You might have seen photographers framing photos with their hands before taking a snap. But with the new prototype shooter dubbed Ubi-Camera, you will be able to use your hands to frame the photo as well as shoot it at the same time. The miniature camera is currently under development at the Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences.

According to the video, “When you draw a picture or take a photo, you sometimes form a rectangle with your hands to decide the composition. With this camera, you can take a photo using the exact same motion. You attach this device to your index finger, and form a rectangle with your finger like this (see above). You take the photo by using the rectangle as the viewfinder….When you push hard with your thumb, the shutter is pressed”.

The Ubi-Camera comes equipped with a range sensor, and it detects the distance between the camera and the photographer’s face, and determines the framing. “When you take a photo with your face close to the camera, you get a wide-angle shot….and if you move it further away, you can take a close up shot”. Its lens has a fixed focal length, and you will be able to zoom in on something on your PC.

Although you won’t get that great feeling of holding a real camera when you are using the Ubi-Camera (will also look a bit silly), there is no need for viewfinders and displays for the new system. So we are expecting it to arrive with a low price tag.

But the system is still in the development stage and needs much work to be done on it. “Here, the camera has a wired connection to a PC, but we’d like to make a stand-alone camera that can be freely used outside. Also, the range sensor currently uses infrared, so it sometimes doesn’t detect your face properly, or it can be affected by light from the surroundings. So we’d like to use the camera to measure the distance as well, through face recognition. That would enable the system to be used more precisely”.

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We know that you all love the camera on your iPhone 4S, but what if the device could also look and feel like a classic camera. The Gizmon iCA Military Edition case developed by Four Corner Store for the iPhone 4 and 4S will take you back to the era of military photographers and their Leica range finders.

The iCA Military Edition, which is a new variant of the Gizmon iCA iPhone case introduced last year, comes with a real optical viewfinder and a top mounted shutter button. It is made up of 23 durable polycarbonate pieces, which give it the Leica look while offering good protection from the occasional bumps and the case will allow you to attach a macro lens ($45) or a fisheye lens ($55) onto it for creating new effects. It also comes with a detachable tripod mount on the bottom.

So that’s a cool looking case that will feel like a real classic camera in the hands when you are taking snaps. But it appears like the new case won’t be a good fit for your pocket. And as for the lens on the case, it’s fake.

The iCA Military Edition case is currently available for pre-order and it comes with a price tag of $70.00. It will be shipping on March 17^th, which by the way is also St. Patrick’s Day.

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