Re: Making a portable 4x8 feet pinhole camera

Hello Guy,

One suggestion is to think about using a smaller front panel --
the path of light is conical (of course), so no need for the front to
be the full 4x8.

The back panel might benefit from model aircraft or boatbuilding
techniques, perhaps like a grid covered by a thin skin. A 4x8
sheet of 1/4 ply is very floppy on its own. Thicker ply gets
heavy, and will still flex without rigid framework.

Sound like a neat project. You're going to need a big tripod!

Scott Sellers

Guy Glorieux wrote:

> Hi friends,
>
> I am working on designing and building a 4 x 8 feet pinhole
> camera which I will be using in about a month time for a
> project here in Montreal. I'd be happy to hear if anybody has
> experience in this area.
>
> The camera needs to be easy to move around and its focal length
> should be adjustable with a bellows system. It would be nice
> if it could have uptake and downtake spools so as to
> accommodate a 100-feet roll of photographic paper thereby
> allowing me to make something like 12 exposures without having
> to go back to a base darkroom after each exposure.
>
> As I see it, the design would work something like an old 120
> Kodak Bantam or Kodak Vest Pocket camera. The basic camera
> will have 3 main parts: front panel, bellows, back panel.
>
> The front panel would be 4 x 8 feet 1/4inch plywood. It would
> have a large opening for a removable pinhole plate to
> accommodate different pinhole diameters and off-center
> positioning. The pinhole plate would allow for the placement
> of a 2-stop density center-fillter (to reduce vignetting)
> and/or a yellow filter.
>
> The front panel and bellows would be mounted together. The
> bellows would be made of two layers of black fabric with a
> maximum extension of 48in. since I want the camera to cover a
> wide angle-of-view.
>
> The back panel would be similar to the front, made of 4x8 feet
> 1/4 in plywood. It would initially be built for the placement
> of just a single sheet of photographic paper (44x92in.) I still
> need to design a contraption to accommodate a roll of
> photographic paper.
>
> The photographic paper will be loaded under safelight
> conditions and the back panel fitted to the rear end of the
> bellows with a light-tight fitting. The camera would then be
> ready to be moved to location in broad daylight.
>
> On location, the camera bellows would be extended to the
> appropriate focal length The back and front panels will be held
> together into a box with a series of rods, these rods acting
> also as a support to prevent bellows sagging.
>
> The extended camera will be moved around to its exact final
> position with a dolly and will be held firmly into position on
> the ground with appropriate fastening devices.
>
> These are the rough specifications and the individual details
> need to be worked out. I expect to encounter the usual set of
> problems with the building of the camera and any suggestions,
> advice will be most welcome. In particular, I would be happy
> to hear suggestions on the best materials to use.
>
> Also, I will need to get a bag for storage/transport of the
> camera. Suggestions here are welcome.
>
> Regards to all and congratulations for WPPD 2008 to the
> organizers and the participants. A fantastic success,
>
> Guy Glorieux
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -- Que la douceur de l'amiti? soit faite de rires et de
> plaisirs partag?s. Khalil Gibran
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-- 
Scott Sellers                |
scottsellers@mindspring.com  |
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