More odd cameras for a normal world

By Leonard Goh, CNET Asia
Dec 03, 2008

When do cameras not look like cameras? When it's not manufactured by the big brands, that is. By discarding traditional blueprints, designers were able to come up with weird-looking shooters that blend in with books, or can easily pass off as a remote-controlled duck. Some thoughtful designers believe the visually impaired can take pictures, too, as their concept piece dictates.

These shooters will make great conversation starters when people realize that what you are snapping with is unlike what they have in their hands.

For the bookworm The book-like Kozika uses the obsolete 110 format film, so academically inclined individuals should feel at ease taking pictures with it. The camera ships with a Bambi-like miniature deer figurine to complete the odd package.	Roving duck shooter Charlie, the Magical Image Ingesting Duck, was conceived by a Korean. When it senses a camera's flash going off, it will automatically take a picture of the scene. The bird then prints it out from the printer built into its rear end.
The third eye Frequent travelers would love this concept device. The tube-shaped gadget not only snaps pictures, it's able to call up information about the structures or scenes within the frame. If you are lost, the onboard GPS would come in handy.	Out of sight, out of mind? Who says the visually handicapped can't take pictures? The Touch Sight snaps a picture and records 3 seconds of sound clip simultaneously for identifying the shot. On the rear is a flexible Braille sheet which raises dots to create a "3D" image and let users touch their snaps.
Tao of photography This Yang-Ying camera probably won't enlighten you, but its unique detachable LCD design sure is eye-catching. The two components require each other to snap and store pictures, which is in line with the teachings of Tao.	Up, up and away! Skyros was designed as an aerial camera, but its special aspect is that it snaps pictures only during its descent. An onboard sensor will guide the shooter back to the user if the wind is too strong. On land, Skyros can function as a normal digicam, too.
Fisheye view If wide angle is your cup of tea, then the Fun Camera ought to satisfy. Shaped like a magnifying glass, the shooter sports a 16mm lens and a mirror on the front for self-portraits even.	Blackbird, fly Retro design makes a comeback with the weirdly named Blackbird, fly. The twin-lens reflex architecture is reminiscent of Rolliflex shooters that were popular in the 1970s. The Blackbird, fly uses 35mm film and has no autofocus or metering and the plastic lenses ensure psychedelic colors.

Tags: Printer, Picture, Camera, Tao, LCD

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