I have gotten plenty of recognition for my Lego camera nerdery, so it is nice to get noticed for one of my first pinhole camera experiments. The digital pinhole camera I built almost exactly a year ago caught the eye of PC Magazine. I knew that they were thinking about running a story about it, but didn’t know it made it to print. Apparently it was published back in November, and I thank the PC mag crew for their recognition. You can read the online version of their story at www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,1892668,00.asp. If have any interest in my digital pinhole camera, stay tuned. I plan on doing a follow-up on it soon that describes how to make a pinhole box that folds down.

If you are interested in pinhole photography, Ebay might be a good place to find a starter pinhole camera. Here are the pinhole camera auctions going on right now:

Tiny Pinhole Spy Surveillance Covert CCTV Camera - DVR

US $79.45 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 2:58:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $79.45 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Tiny Pinhole Spy Surveillance Covert CCTV Camera - DVR

US $59.99 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 2:58:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $59.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

2.4 Ghz Wireless spy camera color pinhole nanny cam

US $19.97 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 5:00:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $19.97 Buy it now | Add to watch list

WIRELESS CAMERA PINHOLE SPY CAM NANNY SURVEILLANCE CCTV

US $32.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 7:41:34 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $36.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pinhole Wireless 2.4G Video Color Camera RC AV Spy Cam

US $44.98 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 7:46:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $44.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Mini Wireless Spy Nanny Micro Camera Cam Pinhole Kit

US $35.99 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:19:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $35.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Mini Wireless Spy Nanny Micro Camera Cam Pinhole System

US $35.99 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:19:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $35.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

WIRELESS SPY CAMERA PINHOLE NANNY CAM CCTV SURVEILLANCE

US $31.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:25:39 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

WIRELESS SPY CAMERA PINHOLE NANNY CAM CCTV SURVEILLANCE

US $31.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:26:10 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Watch Spy Cam 2GB Camcorder DVR Pinhole Hidden Camera

US $0.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:40:11 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Soon after I built my 35mm Lego pinhole camera, it struck me that there wasn’t any reason why I couldn’t just make the camera longer and create a panoramic version of the Lego camera. While I prefer a more square format, I couldn’t help but build this camera. The result was a camera that produced a 78mm x 24mm negative. Since the Lego pinhole camera doesn’t have a mask, the entire negative is esposed including the sprocket holes, which looks something like this:

If you are interested in pinhole photography, Ebay might be a good place to find a starter pinhole camera. Here are the pinhole camera auctions going on right now:

Tiny Pinhole Spy Surveillance Covert CCTV Camera - DVR

US $79.45 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 2:58:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $79.45 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Tiny Pinhole Spy Surveillance Covert CCTV Camera - DVR

US $59.99 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 2:58:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $59.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

2.4 Ghz Wireless spy camera color pinhole nanny cam

US $19.97 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 5:00:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $19.97 Buy it now | Add to watch list

WIRELESS CAMERA PINHOLE SPY CAM NANNY SURVEILLANCE CCTV

US $32.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 7:41:34 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $36.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pinhole Wireless 2.4G Video Color Camera RC AV Spy Cam

US $44.98 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 7:46:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $44.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Mini Wireless Spy Nanny Micro Camera Cam Pinhole Kit

US $35.99 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:19:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $35.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Mini Wireless Spy Nanny Micro Camera Cam Pinhole System

US $35.99 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:19:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $35.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

WIRELESS SPY CAMERA PINHOLE NANNY CAM CCTV SURVEILLANCE

US $31.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:25:39 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

WIRELESS SPY CAMERA PINHOLE NANNY CAM CCTV SURVEILLANCE

US $31.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:26:10 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Watch Spy Cam 2GB Camcorder DVR Pinhole Hidden Camera

US $0.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:40:11 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Last night I tackled the project of a 35mm version of my medium format pinhole Lego camera. It turned out to be easier than I expected. I should probably have spent the time making better instructions for the medium format version, but rest assured, those are in the works. Anyway, here are a couple highlights of this camera’s design that are different from the medium format version…

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After making the Lego conversion of my old Polaroid 95a, I decided to tackle another Lego challenge: a medium format Pinhole Lego Camera. I had several goals for the lego camera:

1. First, I wanted to make sure that the film advance knob only turned one direction.

2. Secondly, I wanted to have a film counter in addition to the red window.

3. And last but not least, it would be nice to have some sort of viewfinder.

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My friend Bennett gave me the perfect gift last weekend. He found a pinhole camera kit at a bookstore and past the treasure on to me. It is called a Hole-On Ex (don’t ask me why) and it is pretty easy to put together. The instructions say it only takes 2 hours, but that seems a little unrealistic. I used Elmer’s glue, so maybe you could save some time with a faster drying glue!

In my haste to test it out, I forgot to reinforce some of the walls with the included black paper. After wasting a roll of 35mm film, I used my aluminum tape to be extra sure there weren’t any leaks. The Hole-On Ex is a welcome addition to my ever growing camera collecion.

