Pictures disguising my camera as something else, 2012 version. (72 pictures)

Previous versions of the setup are described in:

• http://www.steampunkmike.org/
• http://www.the-meissners.org/2011-small-albums/2011-hide-camera/index.html
• http://www.the-meissners.org/albums/camera-hacks/index.html#hidecamera
• http://www.the-meissners.org/2010-small-albums/2010-pimp-my-ep2/index.html#hidecamera

The copyright owner on these pictures is Michael Meissner. Please direct any comments about this web page to mrmweb@the-meissners.org.

Michael Meissner's home page is at http://www.the-meissners.org, his Renaissance Faire/SF convention links are at http://www.the-meissners.org/ren.html, his digital camera links are at http://www.the-meissners.org/camera.html, his calendar links are at http://www.the-meissners.org/calendar.html, and the head of these photo albums is at http://www.the-meissners.org/photo.html.

Clicking on the thumb file link will show you the thumbnail picture that has been reduced to at most 500x375 or 375x500 pixels depending on the picture orientation.

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Fullsize pictures are not stored in this web site due to file size limiations. Please contact Michael Meissner if you desire a full size picture, particularly for printing.

This page lists pictures without thumbnails. If you want to view the pictures with thumbnails, classified by grouping like subjects together, click here. If you want to view the pictures with thumbnails arranged from newest to oldest, click here.

Picture sublinks

• Pictures of disguising my camera for the Arisia science fiction convention in Boston, Massachusetts (33 pictures)
• Pictures of attempts at disguising my camera that failed (5 pictures)
• Pictures disguising my camera as something else (1 picture)
• Pictures of disguising my Olympus VG-120 (9 pictures)
• Pictures of disguising my camera for the Watch City steampunk convention in Waltham, Massachusetts (12 pictures)
• Pictures of disguising my cameras for the Steampunk Industrial Revolution in Nashua, New Hampshire (12 pictures)
• Detailed statistics

Pictures of disguising my camera for the Arisia science fiction convention in Boston, Massachusetts (33 pictures)

Pictures of attempts at disguising my camera that failed (5 pictures)

I first tried to disguise my VG-120 pocket camera using some bellows I bought on ebay. Unfortunately, the flash on the VG-120 is close enough to the lens that the bellows just did not work.

I experimented with putting the Metz 48 inside of a PVC pipe to give it the look of the old handle mounted flashes with the circular handle with D batteries inside. My first attempt was a little on the rough side, and I went back and forth between using the circular PVC pipe, and making a rectangular wood box for the flash. However, I broke the flash cable, and ultimately decided to go back to having the flash directly connected on the hot-shoe instead of off to the side.

Picture #1: Failed attempt at disguising my Olympus VG-120 Thumb: 500x375, 45,853 bytes (45K) Small: 1000x773, 167,513 bytes (164K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 20.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, spot metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 40.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on January 11, 2012 23:36:09 Last modified on January 27, 2012 at 09:04	Picture #2: Failed attempt at disguising my Olympus VG-120 #2 Thumb: 500x375, 36,485 bytes (36K) Small: 1000x773, 134,495 bytes (132K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 lens f/8.0, ISO 320, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 20.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, spot metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 40.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on January 12, 2012 00:13:03 Last modified on January 27, 2012 at 09:05
Picture #3: Failed attempt to disguise the Metz 48 flash Thumb: 360x480, 34,311 bytes (34K) Small: 600x823, 65,420 bytes (64K), (html file) Olympus E-5 camera with Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 lens f/8.0, ISO 320, FL-36 flash (+0.3 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 35.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, matrix metering, image stabilization 35mm equivalent focal length 70.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, gimp, raw therapee, rotate left Taken by Michael Meissner on April 24, 2012 09:30:49 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 08:49	Picture #4: Failed attempt to disguise the Metz 48 flash #2 Thumb: 375x500, 34,985 bytes (35K) Small: 750x1023, 82,421 bytes (81K), (html file) Olympus E-5 camera with Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 lens f/8.0, ISO 320, FL-36 flash (+0.3 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 28.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, matrix metering, image stabilization 35mm equivalent focal length 56.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee, rotate left Taken by Michael Meissner on April 24, 2012 09:31:33 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 08:49
Picture #5: Failed attempt to disguise the Metz 48 flash #3 Thumb: 480x480, 41,981 bytes (41K) Small: 800x823, 72,369 bytes (71K), (html file) Olympus E-5 camera with Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 lens f/2.9, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.3 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 20.0mm, auto mode, vivid color, matrix metering, image stabilization 35mm equivalent focal length 40.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, gimp, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on April 24, 2012 09:35:46 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 09:12

Pictures disguising my camera as something else (1 picture)

Pictures of disguising my Olympus VG-120 (9 pictures)

After disguising my big cameras, I decided to try and disguise my pocket Olympus VG-120 camera. I originally was going to use leather bellows, but the position of the flash on the VG-120 meant that I couldn't use the bellows I bought. I did discover that a PVC threaded coupler sort of looks like bellows.

