math photographer: What film is the best to use for a pinhole camera?
I made a pinhole camera but I don’t know if there is a particular film to be able to capture a good shot. Can you help me? Also, how long should I expose it? Thanks!
Answers and Views:
Answer by Roy
ISO 400 4″x5″ sheet film.
If you know how to cut up 120 or 220 film in a darkroom, you could save some money, but something like Ilford HP5 or Kodak TMAX 400 are good to start with:
Here is a list to get an idea of what you’ll be paying (about $ 1 per sheet)
Look on the left for the calculator:
https://www.mrpinhole.com/index.php
More resources:
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=grE&q=pinhole+camera+exposure+guide&aq=2sx&aql=&aqi=g-sx4&oq=pin+hole+camera+expos
You don’t even need to use film in a pinhole camera. You can use photo paper instead and just put it through the chemical baths as if you were developing a print.
And as for exposure, you really need to test it out. All pinhole cameras are different, especially if homemade. Also, if there is any light getting into your camera body then you might have some problems there, so it’s all about trial and error.
When I made mine several years ago the average time I let light into mine was like….10 seconds maybe?
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