Lego set based on an Olympus OM-1 film camera could be produced if it reaches 10,000 supporters
(Image credit: David Hansel / Lego Ideas)
A design for a Lego film camera, based on the iconic Olympus OM-1, has been submitted to the Lego Ideas group – the official Lego community where prospective designers suggest product ideas to the company.
If a design submitted to the Lego Ideas group receives 10,000 supporters, the manufacturer will consider putting it into production. Which means that, if this Lego version of the Olympus OM-1 – one of the best film cameras ever made – garners enough response, it could make it onto store shelves.
"I've made a Lego ideas submission based on an Olympus OM-1 (to avoid licensing hassles I've called it a generic film camera) and I need your support," wrote the designer, David Hansel, on Facebook's Olympus OM-D User Group.
"If I reach 10,000 supporters in the timeframe, the Lego company will consider making this as a product. Takes a few minutes to create an account, then once you've hit support, done! Already had several hundred supporters in just the first few days so it could happen with your help!"
David Hansel's "Film Camera" design is based on the iconic Olympus OM-1 (Image credit: David Hansel)
As Hansel notes, the fact that the set is based on an actual Olympus camera design could potentially cause licensing issues. However, history has shown that this would be far from insurmountable.
There are dozens of officially licensed Lego products that started as fan submissions to Lego Ideas, including sets based on The Beatles' Yellow Submarine, The Big Bang Theory, Disney's WALL•E, Doctor Who and numerous NASA spacecraft.
So, provided the idea finds enough support from the public, there's every reason to believe that it could become a a fully fledged product. And with the OM-1's digital successor, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, having been released this year, there's no better time.
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The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.
