Does anybody know the Nagaoka Pinhole Cameras?

numerus · Nov 30, 2023

Hello,

I've seen that Nagaoka pinhole cameras are occasionally offered. They are interesting for me, because they have a ground glass and it seems they have two pinholes - one for framing and a smaller one for exposure. But I don't know if this is correct.

Since I don't find anything helpful in the web about these cameras I want to ask if you have some further information about them?

Thank you.

numerus · Dec 7, 2023

I would like to tell you a bit about the Nagaoka pinhole camera for 4x5.

I got it today and it is a very special piece. It uses the usual sheet film cassettes, but a slide-in type Cambo roll film holder or the Wista roll film holder for slide-in also work perfectly.

The camera has a "focal length" of 65-70 mm and is therefore not super wide but wide enough. There is a slider on the front that has three positions: Closed (position 0), 0.3 mm hole (position 1) and 2 mm hole (position 2). With the 2 mm hole, the image can still be seen on the ground glass using a dark cloth. I am now looking forward to the pictures.

numerus · Dec 7, 2023

I think it could be a good idea to attach an optical view finder.

abruzzi · Dec 7, 2023

yeah, I'd expect with a pinhole, the ground glass isn't too usable?

numerus · Dec 7, 2023

It is not that bad. I mean, framing with the 2 mm hole is like framing with a lens stopped down to f32. It's not impossible but an optical finder might be easier

Donald Qualls · Dec 8, 2023

numerus said:
framing with the 2 mm hole is like framing with a lens stopped down to f32.

Given the projection distance you noted, it *is* around f/32. In bright conditions with a good dark cloth, it ought to be very possible for frame with the ground glass. Shouldn't be too hard to find an optical finder for it, though -- you're in the 20 mm (equivalent for 35 mm film) range, or else a simple frame finder could be fabricated easily enough.

Siobhan · Jul 21, 2024

Hello! I was trying to find more information on the Nagaoka Pinhole camera and came across your thread. Have you figured out the F-stop for the two lenses to figure out the exposure for the camera? I was trying to use the app Pinhole Assist but the camera isn't on the list and I wasn't sure which camera has the same pinhole sizing. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. What are you following for the different film speeds as far as exposures?

I appreciate any insight.

neilt3 · Jul 22, 2024

If it has a focal length of 65mm and apertures diameters of 2mm and 0.3mm you dived the focal length by the aperture diameter.

So the 2mm ones gives you a 65mm f/32 .
And the 0.3mm pinhole would be f/216 in round figures .
If the focal length is 70mm , just redo the maths . 70÷0.3 = F/233 .

xkaes · Jul 22, 2024

numerus said:
The camera has a "focal length" of 65-70 mm and is therefore not super wide

Most people consider a 65mm lens on 4x5 a "super-wide" -- and many people consider it too wide.

And good luck finding a viewfinder that is that wide. One that would work is the Voightlander viewfinder for it's 15mm lens (for 35mm cameras). They make some in similar focal lengths, but they are impossible to find without the lens themselves (several hundred dollars).

With pinholes, it's not that difficult to compose -- especially with "wide-angle" pinholes. Pretty much all you have to do is point the camera at the center of what you want in the picture. Focusing is done my manually setting the flange focal length on the camera bed. You can compose by guesstimation or use a cardboard cut-out and a ruler marked with focal lengths (which I do with REAL lenses anyway).

There really isn't any reason to look at the groundglass with pinholes. They are useful with lenses for focusing -- which you don't need with pinholes, even with close-ups.

Siobhan · Jul 22, 2024

neilt3 said:
If it has a focal length of 65mm and apertures diameters of 2mm and 0.3mm you dived the focal length by the aperture diameter.

So the 2mm ones gives you a 65mm f/32 .
And the 0.3mm pinhole would be f/216 in round figures .
If the focal length is 70mm , just redo the maths . 70÷0.3 = F/233 .

Thank you for this. I will give it a go and see how it turns out.

