new 6x17 pinhole camera: first outing

[jtzordon]

I've just tested my new 6x17 pinhole camera. This is the first camera I've made for roll film. I'm really happy with how the camera turned out. My woodworking is definitely getting a lot better! The main issue I had was getting the stain right. This camera was really the first thing I've spent time on finishing; I've learned a ton about staining and oiling along the way. The camera is not yet complete as I'm in the process of oiling the shutter and new lower profile knobs. I also installed some felt around the back to block off a light leak that shows up between frames.


P1020100 by jason_in_gboro, on Flickr


P1020102 by jason_in_gboro, on Flickr

And my test shot:


120test by jason_in_gboro, on Flickr

[br1078lum]

A beautiful camera, with wonderful results.  Good work, Jason!

PF

[P C Headland]

Looking good.

Out of curiosity, what made you settle on 6x17?

[jtzordon]

Thanks guys!

Out of curiosity, what made you settle on 6x17?

I really like a panoramic format, but haven't shot one but for a few outings with a paper negative pinhole camera a few years back. The camera just became a pain to use, so I didn't end up shooting it much. I initially thought I'd do something like 6x24; I'm not sure why I decided against that. I started the build to be more like 6x18, but placed my film rails such that the outer edges made it 6x18, so the image is slightly smaller.

Oh, and here's a photo of the inside for anyone interested.


P1020101 by jason_in_gboro, on Flickr

[jtzordon]

Here are my shots from my first outing with my new pinhole camera (http://www.f295.org/Pinholeforum/forum/Blah.pl?m-1310236557/). Evidently the shutter is in the frame, so my frame size after cropping ends up being about 6x15. Still not bad, but I'm going to try to figure something out to minimize the problem. Another thing that I've found is that the first frame is really hard to advance. The spool makes too big of an angle to the rail on the first frame, so there's quite a bit of rubbing. You can tell if you zoom in to shot 1. I'll probably add some clear tape to try to reduce the friction. Ah well, the things you learn from a first build...


1 by jason_in_gboro, on Flickr


2 by jason_in_gboro, on Flickr


3 by jason_in_gboro, on Flickr


4 by jason_in_gboro, on Flickr

[shadowfox]

No other words quite describe it other than "awesome"

[Julio1fer]

I am nonplussed by what people do here with pinholes. I could not do it with good glass.

Must get an old box camera somewhere to modify and start pinholing. Maybe it's in the hole after all.

[jtzordon]

You gotta go wide if you're going to pinhole. :cool:

[Julio1fer]

Hmmm., yes you are right. Maybe I can start with a body cap in a standard 35mm camera. Just looking for the shortest path to Pinholand.

[NancyB]

Jason, these are beautiful, but I really love the second shot in the second set of pictures, the one of the pond. 

[P C Headland]

They look scarily sharp for a pinhole, and the compositions are well suited to the pinhole camera too.