Custom pinhole 35mm camera - Vivitar PN2011

Hi all,

I bought an uber cheap Vivitar PN2011 off another forum, just had a look at it for some mods to see what can be done to it. There is a topic over here on how to mod them:

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Modify-your-Vivitar-PN2011/

Basically its a Fixed f8 and fixed 1/250s point and shoot with a 'panoramic' setting which basically just crops a 35mm frame top and bottom to make it look panoramic.

I have just taken it apart (and back together again!), its held together with 4 screws, I just wanted to check the sort of internals, its basically a plastic box with plastic parts and springs lol I think its got a plastic lens, but I can't really tell as its tiny lol. Its a 2 element in 2 groups lens which sandwiches a small plate for the fixed aperture. The good thing is that its a wide lens and has a tripod socket, its also not a 'cult' camera like some of the cheaper cameras, its just a cheap camera lol so if it doesn't work then I'm not too worried.

Apparently its a 28mm which isn't bad really, I think its actually one of the widest lenses I own!

The camera does look rather cool with the front off as its still light tight but you can see all the workings, not really pocketable though.

Here are a few shots of the basic overview of the camera:

Front and back taken off:

If I poke here I can open the shutter - I am guessing the 'bulb' mod might be done via this:

There is a sort of wing nut which holds the lens in:

Here is the lens, its 2 piece with the aperture ring sandwiched in the middle:

I will be looking to do a bulb mod and also swap out the lens for a pinhole and use the OEM lens cover as the shutter, its got a tripod socket already unlike some of the 'pinholgas' which need to have one added.

Anyhow, I will have a go and document my progress, doesn't seem to be too hard to tweek though and I am aiming for a nice easy to use pocketable 35mm pinhole camera.

The 2011 obtained a minor cult status a few years ago. For a few years they were available at just about any Goodwill for $2. Some folks bought them to remove and remount the VF lenses for use as a 28mm finder on rangefinder cameras. The easiest way to make a pinhole 35mm is to fit a bodycap for your SLR with a pinhole. Of course it is hard to see through the viewfinder to frame the shot, it is too dim.

Nice work thus far! Every time I thrift/garage sale/flea; I'm always looking for one'a these. I look forward to your results!

I have seen a few images of the lens being flipped and one with a pinhole, might be interested if I tried to mount something like an M42 lens to it!