pinhole for 8 X 10 camera

[ann]

I have a old 8 X 10 camera with a 300mm lens. I am going to make a new lens board for it and use either a Lenox Laser pinhole or a Zoneplate. Perhaps both. Am not sure what mm to use. Any thoughts about what to buy?

 

[JHannon]

Hi Ann,

I am trying my hand at this too with a homemade 4X5 box camera. Here is a site that will help you determine the pinhole size:

http://www.mrpinhole.com/holesize.php

The laser pinhole sounds interesting. The link should allow you to calculate the pinhole size based on the focal length etc.

Regards,
John

 

[ann]

thanks that is helpful. I have a Zero 6 X9 that is fun. This is great fun to "clean out the cobwebs". Several of my students do a lot of 4 x 5 images on a handmade camera we loving call the "bird House".
THere is another Art Center in town that has a weekend session making a 4 x 5 camera. They are really lovely and well finished. I have thought about building one just for fun, but it doesn't make sense as my equipment list is tooooooo long . Hard to use what I have now let along making something.

 

[Nige]

I'm from the school of 'make it yourself' pinholeing, so I'd suggest making that lensboard so that it could hold a homemade pinhole (made from a piece of soda can)

 

[SteveGangi]

I have a few pinholes. For my 8x10, it is "rated" at 300mm or 12 inch focal (working) length and f/333 aperture. So, figuring that the aperture is the focal length divided by the f/stop, it works out to 300mm/333=0.90091mm diameter. If you want that in inches, it is 12 inches/333=0.0360 inch diameter.