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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Pinhole - Interesting (I think)
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 04/28/2020 08:21:29 PM · #1
So. Tonight I had some spare time after work and thought I'd try my hand at this pinhole photography stuff. I mean, how hard can it be, right?

Daggummit! It was not what I expected. Started off with a lid with a small hole in it and using some gaffer tape attached it to the end of a 35/2 lens. That resulted in a well focused center and a dark tunnel around it. No quite the effect. Realizing I had the "pinhole" too far from the sensor I took the lens off and just held it in front of the sensor manually. That was better, kinda. Really, REALLY, hard to get anything remotely in focus. I'm walking around moving a tripod back and forth, here to there, failing miserably in getting any kind of subject framed and focused.

I might try again, but more likely I'll sit on the sidelines and cheer the brave souls that figure it out.

Phew!
 04/28/2020 09:06:04 PM · #2
To do it "right" you do it without a lens in place -- You are using the pinhole to create and focus the image. Make the hole whatever diameter is needed to achieve the focal length between the hole and your sensor (it'll be TINY!).
 04/28/2020 10:07:59 PM · #3
It'll be really REALLY tiny! Take a piece of copper foil or something and pierce it with the tip of a needle and you'll be in the right ballpark.
 04/29/2020 07:11:30 AM · #4
OK so its not just me. I watched a Youtube video to make sure I was doing it right. Looks like all is well. I can not get a clear photo. Every shot is absolutely fuzzy and blurry. Tripod - no Tripod. Doesn't matter. Am I missing something?
 04/29/2020 07:53:28 AM · #5
Originally posted by DCrest01:
OK so its not just me. I watched a Youtube video to make sure I was doing it right. Looks like all is well. I can not get a clear photo. Every shot is absolutely fuzzy and blurry. Tripod - no Tripod. Doesn't matter. Am I missing something?

I think distance to the sensor (from the pinhole paper) is key to focus. I think … :-}
 04/29/2020 07:58:22 AM · #6
Originally posted by glad2badad:
Originally posted by DCrest01:
OK so its not just me. I watched a Youtube video to make sure I was doing it right. Looks like all is well. I can not get a clear photo. Every shot is absolutely fuzzy and blurry. Tripod - no Tripod. Doesn't matter. Am I missing something?

I think distance to the sensor (from the pinhole paper) is key to focus ...

... which is dependent on the diameter of the hole. Also, I think if the material is too thick (e.g. cardboard) you'll get diffusion -- try using foil.
 04/29/2020 08:31:45 AM · #7
I used a cola can that I cut into a 1 1/2 inch square. I drilled the hole so it’s perfectly round and I even had a number 10 sewing needle. I was tempted to make the hole a tiny bit bigger. Do you think?
 04/29/2020 08:53:16 AM · #8
If you used a drill then it may be too large already. When they say "pinhole" they mean the pointy end, not the head ...
 04/29/2020 08:53:40 AM · #9
Pinhole images will always have some fuzziness. Some ideas to minimize:
- Use the optimal size hole, which for DSLRs is about 0.3mm (0.012"). You can buy drill bits in this size, but trial and error with a needle may be nearly as good.
- The thinner the material, the better. Try aluminum foil, works very well.
- Whether poking the hole with a needle or drilling, it, the edge quality is very important. Best to use a stiff material on top of and below the pinhole material to ensure you don't push out a big burr on the pinhole.

The 0.3mm size assumes that the pinhole is attached directly over the mount opening on a DSLR. One good way to do this is to modify a body cap. Drill a hole through the cap (at least 5 to 6mm, about 1/4 inch) and tape the pinhole material to the body cap with the hole centered in the cap hole.

For mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras the optimal size is closer to 0.2mm. At this size, you need to pay even more attention to hole edge quality and minimizing material thickness.
04/29/2020 08:58:08 AM · #10
Another challenge I will have to miss
 04/29/2020 09:11:43 AM · #11
Originally posted by marnet:
Another challenge I will have to miss


You should be able to do this one... got a sewing needle? Got some aluminum foil? You're good to go!
 04/29/2020 09:15:26 AM · #12
Originally posted by kirbic:
Originally posted by marnet:
Another challenge I will have to miss


You should be able to do this one... got a sewing needle? Got some aluminum foil? You're good to go!

And get my sensor dirty while messing around!!! On top of it I have two left hands for any manual work ;)
 04/29/2020 09:55:38 AM · #13
I drilled the hole in the lens cap - put the foil behind it with the pin hole from the needle. Its making me crazy that I can't make this work!
 04/29/2020 10:29:43 AM · #14
It's a good idea to use a black sharpie, on the inside of your pinhole material, to reduce light from bouncing around in your camera.
 04/29/2020 10:50:11 AM · #15
Originally posted by DCrest01:
I drilled the hole in the lens cap - put the foil behind it with the pin hole from the needle. Its making me crazy that I can't make this work!


Are you putting the pinhole in front of a lens? If so, that will not work. The pinhole replaces the lens. There should be no glass between the pinhole and the sensor.
 04/29/2020 11:11:46 AM · #16
I’ll try the sharpie - I will also post pics of what I did later today! Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions!
 04/29/2020 11:17:37 AM · #17
Originally posted by kirbic:
Originally posted by DCrest01:
I drilled the hole in the lens cap - put the foil behind it with the pin hole from the needle. Its making me crazy that I can't make this work!


Are you putting the pinhole in front of a lens? If so, that will not work. The pinhole replaces the lens. There should be no glass between the pinhole and the sensor.


I would be really afraid to take the lens out and leave the sensor to the elements!
Had to buy a whole new body because of a compromised sensor. Unless I don't know what I am talking about!
 04/29/2020 11:59:12 AM · #18
Originally posted by mariuca:
Originally posted by kirbic:
Originally posted by DCrest01:
I drilled the hole in the lens cap - put the foil behind it with the pin hole from the needle. Its making me crazy that I can't make this work!


Are you putting the pinhole in front of a lens? If so, that will not work. The pinhole replaces the lens. There should be no glass between the pinhole and the sensor.

I would be really afraid to take the lens out and leave the sensor to the elements!
Had to buy a whole new body because of a compromised sensor. Unless I don't know what I am talking about!

What you need to do is modify the BODY cap that comes with your camera, the cap that covers the lens opening when there is no lens mounted.
 04/29/2020 02:21:04 PM · #19
Originally posted by glad2badad:
So. Tonight I had some spare time after work and thought I'd try my hand at this pinhole photography stuff. I mean, how hard can it be, right?

Daggummit! It was not what I expected. Started off with a lid with a small hole in it and using some gaffer tape attached it to the end of a 35/2 lens. That resulted in a well focused center and a dark tunnel around it. No quite the effect. Realizing I had the "pinhole" too far from the sensor I took the lens off and just held it in front of the sensor manually. That was better, kinda. Really, REALLY, hard to get anything remotely in focus. I'm walking around moving a tripod back and forth, here to there, failing miserably in getting any kind of subject framed and focused.

I might try again, but more likely I'll sit on the sidelines and cheer the brave souls that figure it out.

Phew!


I've tried making them out of camera body caps with really fine holes and gaffer tape but got less than acceptable results. It wasn't until I got a quality pinhole lens that it made sense:

https://theinventory.com/pinhole-pro-x-gave-me-one-of-the-most-painful-most-rew-1837712572
 05/17/2020 12:36:06 PM · #20
Who knew?!

Thingyfy

Noticed it used on this entry -->
05/17/2020 01:17:11 PM · #21
I was surprised how small I had to get on the pinhole to make a somewhat sharp image. It got to the point where I could barely see it in the foil. (Most centred hole was my final attempt)


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