Siobhan · Jul 22, 2024

xkaes said:
Most people consider a 65mm lens on 4x5 a "super-wide" -- and many people consider it too wide.

And good luck finding a viewfinder that is that wide. One that would work is the Voightlander viewfinder for it's 15mm lens (for 35mm cameras). They make some in similar focal lengths, but they are impossible to find without the lens themselves (several hundred dollars).

With pinholes, it's not that difficult to compose -- especially with "wide-angle" pinholes. Pretty much all you have to do is point the camera at the center of what you want in the picture. Focusing is done my manually setting the flange focal length on the camera bed. You can compose by guesstimation or use a cardboard cut-out and a ruler marked with focal lengths (which I do with REAL lenses anyway).

There really isn't any reason to look at the groundglass with pinholes. They are useful with lenses for focusing -- which you don't need with pinholes, even with close-ups.

Yes, I plan to set up the pinhole camera in the direction and the height I think will look good and shoot. That is how it goes with pinhole (at least for me).

numerus · Jul 22, 2024

With a dark cloth and the 2mm hole, the ground glass image is still bright enough to see what will be on the final image. However, you must use the smaller hole to take photos, otherwise the photos will be much too soft and dark at the edges of the image.

Do you also have a Nagaoka? Pinhole photography really isn't rocket science. The camera can be used wonderfully even without the focusing screen. Pinhole photography should be one thing above all: fun.

Siobhan · Jul 22, 2024

numerus said:
With a dark cloth and the 2mm hole, the ground glass image is still bright enough to see what will be on the final image. However, you must use the smaller hole to take photos, otherwise the photos will be much too soft and dark at the edges of the image.

Do you also have a Nagaoka? Pinhole photography really isn't rocket science. The camera can be used wonderfully even without the focusing screen. Pinhole photography should be one thing above all: fun.

Hello! Yes, I just got one and I didn't know anything about it. With some research, I found this thread. I am so glad I found this because the information you posted was very helpful. I will try the suggested F-stop setting and see where it takes me. Have you shot with your Nagaoka? I own several pinholes and I agree- it is all about having fun and crossing your fingers you get something amazing. Thank you!

numerus · Jul 22, 2024

When I use an exposure meter I take a reading at F22 (lets assume 1/30 sec). Then I add 6 stops to that reading (this leads to 2 seconds). I usually use Adox CHS II that has a pronounced reciprocity failure. I use the correction Adox suggests:

2 sec: 1,5x (3 sec)
4 sec: 2x ( 8 sec)
8 sec: 2,5x (20 sec)
15 sec: 3x (45 sec)

But I also have to admit that I don't use the camera that much. My wife is more of a pinhole photographer. We used the camera for a project for an exhibition where we took double exposures. We combined the pinhole camera images with portraits I took with our Rittreck View. Once the exhibition has started, I'll be able to show some examples, but that will take until the fall

Siobhan · Jul 23, 2024

numerus said:
When I use an exposure meter I take a reading at F22 (lets assume 1/30 sec). Then I add 6 stops to that reading (this leads to 2 seconds). I usually use Adox CHS II that has a pronounced reciprocity failure. I use the correction Adox suggests:

2 sec: 1,5x (3 sec)
4 sec: 2x ( 8 sec)
8 sec: 2,5x (20 sec)
15 sec: 3x (45 sec)

But I also have to admit that I don't use the camera that much. My wife is more of a pinhole photographer. We used the camera for a project for an exhibition where we took double exposures. We combined the pinhole camera images with portraits I took with our Rittreck View. Once the exhibition has started, I'll be able to show some examples, but that will take until the fall

Thank you for all the great information! I will have to go out and do some trial and error with exposure but you gave me a great place to start. Congratulations on your upcoming exhibition. Sounds fantastic! Please share the images when you can. I will share when I create something from this camera. I love the adventure and unknown of a pinhole camera. Thanks again! I am so glad I found your thread, it was very helpful.

Does anybody know the Nagaoka Pinhole Cameras?

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