If you didn't know, now you know: How to create a pinhole lens with a DSLR camera

I was asked to make take pinhole photographs. I was unfamiliar with what pinhole photos were so I did some research and found out how simple it actually is.

One way to take some pinhole photos is with your DSLR. I followed this youtube video:

I made my own pinhole camera by using my DSLR camera. 

Supplies:

• DSLR Camera
• Extra body cap

Note: I have a Nikon D3000 so the camera body cap is an "F Mount" style.

• Box Knife

Note: I used a box knife because I didn't have a drill or drill bit handy. If you want to use a drill bit, start off with a small bit and move up to a 3/8"(a step bit works as well). The hole size is really up to you but keep in mind that you need room to tape foil on the back. Go into the cap slowly for two reasons. 1) You want to make sure you get the hole right in the middle and if you go to fast the bit can slip causing you to drill somewhere else on the cap. 2) You don't want to crack the cap while drilling.

• Aluminum Foil
• Black Duct Tape
• Threading Needle

EXTRA:

• Tripod when taking photos

Start with your body cap

Measure the center of the cap to make sure your right where you need to be.

Note: This is where I started my hole. I put the tip of the box knife blade in the middle on the "inside" of the cap and began twisting until I could see the blade on the "outside" (or side labeled Nikon).

Continue to twist the blade on both sides until you get a hole that is a desirable size.

Note: The shavings will get everywhere so do this over a sink. Make sure there are no remaining shavings anywhere on the body cap when you are finished for two reasons. 1)You don't want shavings in your camera body, if it gets on your mirror it will show in your photos until you get them cleaned out (a hand help pump blower should do the trick). 2) It needs to be completely dark between your mirror and your body cap, the shavings could cause a gap somewhere allowing unwanted light in. 

Note: These are the products I used. You can use a stronger aluminum if you want but aluminum foil works. You could use the aluminum from an empty pop can if you want. Make sure you use safety precautions when cutting into the can, the aluminum can be very sharp. Cut a chunk of the can out, then cut it down tho the desired size. The piece should be big enough to cover your hole but not too big because you still need a little room for the duct tape to secure the aluminum to the body cap. Make sure each side of your aluminum piece is flat, if it has any deformities in it that cant be covered by the duct tape then it will allow light in. Once you get your piece cut out, make sure it is clean (without any soda residue) and dry before you put it on your body cap. 

Note: Make sure the duct tape is black on the outside. Any other tape will reflect light and give your pictures a different outcome than what is desired. 

Place the piece of aluminum foil over the hole. 

Use small strips of the black duct tape to secure the aluminum foil to the body cap. 

Press firmly on the tape to make sure it is stuck to the cap and so that their are no holes allowing light in. 

Use a small threading needle to poke a hole in the center of the foil (ultimately in the center of the cap)

Note: You can use a push pin or anything that will poke a small hole in the foil. A threading needle is what I had handy and it worked perfect. 

Note: Once you make your hole, double check your duct tape to make sure it is still fastened securely to the body cap. 

Once the hole is made you can secure your cap back onto your camera body and you are ready to take some photos. 

Here is a link to the photos I took using my new "Pin Hole Lens": Pinhole Photography