Re: Cannon A-1 Pinhole

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if this
off-the-film-plane metering isn't as unusual any more
as it once was. I apologize for forgetting that
cameras have continued to evolve since then. I kind of
got stuck in time with the OM-2. I haven't kept up
with SLRs since I got the camera, which was a quarter
of a century ago now!

As I said in my previous post, the meter is great for
pinhole (and everything else) in most situations that
don't require VERY long exposures. I would guess that
using the B setting and timing with a wristwatch and
making all the usual pinhole exposure estimations is
still the easiest way to get good results with a body
cap pinhole or zone plate on an SLR.

When I first started doing pinhole body caps I used to
use my Yashica TL-500 Electro. I would simply screw
off the lens and cover it with tin foil and then prick
a hole (or several) in the foil. ASA 200 Ektachrome
slide film was my film of choice at the time (I'm
still looking for these pictures. They're around here
somewhere). I controlled the expesure with the B
setting and a cable release. It worked great despite
the reflective surface of the foil, which, in
retrospect, is kind of surprising.

Nowadays you can sometimes pick up old cameras like
this for a few bucks in the "junk bins" of camera
stores. They are fun to experiment with, but, of
course, any old light-tight box will do.

Colin

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Received on Sat Jun 22 12:02:15 2002