Topic: 5 x 7 homemade pinhole camera

[astrobeck]

after building the first 5 x 7 pinhole camera a couple of weeks ago, then trading it to a friend for some photo stuff....
I built another one for me.

I used Rare Earth magnets again for holding on the back.  This is a slick way to keep the film holder in place.  No clips, or bungees or rubber bands to fiddle with.
It stays on tight too!  The magnets are a bit of a pain to install and then epoxy in, but worth it when finished.

This box is about 4.5 inches deep, has a focal length of about F 256.

I call this one the "Chestnut".  It's appropriate since the 4 x 5 I built last year is named the Palomino...silly to name them, but after you spend hours making them, they are kinda like family.
My contribution to the weekend thread was made with this box.

[Diane Peterson]

Let me know if you go into the "camera making" business, I will be your first customer

[astrobeck]

Diane, I have considered it.....but it takes me about 2 weeks to make a camera. 

Well, when it's cold it does...my work shed has no heat!
:-)

[Diane Peterson]

Yes, I can relate to the "no heat" issue..as you know full well!

[Phil Bebbington]

Lovely work, Becky.

[Francois]

At least you have a shed... I'm condemned to do anything that produces dust outside!

[LT]

You've got the mad-skillz Becky. You and Sandeha could start something special in the hand-crafted camera world between you.

[astrobeck]

Thanks Leon, 
I get a thrill out of making these.  It helps pass the time when the sky is cloudy and I can't do astronomy...

[Chris A Fraser]

Agreed, this is great stuff!

[tani.P]

Gorgeous, & the magnets are a stroke of genius. Love the box factor: simple simple.

[Fluminian]

Great work, Becky. You're very sexyfull at building pinhole cameras.   

[astrobeck]

Thanks all!

I added a magnetic shutter to the camera just yesterday
I made it so the magnet in the camera and the tiny magnet in the shutter act as a pivot point, so all you have to do is slide the shutter up or down to open and close it to make the exposure.  The rare Earth magnets are strong enough to make it stay put.
Here's a shot of the camera in action this morning during the light snow we had...