 |
Last year, a Kickstarter project for a product called ‘I’m Back’ offered a digital back for 35mm film cameras, but it wasn’t successful. Now, the product has relaunched on the crowdfunding platform, where it has successfully raised (and exceeded) its €20,000 (~$ 25,000 USD) funding goal. As with other digital back products, “I’m Back” claims to transform an analog film camera into a hybrid that can capture digital images.
‘I’m Back’ is billed as a low-cost alternative to other digital back products, one that offers a 16MP Panasonic sensor with options to capture images starting at a 2MP resolution. The system works by capturing images off the device’s focusing screen, which results in “the nice vintage flavor of your 35mm camera,” according to the product’s creator.
 |
The digital back also features a 2-inch touchscreen display, Wi-Fi for image transfers, and mobile control via smartphone. Other features include HDMI, USB, a 128GB microSD card for storage, a NOVATEK 96660 processor, and rechargeable battery.
According to the Kickstarter page, ‘I’m Back’ is directly compatible with many 35mm analog cameras, including multiple models from Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Pentax, Yashica, Leica, and Contax. However, a universal adapter accessory enables the digital back to be used with nearly any 35mm camera, including the Lomography Diana seen in the photo above.
 |
‘I’m Back’ has raised nearly €29,000 (~$ 35,500 USD) on Kickstarter so far. Interested buyers can back the project with pledges starting at €225 (~$ 277 USD) for the ‘Pro’ kit, with global shipping to backers estimated to start in September of 2018. For more info, or to put down your own pledge, visit the Kickstarter page here.
And if you’re curious what DPReview thinks of these digital conversion products, this opinion piece by resident curmudgeon Richard Butler just about captures it:
Why Your Beloved Film SLR is Never Going Digital
Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)