Deal Extreme is selling two film camera kits – a 35mm camera and a dual lens pinhole camera. As you can see, they’re just like the robot model kits that are popular with mecha and toy hobbyists. With the exception of some screws and springs, all of the parts are made of ABS plastic, even the optics.

Unlike Gunpla and other model kits, which look bad ass but are actually quite fragile and don’t really do any roboty stuff – they just pose daintily in their glass cages, frozen, helpless, dolls – these cameras actually work. Assuming you can put them together properly of course.

You can order the 35mm camera from Deal Extreme for about $13 (USD). A kitschier white and blue model is also available. The dual lens pinhole camera is a bit more expensive at $20, but that’s because it can take panoramic and stereoscopic 3D shots. Now I don’t know if it’s a coincidence that the cameras are cheap and are sold in pieces, but just think of it this way: they’re making you pay less to have more fun.

Of course assembling a camera isn’t the same as actually manufacturing it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you end up with something that looks and works like you made it from scratch. Yes I mean that in a negative way. Yes that was a photography pun. Yes I will stop now.

[via Retro Thing]

The easy to follow 2 Hour Robot tutorial was put together by robot builder Frits Lyneborg (aka “fritsl”), the same guy who created the awesome yellow drummer ‘bot recently featured on Technabob.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

With about $85 worth of parts, and a couple of hours of your time, you can have a fully-functional wheeled robot to do your bidding. You’ll need to pick up a couple of motors, a servo, some wheels, a Picaxe controller kit, an IR sensor, and a handful of other parts to get started. The project also requires some basic tools (i.e. screwdrivers, wire cutters, soldering iron) and soldering ability before you begin.

While it’s not the world’s most sophisticated robot (it certainly won’t be playing the trumpet or tasting your wine any time soon), it’s a great opportunity to get your feet wet and to learn the basics of robot building and programming. To get started on your first robotic endeavor, check out Frits’ complete tutorial over on Let’s Make Robots.