How to Motorize the LomoKino

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How to Motorize the LomoKino

February 10, 2012 8 comments 14 likes

The LomoKino can be quickly, easily, and inexpensively modified to run at much faster frame rates.

The LomoKino is a very fun camera… and making it go fast makes it even better!

For this modification you will need:

Super Glue (not epoxy as it seems to melt the plastic)
A Nut (I used a 3/8" nut with a 9/16" diamater.
A Cordless Drill. (check the RPMs but more on that later)
A Nut Driver

The drill RPM’s will determine the frame rate and some drills are not variable speed. Most modern cordless drills will be fine though. Understand that the LomoKino operates the shutter twice per rotation. (DrillRPM / 60) X 2 = Estimated Frame Rate

Now that you are back from the garage (or hardware store) with the necessary items we can start to make the LomoKino even more awesome.

First, remove the handcrank arm. You can use a knife to pry it from where it attaches to the center spindle. Don’t worry about damaging the arm as we will not be needing it.

Second, test to make sure that the nut you chose will fit on the center spindle. The 3/8" nut will be a little too big but it will work fine. You metric people will probably have a better fit.

When you have verified that the nut fits apply some super glue to the center spindle and the outer spindle and the nut itself…or you can try following the super glue directions. Make sure you don’t accidently glue the outer spindle to the camera body. Be aware that it is actually the outer spindle that drives the motor. Mount the nut and let it dry.

Once dry, the camera is ready to be used. So put the nut driver in the drill and have fun!

Watch the demo and how-to video:

Enter a new analogue dimension with the LomoKino. Lomography’s own 35mm analogue movie camera allows you to capture action and immortalize your story on film! Shoot 144 frames on any 35mm film and create your own cinematic masterpieces. Want to watch your movie the old-school way? We also offer the LomoKino and LomoKinoscope package!

written by samjavor

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14 people like this article

Liking articles helps us to present the best ones to you and others. 14 people like this article. 14 people like this article: themonstersunderyourbed, plavaliznaem, mcrstar, oskar73, alexentric, edwinchau, ashes, gigisco, arsomilio, susielomovitz, roland_korg, realrampage, johnccc, and clownshoes.

8 comments

clownshoes

HA! how "direct"

4 months ago · report as spam
susielomovitz

oh my! this is f***ing brilliant!

4 months ago · report as spam
susielomovitz

oh my! this is f***ing brilliant!

4 months ago · report as spam
rbnsthl

Looks like a 'never-go-back'-solution to me. To say "Don’t worry about damaging the arm as we will not be needing it." ... People might want to not break their €65-camera before realizing, that the drill might be way to fast for 144 frames. A high frame rate is nice, but it's not the character of this camera, plus with standard 135 Film you'll have, maybe a little over a second of film. That, of course depends on the speed with which you'll scan the film. You could get e.g. a super slow motion of a guy moving an inch. My tip is: If you have variable speed, go real slow the first time to check it out. Instead of superglue, you first might want to try to fix it with something like a piece of paper/carton to wrap around the spindle or a rubber band. That would compensate for the too big 3/8'' nut aswell. And try not the break the handcrank arm....

4 months ago · report as spam
antoniodezner

i actually agree with @rbnsthl, this thing looks cool but it can be quite bad for your camera... If you've got 5 seconds for each 135 film, then the limitations are bigger than the benefits... so yeah, try to work out something that can be removed... because you may wanna come back from that...

3 months ago · report as spam
sobiksaabik

Best!

3 months ago · report as spam
codex

ахренеть, а я то думал, как его "быстрее крутить". оказывается все так просто :))

3 months ago · report as spam
hanshendley

http://www.lomograph(…)ng-lomokino

Here's one using this mod!

2 months ago · report as spam

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How to Motorize the LomoKino