
This article first appeared in Make: Volume 41.
This is one of the great projects featured this summer in our 2017 Maker Camp — Navigate there to find even more fun things to build, join a camp, share your projects, and more!
The P6*6 is a 3D-printed pinhole camera, glued and fastened together with 3mm nuts and bolts. All of the individual parts print without support and fit on a 6-inch square print bed. The files are available for download from Thingiverse.
The P6*6 comes in two focal lengths, 35mm and 50mm. It uses 120 roll film and makes an impressive 6cm square negative — roughly 4 times larger than a negative from a standard 35mm camera. 120 film is widely available and can be found at camera stores that cater to professional photographers or from internet vendors.
P6*6 Specs:
- 120 film, 6×6 format
- 50mm focal length:
- f-stop of f/167 with 0.30mm pinhole
- 62 degree vertical and horizontal angles of view
- 35mm focal length:
- f-stop of f/135 with 0.26mm pinhole
- 77.4 degree vertical and horizontal angles of view
BONUS: Check the last step in this project for new, optional accessories you can print!
This Flickr album contains all the photos I have taken with the 50 and 35mm versions of the P6*6.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/theschlem/sets/72157636632862045/
I hope they inspire you to make some (pinhole) photographs!
NOTE FOR PLA USERS:
Some PLA filaments are not at opaque as ABS, and light leaking through the camera can cause a “fogging” of your film. You can test for this issue with a bright LED flashlight positioned against a thin wall of the camera – the cap is a good test piece. If you can discern any glow through the 3Dprinted plastic part in a dark environment, you will want to paint the interior with a black acrylic paint. “Mars Black” is super opaque shade of black and will solve this.
Is support material needed for the 50 mm extension? I noticed cut outs near the top where the bolt enter. It looks small enough that I might get away with not using it, but I just thought I would ask before is use up a lot of filament.
Sorry for the tardy reply. I don’t really monitor this. All parts for the P6*6 print without support. If I’m understanding to what you are referring, the nut traps at the top of the extension will bridge easily. The bolt holes will need to be cleaned out with a 1/8″ drill bit (gently). Hope that helps. If you further questions, please post on the Thingiverse comments page for the P6*6.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:157844
I promise a much speedier response!
This is a great project for me to do as I am teaching my students 3D Design and Print. Is there a list of the tools and materials needed for this project? I only see a photo with the items in it but need a list so I know what to buy. (I’m not familiar with the tools