Pin Hole

[_dobbo_]

Been in London a couple of times this week working and naturally have to go in shops and spend money.

One of the more unusual purchases was this thing:



Basically it's a flat pack 35mm pin hole panoramic camera. The sunset looked good tonight so I decided I'd build it and get out to take some pics. Easy right?



Right?



Wrong.

Anyway, fast forward a while and I'm here





Fast forward a bit longer and I'm done.



Sunset long finished and no doubt I won't get a chance to go out again for ages - so I guess I'll share any results as and when I get them. Anyone else played with one of these or similar?

[Simpo Two]

Pinhole panoramic - is that two pinholes?

[_dobbo_]

Simpo Two said:

Pinhole panoramic - is that two pinholes?

Seems like it should be right? I'm not sure but I'm guessing more of the film is exposed than a standard 35mm exposure in order to create a wider FoV?

[Simpo Two]

Two pinholes would probably give you a stereo camera... as for one pinhole, logic dictates that it throws a circular image so 'panoramic' must mean a narrow slice across the middle with horribly fuzzy dark edges... dunno, never tried it!

NB: If that's 'f140' I hope you've got a suitable cardboard tripod!

Edited by Simpo Two on Saturday 1st October 21:31

[Bacardi]

The art of pinhole is to get the hole as small as possible, using the thinnest foil possible, to get the sharpest image. Pushing a pin through foil does tear it and can give a ragged edge. Some people use extremely thin copper, which they can then emery paper and polish for the best result. Only at the the very edges there will be a soft transition.

However, the image circle is huge. The same size hole will happily cover 8"x10" sheet film and bigger, just as well as 35mm. Black out a window, cover with black paper and stick a pin through, the image will fill a wall and more. The closer the hole to the film (or sensor) the wider the view.

A friend of mine built a 8x10 pinhole camera which was maybe a couple of inches (5cms) thick. Looking at 8x10 transparencies, knowing there was nothing between the image and reality, other than thin air, gave the pictures a wonderful ethereal quality. Who needs lenses?

Edited by Bacardi on Saturday 1st October 23:55

[Simpo Two]

Bacardi said:

The closer the hole to the film (or sensor) the wider the view.

Do you mean the pinhole acts as a wider-angle lens when closer to the film, and becomes more 'telephoto' as the film is moved back (even though the projected image must be bigger)?

[_dobbo_]

Thanks Paul - the pinhole part of the "camera" came pre-pricked (?!) and is absolutely miniscule... I'm off out at the earliest opportunity to have a play, we'll see how well it goes.

The instructions included colouring in any areas of expose white card to ensure they were all black. Copious black tape was also provided. I'm looking forward to the results!

[DIW35]

If anyone would like to try this with their digital camera, it's easy enough. All you need is a spare body cap in whicch you cut a hole in the middle. Stick a piece of foil over this hole and then make your pinhole in the foil. Attach the body cap to the camera, put the camera on a long shutter speed or even bulb setting, and go and experiment with it.

I believe that this may not work on all cameras, as some register that there is no actual lens attached, and will refuse to work.

[_dobbo_]

A PH'er did exactly that with a 1Ds2 and a pinhole cap - posted a load of photos of Venice and they were amazing. This was several years ago mind.

I've been out at 07:30 this morning and shot a whole roll of film. Now I need to get it processed! Except I've realised my bloody scanner won't work with windows 7 so I can't scan in any results anyway... boo

[tontoro]

_dobbo_ said:

A PH'er did exactly that with a 1Ds2 and a pinhole cap - posted a load of photos of Venice and they were amazing. This was several years ago mind.

I've been out at 07:30 this morning and shot a whole roll of film. Now I need to get it processed! Except I've realised my bloody scanner won't work with windows 7 so I can't scan in any results anyway... boo

I'm glad I haven't been forgotten around here then...

The main problem is dust on the sensor at f/very large number, but making the lens is child's play

[Bacardi]

Simpo Two said:

Do you mean the pinhole acts as a wider-angle lens when closer to the film, and becomes more 'telephoto' as the film is moved back

Yes

Simpo Two said:

(even though the projected image must be bigger)?

Not quite sure what you mean?

Given that light waves travels in straight lines, increasing the distance between the hole and image plane would give a narrower field of view (all other things being equal, distance to subject, size of image plane). Perhaps this illustration helps?

[Simpo Two]

I envisaged how the 'cone' gets bigger so the image size gets bigger with hole-to-film distance, but I was thinking of angle of view. Can moving the film closer mean I suddenly see more of the subject? It didn't seem right...

[Dav3yboy]

Hey, i have built one of those built not got results out of yet.

http://simplydavey.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/img...

I have used a matchbox pinhole camera i built as well, used black and white film. Some pictures.

http://simplydavey.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/img...
http://simplydavey.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/4.j...

Not the best image but was a lot of fun as i developed the film myself. I have more pictures but feel like I am ruining your thread.

[Simpo Two]

Well Mr B has just come round with a big stick and now it's all perfectly clear

[Bacardi]

Simples!

[_dobbo_]

tontoro said:

I'm glad I haven't been forgotten around here then...

I remember you well enough - I've still got the lens I bought off you! Put them Venice pics back up!

[_dobbo_]

Dav3yboy said:

I have more pictures but feel like I am ruining your thread.

No way, you aren't ruining anything - this forum is about sharing pictures, get them posted!

[tontoro]

_dobbo_ said:

I remember you well enough - I've still got the lens I bought off you! Put them Venice pics back up!

Many years go our office was broken into and the computers stolen. Obviously I had backed up all the work stuff, but I had neglected my personal photos. So I don't think I have the Venice ones anywhere, although I may have some lo res versions somewhere at home. A shame really since they were some of my favourite things I had done.

[_dobbo_]

That's a real shame Dave - must be gutting to have that happen.

Got back my first roll from Asda today, £2 process only.

I suppose it's just and I mean like a tiny bit possible I was advancing the film too much between exposures....



Getting the scanner sorted now!


OK so back with the scans...









I was guessing the exposure on these because all the info with the camera relates to 100ISO film and I had Fuji Superia 400 in the camera.

Few things to learn - primarly don't shoot directly into the sun. The camera isn't as sensitive to movement as a normal camera but still needs to be kept rock solid.

Other than that, these are OK but nothing too exciting, I'll persevere because I've still got 12 rolls of film to work through.

Edited by _dobbo_ on Wednesday 5th October 11:20

[_dobbo_]

Better without the film borders?