Welcome to the Alternative Cameras Forum

Welcome to the new Alternative Cameras forum. This forum is for

discussion of pinhole and zone-plate cameras, cell-phone cameras,

disposable cameras, and "toy" cameras such as Lomos, Holgas, and

Dianas. This forum is set up to allow posting of images. Feel free

to upload your "Alternative Camera" images to illustrate your post.

You may also start "No Words" threads.

 

Please do not use the forum to request critique of your images. Post

them in the photo.net Critique Forum instead.

Thank You! X 3

Neat, thanks Brian!

Well done, looking forward to this for some time!

Looks like I'm gonna have to take my husband's pinhole camera for a spin.

Fantastic! Thanks, Brian. Hopefully we can include SX-70's, Spectra film cameras, and Polaroid transfers in this as well.

Cool, yes to polaroids, a very exciting day, clap, clap. Danger approved.

ok....let me ask a question then, as a total neophyte in this area of cameras. <a href="http://www.zeroimage.com/web2003/EntryPage/entryFrameset.htm"><u>Zeroimage's Zero 2000 camera</u></a>....can the 120 film be loaded and unloaded in daylight? Meaning, I can change film with it anywhere I want to (of course not direct sunlight). I've always avoided these "alternative cams" mainly because you gotta futz with them so much, it takes all the fun out of photography.

<br><br>

And, if I order the Zero 2000 pinhole camera, can it be changed back and forth to a Zone-plate camera............or do you buy one or the other (pinhole or zone plate). As you can see, i'm rather clueless when it comes to these things

Tom,

 

The answer is yes. I can even change 120 film in direct sun light ;-) Make sure it is

wrapped tight when you take it out.

Deeply ... deeply ...<p>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/2064856-lg.jpg">

Thomas,

 

As a Zero 2000 owner, I always make sure I have my film changing bag with me (stuffed into the bottom of my camera bag) when I'm out. From my experience the Zero 2000 winds the film with a lot of tension, so it's tight when you go to take the film out. I don't think I've experienced a spool that wasn't perfecly wound upon extracting it from the camera.

 

However, for those "just in case" moments I still have the changing bag with me and I still use it. Maybe it's a case of too much worry for very little risk, but the bag doesn't take up very much space and it puts my mind at ease. (Or maybe I'm just gun-shy from using the Holga?) :)

 

That said, the Zero 2000 is a wonderful camera. I don't have any experience with the zone plate, sorry. I would recommending sending Zero Image an email with your question. They're quite responsive.

i have a couple models of Zero Image cameras and they are beautiful and easy to use. but, it is even more fun to make your own. i have found the simplest to be to get an old 120 camera, punch out the lens and if you can save the shutter fine, if not just use a flap for a shutter over your hand made pinhole and away you go. lots of info on the 'net for making your own. then if you like the medium you can spend the bucks on the pro models. here is one i made....

<p><center><img src="http://www.sfbaysailingpix.com/blog/archives/agfaboxclack.jpg"></center></p>

thx, Brian yeah!!!!!!!

Thank goodness - I've been thinking we needed this forum for quite a while.

Now we'll know where to post all those Holga shots (and Kermit the Frog

camera shots!).

With many cameras that were originally a step or so above the consumer "snapshot" variety, it's also possible to remove the lenses in a reversible fashion -- that is, so you can put them back at a later date if so inclined. I've done this with one of the two (bayonet mounted, interchangeable) Compur shutters I have for my Zeiss-Ikon 250/7 Ideal plate camera; the Tessar lens glass is carefully stored away, replaced by a simple pinhole in a back posterboard mount that slips into the shutter's threads. This allows me to switch between pinhole and lens, even during a single session.

 

Any camera with interchangeable lenses (from an Argus to a Zenit) can be converted to pinhole operation by drilling through a body cap and mounting a pinhole; if the camera has a focal plane shutter, you're all set, but if it's like a Hasseblad you may find you need to play more games to get useful exposure times (the 'Blad's mirror will be acting as the shutter, since you've removed the lens that has the real shutter leaves inside). Again, to change back to lens, just remove the body cap and reinstall a lens. Even DSLR can work this way, though I've heard a number of reports that dust entering through the pinhole can settle on the sensor, and cleaning the sensor is a delicate and nerve-wracking operation, especially the first time.<div></div>

What a great idea --- it's about time!

Brian; I am assuming that for those of us who collect certain "point and shoot" models we can participate here as well with our plasticky stuff.....

What a great idea! I am always fooling around, making something out of nothing, like a Polaroid 95 6X9 roll film camera, 3X4 inch Spam can and other pinhole cameras, the infamous 4X5 box camera with focal plane shutter, etc. I am now in the process of building a 4X5 monorail camera with full movements. After all, if one has a nice bellows and lots of hardwood cut offs, how can one resist the temptation?

Hey Glenn - didn't realise you were making a 4x5. Sounds great. Any work-in-progress shots yet? And curious to know what kinds of wood you're using ...