I'm off to Homebase now to get some materials/tools. What for? Why, my own large format (strictly speaking multi-format) pinhole camera, of course!
I've got the design down on paper, and I'm pretty pleased with it. The only part which is looking slightly tricky is getting a tripod mount. I'm think I can just find a nut which has the same size thread as my tripod, and glue/bond it to the camera, but if anyone knows a more tidy/sturdy way, don't be a stranger!
Yeah, 1/4 or 3/8 threaded nuts shouldn't be too hard to find. Recessed into thick ply and stuck in place using Araldite (preferably the slow-setting stuff) should be solid enough. Get the nut clean - thoroughly degreased - then deliberately score the outer faces with a file or hacksaw to give the glue something to grip on.I'm think I can just find a nut which has the same size thread as my tripod, and glue/bond it to the camera, but if anyone knows a more tidy/sturdy way, don't be a stranger!
Something else you might try, see if you can get a "scrap" camera (50s compact) off eBay for 99p, cut the bottom plate off and use that, Araldited to your base plate.
If you're not living on the edge, you're wasting space
There's an easy way.
1. Buy a large tin of "Celebrations", or similar sweets.
2. Eat contents :-)
3. Drill, or better punch, a half inch hole in the middle of the lid.
4. Stick a bit of Aluminium foil over this hole.
5. With a pin or needle make a small hole in the foil.
6. Replace lid.
You now have a large format pinhole camera. For added refinement, paint the inside matte black (prior to step 5) to avoid reflections.
David.
I want wooden, not tin, hence the long winded planning process. I don't want the easy option this time!
My outer frame is currently resting for glue to dry (glue and nails, just in case!) When it's all set solid (probably tomorrow afternoon) I'll finish the front and back plates. I will drill a large hole in the front plate, and attach a small piece of metal/aly foil with a fine pinhole to the back of that. The angle of view is calculated to be 90 degrees. The back will hold either 6"x4" photo paper, or 5"x4" film. I could quite easily set it up for panoramic use (by cutting strips of paper, or just cropping afterwards).
The inside will be painted matte black, and any cracks of light will be filled. Just to be extra sure, I'm thinking of applying strips of black fabric in the corners.
Holding the back on will be a mixture of flush fit (Well, I'll try! ) and some rubber bands for good measure. Of course it'll have a fancy carrying handle on top.
The wood I bought wasn't ideal, but it was all they had available, and I wanted to get started today. It'll do, but the Mk II will be even better...
Ah yes, araldite. Fantastic stuff.
Good luck with that, look forward to seeing the results. Just a thought though, would nails not cause light leaks? You'd have to be very precise!
Well, the wood is sooooo thick I think I'll get away with it.
Go to your local ironmonger's, you should be able to buy a fitting that will screw into the base of the camera with the correct thread. The name of the fittings escapes me but I have used them before, it is how refrigerated drawer fronts are fastened.
Marc
If you notice this notice, you'll notice this notice isn't worth noticing.
what have you used iash, ioak, imahogany or iply..
The wood I bought wasn't ideal,
hope it all works well.
I cheated I bought a Science Museum pinhole camera for a fiver in WHSmiths (half price) but not used it yet.
Have "bastardised it" to ensure shutter opens long enough..
David
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We are here to learn.
Some things are relevant, some aren't...just rejoice in the fact that at least you seem to have the choice to decide which is which.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spinno1001
Zou, just wondering how your pinhole attempts went?
It's getting the exposure right that's difficult. Years ago I did some pinhole work with a toilet roll tube and foil on an OM2 TTL metering camera and just let the camera work out when enough light had fallen on the film. They were all perfectly exposed.
Great fun, let us see the results.
I'm concentrating first on learning to self dev. Once I'm doing that ok, I'm thinking about sticking some 120 in the box. After all that, I might try photo paper. I'm finally off again from monday, so hopefully my Christmas present to myself will be my first roll of HP5+ developed in the bathroom.
The other thing I have been doing is using the K100D with a pinhole cover type thing. Once I know the exposure time on there (trial and error, as AE won't work due to the tinyness of the pinhole I can transfer the same pinhole cover type thing (that's a trademark
Current best idea is to adapt to 120 roll film 6x17 pano-pin. Only problem is film transport. Any ideas?
Half thought out ideas are the most fun, aren't they?
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