Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Convert A Holga 120 Camera To A Pinhole Camera

Taking things apart and modifying them can be fun. Especially if you achieve a much better result out of your modified product. Converting a Holga 120 camera to a pinhole camera can result in pictures with a huge depth of field. So if you happen to have a Holga 120 camera on your hands and a little time then follow these steps and you can make a pinhole camera.


Instructions


1. Cut a small square out of the soda can and flatten it. You can either flatten it by placing it under a stack of books overnight or you can roll it in the opposite direction.


2. Draw a cross through the square piece of soda can to mark the center of it. Slowly drill the needle through the center of the square using your fingers so as not to bend or press the aluminum. The goal is to keep it flat with a smooth hole.


3. Sand the hole lightly on each side of the aluminum can using the sandpaper. You might need to poke the hole through again.


4. Remove the back of your Holga 120 and take out the mask. Unscrew the two screws holding the lens/shutter to the camera and carefully remove the lens assembly without breaking the yellow flash sync wire. Remove the 2 screws from the shutter mechanism and carefully lift it off.


5. Remove the green plastic piece and unscrew the screw below it. Unscrew the lens off the front of the camera and remove it. Reverse all the steps and put your camera back together minus the lens.


6. Attach the pinhole lens you made to the front of the camera using black tape. Check to make sure that you have not covered the hole. You now have a pinhole camera converted from a Holga 120.

Tags: pinhole camera, front camera, Holga camera