DIY Digital Rangefinder Built from Panasonic GF3 and Soviet Fed 5
Photographer Mr. 50mm has created the RGM-79, a DIY digital rangefinder that combines a Panasonic GF3 camera and a Soviet-era Fed 5 rangefinder into a new 3D-printed body. The project costs about $200–$250 in parts, offering an affordable entry into digital rangefinder photography. The GF3's imaging pipeline and the Fed 5's rangefinder are merged, requiring both cameras to be functional. The build is rated moderately difficult and has resulted in some GF3 casualties due to fragile electronics. An M-Mount version requires a lens adapter. Mr. 50mm documents the project on Hackaday and shares photography tutorials on his YouTube channel.
Key facts
- Project called RGM-79 by photographer Mr. 50mm
- Uses Panasonic GF3 camera and Soviet Fed 5 rangefinder as donor cameras
- Total parts cost approximately $200–$250
- GF3 provides imaging pipeline, Fed 5 provides rangefinder mechanism
- Both cameras must be functional; Fed 5 needs diopter adjustment
- Build requires 3D printing filament and cheap screws
- M-Mount version needs a lens adapter from Fotodiox
- Mr. 50mm rates difficulty as moderate; has killed multiple GF3s
Entities
Artists
- Mr. 50mm
Institutions
- Panasonic
- Fed
- KEH
- eBay
- Fotodiox
- Hackaday
- YouTube
- Fujifilm