MAKE A PINHOLE CAMERA

together forming a light-tight unit.
The front, smaller box, has a small
hole in it which acts as the lens. A
piece of film is placed inside the
back of the rear box either by using
tape or the more elaborate slot system.
(Loading must be done in
complete darkness, of course.)
How does the pinhole act as a
lens? Theoretically, t~le pinhole is
so small that it admits only one ray
of light from any given point on
objects in front of the camera. Light
rays enter the pinhole from all
points and form an image on the inside
of the camera. The sharpness
of the image depends on the size of
the hole. The smaller the hole
(aperture), the sharper the image.
First, let's consider plans for making
two types of pinhole camerasthe
simple one-shot, and the sheetfilm-type
camera, and second, how to
take indoor and outdoor pictures
with them.
(If you own a press-type camera
and don't want to go to the trouble
of making the box, you can turn this
camera into a pinhole type by substituting
for the lens a piece of
aluminum foil with a pinhole in it.
The foil can be fastened over the
opening on the front standard of the
camera with black photographic
tape to insure against light leaks.)
A plan for the simple one-shot
camera appears on page 46. ''''ith
this camera only one picture can be
taken during a shooting session. The
photographer using this pinhole
camera must go into the darkroom
or use a loading bag to unload and
reload before making another shot.
The hinged back allows for easy
loading of sheet film, and is extra
protection against light leaks.
Once you have cut out the pieces
of cardboard, blackened them on
the inside with diluted India ink,
and assembled them into box form,
you are (Continued on page go)
How to build a pinhole camera for use with film packs
Pinhole camera with film pack
back allows photographer to shoot
more than one negative during a
session without running to darkroom.
Three boxes (right) must
be constructed. Inner box fits
into back (illustrated opposite
page). Front fits over these boxes.
String or rubber band holds
wlits together. Pinhole is made
as illustrated on page 46 and
taped inside the front box.
Inner Box Back Front
48