Crappy Camp Cam

Crappy Camp Cam is a simple Badge-like camera for WHY Camp 2025 in the Netherlands. It is designed to be a fun and easy way to capture moments during the event.

Note

I brought 15 camera kits to WHY Camp 2025. They will be available for 20€ each (cost of the components) at the Mysteryhack village. I have an additional 15 PCBs available for 7€ each, for everyone who’s brave enough to source and assemble the remaining components. (See Hardware for more info.)

Hardware

• Based on ESP32-S3 Dev. Board with OV5640 camera module (or OV2640).
• Piezo buzzer for beep boops when pressing the shutter button.
• RGB LED for visual feedback.
• Protected LiPo pouch battery with charging circuit.
• MicroSD card for storing photos.
• Carrier PCB that connects the dev.board with button, LED, buzzer and battery.
• 3D printed case with holes for lanyard

Usage

Photo Policy

Please respect the privacy of others and the photo policy of the event.
Do not take photos of people without their consent!

1. Turn switch to ON position. It beeps and LED turns green. (Make sure SD card is inserted. And battery is charged.)
2. Press the shutter button to take a photo. It beeps and LED turns blue. The photo is taken instantly, but saving takes a second. It beeps again when the photo is saved and the LED turns green. Then you can take another photo.
3. To access the photos, turn off the camera, keep holding the shutter button while connecting it to a computer via USB. Use the USB-C port closer to the shutter button. A USB drive will appear with the photos. It might take a few seconds for the drive to appear. For faster access, you can use a microSD card reader. Photos are stored in JPEG format with a resolution of 2048x1536 pixels (3MP).

Sharing photos

Note

Campstagram is currently available via 151.217.138.232 when connected to the WHY network at Camp.

Campstagram is a local website at WHY Camp 2025 where you can upload and share your photos. If you share photos via Mastodon or other social media, please use the hashtag #crappycampcam and #why2025. This way we can find and share your photos with the community.

There will also be a photo printer at the Mysteryhack village you can use to print your photos in Postcard format for a small donation.

Power

Don’t forget to turn the camera off when you are done taking photos!

Charging the camera is done via USB-C (either port works - just don’t connect to both USB ports at the same time please).

The ESP32-S3 goes into light sleep when not taking photos. I measured ~120mA draw when ideling and the batteries I bought have 1100mAh. So while this should last you several hours, it is best you don’t forget to turn the camera off when you are done taking photos. Would be a shame if you want to take a photo and the battery is dead.