New Project: Homemade Pinhole camera from a Kodak Jiffy Six-20

[MIKE POBEGA]

Last month on a trip to Napa Valley I realized that while I enjoyed the format and results from my Reality So Subtle 6x9, I really disliked the design feature of top loading, unloading and subsequent unspooling causing light leaks. On my last trip I actually just gave it away. I was done. On the same trip I had started using the ONDU 6x12 Multi which is a joy. Smooth and user friendly.
This camera design came to me wanting to capture that shallow file to hole distance. The Reality So Subtle is 27. This camera shown, once gutted come to about 30mm. Depending on pinhole used, you can stay close to that or move out a bit. This pinhole shown makes overall 34mm and is sized at 0.25

Here's the numbers as as see it but the proof will be in the shooting and processing results.
The breakdown of camera is quite easy. I will add a cold shoe for tripod mounting. I have 620-120 3D printed adapters to makes 120 rolls work. The elevated section on arms will be removed entirely.

Thoughts are welcomed.

Film size 120
Image Area 6x9cm (or less)
Focal Length 34mm
Pinhole Diameter 0.25
F-Stop 136
Angle of View 112
Image Diameter 65.3mm

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I like it!

 

[MIKE POBEGA]

My latest version is just about ready to be released upon the world! As mentioned above, I have

started taking old 30s era Kodak Jiffy Six-20s and converting them to pinhole cameras. I find that with some adjustments, you can create a smooth film transport in a wide/superwide format ranging from 22mm to 30mm+. I employ some 3D printing, filter rings and caps as shutters, a few things I've learned that we as important to me when shooting the Reality So Subtle cameras. I hated the top-load aspect of that brand always getting lose rolls and leaks and ultimately just gave them away. This camera solves the problems of those loose rolls perfectly and in a similar wide format l enjoyed (25-30mm); I actually use Reality So Subtle pinholes in these cameras.
This one is a superwide. 22mm, F110, pinhole 0.2, angle of view 136 degree.
I will probably start selling these. If interested, let me know.

 

[Donald Qualls]

The disadvantage I see with your body source is that 620 is inconvenient to feed. Have you been able to (at least) convert these to feed from 120 spools? Using 620 for takeup is less of a problem, since high volume isn't the usual practice with pinhole.

 

[MIKE POBEGA]

The disadvantage I see with your body source is that 620 is inconvenient to feed. Have you been able to (at least) convert these to feed from 120 spools? Using 620 for takeup is less of a problem, since high volume isn't the usual practice with pinhole.

Yes, while it was a bit of a challenge, I have overcome the issue. I created 5mm spacers with a back lip (so roll does not go all way to fron of camera). I use 3, 2 on fresh roll side and 1 on take-up side. I also dremelled out the ridhe on the right side so unshot roll fits perfectly and spins freely. On my tests, I find a tight roll in take-up side and thats a great thing. I can now use 120 roll film!

 

[MIKE POBEGA]

pics View attachment 298231 View attachment 298231 View attachment 298232 View attachment 298233

 

[Donald Qualls]

Excellent. Defeating the lockout has become a useful skill in regards to 620 cameras.