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Pinhole videos

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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
this is an amazing video, ive always loved the pinhole look but i had no idea it could be done with video as well. since its free, you have nothing to lose, try to make a similar video!
i know i'll be doing this when i get my t2i later today (stokestokestokestoke) i already made a pinhole lens, i randomly found an eos mount body cap in my 35 mm stuff.
May 15 2011 4:25PM
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kootenayklaus
Posts: 3914 - Karma: 2,179
So,you're telling me that if I poke a small hole in my body cap for my 60D, I'll have a pinhole lens? I've never really experimented with this stuff...
May 15 2011 4:49PM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
I don't think it'll work too well. The body cap is way too close to the sensor, and it's thick, so you'll have way too much CA.
May 15 2011 5:07PM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,841
I might try it out, I have a bunch of body caps floating around so why not?
May 15 2011 5:13PM
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kootenayklaus
Posts: 3914 - Karma: 2,179
Please do tell me how it works out.
May 15 2011 5:18PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
i think itl work with experimentation. that video was shot on a 7d with a pinhole. heres a link on how to make them http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/article_pages/Canon_1ds_pinhole.html
super simple
May 15 2011 5:32PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
soo do you have to max out your ISO to expose correctly or what?
May 15 2011 9:29PM
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family_vacation
Posts: 6200 - Karma: 7,841
It sounds to me like you might need to. I think a larger hole would just knock things out of focus even when letting in more light. I'd imagine this is far more suited towards stills which lets you take longer exposures.

From what I see here, you end up using grainy ISO (3200 in this) in daytime.
http://vimeo.com/10734736
May 15 2011 9:37PM
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kootenayklaus
Posts: 3914 - Karma: 2,179
The grainyness kindof adds to the effect, I like it.
May 15 2011 9:52PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
yeah smaller hole=sharper image, so your gonna have to go high iso on this. but i think it adds to the effect and looks sick.
May 15 2011 11:11PM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5675 - Karma: 4,268
There's a pinhole aperture calculator somewhere, you can scan it or something then upload the image. But I've always heard of people cutting out a square in the body cap, replacing that with a metal piece then drilling a nice hole in that. Or just cutting a large hole then putting metal with a small, precise hole over it.
May 15 2011 11:51PM
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DrZoidberg
Posts: 5675 - Karma: 4,268
Also that guy needs to clean his sensor. It does not add to the effect, it just looks like his sensor is dirty. The grain is something you'll have to live with. Doesn't look that bad though.
May 15 2011 11:54PM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,812
how does it look on the viewfinder? does it actualy cover the sensor or do you have to crop your video to remove the black from the image?
May 16 2011 12:03AM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
well in the viewfinder its pretty dark but it covers the whole screen.
May 16 2011 6:49AM
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I.B
Posts: 8137 - Karma: 24,354
threads for when at home. I'll see if i can dig up the old pin pictures
May 16 2011 12:09PM
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kootenayklaus
Posts: 3914 - Karma: 2,179
Wondering this as well.
May 16 2011 1:22PM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,812
im going to buy a cap right now along with a bunch of other adaptors and stuff from my favorite store ever. I will try it out!
May 16 2011 1:39PM
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Shredability
Posts: 2756 - Karma: 501
Don't forget when your filming your sensor will be exposed b/c dust will be able to get through the hole

just a thought
May 16 2011 2:58PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
thats true but the hole is absolutly tiny, like the tip of a pin on mine. i just shot a bit of video i think il upload tonight. it came out pretty well considering its a dark overcast day, and its at 3200 iso lol
May 16 2011 3:51PM
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kootenayklaus
Posts: 3914 - Karma: 2,179
Hahahahahha I really want to know if this works before I go and cut a hole in my body cap... Worst comes to worst I'll put duct tape over the hole...
May 16 2011 4:23PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
it really works, i just shot a test video and it looks semi similar to the vid i posted. il upload it once it exports, i boosted the contrast a bit but left everything else normal.
May 16 2011 4:27PM
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kootenayklaus
Posts: 3914 - Karma: 2,179
And you did this with the lens cap? Please post a picture showing your new L lens with a front and back view please.
May 16 2011 4:33PM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
Generally speaking, yes. Go too small and you'll start getting diffraction, but that probably wouldn't be an issue if you're doing video. Pinhole sharpness has a lot to do with how precisely the pinhole is made, too--if you just poke a pin through and call it good, the rough edges will probably give you a softer image than you should be seeing.
May 16 2011 4:36PM
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kootenayklaus
Posts: 3914 - Karma: 2,179
EUREKA, I'VE FOUND IT!

Here's a really good video depicting how to make one, AND for a Canon DSLR.

May 16 2011 4:36PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
the one in that video is exactly as described in the guide i linked to, but the one in the guide also has instructions for a 200 mm lens (pinhole intenseness) the video i took is almost done uploading, so il post it soon. and i just made a really sharp one with a tiny ass hole il post a couple pics from
May 16 2011 6:41PM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,812
I just ran some tests, its pretty swell. I tested it in monochrome since the grain looks better like this. I also did a color test but Its not sunny enough to do good tests. I will try and post something
May 16 2011 6:55PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
heres my sharpest pinhole lens so far-
Click for larger image

heres what i did to it in photoshop. all i did was mess with the colors, no unsharp mask or anything

Click for larger image
May 16 2011 7:03PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
oh and that shot was 200 iso, 6 second exposure, on a cloudy overcast evening
May 16 2011 7:05PM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,812
sick stuff! can you show some video. and what was the lens made of? I did my first with aluminum foil but I have a feeling its too soft and doesnt pierce well
May 16 2011 7:09PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
i have a video in line to covert on vimeo, it'l be its turn in a couple minutes. that was shot with the same thing your doing, aluminum foil on a lens cap.
the video is a lott softer because it needs a wider apeture, you obviously can't rock a 6 sec shutter on a video lol. for the photo i used the very tip of a size 5/10 needle (i have no idea what that means, but thats what it said on the case with the needle in it)and on the soon to be video, its a full through needle size 5/10.
i feel like on a sunny day at a much higher iso, video of the caliber of that picture is possible. i am officially in love with pinhole photography
May 16 2011 7:16PM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,812


my first cheap test. The light is garbage right now and its horrible iso. this was my first lens.

