{"id":335253,"date":"2025-12-07T15:25:20","date_gmt":"2025-12-07T15:25:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/335253\/"},"modified":"2025-12-07T15:25:20","modified_gmt":"2025-12-07T15:25:20","slug":"this-photographer-built-an-awesome-medium-format-rangefinder-and-so-can-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/335253\/","title":{"rendered":"This Photographer Built an Awesome Medium-Format Rangefinder, and So Can You"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Photographer Albert Cornelissen<\/a> wanted a medium-format rangefinder camera that could utilize great glass and wouldn\u2019t break the bank. The second restriction meant the legendary Mamiya 7 and Fujifilm GF670 cameras were out of the question, so Cornelissen took matters into his own hands and built his dream camera: The MRF2<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe MRF2 is the second version of the (M)edium-format (R)ange(F)inder \u2014 a truly unique camera that combines old and new technology for a one-of-a-kind analog photography experience,\u201d Cornelissen explains. \u201cBuilt for the Mamiya Press lens system, it uses microelectronics and software to bring a modern lens-coupled, LiDAR-powered medium-format rangefinder to life.\u201d <\/p>\n

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While the photographer sells a fully assembled version of his camera<\/a> on his website for $1,156, although it is currently sold out, his project is entirely open source<\/a>. Anyone can access his 3D-printable files, read the instructions, and learn everything they need to make their very own medium-format rangefinder camera on Github. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe camera-making community is amazing. They are welcoming, open to share knowledge, and super encouraging. I\u2019ve built and shot cameras designed by Oscar Oweson (Panomicron<\/a>), Mario (SPRKPLG<\/a>), and many<\/a> others<\/a>. People like Ethan<\/a> of Cameradactyl<\/a>\u00a0are also extremely inspirational. How could I not give back?\u201d the photographer tells PetaPixel of his decision to keep his project accessible to all. \u201cI am also\u00a0a firm believer in the ethos of open source, and hope that others can build on and improve my work!\u201d <\/p>\n

As for the MRF2, Cornelissen also drew inspiration from his peers for this new camera. <\/p>\n

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\u201cI had made and shot some of the excellent cameras by Mario<\/a> from SPRKPLG that use the Mamiya Press lenses, and realized I could use those lenses as a starting point to design my own modern rangefinder,\u201d the photographer tells PetaPixel. <\/p>\n

\u201cOscar Oweson from Panomicron had released the Thulium<\/a> not long before, and that was the perfect foundation to start with. At that point in time off-the-shelf hobbyist electronics to tie this all together had also started to become much more accessible. So it was the perfect storm and a few years later the MRF became reality.\u201d <\/p>\n

The DIY camera community is rich, diverse, and very generous. It has helped Cornelissen in many ways over the years, and the MRF2 is certainly not his first rodeo, as the camera\u2019s name suggests. He started working with 3D-printed camera parts and modifications a few years ago, designing and sharing files to mount the Lomograflok Instax Wide back to Polaroid Pathfinder cameras. <\/p>\n

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\u201cThat set me on the path of designing and building cameras like a tiny clone of the Bight, a Polaroid SLR, a 4\u00d75 rangefinder that was the precursor to the MRF, as well as numerous little bits and pieces to make the analog photography experience just a little more pleasant,\u201d Cornelissen says. <\/p>\n

He has been a lifelong hobbyist photographer with extensive experience across a wide range of formats. He says he also loves making things, so \u201cthese passions were bound to cross paths sooner or later!\u201d <\/p>\n

While some DIY camera builds can be quite complicated and require specific expertise, which is not necessarily a bad thing, Cornelissen\u2019s MRF2 has gone through \u201cmany iterations\u201d to make it as easy to build as possible. He says the biggest hurdle for many will likely be the electronics, but that said, \u201cit\u2019s mostly plug and play, with minimal soldering.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you\u2019ll hopefully have fun and learn lots along the way,\u201d the photographer and builder says. He has an excellent YouTube video below that goes through the entire building process so people can follow along. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

The MRF2 can do a lot. It features custom PCBs, custom firmware, LiDAR-based lens-coupled focusing, dual OLED displays, and 3D-printed parts, ensuring it is versatile, configurable, and supports multiple film formats. The camera can capture 35mm panoramas and shoot in 6\u00d74.5, 6\u00d76, 6\u00d77, and 6\u00d79 formats, has a light meter, a horizon level indicator, and an external display that shows relevant exposure, battery, and format information. Most importantly, as the sample images throughout this article show, the MRF2 can capture incredible photos. <\/p>\n

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If any PetaPixel readers want to build the MRF2 camera for themselves<\/a>, Cornelissen encourages them to reach out to him on Instagram<\/a> or his website<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m always happy to help and give advice.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u2028Image credits: Albert Cornelissen \/ Identidem.design <\/p>\n