Infidex 176 V: Download and 3D Print Your Own Panoramic Film Camera

The Dream of Panoramic Photography — Without the Price Tag

Panoramic film cameras like the Hasselblad XPan have always been out of reach for most photographers. With used bodies regularly selling for £3,000+, the ultra-wide cinematic look remained a luxury. But Russian photographer Denis Aminev has changed that equation entirely: he's created a fully open-source 3D printed panoramic camera that anyone with a printer can build.

The Infidex 176 V (a portmanteau of "infinity" and "double exposures") captures dramatic 72mm × 24mm frames on standard 135 (35mm) film — that's a 3:1 aspect ratio, even wider than Super Panavision 70's 2.76:1. And the entire design is free to download.

From Pinhole to Precision

Aminev started the project in February 2024 with simple pinhole experiments. Dissatisfied with the image quality, he moved on to reverse-engineering old cameras — beginning with a Canon FP 35mm SLR and replacing components with 3D printed parts.

"From the prototype to a working camera, let's call it the third model, it took about two to three months," Aminev told PetaPixel. The fourth model arrived in August 2024, and after another six months of refinement, the fifth version is now complete.

What You Get

The Infidex 176 V is remarkably capable for a DIY camera:

• 19 exposures from a standard 36-frame roll
• Zone focusing via a new helicoid design
• Interchangeable lenses with M3 brass thread inserts (designed for Mamiya 80mm lenses)
• Built-in dovetail slots for tripod mounting
• Frame counter and winding shaft
• Film pressure plate for consistent flatness
• Double exposure capability — hence the name

The camera weighs around 520g with a lens attached — not exactly pocket-sized, but genuinely portable for a medium-format-sized panoramic rig.

Building Your Own

Aminev hosts the complete design files on his website, Time to Waste. The files include STLs for all printed parts, assembly instructions, and design documentation. You'll need to source some hardware — brass thread inserts, a lens (the design uses Mamiya 80mm lenses, which are reasonably affordable on the second-hand market), and basic fasteners.

Photographer Jace LeRoy, who goes by analog_astronaut on social media, built one and has been sharing stunning panoramic results from the camera, demonstrating that this isn't just a curiosity — it produces genuinely beautiful images.

Why This Matters for 3D Printing

The Infidex 176 V is exactly the kind of project that showcases what makes desktop 3D printing powerful. Not another phone case or desk organizer, but a precision optical instrument that would have required significant tooling investment just a decade ago. Aminev has essentially created a niche product category that didn't exist — affordable, customizable panoramic film cameras — and given it away to the community.

For photographers who've dreamed of the XPan aesthetic but couldn't justify the cost, this is a genuine alternative. For 3D printing enthusiasts, it's an inspiring demonstration of what's possible when you combine CAD skills with passion for a niche.

The files are available now at timetowaste.ru/en_infidex.