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View Full Version : U.S. source for pinhole lens?

Chad
11-30-2007, 12:39
I'd like to buy a laser cut pinhole lens for my home-made camera (specifically one that is about 0.014" in diameter). Lenox Laser has what I'm looking for but $12 to ship from Canada seems steep (http://www.lenoxlaser.com/). I just want the metal with the hole, no body cap attached. Does anyone know of a supplier in the U.S.?


thanks

Chad
MartinP
11-30-2007, 12:46
I know this might be sacriligious in some way, but why is a hole worth paying for ? They are not called pinhole cameras for nothing, after all . . . .

EDIT: Errrrm, I'll rephrase that . . . " ... they are called pinhole cameras for a reason ..."
nikon_sam
11-30-2007, 13:02
www.calumetphoto.com

search for "pinhole" and they have what you're looking for...

I have nothing to do with Calumet I just shop there at times...
johne
11-30-2007, 13:29
Makes one wonder what is the proper film size for digital rangefinders! A non sequitur? Oxymoron? or just a very precise hole so tiny that no manual needle will suffice? Just curious.
johne
dazedgonebye
11-30-2007, 14:12
Lenox laser is steep for shipping, but the holes are good quality and mounted in a nice piece of metal.
I've bought cheaper pinholes from a German ebay seller, but the things were so thin (and unmounted) that I tore one of them trying to make use of it.
Google to find instructions on making your own hole (dent and sand method). I've never tried it because I'm ham-handed and would rather pay for someone to do stuff like that for me.

Also, you might ask around at f295.org.
johne
12-01-2007, 05:28
This has been a learning experience! Thank goodness ignorance is cureable--by education. [But stupidity is not!] The www.calumetphoto.com site opened up a new world of pin-hole possibilities. Thanks.
johne
Pablito
12-01-2007, 05:36
I'd like to buy a laser cut pinhole lens for my home-made camera

It's a hole, not a lens. Hey, it aint called "lensless photography" for nothing!

Sorry to state the obvious but "they call me trouble" :D

btw, i've had very nice results using a fine pin or needle in heavy duty aluminum foil. Saves money and the image is more funky than what you'd get with the laser cut hole.
ClaremontPhoto
12-01-2007, 05:59
Have you seen http://www.leicagoodies.com/

Or maybe http://www.zeroimage.com/web2003/EntryPage/entryFrameset.htm could do you one. I bought a camera from him, and his customer service is great.
MartinP
12-01-2007, 14:39
Actually, I just had this sort of foolish idea . . . The hole just lets through light doesn't it ? - it doesn't have to be filled with air necessarily, so we can make our own holes photographically, by photographing black dots from appropriate distances and making a couple of lith contact prints, but maybe no-one has lith film anymore . . . drat, oh well. And I suppose that the edges wouldn't be as "sharp" as with a bit of foil and a needle. Sighhhh.
dazedgonebye
12-01-2007, 15:38
Actually, I just had this sort of foolish idea . . . The hole just lets through light doesn't it ? - it doesn't have to be filled with air necessarily, so we can make our own holes photographically, by photographing black dots from appropriate distances and making a couple of lith contact prints, but maybe no-one has lith film anymore . . . drat, oh well. And I suppose that the edges wouldn't be as "sharp" as with a bit of foil and a needle. Sighhhh.

Its been done. I saw images from such a "pinhole" not long ago. Can't remember where though...and you are right...it did not yield the sharpest pinhole images I've ever seen. On the other hand, sharp isn't really the point.
Chad
12-03-2007, 18:46
Thanks for the leads everyone. I have tried a few self-made pinholes and wanted to see what differences there may be using a laser cut one.


Chad
Baldadash
03-04-2008, 09:58
I've had just as good luck with homemade pinhole lens as with the laser cut ones. I paid $45 for one for my hasselblad. Normally I just make my own with snapple caps and jelly, jam, sauce lids, etc... just pick up a used body cap at your local camera store.
Use a push pin to indent the lid and super fine sandpaper (800- 2000 grit) in a circular motion, it usually produces good results. A King-Size Sharpie for paint. Drill the body cap and super glue will hold well. It is much more satisfying getting a good image from a lens I made than one that was laser-cut, but that may be just me.
The picture of the corncrib was made with a Snapple cap on a Polaroid Daylab camera.