Ilford Obcura

[muzzatron]

Hi - just wanting to start an Obscura thread. Anyway out there using one?

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

Post some photos you've shot with yours! I don't have one, but I'm curious.

 

[muzzatron]

I have exposed two negatives so far. But waiting to do at least three before I develop them. Might get them done in a Lab, as am new to deving. But super excited about this camera.
One thing that I have noticed already, is that the magnetic shutter is a bit clumsy, in that it causes some movement. This may be because my tripod is a little too light. I would suggest a fairly solid tri-pod, which I don't have. To solve this i am of holding a piece of black card over the shutter when I open it then move it away to make the exposure... hope that works! any thoughts?

 

[gone]

Found these mini reviews of the camera. Looks like a total PITA to use a change bag for each shot. I'd much rather use conventional double sided film holders.

http://largeformatphotography.com.au/2013/07/23/ilford-obscura-pinhole-camera-review-david-tatnall/

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/ilford-obscura-5x4-pinhole-camera-review-21705

And these sample images. Image wise, its a pinhole camera

https://www.flickr.com/groups/ilfordobscura/pool/

 

[summicron1]

Found these mini reviews of the camera. Looks like a total PITA to use a change bag for each shot. I'd much rather use conventional double sided film holders.

http://largeformatphotography.com.au/2013/07/23/ilford-obscura-pinhole-camera-review-david-tatnall/

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/ilford-obscura-5x4-pinhole-camera-review-21705

And these sample images. Image wise, its a pinhole camera

https://www.flickr.com/groups/ilfordobscura/pool/

Nice concept, an interesting throwback, much praise to Ilford, but I'll stick to my ZeroImage 4 by 5 and a Grafmatic back.

 

[NB23]

I love mine

 

[Ric Johnson]

I agree with momus - I also use conventional double sided film holders, and yes it is a pinhole camera regardless of how's named.

 

[Pioneer]

It is a little bit of a PITA to change film, but not that bad. I don't think it was really meant to be fast.

 

[removedacct1]

I suspect it is intended to be a "new user experience" camera. It may require a changing bag or darkroom to swap film/paper in and out, but on the other hand, that may be simpler for someone new to the technology, and it doesn't require that they purchase film holders, which may be more of a commitment than they are willing to make at the early stage. I think of the Obscura as an entry level camera in that regard, but of course, there's nothing inferior about the pinhole and its ease of use in every other way.

 

[muzzatron]

My opinion is that it's a great way to get into pin-hole photography, as it is cheap and very simple to use. The added bonus is that it's 4x5 so you are getting into the higher end of film photography.
To me it is the total opposite of digital - it's not sharp, it's one shot, it's high quality etc... So most likely appeal to any one suffering with digital disappointment!

 

[Pioneer]

It works very much like my cracker box camera in school. Wayyy better pinhole though.

 

[marciofs]

It demands more work change the film in a bag specially in the field during winter. But it is a good camera and worth for those experimenting.

I plan to get a large format pinhole camera that support film holder eventually, but I am very happy with my Ilford Obscura so far.

Here some shots with it.

 

[ciniframe]

Inspired by the very light weight design I built a plywood and foam core 4X5 that takes DDS holders, which I already have. My camera, with a loaded film holder, is 13.7oz. or 388gm. I selected a focal length of 90mm, I think the Obscura is 87mm. I just don't use film for 4X5 pinhole, too expensive, so I use paper, cut from 8x10 size, 4 shots per sheet. Fun to play with, as has been said,'it's a pinhole'.

I think the total materials cost for mine, not including the DDS holders, was about $10
I had already been fortunate to find 6 Rightway holders at a yard sale for $5 (and so began a journey).

 

[marciofs]

Inspired by the very light weight design I built a plywood and foam core 4X5 that takes DDS holders, which I already have. My camera, with a loaded film holder, is 13.7oz. or 388gm. I selected a focal length of 90mm, I think the Obscura is 87mm. I just don't use film for 4X5 pinhole, too expensive, so I use paper, cut from 8x10 size, 4 shots per sheet. Fun to play with, as has been said,'it's a pinhole'.

I think the total materials cost for mine, not including the DDS holders, was about $10
I had already been fortunate to find 6 Rightway holders at a yard sale for $5 (and so began a journey).

I have built 5 large format pinhole cameras in the past. They all worked fine but none of them was stable and strong. And they all cost about €20 or even more depending on the material. If I try to use good material to make a stable and strong camera it will cost the double to make, wich is almost the price of a Ilford Obscura. Thisnis why in my case it is worth to buy a Obscura instead of build one on your own.

In America, England, Ireland, France you can find most things in normal stores in town for a good price. I live in a elitist place in Germany where every thing is expensive, and where you don't find a lot of basic things in town stores. Even frames 5x4in or 8x10in you won't find anywhere here but only online from abroad or you have to make yourself which will be much costy. This is why in my case buing Ilford Obscura is way much worth.

 

[NedL]

It is a little bit of a PITA to change film, but not that bad. I don't think it was really meant to be fast.

This can be a good thing, a feature, a way of thinking. All my pinhole cameras are this way, and if I make more they will be too.