The idea of turning analog cameras into digital ones isn’t new. I’m Back, a company founded by Samuel Mello Medeiros and Filippo Nishino, has been doing this for a few years. However, their previous iterations were rather clunky and required the removal of the camera’s back cover. But that’s all changed now.
Meet the I’m Back Film. It’s essentially a digital film roll that seamlessly fits into an analog camera’s film compartment. While it does have a module attached below the camera like the previous versions, it is significantly more compact. In any case, the module is necessary as it also houses a 1.5” LCD and a removable battery pack.
I’m Back Film essentially lends a modern imaging sensor inside your analog camera that would allow it to capture images straight as digital format. This sensor can be moved horizontally along the slot, allowing it to center on different camera models. It is outfitted with a micro 4/3 sensor which when combined with the wide-angle adapter, eliminates all the crop factor to produce full-frame images.
If you want to get technical, the sensor is an IMX269AQR1-D, a CMOS sensor with a Type 4/3 diagonal size of around 21.77 mm. It features an active pixel design with a square pixel array, offering an effective pixel count of 21.27 million pixels. The sensor also includes a Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA) circuit with a maximum gain of 24 dB and a 12-bit A/D converter.
As a bonus, your analog camera can now record video. The smaller attachment features a built-in microphone and external connectivity output, which includes a Type-C port as well as a HDMI interface. There’s also a TF card slot and believe it or not, Wi-Fi connectivity. The latter lets you transfer data to your smartphone or tablet via a companion app and provides live-view images. Oh, it also has a built-in speaker.
You can find more information about the I’m Back Film Digital Film Cartridge on Kickstarter, where you can pre-order a unit by pledging 639 CHF or more (about US$706).
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Images: I’m Back.