Ebay is my favorite place to find deals on great old cameras. Here are the pinhole cameras on Ebay right now:

Tiny Pinhole Spy Surveillance Covert CCTV Camera - DVR

US $79.45 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 2:58:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $79.45 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Tiny Pinhole Spy Surveillance Covert CCTV Camera - DVR

US $59.99 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 2:58:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $59.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

2.4 Ghz Wireless spy camera color pinhole nanny cam

US $19.97 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 5:00:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $19.97 Buy it now | Add to watch list

WIRELESS CAMERA PINHOLE SPY CAM NANNY SURVEILLANCE CCTV

US $32.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 7:41:34 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $36.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pinhole Wireless 2.4G Video Color Camera RC AV Spy Cam

US $44.98 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 7:46:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $44.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Mini Wireless Spy Nanny Micro Camera Cam Pinhole Kit

US $35.99 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:19:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $35.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Mini Wireless Spy Nanny Micro Camera Cam Pinhole System

US $35.99 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:19:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $35.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

WIRELESS SPY CAMERA PINHOLE NANNY CAM CCTV SURVEILLANCE

US $31.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:25:39 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

WIRELESS SPY CAMERA PINHOLE NANNY CAM CCTV SURVEILLANCE

US $31.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:26:10 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Watch Spy Cam 2GB Camcorder DVR Pinhole Hidden Camera

US $0.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:40:11 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

I gave you a teaser about the Polaroid 545 pinhole camera I have been building in my post about how to make a homemade shutter. Well, my camera is finished, and here are a couple of its features and how I built them…

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The most precise way to get a pinhole for a pinhole camera is to purchase a laser drilled pinhole. If you are looking for inexpinsive laser drilled pinholes, you don’t have many options. Lenox Laser seems overpriced at $18 for one laser drilled pinhole. The best alternative I have found is Calumet who sells a set of 12 different sized laser drilled pinholes for $42. Unfortunately, you have to buy the whole set. Calumet gets their pinholes from Christiansen Gallery. Their price sheet says $30, so you may be able to order pinhole from them directly. Unfortunately, they don’t have a website. Their address is:

Christiansen Gallery Minute Aperture Imaging 7586 County H Mablewood, WI 54226

Their phone number is 920-856-6842. Their fax is 920-856-6893. Their email address is pinhole@doorpi.net.

If anyone takes my advice and contacts The Christiansen Gallery directly, please let me know if you have success.

If you are interested in pinhole photography, Ebay might be a good place to find a starter pinhole camera. Here are the pinhole camera auctions going on right now:

Tiny Pinhole Spy Surveillance Covert CCTV Camera - DVR

US $79.45 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 2:58:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $79.45 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Tiny Pinhole Spy Surveillance Covert CCTV Camera - DVR

US $59.99 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 2:58:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $59.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

2.4 Ghz Wireless spy camera color pinhole nanny cam

US $19.97 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 5:00:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $19.97 Buy it now | Add to watch list

WIRELESS CAMERA PINHOLE SPY CAM NANNY SURVEILLANCE CCTV

US $32.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 7:41:34 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $36.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Pinhole Wireless 2.4G Video Color Camera RC AV Spy Cam

US $44.98 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 7:46:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $44.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Mini Wireless Spy Nanny Micro Camera Cam Pinhole Kit

US $35.99 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:19:13 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $35.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Mini Wireless Spy Nanny Micro Camera Cam Pinhole System

US $35.99 End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:19:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $35.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

WIRELESS SPY CAMERA PINHOLE NANNY CAM CCTV SURVEILLANCE

US $31.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:25:39 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

WIRELESS SPY CAMERA PINHOLE NANNY CAM CCTV SURVEILLANCE

US $31.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:26:10 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Watch Spy Cam 2GB Camcorder DVR Pinhole Hidden Camera

US $0.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-08-2010 8:40:11 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

I have spent many hours online looking for anyone taking photos with a camera similar to my digital pinhole camera. Finally, my camera has a cousin in Adam’s “Amazing Suitcase Camera.” Unlike my digital design, Adam uses 1600 iso film. He also uses a lens instead of a pinhole. The other difference is that the images being projected in his camera are landing on a “flexible/movable pictureplane.” So I guess the only thing our cameras have in common is that we have light tight boxes with a second camera attatched to them. That is a surprisingly rare thing, it seems, as few people seem to be taking photos of projected images inside of cameras. You can see some of Adam’s photos here.

Today, (April 24) is Worldwide Pinhole Photography day. In celebration of this holiday, I encourage you all to go out and take some pictures with your pinhole cameras. If you don’t have a pinhole camera, or you just want to learn more about it, here are some links for you to peruse:

Pinhole.org has a gallery with a collection of photos from over 200 photographers. They recently added a blog to the site, too.

Flickr has a group dedicated to pinhole photography.

Photo.net has a good history on pinhole photography.

Well, I got my digital pinhole camera out and here are a couple of the pictures I took today. It was overcast today, so these were 200 second exposures:

Now that I have gotten most of the posts about my cameras out of the way, I can get down to a more personal level. You probably don’t care too much about what cameras I use anyway.

So, I finally got around to submitting some of my pinhole photographs to the gallery at pinhole.org. If you haven’t been there, it is a huge collection of pinhole artists. The good news for me is that the names are listed alphabetically by first name. Its one of the few times where I get to be at the top of the list. Just recently, a blog has been added to the site, and I am looking forward to seeing what Byron has to say there. Good luck to him in the blogosphere.