Just because photographers are locked down indoors, doesn't mean they can't be creative – in fact, it's forcing them to express their photographic creativity in all new ways. Case in point: Olympus has just released a printable papercraft template for a life-size camera and lens.
The downloadable template enables you to print and construct an Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III (opens in new tab) and Olympus 14-42mm EZ Pancake lens (opens in new tab), both at close to their actual dimensions (Olympus recommends printing on 8.5" x 11" paper "to get a feel for the size and portability" of the camera).
This is latest papercraft camera that we've seen recently, following the brilliant Nikon Z9 paper camera (opens in new tab) built by Instagrammer BuildYourCamera – who has a history of creating crafty cameras, including an incredibly impressive Leica M10 (opens in new tab) complete with a 35mm lens.
These kinds of papercraft creations are a great outlet for photographers looking for home photography ideas (opens in new tab) and projects to keep them busy during the current coronavirus lockdown situation. However, Olympus has gone a step further and offered some additional content to keep photographers' kids occupied as well.
The manufacturer has released a series of coloring pages featuring a number of its family friendly cameras, including the E-M10 Mark III (in a nighttime campfire setting, with an owl keeping watch), an Olympus Tough TG-6 (opens in new tab) (underwater, as befits one of the best waterproof cameras (opens in new tab), surrounded by fish, jellyfish, octopus and turtles) and an Olympus PEN E-PL10 (opens in new tab) (in a suitably fashionable setting, with a fashionista walking her dogs down a street photography scene).
You can download the template and coloring pages on the At Home With Olympus Crafts (opens in new tab) webpage.
We've really been impressed by how some of the major camera manufacturers have reacted to the COVID-19 situation in terms of providing ways for their customers to get through the lockdown.
Whether it's Canon releasing free webcam software so that people can use their cameras for video conferencing, or all the companies who have released free online courses and content (opens in new tab) to keep folks educated and entertained, it makes us proud to be part of such a creative, considerate and caring industry.
Read more:
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III review (opens in new tab)
Olympus Tough TG-6 review (opens in new tab)
The best Olympus camera (opens in new tab): for Instagrammers, enthusiasts and pros