I tried to bring the camera to the 2012 Watch City Steampunk convention, and unfortunately when I glued the bellows into position, it was slightly off, and the camera could not reliably turn on.

The concept for this camera is ultimately to be a Swiss Army Camera that will include a camera, tools, counter clock, etc.

For firing the shutter, I am using a knob mounted on a screw with a spring to keep the knob off of the shutter button.

Picture #1: Olympus VG-120 in pine frame Thumb: 500x375, 34,613 bytes (34K) Small: 1000x773, 112,938 bytes (111K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 29.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 58.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on March 09, 2012 10:19:48 Last modified on March 13, 2012 at 00:31	Picture #2: Olympus VG-120 in pine frame #2 Thumb: 500x375, 37,166 bytes (37K) Small: 1000x773, 112,325 bytes (110K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 29.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 58.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on March 09, 2012 10:20:26 Last modified on March 13, 2012 at 00:32
Picture #3: Back panel with template Thumb: 375x500, 42,359 bytes (42K) Small: 750x1023, 156,160 bytes (153K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 320, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 20.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 40.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, eog, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on March 12, 2012 09:58:15 Last modified on March 13, 2012 at 00:33	Picture #4: VG-120 back cover Thumb: 375x500, 39,082 bytes (39K) Small: 750x1023, 127,673 bytes (125K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 250, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 28.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 56.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, eog, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on March 12, 2012 23:09:58 Last modified on March 13, 2012 at 00:33
Picture #5: VG-120 with front cover Thumb: 500x375, 43,067 bytes (43K) Small: 1000x773, 160,992 bytes (158K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 29.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 58.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on March 12, 2012 23:11:26 Last modified on March 13, 2012 at 00:34	Picture #6: VG-120 with front cover #2 Thumb: 500x375, 41,446 bytes (41K) Small: 1000x773, 130,794 bytes (128K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 31.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 62.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on March 12, 2012 23:11:57 Last modified on March 13, 2012 at 00:34
Picture #7: VG-120 in use Thumb: 500x375, 41,710 bytes (41K) Small: 1000x773, 142,819 bytes (140K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 320, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 32.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 64.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on March 12, 2012 23:13:20 Last modified on March 13, 2012 at 00:35	Picture #8: VG-120 with faux bellows Thumb: 480x360, 43,337 bytes (43K) Small: 800x623, 121,601 bytes (119K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 17.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 34.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on March 12, 2012 23:14:28 Last modified on March 13, 2012 at 00:35
Picture #9: Staining and gluing Thumb: 500x375, 40,943 bytes (40K) Small: 1000x773, 129,901 bytes (127K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-150mm-II f/4.0-5.6 lens f/4.7, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 25.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 50.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on May 12, 2012 09:01:06 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 09:39

Pictures of disguising my camera for the Watch City steampunk convention in Waltham, Massachusetts (12 pictures)

For the Watch City Steampunk festival held in Waltham, Massachussets on May 12-13, 2012, I extended the basic camera setup. Originally I was going to keep the flash mounted to the side and above the camera like I used in Arisia, but I broke the flash cable, so I went back to having the flash mounted directly on the hot-shoe. I needed to cut a hole in the top to put the flash through, and made a quick little platform to top the flash. Unfortunately, I didn't secure the platform down with anything but double sided tape, and it kept coming off during Watch City.

I cut the hole for the flash large enough on the right side so that I can change the batteries in the flash without taking the flash off, but I need to revisit this in the next iteration of the box.

I connected the telegraph key to be a shutter release, and it was a hit amongst the photographers.

This time 4 of the stuffed animals made an apperance:

• Nutzo the squirrel is the original mascot, and he has a new red renaissance flat cap to match my new outfit.
• Livinea the squirrel is the artist. I like to say that as an artist she feels that she captures the true essence of the subject, while N utzo and I just merely capture their images.
• Racky the raccoon has his top hat. He also has a set of tools, and I say it is because last year another person kept trying to capture hime with her butteryfly net, and thus he could cut his way out of the net.
• Snap the dragon has his own castle, and pith helmet.

