Game-changing digital film cartridge adds 20 MP micro 4/3 sensor to any 35 mm film camera
The I’m Back Film project, brainchild of designer Samuel Mello Madeiros, was started in 2016 with a vision of enabling older film cameras to capture digital images. After development over several iterations, it is starting a Kickstarter campaign to launch its most refined version yet – a conversion kit that puts a film-roll shaped 20 MP Sony IMX269 micro four thirds sensor into the back of any 35 mm film camera and requires practically no camera modification.
While it would be nice to simply insert one self-contained device into the camera and get started, in practice the system requires a battery, an NT9853 processor, controls for editing settings, SD card storage and a 1.5 inch LCD, all of which are housed in a larger base unit that attaches to the camera bottom, a bit like a battery grip. The base also has a USB connector and WiFi for easily transferring images to a smartphone. The sensor can record RAW and JPEG images as well as 4K 60 fps video. For JPEGs, black-and-white and colour presets are available, including ones inspired by Kodachrome and Fujifilm.
To account for the MFT sensor's 2x crop factor (which would double a full frame lens' focal length), the I’m Back Film kit includes a 0.45x lens adapter. This ‘widens’ the lens, resulting in close to the original focal length. Of course, if needed one can choose to not attach the adapter and simply work with the crop factor.
Of course, with this kind of device, compatibility is crucial. The sensor will supposedly fit any 35 mm camera with a hinged back cover, and the base unit is designed to attach to a wide range of camera bodies. The project has launched Kickstarter campaigns in the past, but those versions used smaller and inferior sensors and were more cumbersome, requiring modifications including removing the camera back.
You can request to be notified in four days when the I’m Back Film Kickstarter campaign goes live. As per a draft of the campaign page, the kit will cost CHF 539 (~US$595) for 250 early backers and CHF 639(~US$705) thereafter, with final MSRP, if it makes it to regular production, set at US$899. These numbers are tentative and likely to change at campaign launch.
Those with a love for film photography can also go the instant camera route with the extremely popular, retro themed Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic or the hybrid Instax Mini Evo, both available on Amazon. Or for a full-manual experience, you can go with the more premium Polaroid I-2 camera.
