Pinhole 4x5 - Exposure?

[Chong]

Hi All,
How do you work out the exposures for 4x5 pinhole photography? Would transparencies suite pinhole photography or you are better off with black and white?

Regards

Chong

[Tim Myers]

Hi Chong,

How wide is your pinhole? Once you know the diameter you can easily calculate the lens' aperture (a=f/d), and from there calculate your exposure as normal.

I have a 0.5mm pinhole, so at 40mm that gives me an appeture of f/80, at 60mm it's f/120.

I've not exposed any trannies yet, but as long as you compensate for colour and reciprocity you should be fine.

[sandeha]

Colour transparencies look fine, but given the delicacy of exposing them black and white neg is certainly a lot easier (and cheaper) and probably better to start with.

The exposure times depend on ... first having the optimal size pinhole for the focal length you want to use. There are calculators on the web for this: http://www.mrpinhole.com but note that several formulas are possible and what you'll find with a Google search will vary. And secondly the reciprocity factor of the film you want to use - check the film's data sheets. An excellent reference is Adventures with Pinhole and Home-Made Cameras by John Evans. Lots of colour shots in it.

Pinhole can look magnificent in 4x5, and downsized for the web (with appropriate USM) you might not realise that a shot was taken with a pinhole at all ...

Sheep and Chocolate
Ilford Ortho sheet film, 4x5.

There are a couple of pinhole shots taken with colour negative on my website, but they are 6x9. I almost never use trannies.

[Chong]

Hi Tim,

Oop! I have lost the leaflet that came with the pinhole adapter. So I am not certain what diameter it is.

I will give it a go and guesstimate 6-7 stops from normal exposure at f16, and adjust for reciprocal failure.

Thanks

Regards

Chong