New Lego Instax Mini camera in action!
The build uses a Kodex No. 1 F6.3 127mm Kodak Anastigmat lens. I think the Kodex refers to the shutter.
There are four, FOUR!, layers of mostly 2x4 LEGO bricks. The numerous layers were needed because:
1. The Kodak lens did NOT have front cell focusing. That's when a lens can focus by turning the front lens (if you didn't know these types of older lenses can have elements behind the shutter. Instead this Kodak lens needs to have ALL the elements moving (front lens(es), shutter, aperture, and rear lens(es)).
You need a barrel section that moves the lens assembly, or let us call it a front standard, back and forth.
2. The other reason I wanted so many layers of LEGO is I hoped to use LEGO to perform all the camera functions like maintaining the flange distance, providing relative parallel film and lens planes, but most importantly, keeping out the light. If LEGO is the media res of the camera - I wanted to use LEGO as much as possible.
The front focusing section is one layer of LEGO comprised mostly of 1x4, 1x6, 1x8, etc. It is shrouded by a mix of 2x and 1x bricks.
I hoped that overlapping and offsetting the bricks would be a way of preventing light leaks. Yet with a moving front element, as you focus forward, you reach a point where there is only one layer of bricks.
Light will get in...
...hence the black donut of 2x4 bricks around the shroud. The shroud has its own SHROUD.
Of course, it's never enough. I have to use some electrical tape in the front section and I added more to the back section where it doesn't interfere with focusing. Honestly, it's still not enough.
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