I just wanted to put in a prelimenary post here about a new product that I
have just received. When I get some more info, pictures, etc - I am
going to build a small WWW site for it and attach it to my "non-silver"
site (http://www.sirius.com/~afk). So, I will write about this subject
one more time, in more depth, once I know the details. So please bare
with me.
A friend of mine has been working away at a "new" pinhole camera, and I
have just received an early prototype of it. The camera, made by Kevin
Finney in Colorado, is very similar to a view-camera. It consists of two
"standards" with a bellows which fits between them (thus, the view-camera
similarity). The size, is 8"x8"x1.2" or so. Obviously, this is a 4x5
camera.
The beauty of this design is manifold. First, it allows pinholes
("lenses") as small as 40mm and as long as 210mm. Which works out very
well, since it comes with a 4x4 lensboard with a turret containg 8
different pinholes in the "standard icrements" - i.e. 40, 65, 90, 120,
150, 180, 200, and one viewing hole. The viewing hole is .062 inches in
diameter and is adequate to light up the "groundglass" on a bright day.
Actually, a piece of clear plexi-glass is used as the ground-glass - it is
scratched up just enough to work well). It takes standard 4x5 film holders
and polariod backs.
In general, the camera is finished wonderfully. It is mahogany, with
brass and aluminum fittings (the aluminum was needed for rigidity reasons).
It looks great, weighs almost nothing (I haven't weighed mine), and is
an absolute joy to use. This is a rare product.
But, after all, Kevin is a very close friend of mine, and I must mention
the bias I have here! But, don't take my word for it - wait for Eric
Renner's next edition of the Pinhole Journal where there will be a write-up
and maybe a picture. Eric, as far as I know, will be the main dealer of
the camera. The camera will retail around $750.00.
An 8x10 version is in the works, and I know Kevin looks forward to
building some really big ones (12x20 or more), so if your a gum printer
and absolutely hate enlarging negs, this may be a good move. Let me know
what sizes you think would be valuable.
If your interested, please let me know and I can direct you on to Kevin or
Eric .
Bye,
Adam