Most of the ideas I got from these two talented individuals:
[ CK ]
Pinhole Photography
Flickr
Alspix
Blog
Flickr
Items needed:
1. One small box, large enough to fit two 35 mm film canisters and one frame. I used a Groz-Beckert Sewing Machine Needle package. I sell Needles, so I have an unlimited supply of these.
Dimensions:
Length 168 mm wide (6 9/16 in)
Height 44 mm (1 13/16 in) * In this configuration, this will be our focal length.
Depth 59 mm (2 5/16 in)
2. One empty 35 mm film canister. This is the film advance mechanism used to spool the exposed film into.
3. A new unexposed 35 film roll.
4. Aluminum tin from a soda or beer can. This will be the lens.
5. Black tape, or electrical tape. To light proof as needed.
6. Push pin or Thumb Tack.
7. One Black Poly Binding Cover 8 3/4" x 11 1/4"
8. Sewing Needle. To make the Pinhole.
9. Extra cardboard, thick and black.
10. Wood stick. We'll need two small pieces to fit into each of the film canisters. Used to hold the film canisters and to advance the film.
11. Optional: One Binding Spine. This will be used to make a click sound on the film's sprockets and allow to advance film to the next position with better accuracy. Recommended.
Cut a square of the Aluminum tin, use a pen to make a small dent. Use fine sand paper on both sides of the tin to get make it slightly thiner and easier to perforate. Use a sewing needle as a drill. This circular motion will allow for a nicer pin hole. Make it as small as possible, getting only a fraction of the needle's point across the metal. Use the sand paper again to remove the burr. The idea is to get a perfect circle free of debris.
A scanner can be used to measure the diameter and calculate the f stop and other details
1. Open the empty 35 mm canister to reverse the orientation of the spool. Close again.
2. Cut the film tongue from the new unused film.
3. Splice them together.
1. Cut the Black Poly Binding Cover to fit inside the box. One large pice that folds lengthwise - four folds - and two smaller pieces for each side. Make the fit tight, this will prevent light coming in.
2. Use the thick black cardboard to make an insert that will keep each 35 mm film can on its side of the box. In my example it's a rectangle with two flaps on the bottom.
3. Fit all into the box.
4. Cut the wood stick in two and make a groove on each to fit into the film spools.
1. Estimate the location to place the wooden pieces used as guides for the film canisters, and to advance the film.
2. Estimate the location for the Pinhole.
1. Use Black or Electrical tape if needed to reduce light leaks.
2. Cut a small rectangle of cardboard and use the push pin o thumb tack as a hinge. A rubber band can be used to keep it in place when not in use.
The optional clicker is just taped to the new film can. Just cut and bend. Secure it with tape. Test it before putting into the camera. Remember that if this option is used, the film should not be rewound intro the original canister, as the clicker will rip the film sprockets. Use a darkroom or changing bag to open the camera, remove the clicker and then rewind the film to its original container. Remove the tape used to join the film into the empty canister, it can contaminate the chemicals used at the photo lab.
