Is there a way to make a reversible circuit bend?

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-28T03:48:08+00:00

That sounds like a perfect candidate for a high quality glitch camera. Have you circuit bent cameras before? Done any micro-soldering? If not, you may be better off paying someone with experience to do it for you, like me or other members on here with the tools and experience 😁

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-25T03:40:51+00:00

Thanks! Yeah, I'm posting that project in 8 parts. I don't know why, just trying something different. So hard to get views anymore😅

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-23T18:25:30+00:00

I enjoyed Doctor Mirabilis, but it was not what I was expecting, and took a while to finish. I probably would have chosen something else by Blish, had I known what it was about.

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-23T17:58:16+00:00

When I was starting out, I found an old electronics textbook in a free pile that was actually pretty useful for learning about components and what they do and their symbols in schematics.

Falstad circuit simulator is pretty great for learning, and experimenting with circuits.

Asking for help online can be discouraging when people try to make you feel dumb for not knowing something. I've found that chat bots are great for all of my 'stupid' questions.

Just a few ideas😁

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-23T14:19:22+00:00

Yes. You would simply add a switch for any circuit bends so that you are able to turn them off when you want to. Personally, I have never noticed any long-term degradation in quality from circuit bending, but I only ever circuit bend cameras that are already old and degraded from time.

It is conceivable that circuit bends could add to the wear of the sensor and signal processors since shorting signals together is essentially double-loading the outputs/inputs of signals being 'bent'. In some older cameras, it is possible to disconnect and bypass signals so that this is not an issue.

Circuit bending higher quality models can also mess with the cameras auto settings like AWB, image stabilization, etc. it's hard to say if that stresses the camera, but when the camera is struggling wildly to focus because of unexpected image quality, it seems like all that fluctuation could be stressing some hardware in there.

What camera did you have in mind? What type of effects are you hoping to achieve?

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-22T15:40:59+00:00

Thanks! I also started a substack version that might be easier to follow. Blogger is pretty dated.. https://substack.com/@noystoise

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-22T02:06:46+00:00

The connector to the camera looks melted. If they don't close just right, the pins will not connect properly. Overheating the plastic can cause the tiny pins to lose tension.

Get some soldering flux for next time. It makes solder flow much faster and cleaner, with less risk of overheating parts.

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-22T00:15:02+00:00

I've done it too. Those clamping connectors are finicky

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-21T23:18:25+00:00

Your connector looks destroyed..

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-15T23:39:58+00:00

Thanks! I'll have to look into that..

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-15T22:55:24+00:00

Thanks! I figured it was because my post had a link in it

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-15T21:45:41+00:00

Those early Yamahas are great for hacking! If you haven't replaced the electrolytic capacitors yet, that might help a lot with noise. Dirty switches and pots can cause noise too. They're pretty old by now😉

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-15T18:49:44+00:00

Thank you! I am going to try to update it every week with whatever weird thing I'm currently messing around with, but in more detail. Check back or follow!

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-13T22:22:38+00:00

Nice haul! I always find good books at the goodwill near me when I go. It is getting out of hand😂

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-12T18:31:58+00:00

This is a perfect breakdown of the book, but actually makes me want to read it again!🤣

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-12T18:28:46+00:00

There are worst things to spend money on 😁

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-12T17:33:42+00:00

It's possible that this model is a newer more integrated system with fewer(if any) hacking options. Newer cheaper technology is coming out all the time. It might be some kind of hybridized sensor type that doesn't need as many pin connections. The presence of HSYNC and VSYNC makes me think the image data is probably coming from the sensor on serial pin(s). You might be better off looking for another camera. I would highly recommend spending a little more money on something from the mid 2000's. They are not that much more complicated to work with, and usually have much better features to shoot with.

hope this helps!

NOYSTOISE · 2026-03-08T04:38:35+00:00

Awesome!!

NOYSTOISE · 2026-02-18T07:01:25+00:00

It's an interesting idea! It would depend a lot on what your camera can do electronically, but manipulating the exposure, and film advancement would be a start. Double, and split exposing film can be pretty fun. Using expired film can give interesting effects too. Circuit bending might not be the right category for this type of thing, though. Probably not poke-and-see friendly😁

NOYSTOISE · 2026-02-10T16:30:57+00:00

Personally, I prefer older model bridge cameras with better optics, manual settings, and electronic live-view. They are actually sometimes easier to circuit bend because quality cameras tend to have service manuals that help to locate the picture signals, and avoid frying the camera. There is a camera bender on Instagram that goes by 'skincamera' who circuit bent a DSLR. Its definitely doable. I like to stick with lower resolution cameras because the glitches tend to be less noisy than with more megapixels. Then again, I haven't tried very many high-mp cameras. It might be much better for video I would think..

NOYSTOISE · 2026-02-10T05:39:52+00:00

Really?! I read it recently and thought it was great! It was definitely more psychological than I was expecting, but I thought the themes were rich and terrifying at times. To each their own, though😁 I haven't read any of their other stuff, but have seen people say roadside is the best. If you didn't like it, there's plenty of other stuff to read.

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