Confused about lensless photography and 4x5 camera

[tonyowen]

From various LFP fora and glancing at many hyperlinked (related) web pages I understand that pin-hole images can be obtained with 'standard' 4x5 cameras.

However, I've tried unsuccessfully to mock up such a system with my Calumet CC401 camera.

Two 'lenses' were made - one with a 1mm drill, the other with a small sewing needle.

According to what I have 'read' the large hole should focus within the lenght of my extended camera rail
and
the needle hole focus should be with the camera standards almost fully closed up.

Total failure - I get no image and no indication of a latent image within or without the focussing range(s).

Question - does the extremely small aperture (ie f300???) prevent an image being seen on the GG screen??

Question - if so, how does one view an image?

Question - and how does one determine that the image to be recorded is in focus?

I'm more than happy to express my ignorance, but my curiosity outweighs any embarrassment.

[Moderator, if this posting is on the wrong forum please move]

regards

Tony

[Ben Syverson]

Tony, you probably won't be able to see an image of the GG. Pinhole photographers get good at visualizing the field of view and framing by eye. Some pinhole cameras even have two lines on the top that indicate the field of view. You can also use an external viewfinder.

You don't need to worry about focus; pinhole has no focus. There is infinite depth of field. Racking the front standard forward will increase the focal length (zoom in), while racking it back will reduce (zoom out).

Hope this helps!

[Jac@stafford.net]

Question - does the extremely small aperture (ie f300???) prevent an image being seen on the GG screen??

Question - if so, how does one view an image?

Question - and how does one determine that the image to be recorded is in focus?

Sorry to begin answering with questions, but more information is needed.
How long an exposure did you try? What film or paper were you exposing?
Was the paper or film possibly loaded backwards?
How far was the bellows extended? (longer == smaller effective aperture)

For your camera a .017 inch [0.4mm] (F/250) pinhole should work with the bellows extended ~6". It is not possible to focus on the ground glass, so many of us use a simple framing device and/or guess!

[Tin Can]

Read all here.

http://www.mrpinhole.com/

[tonyowen]

How long an exposure did you try? What film or paper were you exposing?
Was the paper or film possibly loaded backwards? How far was the bellows extended? (longer == smaller effective aperture)

No exposure, no film or paper, minima and maxima bellows extension.

Just experimenting with 'pin hole(s) and GG

regards
Tony

[tonyowen]

Thanks to all respondents.
My ignorance (on this subject) is now lessened.
Not certain where I go to from here even with my asked for info.

regards

Tony

[Tin Can]

A pinhole is a lens. When I hold a 1 mm pinhole up to one eye and look at a bright scene I can see sharply without my glasses and I have extreme myopia.

[Greg Miller]

You've done your homework. Time to go out and shoot. Pinhole photography takes experience. Go out, make some images, and learn from them. The world won't end if you screw up. That's part of the thrill of pinhole photography - happy accidents (rememebr that plenty of pinhole photographer use things like oatmeal boxes with no viewfinder). Pinhole photography isn't about perfection. So just go out and shoot. That will be your fastest and best way to learn.

[tonyowen]

You've done your homework. Time to go out and shoot.

I know, I know and I will
regards
Tony

[Andrew Plume]

http://www.f295.org/main/forum/

may be the site to follow

regards
andrew