# Student builds digital-analog camera with four household items

> Architecture student Nikita Merkushin made a digital camera from cardboard, magnifying glass, mirror, and scanner to show how cameras work.
- Title: Student builds digital-analog camera with four household items
- Summary: Architecture student Nikita Merkushin made a digital camera from cardboard, magnifying glass, mirror, and scanner to show how cameras work. A simple camera…
- Keywords: nikita merkushin, seahawks, seattle, nfl, digital camera, cardboard, magnifying glass, mirror, scanner, rolling shutter, viral video, Student
- Source: Digital Camera World — https://digitalcameraworld.com/cameras/a-student-built-a-digital-analog-camera-using-just-four-things-and-the-viral-video-is-the-perfect-example-of-how-digital-cameras-work
- Published: 2026-09-26T16:55:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nikita merkushin, seahawks, seattle, nfl, digital camera, cardboard, magnifying glass, mirror, scanner, rolling shutter, viral video
## Student builds camera from four items
Architecture student Nikita Merkushin made a digital camera using cardboard, a magnifying glass, a mirror, and a scanner.
## How it works
He used a magnifying glass as the lens to project light onto paper and a scanner to capture the image.
## Cardboard housing
The camera has a cardboard housing with an angled mirror to direct light from the magnifying glass to the scanner.
## Instant images
Merkushin printed images directly from the scanner to his phone using a built-in printer.
## Rolling shutter effect
The camera shows a rolling shutter effect where the image moves slowly across the sensor.
## Viral creator
Merkushin previously made a film camera on a bike helmet that took photos when he dropped his jaw.
## Key takeaway

A simple camera using everyday items demonstrates the basics of digital imaging through a rolling shutter effect.