Pinhole Photography

[snaggs]

Anybody tried this yet? I just put a bid for in for a Raytex PL39 (http://www.geocities.com/westmarkwa/PL39.htm) pinhole "lens" for Leica. Its more a foil holder than a lens... but simplifies the process.

What types of pictures/effects can be achieved with a pinhole which can't be with others?

Daniel.

[bmattock]

Very very small ones. I can't imagine why someone would NEED a photograph of a pinhole, but what the heck.

OK, just kidding. Pinhole photography gives a weird kind of other-worldliness to a photo. Kinda like the Holganistas and the Toy Camera Brigade. Everything in the center of the photo is ultra-sharp due to the very tiny 'f-stop' but it vignettes and falls off quickly on the edges.

Kinda fun, but I got tired of it pretty quickly.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

[snaggs]

Sounds great! Have any examples you have done? You have to admit though, theres not my other super fun lens options at US$59 new in the M mount :0

Daniel.

[Skinny McGee]

check this out

http://www.pinholeday.org/

[Nick R.]

Check out shot #147 from 2004 at http://www.pinholeday.org/
(Pierluigi Manzone, "Torrente Gesso, Tetto Bandito"
Cuneo, Italy)
Good for any camera

[bmattock]

Sounds great! Have any examples you have done? You have to admit though, theres not my other super fun lens options at US$59 new in the M mount :0

Daniel.

Sadly, not for RF folks, but if you also happen to have an SLR, check this out:

http://www.loreo.com/

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

[chug]

When I was in school, many many many years ago as a youngin, we did some pinhole photography. The picture worked out fine. Was a lot of fun to do and play with. If I can find the picture, i might scan it in. Very easy to make too :)

[dominicLF]

Pinhole photography is the most fun you will have with your camera! Wider angles can be achieved than is, or will ever be, achieved with lenses. Pinhole photos have total depth of field; you can photograph something a fraction of an inch away from the hole and the background two miles away will be equally in focus. This frees you from considering lens focal lengths, flat film planes, and fine focus when designing and using your cameras. The strange light effects and long exposures produce amazing results that you can learn to control. You’ll want to experiment with larger formats than 35mm. My advise is do not get stuck using commercially available products. They are made for people who do not know the range of possibilities that pinholes open up. Start making your own adaptors, holes, and cameras. Instead of buying an adaptor, buy Eric Renner’s book, Pinhole Photography. Here is another good link to Eric’s site: http://pinholeresource.com/

[snaggs]

Well, Ive already bid on it, and I think it will be a gentle entry. How do you determine the focal length? Distance from hole to film plane?

Daniel.

[dominicLF]

Daniel, Because of the total depth of field, you can place the hole at various focal lengths with impunity. You can use macro tubes or bellows or some other such thing to move the hole out to create a telephoto effect. Moving it in, even recessing it into the camera body, creates a wider field of view. However, there are optimal (in terms of sharpness) pinhole diameters for different focal lengths. In general a body cap adapter for a rangefinder should have around a 200micron hole or 350m for an SLR. There is an excellent freeware program called “Pinhole Designer” that will calculate optimal size, field of view, and exposure conversions for you. You can download it at Lennox Laser (makers of the best pinholes in the world!!): http://www.lenoxlaser.com/pinholephotos/pinhole_calculator.html

[dominicLF]

O, for exposure, yes, you measure the distance from the film plane to the hole and divide by the diameter. So, for instance, when I put a body cap adaptor on my rangefinder, I’m shooting at about f138!

[XAos]

I guess a hobby is a hobby, but this kinda struck me as ironic when I first saw it.
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/Canon_1ds_pinhole.html


Digizoompinhole?? Isn't that a crime against nature?

[dominicLF]

Digizoompinhole?? Isn't that a crime against nature?


Not at all! In fact the principles of this are described by Aristotle in his Physics and extrapolated from his observances of sunlight falling through the olive-leaf canopy around the Mediterranean shore. ;)

[cp_ste.croix]

i made a pinhole camera from a Nestle Quick can for little more than a few bucks. fun results but it's a one shot so kind of impractical...

[pvdhaar]

Since yesterday, photonet now has an Alternative Cameras forum.. Intended for pinholes, holgas and whatnot..

[rbiemer]

I guess a hobby is a hobby, but this kinda struck me as ironic when I first saw it.
http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/Canon_1ds_pinhole.html


Digizoompinhole?? Isn't that a crime against nature?
What I find odd/amusing/ironic about this site is the post-processing done to sharpen the photos. Sort of defeats the purpose of using a pinhole.
But what the heck do I know?
Rob

[Skinny McGee]

Acouple of years ago I made a pinhole out of an old Argus c3 brick. by using a washer the size of the outer diameter of the body opening . Then I rolled a piece of soda can flat with a pencil and drilled a hole in it with a needle . glued the alum. inside the washer .glued the washer on the out side of the Argus and started in.

[kbg32]

A pinhole example of my significant other.

http://www.pbase.com/keithbg/image/38790543

Also check out Eric Renner's great site - www.pinholeresource.com.

