Dazzling Crystal DSLR Replicas That Are Somehow Affordable

Fotodiox

Mesmerizing as this video is, there’s a way to see right through your camera without taking a belt sander to it. Fotodiox’s crystal replicas of DSLRs cost less ($90) than you’d expect a full-on crystal DSLR to cost. Granted, these 2/3 scale replicas don’t actually take photos, but still.

There are two variations of this see-through camera, each weighing around 3 pounds. They’ve been around for a few years, which is evident in the models available: The Canon EOS 7D and the Nikon D90, both of which are at least five years old.

In terms of specs that don’t mean anything because these are non-functional translucent cameras, the Nikon version comes with a crystal 50mm F1.4 prime. The Canon 7D comes with a 15-85mm/F3.5-F5.6 kit zoom lens. (Don’t forget to factor in the completely irrelevant 1.5X focal-length multiplier for the Nikon and 1.6X multiplier for the Canon!) Although they’re replicas of interchangeable-lens cameras, those crystal optics aren’t swappable.

Instead of taking photos, they are built for holding paper down on your desk. They should do the trick because they are heavier than several sheets of paper. Beyond that, they can help you achieve the following goals:

- Cheat at ice-sculpture contests

- One-up that guy who won’t shut up about his Pentax LX Special Gold Edition

- Round out your “Slim Goodbody: Photographer” Halloween costume

- Tell people you own Wonder Woman’s camera

- Practice taking photographs without consuming battery life or SD card space

If you are dead set on buying a crystal DSLR but need a little more practicality in your purchase, consider the Fotodiox Pro Gift bundle. For $115, you get a crystal DSLR, a movie clapboard, and a fully functional (and opaque) twin-lens reflex camera that uses 35mm film.

Fotodiox