Joakim Målare
Established
Hey folks,
I made some drawings for a 4x5" pinhole camera a while ago, mostly inspired by the Zero Image camera design but with a different shutter. Mine was milled from 10 mm MDF and glued together, so it's quite a lot cheaper looking. The satisfaction from building something on your own is much higher though.
There are three sections - the front with the shutter and the pinhole card (pinhole taped to a credit card which is set in a pocket and locked in front of the sliding part), the middle section which has tripod mounts for vertical and horizontal composition, and the back section which is just a film holder mount. It's brand new, so to speak, so the fit is perfect and doesn't really require the rubber bands even for the film holder, but in time it'll wear down I guess.
So the shutter snaps in open or closed position by means of four magnets - two in the shutter slide and two in the front plate. They're offset so one pair snaps at a time.
The idea is that the middle section can be swapped for different focal lengths without having to remake the entire camera. This one is about 90 mm and I'll try a 0,15 mm hole which is laser drilled first to see if that kind of "resolution" is possible. I bought ready-made holes in sizes from 0,15 to 0,35 in steps of 0,05 mm, so I figure one of them should work out in the end.
The only thing missing now is film!
I made some drawings for a 4x5" pinhole camera a while ago, mostly inspired by the Zero Image camera design but with a different shutter. Mine was milled from 10 mm MDF and glued together, so it's quite a lot cheaper looking. The satisfaction from building something on your own is much higher though.
There are three sections - the front with the shutter and the pinhole card (pinhole taped to a credit card which is set in a pocket and locked in front of the sliding part), the middle section which has tripod mounts for vertical and horizontal composition, and the back section which is just a film holder mount. It's brand new, so to speak, so the fit is perfect and doesn't really require the rubber bands even for the film holder, but in time it'll wear down I guess.
So the shutter snaps in open or closed position by means of four magnets - two in the shutter slide and two in the front plate. They're offset so one pair snaps at a time.
The idea is that the middle section can be swapped for different focal lengths without having to remake the entire camera. This one is about 90 mm and I'll try a 0,15 mm hole which is laser drilled first to see if that kind of "resolution" is possible. I bought ready-made holes in sizes from 0,15 to 0,35 in steps of 0,05 mm, so I figure one of them should work out in the end.
The only thing missing now is film!
lynnb
Veteran
looks good to me.. I like the idea of variable focal length middle sections. Please post pictures as soon as you've christened it 
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
I like this!
The interchangeable section for adjusting your focal length is elegantly done.
Two questions:
Is the filter permanently attached or can you change it?
Where did you source your pinholes from?
As Lynn said, please show us your results!
Rob
The interchangeable section for adjusting your focal length is elegantly done.
Two questions:
Is the filter permanently attached or can you change it?
Where did you source your pinholes from?
As Lynn said, please show us your results!
Rob
zuiko85
Veteran
Keen design and implementation.
I also like the interchangeable middle piece for focal length change. I built a back and front piece out of plywood with 1/8in. slots that take cardboard. I fold up a long piece and tape it to form a center section and then rubber band them together. My shutter however is not as fancy as that, just a lens cap. The magnet idea is great, never thought of that.
Think I'll preflash some paper and try it out next week.
I also like the interchangeable middle piece for focal length change. I built a back and front piece out of plywood with 1/8in. slots that take cardboard. I fold up a long piece and tape it to form a center section and then rubber band them together. My shutter however is not as fancy as that, just a lens cap. The magnet idea is great, never thought of that.
Think I'll preflash some paper and try it out next week.
sweathog
Well-known
First off, that is a beautiful thing you've made there.
I can't wait to see the results.
I can't wait to see the results.
alienmeatsack
Well-known
I agree with the above comments, that's a nice, looking camera and I look forward to seeing results. I love the interchangeable middle idea, I had a similar plan for mine but yours looks way nicer then what I'd build when I got to it!
With mine I was thinking of trying to do leather straps and buckles to hold it together to give it a certain look... the rubber bands look like they'd be much more effective!
With mine I was thinking of trying to do leather straps and buckles to hold it together to give it a certain look... the rubber bands look like they'd be much more effective!
mfogiel
Veteran
I admire the craftsmanship. I like the idea of the credit card - the photos will be likely more precious! Finally, the underpant rubber bands are the icing on the cake.
Let's see the photos now!
Let's see the photos now!
