camera hacks by malcolm-jay winnipeg, ca · est. 2025 model no. wlv-01

Build a camera that's 100% for you

a digital camera built by hand, made to shoot from the waist, with a true monochrome sensor. modular, upgradable, and made one at a time. slow down and shoot a little differently.

monochrome

WLV-01 w/ c mount lens WLV-01 w/ c mount lens

Want a new feature? 

Write it in Python.

Need an accessory?

3D print it.

Want a bigger sensor? 

Unscrew four bolts.

Out of power?

Grab two 18650s.

01two ways in

buy it built — or build it yourself.

path aassembled

the finished wlv-01

i assemble, calibrate, and shoot a few test frames with every camera before it ships. you get a working monochrome camera and direct support from the person who built it.

  • built and signed off by hand
  • film sims loaded, calibrated, ready
  • lifetime software updates
see the camera →

path bmaker kit

the diy sensor kit

print your own body from the stl files, build up the sensor kit, and make the camera truly yours. stuck? join an online workshop and i'll walk you through it.

  • editable stl files you can print and remix
  • diy monochrome sensor kit
  • live online build workshops
inside the build →

02shot on wlv-01 · straight out of camera

what digital film actually looks like.

03why it's different

a camera that grows with you, not against you.

01

true monochrome

no colour filter array means sharper detail and cleaner high iso. black & white as a medium, not a filter.

true monochrome

02

modern ui

streamlined ui with multiple aspect ratios, advanced focus modes, multiple exposure modes, web interface, exposure control and more.

modern ui

03

modular & upgradable

lens mount, body, sensor and finder all swap out. designed from the start to evolve over years.

modular & upgradable

04

yours to fix

every part is swappable and serviceable. no locked firmware, no service contracts. if it breaks, all components to fix are readily available.

yours to fix

04full camera walkthrough

hi — i'm malcolm. i didn't set out to start a camera company; i set out to build the camera i couldn't buy off the shelf. then a few other people wanted one too.

my main goal for this camera was to build a camera that was equally advanced, challenging and fun to use. it's geared towards photographers that are tired of cameras that do everything for them automatically.

the secondary goal was to design a camera that could be easily modified and upgraded. since it's based on the raspberry pi 5, new features can be quickly developed and rolled out on regular basis. i'm always taking feedback from users and incorporating it into the design.

cheers, — malcolm wilson · founder & designer, winnipeg