Removing Red Frame Window From Zero Pinhole Camera

[IanBarber]

Ive just wasted yet another roll of film because I cannot see the dam numbers behind the red window.

It may be due to my color blindness as I do struggle with Black on Red.

I have a piece of Green Gel type filer here which I used to use on my strobes, could I remove the Red cover and replace it with the Green Gel or would this introduce other issues.

Not sure if the Red cover has to be Red for todays modern films or whether its there for aesthetic reasons.

 

[Ian Grant]

Best film for red windows is Foma, the Ilford films are impossible to read the numbers on.. My Gaoersi 617 camera has a transparent window and I've never had a problem and that's in the high light levels in Turkey & Greece. However it'll depend on the camera and the pressure plate.

I've tried using Ilford films in an Ensign 820 Selfix and a 645 Zeiss Ikon and it's impossible. I stopped using Kodak films about 9 years ago so can't comment on their usability.

Ian

 

[Ian Grant]

The original reason for the "red" window was most people were shooting Ortho film not sensitive to red light so it was helpful in preventing fogging from that rear window, it's not going to be effective with Panchromatic films except as a mild ND filter, so maybe use an ND filter.

Ian

 

[grahamp]

On my Zero Image I have to turn the back to the sun (!) to see the numbers with even, bright, illumination. On the 6x9 there is no inter-frame spacing, so getting the advance right is important. I should make a new set of format baffles for it. Otherwise it is a fine camera.

 

[IanBarber]

I removed the red windows and put a piece of green lighting gel over the hole from the inside and then placed some black tape on th eout side which I just lift up when advancing the frames. Developed a test roll and it all looks light tight to me