Joakim Målare
Established
Thanks everyone! Glad you like it. I just placed an order for 25 sheets of HP5 and a brand new tank for developing : )
The filter is attached to a step-up ring (39-49 mm) which is glued onto the front, so the filter can easily be switched. I have a bunch of 49 mm filters that don't see much use - I figure mostly red and orange will go on this.
I bought my pinholes from an eBay seller who uses the id "fireseller66". I'm on my iPad, so pasting a link isn't very smooth but let me know if you can't find him and I'll get back to you.
I'll post pictures as soon as I have some. Thanks for the kind feedback so far!
The filter is attached to a step-up ring (39-49 mm) which is glued onto the front, so the filter can easily be switched. I have a bunch of 49 mm filters that don't see much use - I figure mostly red and orange will go on this.
I bought my pinholes from an eBay seller who uses the id "fireseller66". I'm on my iPad, so pasting a link isn't very smooth but let me know if you can't find him and I'll get back to you.
I'll post pictures as soon as I have some. Thanks for the kind feedback so far!
robert blu
quiet photographer
This is beautiful work of engineering and craftsmanship! Bravo! Great ideas and execution. Waiting to see your results.
robert
robert
rbiemer
Unabashed Amateur
Joakim,
Thanks for the lead, I found the seller easily and will be trying those pinholes in my next camera.
Good light!
Rob
Thanks for the lead, I found the seller easily and will be trying those pinholes in my next camera.
Good light!
Rob
daveleo
what?
That is a very nice design. Elegant and well made.
Have fun with it !
Have fun with it !
Joakim Målare
Established
All right, several months have passed since last post, but now I finally have some results I'd like to show. I made a few experiments during the winter, but they didn't come out as nice as these, mostly due to the weather.
Here goes, a few samples - complete with some interesting side effects...
These were "scanned" with a Nikon D5100 using the kit lens. I have cropped, adjusted tones and applied a mild unsharp mask.
Here's a 100% crop from the picture above without any sharpening added, only tones adjustment.
I used a 0,15 mm pinhole which is much smaller than the optimal size for a 90 mm. I guess that's why the negatives come out very low in contrast. Some shots went through an orange filter and I think the only one here without a filter was the one with the shoreline.
Thanks for watching!
Here goes, a few samples - complete with some interesting side effects...
These were "scanned" with a Nikon D5100 using the kit lens. I have cropped, adjusted tones and applied a mild unsharp mask.
Here's a 100% crop from the picture above without any sharpening added, only tones adjustment.
I used a 0,15 mm pinhole which is much smaller than the optimal size for a 90 mm. I guess that's why the negatives come out very low in contrast. Some shots went through an orange filter and I think the only one here without a filter was the one with the shoreline.
Thanks for watching!
Pioneer
Veteran
This is terrific. Great job on the camera and the pictures.
I love the strategically oriented light leaks. They add real character.
I love the strategically oriented light leaks. They add real character.
Joakim Målare
Established
Thanks Pioneer!
I'm not sure those are light leaks. Could also be that the inside is reflecting a little bit of light depending on where the sun is... But in any case, I also think they add something. Pinhole pictures aren't supposed to be perfect
I'm not sure those are light leaks. Could also be that the inside is reflecting a little bit of light depending on where the sun is... But in any case, I also think they add something. Pinhole pictures aren't supposed to be perfect
Ezzie
E. D. Russell Roberts
Very nice, both idea and execution. I agree that pinholes should have a bit of character, but at the same time a certain level of fidelity. Yours are nice. Grattis!
Joakim Målare
Established
Thanks Ezzie
Btw, I was in Norway last year for the first time as an adult (by my own choice in other words) and I was completely amazed of the scenery you have over there. Sure, I knew that from postcards and faded memories, but it's very different to actually be there. We went around Hardangervidda and spent the nights in a tent and it was a fantastic experience
Maybe next time I'll bring this pinhole camera!
Btw, I was in Norway last year for the first time as an adult (by my own choice in other words) and I was completely amazed of the scenery you have over there. Sure, I knew that from postcards and faded memories, but it's very different to actually be there. We went around Hardangervidda and spent the nights in a tent and it was a fantastic experience
Maybe next time I'll bring this pinhole camera!
robert blu
quiet photographer
Great photos with a great camera! You had a good idea and managed to arrive to the final product with success! Bravo.
robert
robert
lynnb
Veteran
thanks for posting the pictures - I love that last one of the house!