Photographer Brings 113-Year-Old 3D Camera Back to Life With 3D Printing
In the dim glow of his workshop, Markus Hofstätter cradled a relic from the past—a 113-year-old 3D camera.
Update 11/19: An earlier version of this article referred to an older one of Hofstätter’s projects. The article has been revised to reflect Hofstätter’s most recent work.
Long thought to be a relic of photography’s past, now has new life thanks to Markus Hofstaetter’s meticulous craftsmanship. Breathing innovation into antiquity, Hofstaetter transformed this century-old treasure into a modern wet plate camera — a marvel blending vintage aesthetics with contemporary ingenuity.
The journey began with a camera that had stood dormant for over a century, its original purpose faded into obscurity. Hofstaetter set out to honor its legacy while pushing its capabilities into the realm of tintype photography. The result is nothing short of remarkable: a seamless marriage of historical charm and cutting-edge design that any photographer with a passion for craftsmanship can appreciate.
Hofstaetter’s overhaul centered on rebuilding the plate holder from the ground up. After rethinking the design multiple times, he crafted a ground glass screen—a cornerstone for wet plate photography—ensuring precision in framing and focus. Using Tinkercad, a platform for 3D design, electronics, and coding, he meticulously crafted and refined his modifications, perfecting each component through repeated test prints until they met his exacting standards. These parts weren’t merely functional but brought a sense of tactile delight to the camera’s operation.
Revitalizing a camera this old comes with unique challenges. Hofstaetter’s blog and accompanying videos detail the painstaking process, from cutting and grinding the glass to assembling the intricate mechanisms. The ground glass was a pivotal step, requiring precise grinding with increasing grit to achieve the brightness and clarity needed for ambrotype photography. Each step showcased a mix of patience and expertise, proving that even in today’s fast-paced world, traditional craftsmanship holds its value.
For photographers who cherish both process and result, Hofstaetter’s creation is inspiring. This project isn’t just about restoring a camera—it’s about reimagining its purpose. By fusing modern materials like 3D-printed components with vintage craftsmanship, Hofstaetter has turned a historical artifact into a functional, steampunk-esque machine capable of producing one-of-a-kind photographic art.
Image credits: Markus Hofstätter
