This Nikon FM3A-inspired LEGO camera could become available as a kit
Aug 22, 2024
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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The Nikon FM3A is a pretty legendary camera. The features and history that give it this status are far too numerous to list here, but it’s one that many photographers wish they had in their collection. Well, now you might be able to. Sort of.
This particular Nikon FM3A is not actually a camera but a LEGO model. It was submitted to LEGO Ideas by Jimmi-DK. If it gets enough support, LEGO may turn it into an actual kit you can buy. So far, it has an impressive 1,240 supporters.
Life-Size LEGO Replica of the Nikon FM3A
Jimmi-DK says that his LEGO replica of the Nikon FM3A is life-sized. The back of the camera can even be opened up, just like a real one, although you can’t put film into it. It does sport many details of the original camera’s dials and buttons.
The kit will comprise 416 total pieces, if it becomes a reality, which sounds like a great weekend’s entertainment for a Nikon fan. Right now, the LEGO FM3A is sitting at 1,240 supporters on the LEGO Ideas website. It will need at least 10,000 supporters before LEGO considers putting it into production, so it has a little way to go.
Why a LEGO FM3A?
I have to be honest, the idea of Lego cameras, while cute, never really interested me. We’ve featured a few of them here on DIYP before. But they’re typically Leica or Polaroid-inspired cameras. Neither of these are brands I own or have any affection towards.
Some of the LEGO cameras are quite impressive, though. Some of them actually even shoot real photos. But even those haven’t really attracted me enough to actually consider collecting the components and building one. This one, though…
Well, if this one doesn’t become available as a kit, I might just have to hunt out the individual components and do it this time.
Sure, I could just go get a real one. But the way I figure it, I don’t care which I have on my shelf. The actual FM3A or an homage to the FM3A. At least if it’s the latter, there’s a chance the FM3A I don’t have is out there seeing some use somewhere.
To support Jimmi-DK’s project – and to help this kit become a real LEGO product – head on over to the LEGO Ideas website.
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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