Pinhole
This is a guide for making a pinhole camera using regular sewing needles (not sewing machine needles; drill, don't puncture).

Tables by Jim Shull from his book "The Hole Thing", Morgan and Morgan, 1974.

Sewing Needle Number
Needle Size
Best Distance Focal Length
F-Stop
4
.036"
20"
f/550
5
.031"
15"
f/490
6
.029"
13"
f/450
7
.026"
10"
f/390
8
.023"
8"
f/350
9
.020"
6.5"
f/300
10
.018"
5"
f/280
12
.016"
4"
f/250
13
.013"
2.5"
f/190

F-Stops (focal stops) are simple ratios between the size of the opening (hole) and the distance from the opening to the film plane.

Table for Number 10 Needle
Distance from opening to focal plane
F-Stop
4"
f/220
5"
f/280
6"
f/330
7"
f/390
8"
f/440
 
 

© 2007 Ryan Even, all rights reserved.