An abused rangefinder -- redux

[Gordon Coale]

This post disappeared during the recent server troubles. Here it is again. Feel free to comment again.

I've posted about this abuse rangefinder before but it's been abused some more so here it is again. It started out as a Mamiya Super 23 with a broken rangefinder. (I bought it for the lens.) I already had a Universal body so I was free to play with the Super 23. I removed the rangefinder and took it to a machinist to mill of the top and mount a flat plate. Made it quite a bit lighter. The plan was to use it with a wide angle lens and a pinhole. I finally bought a 65mm (28mm equivalent) lens and a KMZ Universal finder for it. (In researching the finder I discovered the whole FSU rangefinder thing but that is another story, actually serveral stories.) I have some Delta 3200 to use with it so that I can stop it down to safely for scale focus. That needs a darkroom I'm building. Soon.

But I also built a pinhole for it. It took me three tries but it finallly works. I've created an album for the pinholes taken with my abused rangefinder. I think that, with some Delta 3200, I may be able to use the pinhole hand held.

I did a comparison test with the 65mm lens and the pinhole has pretty much the same angle of view. I didn't know abusing rangefinders could be so much fun.

 

[rbiemer]

I like this set up, Gordon! I've just about finished my latest pinhole project: I bought a set of LTM mount macro rings and a metal body cap that I've drilled a 1/4" hole through to which I will fit a .0135" pinhole. this will let me use the Bessa and dern near any 35mm film I choose. The last step is going to be putting some kind of step-ring on the front of the body cap so I can use filters and a lens hood. I'll post some pics of it when I get it all together.
Love the ghostly coffe at Gerry's kitchen!
Rob

 

[Gordon Coale]

The Mamiya Universal/Super 23 body works great. It has a large flat bottom with a little foot that extends for more stability. It was meant to be used set down on a flat surface.I'm using a .0126" dia pinhole with a 2.5 inch focal length which gives me f/190. I see using pinholes as a great way to play with time and depth of field. It's great fun.

 

[rbiemer]

Once I get this multi focal length set up finalized, I'll need to sit down with the calipers and my calculator and work out the actual f # for all the combinations and write 'em down so I can work from my handheld meter or the Black Cat Exposure Guide--it's one of those paper dial things with 25 or 30 different "scenes". Works pretty well and NO batteries.
I first started doing pinhole long ago cuz it was a very cheap way to have a camera. I lived in Missouri atthe time in a college town and the college would sell a "membership" to its darkroom--valid[for non-students] any time there were no classes: summer, xmas and spring breaks, etc. BYO chemicals and paper use their equipment. Sweet deal!
My main, uh, focus, now is the time factor more than the wicked depth of field.
Rob

 

[Gordon Coale]

Here is a site with a variety of useful pinhole calculators:

PINHOLE PHOTOGRAPHY AND CAMERA DESIGN CALCULATORS

The Pinhole Camera Light Meter Guide is cool. You enter the pinhole camera's f/stop and the smallest f/stop on you meter. It gives a list of common ISOs and the ISO to set your light meter at and then you just use what the smallest f/stop on your meter says.

 

[rbiemer]

Thanks for that fine link, Gordon!
Rob

 

[zuikologist]

I have only just seen this thread - very nice pinhole shots. I like the muffin - great DOF and coffee shot - nice use of shutter speed. Medium format seems to suit pinhole photos well.

 

[darkkavenger]

I own a damaged Flexaret IIIb TLR that I plan to convert into a 6x6 pinhole TLR 😉 It will take some time, since I've already a lot of projects ahead of me, but this renewed my interest in the topic!

 

[Gordon Coale]

darkavenger -- Does the shutter on your Flexaret work? Hopefully at least the B setting. Then you can remove the lens cells and simply mount the pinhole in the shutter like I did. It makes for a real nice installation. Then get a good quality pinhole of the correct size and you will have a nice pinhole camera.