https://github.com/maxbbraun/pisight

Apple iSight with a Raspberry Pi inside
https://github.com/maxbbraun/pisight

Last synced: about 1 year ago
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Apple iSight with a Raspberry Pi inside

• Host: GitHub
• URL: https://github.com/maxbbraun/pisight
• Owner: maxbbraun
• License: mit
• Created: 2020-08-11T04:09:15.000Z (almost 6 years ago)
• Default Branch: master
• Last Pushed: 2025-03-30T01:27:20.000Z (about 1 year ago)
• Last Synced: 2025-03-30T02:26:14.297Z (about 1 year ago)
• Language: Shell
• Homepage: https://pisight.camera
• Size: 20.7 MB
• Stars: 443
• Watchers: 29
• Forks: 21
• Open Issues: 18
• Metadata Files:
  • Readme: README.md
  • License: LICENSE

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README

          
# PiSight

I put a Raspberry Pi inside an Apple iSight. You can read more about the PiSight [on Medium](https://pisight.camera).

![PiSight photo front view](photo-front.jpg)

## Hardware

| Part | Info | Price (2020) |

| :- | :- | -: |

| [Apple iSight](http://www.minimallyminimal.com/blog/apple-isight) | Available new and used on eBay | [$15 to 150](https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Apple+iSight) |

| [Raspberry Pi Zero](https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-zero/) | The [W](https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-zero-w/) version adds Wifi, which makes working with it easier and opens it up to more applications | [$5](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2885) or [$10](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3400) |

| [Raspberry Pi Camera V2](https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/camera-module-v2/) | Supports 1080p@30 or 720p@60, at a 62° horizontal field of view | [$29.95](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3099) |

| M2.6 screws | 4 of M2.6 x 0.45 mm Thread, 6 mm long | [$9.26 for 25](https://www.mcmaster.com/91290A073/) |

| M2 screws | 2 of M2 x 0.4 mm Thread, 4 mm long | [$13.28 for 100](https://www.mcmaster.com/91290A011/) |

| O-ring | Covers the gap around the lens | [$6.16 for 50](https://www.mcmaster.com/9262K562/) |

| Raspberry Pi Zero camera cable | A few options, but the 15 cm long narrow ones seem to work best | [$3.49](https://www.waveshare.com/raspberry-pi-zero-v1.3-camera-cable.htm) |

| Micro-USB cable | Many options, just need to fit the iSight adapter | [$8.99](https://www.amazon.com/Anker-Powerline-Micro-USB-Smartphones/dp/B012VZT5IO/) |

| 3D-printed frame | Use [`PiSight.stl`](PiSight.stl) or [`PiSight.step`](PiSight.step), dimensions in mm, cost varies significantly depending on material quality | [$50 to $200](https://www.fictiv.com) |

![PiSight rendered side view](render-side.jpg)

## Software

The PiSight camera implements the [UVC standard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_video_device_class) via the [Gadget API](https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/driver-api/usb/gadget.html), which turns the Raspberry Pi and camera into a plug-and-play USB webcam.

Simply install [Raspberry Pi OS](https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspberry-pi-os/) (the Lite version is enough) and then run:

```bash

git clone https://github.com/maxbbraun/pisight

cd pisight

sudo ./setup.sh

```

![PiSight in Zoom settings](zoom-settings.gif)