*tip: I found that using metal from a can works better since it pierces much cleaner. also use dark or black tape ( hockey tape) to seal it so no light goes through.
May 16 2011 7:40PM
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kootenayklaus
Posts: 3914 - Karma: 2,179
By hockey tape, what do you mean? I have a shitload in the house, but do you mean using it to seal the metal? or put it over the hole?
May 16 2011 7:43PM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,812
to seal around the metal so that the corners of your metal dont let any cracks of light through. transparent tape will just let light through where black hockey tape wont.
May 16 2011 7:56PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
was it overcast out? do you think on a sunnier day you would be able to have a smaller hole and get sharper images?
May 16 2011 7:58PM
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kootenayklaus
Posts: 3914 - Karma: 2,179
Yes yes yes, understood, I meant more along the lines of how are you sealing the metal, but I think I have in now.
May 16 2011 8:01PM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,812
yah for sure, the light was pure trash. I can have a much better lens for when its sunny out. I just made one and Im waiting for the sun. its shitty out so its going to be a few days :(

Plus these look way more interesting in daylight so I cant wait to get some of that.

Im going to be using this as a lens for a documentary Im working on. it will give me a bit of an artsy edge that I have been looking for.

dont worry silly, it wont be my only lens!
May 16 2011 8:03PM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,812
tape along the inside of the lens, make sure no cracks and not to cover the hole.
May 16 2011 8:04PM
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kootenayklaus
Posts: 3914 - Karma: 2,179
That's what I though. Thanks much anyways though.
May 16 2011 8:12PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
hah yeah for sure. i just ask because i'd like to do this myself, it's such a sick look
May 16 2011 8:14PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
heres my video-

digital pinhole test from Evan Merrill on Vimeo.


3200 iso, 1080p 24 p footage from a canon t2i, just got the cam yesterday.
cloudy day, pretty flat looking. all i did was bump the contrast up 30% in premiere and called it a day. obviously not fantastic cinematography, just a jerky looking almost unedited test
May 16 2011 8:40PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
god i am aweful, im postwhoring the shit out of my own thread... well heres more pics i took, a minute of photoshop or so in each. and im not good at photoshop.
Click for larger image

Click for larger image
May 16 2011 9:11PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
didnt mean to hit reply, not thinking.

Click for larger image

Click for larger image

Click for larger image

this was just to show the sharpness of my lens
Click for larger image

also, remember to put a bit of stick tack over the hole if you leave it on the body to keep dust out. i just stick it over the hole in the body and when im shooting i peel it off and stick it on the lens above the hole.
i feel like this sharpness could be feasible in video if i shoot on a sunny day, sadly my weathers planning on being shit until saturday.

May 16 2011 9:15PM
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WillStart
Posts: 3955 - Karma: 3,192
wow those shots look sharp for a pinhole, great shots man
May 16 2011 9:22PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
thanks! post up when you shoot some, i hold your edits in high esteem, so your pics/vids with a pinhole will probably end up good. no pressure. ive owned this thing for a day and i spend a lott more time with a pinhole on then the kit lens. its really fun to shoot with, and easy, no focusing
May 16 2011 9:31PM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
You guys should be able to get sharper images if you're careful, even with 35mm. This is a shot from a 120mm camera at f/135, and I know it could be even better:

Click for larger image
May 16 2011 10:54PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
what did you do to get it so sharp?
May 17 2011 1:30PM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
A perfect pinhole. Any imperfection in the edge of the hole is going to cause softness, those of you using aluminum foil or plastic are going to run into this problem a lot. You either need to really carefully puncture a thin sheet of metal with a needle or buy a pre-made pinhole to get sharp(ish) images. Sizing the pinhole for the format you're shooting is important, but it's irrelevant if the hole itself is shitty.
May 17 2011 1:45PM
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the.cheat
Posts: 2859 - Karma: 171
where do you buy precut pinholes? will a side of a soda can suffice for thin metal? and how do you know that was shot at f/135?
May 17 2011 5:43PM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
A can would be great, given you could make a hole without leaving a tear or indentation in it. You can get pre-made pinholes from a few companies (try searching zone plate), although they're pretty expensive...you could also take one from a kit for building a pinhole camera. The big thing is that any imperfection will cause softness--that means a hole that isn't quite round, one that bends in slightly, or one with rough edges.

I bought a pinhole camera that is supposedly f/135, and after running some film through it that seems about right. However, it's hard to gauge perfectly since I have to adjust for reciprocity failure shooting under any light besides midday.
May 17 2011 6:18PM
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I.B
Posts: 8137 - Karma: 24,354
When I get home, I'll post the pics i took on my 35mm hopefully they came out right.
May 18 2011 1:56PM
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