Picture #1: Back of the camera at the 2012 Watch City Steampunk steampunk convention Thumb: 500x375, 43,602 bytes (43K) Small: 1000x773, 155,257 bytes (152K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-150mm-II f/4.0-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 250, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 14.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 28.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on May 13, 2012 22:55:24 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 08:40	Picture #2: Front of the camera at the 2012 Watch City Steampunk steampunk convention Thumb: 500x375, 41,743 bytes (41K) Small: 1000x773, 146,184 bytes (143K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-150mm-II f/4.0-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 15.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 30.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on May 13, 2012 22:56:19 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 08:40
Picture #3: Sextent Thumb: 500x375, 42,590 bytes (42K) Small: 1000x773, 135,871 bytes (133K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-150mm-II f/4.0-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 29.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 58.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on May 13, 2012 22:57:12 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 08:42	Picture #4: Snap and Nutzo Thumb: 500x375, 38,819 bytes (38K) Small: 1000x773, 126,508 bytes (124K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-150mm-II f/4.0-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 17.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 34.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on May 13, 2012 22:57:25 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 08:42
Picture #5: Racky and compass Thumb: 500x375, 33,432 bytes (33K) Small: 1000x773, 111,510 bytes (109K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-150mm-II f/4.0-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 22.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 44.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on May 13, 2012 22:57:45 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 08:43	Picture #6: Livinea Thumb: 500x375, 40,649 bytes (40K) Small: 1000x773, 140,530 bytes (138K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-150mm-II f/4.0-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 22.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 44.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on May 13, 2012 22:57:50 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 08:43
Picture #7: Telegraph key shutter release Thumb: 500x375, 46,128 bytes (46K) Small: 1000x773, 157,004 bytes (154K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-150mm-II f/4.0-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 22.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 44.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on May 13, 2012 22:58:00 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 08:43	Picture #8: Front of the camera at the 2012 Watch City Steampunk steampunk convention #2 Thumb: 500x375, 40,318 bytes (40K) Small: 1000x773, 132,754 bytes (130K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-150mm-II f/4.0-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 17.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 34.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on May 13, 2012 22:58:20 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 08:44
Picture #9: Access to the batteries Thumb: 500x375, 41,321 bytes (41K) Small: 1000x773, 141,225 bytes (138K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-150mm-II f/4.0-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 15.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 30.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on May 13, 2012 22:59:54 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 08:44	Picture #10: Flash mounted directly Thumb: 500x375, 35,242 bytes (35K) Small: 1000x773, 123,770 bytes (121K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-150mm-II f/4.0-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 15.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 30.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on May 13, 2012 23:01:25 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 08:45
Picture #11: Flash mounted directly #2 Thumb: 500x375, 37,538 bytes (37K) Small: 1000x773, 109,204 bytes (107K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-150mm-II f/4.0-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 15.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 30.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on May 13, 2012 23:01:59 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 08:45	Picture #12: Squirrel mounting washer and post Thumb: 500x375, 37,401 bytes (37K) Small: 1000x773, 135,555 bytes (133K), (html file) Copyright, Michael Meissner 2012, All rights reserved Olympus E-P2 camera with Olympus-m43 14-150mm-II f/4.0-5.6 lens f/8.0, ISO 200, FL-36 flash (+0.33 flash compensation), 1/60 sec, 22.0mm, aperture priority, vivid color, SHQ, matrix metering, image stabilization, noise reduction auto, noise filter low 35mm equivalent focal length 44.0mm Extra equipment used: Olympus FL-36 flash Programs used: crop, raw therapee Taken by Michael Meissner on May 13, 2012 23:10:57 Last modified on May 16, 2012 at 08:46

Pictures of disguising my cameras for the Steampunk Industrial Revolution in Nashua, New Hampshire (12 pictures)

Picture sublinks

• Pictures of disguising my camera for the Arisia science fiction convention in Boston, Massachusetts (33 pictures)
• Pictures of attempts at disguising my camera that failed (5 pictures)
• Pictures disguising my camera as something else (1 picture)
• Pictures of disguising my Olympus VG-120 (9 pictures)
• Pictures of disguising my camera for the Watch City steampunk convention in Waltham, Massachusetts (12 pictures)
• Pictures of disguising my cameras for the Steampunk Industrial Revolution in Nashua, New Hampshire (12 pictures)
• Detailed statistics