If you already own an interchangeable-lens camera, you can create a pinhole lens in under five minutes.
How a pinhole camera works
Light is reflecting off all the objects around us. Our eyes focus these rays so that we can see in detail where this light is reflected. Similarly, a camera lens focuses these rays on a flat sensor or piece of film. Without a lens, light reflected from objects would hit the camera’s sensor from all directions, causing the sensor to record brightness but no shape or detail.
By allowing light to hit the flat sensor from a pinhole, you force all of the light to hit the sensor from a single point, perpendicular to the image plane, creating a somewhat focused image.
In theory, the smaller the hole, the sharper the image, but at some point, diffraction becomes an issue, and the smaller hole produces a softer image. Learn more about the math behind choosing your pinhole size this.
How to make a pinhole lens
You can buy pinhole lensbut before you buy, you should try to buy your own.
Step 1. Drill a hole in the center of your camera body cover.
Step 2. Stick a piece of aluminum foil over the hole
Step 3. Use a pin or needle to poke a small hole in the center of the foil.
Watch the video above to see how it works.
