It's so nice to interview from the different areas of the photography world and this one is definitely that!  I remember Ethan launching the Kickstarter project for Cameradactyl back in 2018 and thought wow, how colourful is that, such a different approach.

Ethan has done a cracking job with the camera and launched all manner of accessories for cameras (not just his large-format model).  He has now ventured into making a handheld 4x5 which is a great concept.  Now I know not everyone is going to be thrilled about the products he makes or the choice of materials.  But this is 2019, there are not many options unless you have unlimited funds and some accessories he makes are only available second hand, as they relate to cameras from the 70+80's.
What's amazing about Ethan is that he has a business mind, an engineers mind and also a photographers eye, so it was quite easy to go between business and building in the same sentence.  In this one we discuss:

DIY at 10 years old

Home depot camera build challenge

Touring/selling in 50 states

Making 4x5/6x9 camera’s

Business decisions

Making custom ideas

Youtube + monetising

Scaling manufacturing

opensx70 project

Custom build/prints

Problems with home production

Building a mini-lab film processor


Random questions
Ethan easily answers our strange questions that involve:
- which mythical creature lives In Africa
- Eddie the Eagle!
- $1 million button
- Morning glory flowers
- Ideal presents for 90-year-old's

Extra content
Anyone visiting the website will be able to view photographs of his products.

Links
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cameradactyl/
Website - Cameradactyl.com
Opensx70 website - https://opensx70.com/



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