Hello, I'm new

Franswa · Apr 23, 2011

To pinhole photography.

I've got a 4x5 pinhole coming my way and I think I'd like to try and make some images on WPPD!

I've searched online and there seems to be lots and lots of information on these things, but I wanted to see if maybe you all had some suggestions for resources.

I am relatively new to film as well, so I don't have a darkroom and don't do my own developing. What type and or brand or film should I use? Is there one that performs better than the other for this type of shooting?

Any other good tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Rick A · Apr 23, 2011

I mostly use paper for negatives with my pinhole cameras. Its easier to deal with printing paper than film, you can develope by inspection under safelight, then scan or contact print for positive image.

Klainmeister · Apr 23, 2011

Depends on how you want to expose the film. Do you prefer slower speeds so your pinhole will be a minimal of 1 sec on a sunny day? Or do you want shorter? I ask, because as I've learned, exposing by hand....literally using my hand as a shutter...is tough with higher speed films.

Ric Johnson · Apr 24, 2011

There is not a wrong film, high ASA or low ASA (ISO) will set the exposure time but really that's all. I shoot 100 or 400 ASA all the time. Make sure you use www.f295.org for your research, it is (in my humble opinion) the greatest pinhole (lensless) website.

guitstik · Apr 24, 2011

Rick A said:
I mostly use paper for negatives with my pinhole cameras. Its easier to deal with printing paper than film, you can develope by inspection under safelight, then scan or contact print for positive image.

What Rick said. Start off with paper and you don't need a darkroom just a fairly dark bathroom with a safe light and some chemicals in trays. Your exposure times will be a bit longer than for film but it is cheaper and easier than film.

Remember to have fun.

Franswa · Apr 29, 2011

Thank you, everyone, for your replies. It appears as if I have some decisions to make and some research to do. When you mention paper for negatives...is there a particular brand or name? See? That's how oblivious I am to this stuff. I'm definitely interested in a easier and more cost effective approach to start things off with. Many thanks!

Sirius Glass · Apr 29, 2011

Welcome to APUG!

aaronmichael · Apr 30, 2011

Franswa said:
Thank you, everyone, for your replies. It appears as if I have some decisions to make and some research to do. When you mention paper for negatives...is there a particular brand or name? See? That's how oblivious I am to this stuff. I'm definitely interested in a easier and more cost effective approach to start things off with. Many thanks!

If you're just starting out and wanting to experiment then I'd go with a cheaper RC paper such as the Arista brand or another brand that is on the cheaper side. I think Arista is the cheapest though. Since you're not using the paper for regular printing, then it's not necessary that it be an expensive paper with an amazing tonal range. All paper negatives no matter what brand are going to be high in contrast, but once you get into it more then you will figure out that there are definitely ways to control that.

shawny2005 · May 14, 2011

Any more sites for beginning pinhole cameras?

Rick A · May 14, 2011

You need to check out f295.org, its all about pinhole photography.

Jim Jones · May 14, 2011

Try Dead Link Removed and http://pinhole.stanford.edu/http://pinhole.stanford.edu/

Jeff Kubach · May 15, 2011

Don't know about pinhole photography? How about this website about this website!

Jeff

medium120 · Jun 23, 2011

hi i am new too

just made my own with aluminium can + paper folding thing...
used ISO400 kodak negative film

by trial and error.... my pinhole pointing towards the sun = 1 second...
so it is like... approximately 14 stops under 4/f (smena 8M towards sun = 1/250 + 16mm)
would like to share some images but no links are allowed coz i am new here

good luck

aaronmichael · Jun 23, 2011

medium120 said:
hi i am new too

just made my own with aluminium can + paper folding thing...
used ISO400 kodak negative film

by trial and error.... my pinhole pointing towards the sun = 1 second...
so it is like... approximately 14 stops under 4/f (smena 8M towards sun = 1/250 + 16mm)
would like to share some images but no links are allowed coz i am new here

good luck

You should be able to attach an image to your post or if you have a flickr account, you can link to that. Shouldn't be a reason why you can't share your images.

MattKing · Jun 23, 2011

As part of APUG's new anti-spam efforts, new members are blocked from posting links until they have made a thresh-hold number of posts (5?).

Hello, I'm new

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