pinhole cameras

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PKR

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I've been looking for a 120 pinhole camera for a project. I've built some pinhole lenses used with APS-C digital. I don't have time to build a camera and experiment so, I figured I would buy one and modify it if necessary.
Zero Image Cameras look good http://www.zeroimage.com/. , anyone had experience with these?

Their pinholes are laser cut which is important for what I'm doing. I figure if I don't like the pinhole, I can replace in with another custom one http://www.ealingcatalog.com/opto-m...fdom=adwords&gclid=CKHbqs7T69QCFZBcfgodyegCnQ . I also need to mod it to hold a glass filter. Likely a 52mm Nikon yellow or orange for B & W.


Any suggestions or advice ?
 
Pinhole is very interesting stuff.

I suggest finding a 6x9 camera body that has a good film transport. For 120, I would do this with a Century Graphic with roll-film back. It's quite compact when closed.

I did make a couple of pinholes and bought a couple for DSLRs. Here's one sample shot, soft of course, but DOF from inches to infinity.

161124-SodaCan-PinHoleDOF-Sony-DSC2430.jpg
 
See: https://www.aupremierplan.fr

I have one of the RealitySoSubtle 6x6 cameras he made. It is a terrific pinhole camera! I haven't had much time to use it yet, but the first roll I put through it (with Washi-120 film, exposed and processed all wrong) proved that the camera was outstanding.

G

PKR said:
I've been looking for a 120 pinhole camera for a project. I've built some pinhole lenses used with APS-C digital. I don't have time to build a camera and experiment so, I figured I would buy one and modify it if necessary.
Zero Image Cameras look good http://www.zeroimage.com/. , anyone had experience with these?

Their pinholes are laser cut which is important for what I'm doing. I figure if I don't like the pinhole, I can replace in with another custom one http://www.ealingcatalog.com/opto-m...fdom=adwords&gclid=CKHbqs7T69QCFZBcfgodyegCnQ . I also need to mod it to hold a glass filter. Likely a 52mm Nikon yellow or orange for B & W.


Any suggestions or advice ?
Click to expand...
 
Thanks guys. Yeah. Col. I was on eBay this morning looking for broken folders thinking a working film transport would be all I need. I could gut the rest of the camera and put a plate in front of the transport. I would need to play with the depth of focus (lens to film distance) to get the coverage I want. I'm thinking short panorama dimensions .. 6x9 maybe.

The lenses I made a while back were made with thin brass and steel shim stock and a #80 drill. I increased the sharpness by burnishing the lens hole. It made a huge difference. So, I think laser cutting is the way to go.

Godfrey, you need to play with that camera.. I'm working on a landscape image or two for a series of b+w photos I have going. I've got to test whatever I come up with and then look for a finder. And, I guess some hot shoe parts to mount it with. The finder may be the most expensive part of this thing. I was looking for a complete, ready to go, camera so I wouldn't have to deal with too much building. I'll see what I can find in parts before I buy something like a zero image 6x9.

Edit: Godfrey, I see he makes a 6x12, which might work for me. How thick is your 6x6? Any guess as to the lens to film distance?

Thanks, pkr

pkr
 
The Zero Image pinhole cameras are generally quite well regarded. I haven't used one, but two of my friends have them, and have done some fantastic work with them.

The Reality So Subtle cameras are also fantastic.
 
I have the 6X6 zero camera and it works fine. However I went with a "skink pinhole lens" that will fit just about any camera and use it on my GXR with M module and also on a old Sony Nex. I have to say I have gotten quite lazy about souping film these last couple of years so digital pinhole is it for me. Link http://skinkpinhole.com/wp/

wbill
 
agfa100 said:
I have the 6X6 zero camera and it works fine. However I went with a "skink pinhole lens" that will fit just about any camera and use it on my GXR with M module and also on a old Sony Nex. I have to say I have gotten quite lazy about souping film these last couple of years so digital pinhole is it for me. Link http://skinkpinhole.com/wp/

wbill
Click to expand...

I found that my playing around with pinhole digital is what got me interested in a film camera. I do almost all digital at work so, film photography has become the medium for almost all of my black and white hobby stuff. I use some of the work digital cameras for color. And, they have become the new Polaroid for me when checking lighting for film work.

The pinhole lenses I made were made on metal shim stock. I drilled out a few Nikon body caps with fairly big holes. I taped the metal pinhole lenses into the camera side of the body cap. I keep a piece of tape over the outer part of the cap so the hole is plugged when I'm not using the cap as a lens. It keeps whatever small amount of dust that might get in, out of the mirror box.

I can use them on film bodies too, but want larger film for scanning these purposed images. 2 1/4 scans well on a flat bed.
 
I can't say anything about a brand name pinhole as I build all my pinhole cameras. The 120 I built was made to accommodate a Graflex RH8 that is used on another body. I've found that proper film backs like the RH8 and RH10 or other brand equivalents, are the most inexpensive and reliable with most repeatable results. It's also nice to be able to simply slip in the back on the pinhole then switch to the Busch Pressman C. I know this is off topic a bit but figured the rollfilm transport information was relevant.