[dominicLF]

I just posted a photo essay which is made up of mostly pinhole photographs along with some photos from my massive, single-element 300mm/f2 rangefinder lens. I invite you to take a look at: http://www.dominic.lefave.net/pinhole.htm

Click on "The Abernethy Project."

[Todd.Hanz]

Pinholes are cool, let me say this, that if Leica were to make a pinhole out of a Leica body cap, the resolution and bokeh would be far superior to any other pinhloe cap in production. I am sure that handholding a Leica pinhole down to 4 to 6 seconds would also be possible because of the smoother operation of the shutter. Has anyone seen my MTF charts for Leica pinholes, I know they are here somewhere................ :D :D


Todd the troll

[Todd.Hanz]

I should have quantified my statement by saying that the reason a Leica pinhole would be of higher quality would be due to the use of rare earth tin, this tin can only be harvested from Coke cans bottled in Solms..........obviously.

Todd the troll

[cp_ste.croix]

Pinholes are cool, let me say this, that if Leica were to make a pinhole out of a Leica body cap, the resolution and bokeh would be far superior to any other pinhloe cap in production. I am sure that handholding a Leica pinhole down to 4 to 6 seconds would also be possible because of the smoother operation of the shutter. Has anyone seen my MTF charts for Leica pinholes, I know they are here somewhere................ :D :D


Todd the troll


LMAO!

(the above message is too short, this is all mindless chuff in order to fill space)

[StuartR]

Don't laugh too hard...Calumet sells body cap pinholes for Leica M and R...strangely, they are more expensive than any of the other's they sell? I am sure they just said, "well, they can afford it, so we will charge them it."

[dominicLF]

In my experience, the Leica Pinhole is not a body cap adaptor but an integral design component that appears in the shutter curtain after shooting in the afternoon sun. What world-class engineering!

Did anyone check out my pinholes at: http://www.dominic.lefave.net/pinhole.htm ???

[Todd.Hanz]

Dominic Le Fave,
funny!

And yes I checked out your pinholes, pretty cool!

Todd

[dominicLF]

Those of you who want to try it out can make a pinhole camera in about three mins: http://home.mchsi.com/~pinholecamera47/pinhole_camera1.htm

[keith_cooper]

What I find odd/amusing/ironic about this site is the post-processing done to sharpen the photos. Sort of defeats the purpose of using a pinhole.
But what the heck do I know?
Rob
I'd hoped the small red band round the end of the pinhole zoom might be a clue :-)

...but seriously, I decided to show the processed versions of the pictures as much as to show what you can do with image processing software (focus magic in this case) as to actually get a good picture -- I've got the more expensive of the two lenses mentioned if I need quality :-)

bye for now
Keith Cooper

[dominicLF]

I'd hoped the small red band round the end of the pinhole zoom might be a clue :-)

...but seriously, I decided to show the processed versions of the pictures as much as to show what you can do with image processing software (focus magic in this case) as to actually get a good picture -- I've got the more expensive of the two lenses mentioned if I need quality :-)

bye for now
Keith Cooper


I really appriciate this, Kieth. The truth is that there are all kinds of reasons to mix high and low technology. The results of a digitally processed pinhole photo are completely different than a photo captured with a digital lens camera and then photoshoped. Just as there are reasons to use film, to use old lenses, and to use old cameras, there are reasons to use alternative camera designs and optics. Every change in the process produces different results.

[XAos]

Hi Kieth. I hope you know I was kidding mostly about the eccentricity of the zoom pinhole. I applaud the cleverness of it. . As for the sharpening - I dont have a problem with it, but I'm amazed at the amount of sharpening you did without hideous artifacts. And welcome to Rangefinderforum.

[rbiemer]

I'd hoped the small red band round the end of the pinhole zoom might be a clue :-)

...but seriously, I decided to show the processed versions of the pictures as much as to show what you can do with image processing software (focus magic in this case) as to actually get a good picture -- I've got the more expensive of the two lenses mentioned if I need quality :-)

bye for now
Keith Cooper
I actually like the pinhole-zoom and have made similar things myself. I have done pinhole for some years now and am currently looking for some LTM(well, I guess Zenit, really)extension tubes and a generic body cap for a "tri-elmarit" thingy. I look to pinhole photography for a fairly specific "look" and the post processing doesn't fit with my view of what I'm trying to do.
BUT, you are getting results you like[I certainly enjoyed the galleries!] and that's the important thing in all this!
I have bookmarked your site and will be spending more time there. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Rob

[dominicLF]

Those of you interested in hip FSU cameras and those interested in way-cool low tech, check this out! http://www.pinhole.cz/en/pinholecameras/dirkon_01.html

[Poptart]

Pinhole cameras can produce a vivid, dreamlike photo that's hard to replicate with conventional lenses. I like 'em.

[kbg32]

My favorite girl photographed using a pinhole on my 20D.

[Poptart]

Cool! What film/format?

[kbg32]

Digital. Pinhole lens cap on my Canon 20D.

[BJ Bignell]

I've been doing some pinhole work with a modified Polaroid camera from the 70s. It's a lot of fun, and there's always something new or different.

