.
----------
There was no interview, but they showed your project! Can you talk about the interview, and do you have more projects to share?
I don't remember the details of that particular interview specifically, but if you google camera costume, you'll find dozens of interviews, that all answer prety much the same questions. I'd be happy to personally answer any questions that anyone might have though.
I don't have any more instructables made, but I do have several things which I COULD make an instructable for, including a book light that I designed a few years ago. It is a hallowed out book, with a diffused light inside it that turns on when you open the cover, and turns off when you close it. It can be stood up after the book is opened and used as a reading light, and or laid flat and opened and used as a lamp .
I've made several other book related items from a book shelf (a book that serves as a shelf, that looks as if it is just floating on the wall), a book clock, and even book speakers.