Phil Forrest
 
Phil_F_NM said:
I can't say anything about a brand name pinhole as I build all my pinhole cameras. The 120 I built was made to accommodate a Graflex RH8 that is used on another body. I've found that proper film backs like the RH8 and RH10 or other brand equivalents, are the most inexpensive and reliable with most repeatable results. It's also nice to be able to simply slip in the back on the pinhole then switch to the Busch Pressman C. I know this is off topic a bit but figured the rollfilm transport information was relevant.

Phil Forrest
Click to expand...

Yeah, the pressure plate is a big plus too. I'm not in any hurry, as it's a hobby project and won't likely get the skies I want until early winter. Lots of time to test stuff.

I also have to pick a film. I really don't know what's around in 120 and, with exposure times in seconds, reciprocity failure is in the mix. I use Neopan Acros a lot in 135 and Fuji says it's free of reciprocity problems. Do you have any knowledge about that claim? The other films I use are FP4 and HP5. Pretty sure they are available in 120. I won't go looking for 120 tank reels. I'll just find an old plastic Patterson or something similar used.

Thanks Phil, pkr
 
Phil_F_NM said:
I can't say anything about a brand name pinhole as I build all my pinhole cameras. The 120 I built was made to accommodate a Graflex RH8 that is used on another body. I've found that proper film backs like the RH8 and RH10 or other brand equivalents, are the most inexpensive and reliable with most repeatable results. It's also nice to be able to simply slip in the back on the pinhole then switch to the Busch Pressman C. I know this is off topic a bit but figured the rollfilm transport information was relevant.

Phil Forrest
Click to expand...

Agree with Phil about the Graflex backs. Cheap and reliable.

Horseman are better, of course, in a different league. Or Mamiya Press, but that would be heavy.
 
I recently shot a bunch of 4x5 pinhole on Arista Ultra 200 and it didn't have any reciprocity failure because f/207 just isn't slow enough on a sunny day. A few seconds isn't enough to get into the reciprocity failure territory when we're talking about black and white film. If it were at night, certainly. Or if it were on paper, definitely. Worlds of difference between ISO 3 and ISO 200.
Think about what you want to shoot as well. Your subjects will help dictate your film selection.
One thing to think about with filters is that the more glass you have over the aperture, the more flare or various aberration you'll have in the image. That glassless aperture is a perfect image maker and introducing anything thick will start to adversely bend light. Might want to stick a gel holder in front or even behind, as those are the thinnest filtration.
I'm in the midst of creating a 2 meter focal length pinhole for an art project but I'm having the conundrum of using direct positive paper at ISO 3 or spending beau-coup bucks on a box of 8x10 film so I don't have my subjects sitting for hours (veterans sitting for portraits.)

Phil Forrest
 
PKR said:
...
Godfrey, you need to play with that camera.. I'm working on a landscape image or two for a series of b+w photos I have going. I've got to test whatever I come up with and then look for a finder. And, I guess some hot shoe parts to mount it with. The finder may be the most expensive part of this thing. I was looking for a complete, ready to go, camera so I wouldn't have to deal with too much building. I'll see what I can find in parts before I buy something like a zero image 6x9.

Edit: Godfrey, I see he makes a 6x12, which might work for me. How thick is your 6x6? Any guess as to the lens to film distance?
Click to expand...

The ReallySoSubtle 6x6 has an effective 20mm focal length on 6x6 format ... in other words, very very wide indeed (a Hasselblad SWC has a 38mm focal length lens for ~90° diagonal AoV). The camera measures 4 3/4 x 3 3/4 x 1 1/4 inches in size, including the wind knobs on the top dec.

The camera's body has scribed sighting lines in lieu of a viewfinder. They work exceptionally well.

Here's an example shot:



It's quite different in use from a pinhole fitted to a smaller format camera. I have Skink pinhole mounts for Leica M and Olympus Micro-FourThirds, but pinhole done on 6x6 film produces much much nicer results.

G
 
I've got a couple pinhole cameras in 4x5 and 5x7, from Noon in Poland and another from a Greek eBay seller. Both are. I spy made, very wide angle and I hope will get some use over the coming months. I have a couple film holders and some old, nearly full boxes of film.

I also fancy a reality so subtle 6x12, but that will have to wait a while.
 
Godfrey said:
The ReallySoSubtle 6x6 has an effective 20mm focal length on 6x6 format ... in other words, very very wide indeed (a Hasselblad SWC has a 38mm focal length lens for ~90° diagonal AoV). The camera measures 4 3/4 x 3 3/4 x 1 1/4 inches in size, including the wind knobs on the top dec.

The camera's body has scribed sighting lines in lieu of a viewfinder. They work exceptionally well.