Recent pictures: http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=512453
Related discussion: http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00CvE4

[rbiemer]

I've been doing some pinhole work with a modified Polaroid camera from the 70s. It's a lot of fun, and there's always something new or different.

Recent pictures: http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=512453
Related discussion: http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00CvE4
Nice photos! This may have been mentioned in the discussion at photonet but one of this century's early Egyptologists used a pinhole lens on his camera so he could shoot photos of the artifacts while his workers could still work and not be imaged on the film.
Rob

[dominicLF]

Nice photos! This may have been mentioned in the discussion at photonet but one of this century's early Egyptologists used a pinhole lens on his camera so he could shoot photos of the artifacts while his workers could still work and not be imaged on the film.
Rob


A friend of mine was just telling me about this and he said there was a large book with a comprehensive collection of these photos. He couldn't remember the name though. I can't find it in any online searches. You don't happen to remember the name of this Egyptoligist, do you?

[rbiemer]

A friend of mine was just telling me about this and he said there was a large book with a comprehensive collection of these photos. He couldn't remember the name though. I can't find it in any online searches. You don't happen to remember the name of this Egyptoligist, do you?
No I can't right now :bang: I know there is at least one of the photos in Eric Renner's book. Which is also not at hand :bang: (I VERY rarely loan any of my non-fiction books but a VERY cute college girl is taking a photo course and wants to do some pinhole work as her final project. Couldn't quite say NO :rolleyes: )
Rob

[dominicLF]

No I can't right now :bang: I know there is at least one of the photos in Eric Renner's book. Which is also not at hand :bang: (I VERY rarely loan any of my non-fiction books but a VERY cute college girl is taking a photo course and wants to do some pinhole work as her final project. Couldn't quite say NO :rolleyes: )
Rob


OK, found it. His name is Flinders Petrie. Renner has his photo of the Khafre Pyramid--a gorgous photo made with pinhole on glass negative, 1881.

Thanks!

[tpersin]

"What types of pictures/effects can be achieved with a pinhole which can't be with others?"

infinite depth of field is probably one of pinhole photography's most unique features. It can completely destroy the sense of scale. Another is the long exposures often give wonderful and surprising results.

If you're looking for pinhole information may i suggest the forum I run called f295. It's exclusively devoted to lensless photography including topics on: camera construction, general discussion, darkroom process, image critique, an upload gallery and a members only salon area for serious critiques. f295's first book "A World of Pinhole Photography" is being released within the next two weeks, and a second "DIY" book- complete with plans, charts and diagrams for all kinds of pinhole topics will be out in the fall.

www.f295.com

or direct to the forum

f295.tompersinger.com

not all of us pinhole photographers are lensless purists ;)
tp

[dominicLF]

"What types of pictures/effects can be achieved with a pinhole which can't be with others?"

infinite depth of field is probably one of pinhole photography's most unique features. It can completely destroy the sense of scale. Another is the long exposures often give wonderful and surprising results.

If you're looking for pinhole information may i suggest the forum I run called f295. It's exclusively devoted to lensless photography including topics on: camera construction, general discussion, darkroom process, image critique, an upload gallery and a members only salon area for serious critiques. f295's first book "A World of Pinhole Photography" is being released within the next two weeks, and a second "DIY" book- complete with plans, charts and diagrams for all kinds of pinhole topics will be out in the fall.

www.f295.com

or direct to the forum

f295.tompersinger.com

not all of us pinhole photographers are lensless purists ;)
tp


Thanks, Tom. I didn't klnow about this forum. It's great. I just registered. I might upload some photos later. I will definately be checking out the discussions.

Most people here have seen my Super Kabhalucidia ( http://www.dominic.lefave.net/SKL.htm ) so I know no one here will call ME "lensless."

I have to say that I don't like the name of the forum because f295 is generally what you get when you slap a body-cap pinhole adaptor on an SLR. I mean, come on, why not "f630?"

--dominic

[tpersin]

actually, f295 is the fstop of a 4x5 wooden box camera i built a few years back from some plans in popular woodworking ;)

here's the link:
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/features/fea.asp?id=1048

thanks for your kind words re: the forum I look forward to seeing some of your images and hearing some of your comments.

With a "Super Kabahlucida" you'll never be lensless... that thing is freakin me out!

i've attached a pic of the f295 namesake camera.
tp

[dominicLF]

actually, f295 is the fstop of a 4x5 wooden box camera i built a few years back from some plans in popular woodworking ;)

here's the link:
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/features/fea.asp?id=1048

thanks for your kind words re: the forum I look forward to seeing some of your images and hearing some of your comments.

With a "Super Kabahlucida" you'll never be lensless... that thing is freakin me out!

i've attached a pic of the f295 namesake camera.
tp

Well, OK then! That changes everything. Thanks again for the fourm link. I'm sure I will be seeing you around the f295 pages. --dominic

[Poptart]

I make wooden pinhole cameras but I just wing it; whatever I have at hand or find becomes the body. My new one is a square format made from a cigar box.
The problem with pinhole in general is the film limitations. I have one that shoots 35mm roll film and that's the most useable one I've made.