The Camera Bag: Rangefinder Cameras Tricked Out to Look Like Soviet Tanks

We recently reported on a vintage rangefinder aficionado in Miami who customizes classic cameras by adding gorgeous wood veneers to them. Now, here are a group of artists in Singapore who turn rangefinder cameras into awesome miniature replicas of Soviet era tanks.

Called the Soviet Rumble X Z*E*R*O, this "Tankified" camera creation is the result of a collaboration between arts collective Darkroom Army and Singaporean artists PHU and ZERO. 

The military/photographic mashup is actually part camera -- in this case a customized FED-5B rangefinder from the Ukraine -- and part camera dock -- the base section with the replica tank treads and simulated rear gun turrets. (FED-5 35mm rangefinder cameras were produced by the FED factory in the Ukrainian city of Kharkov from 1977 to 1996.)

Jackson Aw, who heads Darkroom Army, says his goal with these tricked out FED cameras is to reinvent analogue photography by using it as a platform for Sinaporean artists to express their creativity.

The Soviet Rumble, which is a fully functional piece of art, is one of several limited edition custom cameras from Darkroom Army. (You can see more of the group's cool creations here.)

The Soviet Rumble X Z*E*R*O sells for $650 Singapore dollars, or about $510 USD. More info here.

(Via Streetthing)