Here's an example shot:
Snip

It's quite different in use from a pinhole fitted to a smaller format camera. I have Skink pinhole mounts for Leica M and Olympus Micro-FourThirds, but pinhole done on 6x6 film produces much much nicer results.

G
Click to expand...

Yeah, I agree on the format too. It's why I'm pursuing this. Nothing like biggish film. My old studio mate occasionally scans some of his 8x10 Ektachromes. The quality on a good flat bed is jaw dropping. He normally uses a Phase One back mounted to a 4x5. I don't think he liked the move to digital for image quality. It's an easier work flow for lots of stuff, but a good 8x10 is tough to best for over all look. And the image quality is a toss up I think. Scan one on a Creo and I think the film might win over the Phase One much of the time.

I like your snap. Love the pinhole quality. It's the look I'm after.
 
sojournerphoto said:
I've got a couple pinhole cameras in 4x5 and 5x7, from Noon in Poland and another from a Greek eBay seller. Both are. I spy made, very wide angle and I hope will get some use over the coming months. I have a couple film holders and some old, nearly full boxes of film.

I also fancy a reality so subtle 6x12, but that will have to wait a while.
Click to expand...

I thought about going 4x5, but if it get's to complicated, I won't use it as much as a simple thing I can throw in the car with another small bag of gear. My assistant has my last view camera and all the lenses and film holders. I don't think she uses it a lot, so I could borrow some film holders .. but, a roll film camera will get used more. I know my quirks. With having to load holders before going out, it would keep me from packing it when I have a little break time from other stuff. I think it's different when you take pictures for a living.. maybe it's just me.

I have chef friends who cook at home and invite friends over for lunch, etc. The ingredients are always the best, but the prep and cooking is always very simple. If they want something fancy, they invite you to their workplace.

I think a 6x9 or 6x12 maybe the best choice for my needs. I can always crop. I don't imagine the camera will get much use beyond this project. It's not likely i'll pack it if traveling a long distance or by air unless a specific purpose is in mind. I rarely pack backup cameras or more than a couple of lenses when working for a day, when I'm the client.
 
zuiko85 said:
It would be interesting to see the results from having different focal lengths for the same diameter pinhole.
Click to expand...

Yeah, if I decide to build one i'll make the test camera out of foamcore so I can try several ideas. It looks like optimum pinhole size is between 0.25 - 0.28mm. I know from past experience a LASER cut hole will work better than drilling one.
 
PKR said:
Yeah, I agree on the format too. It's why I'm pursuing this. Nothing like biggish film. My old studio mate occasionally scans some of his 8x10 Ektachromes. The quality on a good flat bed is jaw dropping. He normally uses a Phase One back mounted to a 4x5. I don't think he liked the move to digital for image quality. It's an easier work flow for lots of stuff, but a good 8x10 is tough to best for over all look. And the image quality is a toss up I think. Scan one on a Creo and I think the film might win over the Phase One much of the time.

I like your snap. Love the pinhole quality. It's the look I'm after.
Click to expand...

Thank you! Do note that that particular image was made with Washi-120 film (washi paper with a very slow orthochromatic paper emulsion applied) before I understood the real sensitivity (exposed at ISO 20, actual ISO is 3) and processed incorrectly (HC-110 rather than a paper developer!). Much of what is in it is the paper fibre itself. 🙄 That exposure was 180 seconds.

The camera is loaded with another roll and I'm ready to go shooting, now that I understand the real ISO and proper development for it. It's a peach to shoot with because it's so small and light I can use my Sirui T-025x mini tripod and carry it in my backpack when riding my bicycle... 🙂

G
 
PKR said:
I don't think this topic is of much interest here but, i will post some info / results as I test and maybe build.

I found a great thread on the old f295 forum covering optimum pinhole size. There's a little math and some good testing done by Rene.
http://www.f295.org/main/showthread.php?16595-Optimum-Pinhole-Size/page3
Click to expand...

zuiko85 said:
It would be interesting to see the results from having different focal lengths for the same diameter pinhole.
Click to expand...

PKR said:
Yeah, if I decide to build one i'll make the test camera out of foamcore so I can try several ideas. It looks like optimum pinhole size is between 0.25 - 0.28mm. I know from past experience a LASER cut hole will work better than drilling one.
Click to expand...

I have another, very special pinhole camera: A "66/6 Instant Film Pinhole" camera made in a limited number by The Impossible Project folks. It has two different sized pinholes (0.012 and 0.024 inch) and a bellows that can be set to different extensions to effect different focal lengths. It is a terribly difficult camera to determine exposure properly for, not only because of two pinholes but because the older Impossible films were so inconsistent in their exposure behavior and reciprocity effects. When you get it right, the results can be quite nice.

These are two successful exposures with it...



​

Once I get a little more effort in with the RealitySoSubtle 6x6, I'll charge up the 66/6 Instant Film Pinhole and do some more work with it, using the latest Impossible film (which is VASTLY improved over what I had when I made those two snaps...!).

G
 
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