{"id":205,"date":"2010-06-15T20:37:00","date_gmt":"2010-06-15T20:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metrix-x.rraz.ca\/?p=205"},"modified":"2026-06-15T01:35:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T01:35:33","slug":"making-a-pinhole-lens-for-a-canon-dslr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metrix-x.rraz.ca\/?p=205","title":{"rendered":"Making a Pinhole lens for a Canon DSLR"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/b><\/span>
\nOriginally From My website July 2005<\/a><\/b><\/span>
\nSpecifications:<\/b><\/span>
\nDepth of Field – Infinite
\nEquivalent focal length – 50mm
\nResolution – very poor!
\nSpeed – slower then you can imagine.
\nCost – cheapest Canon lens (the main component is a Canon part)
\nMaking the Pinhole Lens<\/b><\/span>
\nParts:<\/span><\/b>
\n1. Canon camera body cap. Canon caps because they have a thread are claimed to be light tight. I brought an used cap, so technically this is a used Canon lens. Test out the light tightness of the cap by placing it on the camera body and exposing a shot directly into the sun for 5 seconds or so. The exposure should be completely dark. This test is good for other models and makes of cameras.
\n2. Quality aluminum foil
\n3. Plastic film with self adhesive backing. I used the clear 3m film that they apply to the front of automobiles to prevent rocks from chipping the paint.
\n4. Hollow tip 32 gage needle. I used a new insulin pen needle.
\n5. Sharp craft knife or razor blade
\n6. Cutting board as a work surface
\n7. Small piece of dense stiff foam such as styrofoam
\n8. Cork
\n9. 3\/16″ drill
\nConstruction:<\/span><\/b>
\n1. Drill a 3\/16″ hole in the inside center of the cap. Use a piece of wood as a backing so that the hole will be fairly round. Use the knife to clean and deburr the edge of the hole.
\n2. Cut a donut shaped piece of plastic film 3\/4″ OD. – 3\/16″ ID.
\n3. Cut a 1\/2″ disc out of the aluminum foil.
\n4. Flatten the foil by placing on a hard flat surface and rubbing the foil with a piece of cork (drink the wine first). Be careful not to damage the foil.
\n5. Place the 1\/2″ foil disc on the backside of the cap, centered over the 3\/16″ hole.
\n6. Remove the backing to expose the adhesive on the plastic film donut.
\n7. Place the film donut sticky-side down centered over the foil, use your fingers or the knife edge to seal the foil between the film and the cap. Make sure the foil is flat and sealed around the complete circumference. Note there should be only foil covering the center of the cap.
\n8. Place a the cap face up with the bottom of the cap and the foil supported by a small piece of dense stiff foam.
\n9. Very carefully puncture the center of the foil with the 32 gage needle. The motion of the needle should be straight up and down., any sideways motion or too deep of a penetration will distort the pinhole.
\n10. Have fun!
\nAlternative Way to Make the Pinhole
\nBefore the foil is installed in the cap just after step 4: <\/p>\n