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How to Build a Fixed Focal Length Plywood Box Camera

by Max Cooper

  • Overview

    The plywood box pinhole camera may be one of the simplest photographic instruments, but it's capable of producing remarkable images. The pinhole camera's popularity is due to the dreamy look of its photos, its usefulness as a learning tool, and its easy construction, requiring only simple household materials and a free afternoon. With a bit of effort and creativity, you can join the pinhole community and start generating your own lensless photographs.

  • Choosing and Preparing Your Box

 

  • Step 1

    Choose a box based on your desired focal length, the distance light will travel from the pinhole to the film. A flat, narrow box will deliver a short focal length, creating wide-angle photos, whereas a long box will narrow the field of view and produce telephoto images. You can build your own box to achieve a desired focal length, but if this is your first attempt at camera-craft, it may be simpler to work with a box you already have.

  • Step 2

    Make sure your box is sturdy, and that one end of the box is detachable, or hinged. Your film will be taped to the inside of this piece.

  • Step 3

    Make your box light-tight. Paint the inside black and use several layers of black tape on the corners to ensure no light will leak into your camera.

  • Step 4

    Drill a dime-sized hole in the center of the front side of the box --- the side opposite your film --- for your pinhole "lens."

  • Creating Your "Lens"

    • Step 1

      Cut a square of aluminum from your soda can, being careful with the sharp edges. The strip should be big enough to cover the hole in your box.

    • Step 2

      Poke a tiny hole in the center of the aluminum square with the needle. This is best accomplished by placing the aluminum on a hard surface and rotating the needle as you press down. Stop when the hole is barely big enough to allow light to pass through. The hole will be at the center of a small bump in the metal caused by the pressure of the needle.

    • Step 3

      Widen the hole by sanding the bump in the aluminum with your sandpaper. This ensures a round hole with thin edges, better for focusing light. Stop when the hole will allow the needle to poke all the way through without much resistance.

    • Step 4

      Tape the square of aluminum over the hole in the box, centering the pinhole.

    • Step 5

      Create a shutter using a double layer of electrical tape over the pinhole. Fold one end of the tape over itself to create a tab, making it easier to cover and uncover the shutter.

  • Loading Your Camera

    • Step 1

      Cut your film to the desired size in total darkness. It may be helpful to make a cardboard template so you can accurately shape your film in the dark.

    • Step 2

      Take the camera into total darkness and open it up. Attach your film to the inside of the removable door using your black tape. Be careful to keep the tape only around the edges.

    • Step 3

      Close your camera and add a layer of tape to the seams to make sure it's light-tight. Your camera is complete!
    • 3
    • Plywood box Black paint Black electrical tape Scissors Power drill Soda can Needle Fine-grit sandpaper Photographic film or paper Cardboard
    • Plywood box
    • Black paint
    • Black electrical tape
    • Scissors
    • Power drill
    • Soda can
    • Needle
    • Fine-grit sandpaper
    • Photographic film or paper
    • Cardboard
    • Always handle photo-sensitive media in total darkness.
    • Always handle photo-sensitive media in total darkness.

    References & Resources

       
       
     
     

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