Any pinhole photography/cinematography fans out there? Of course there are, because who doesn't love the uniquely beautiful and nostalgic imagery created with these cameras? If you're up for a little weekend project, you can actually make your very own pinhole lens for your DSLR with stuff you most definitely have lying around your house. In this short tutorial from Blue Mantle Films, learn how to pull it off with nothing more than an old lens cap and a soda can.

This is probably going to be one of the fastest and easiest DIY projects you attempt this year. First, cut a square tab out of your soda can that is roughly the size of your thumb, poke a little hole in it with a safety pin (or whatever you have lying around), and then sand it. Then, drill a hole in the center of your lens cap. From there, tape the metal tab to the lens cap (which is why you'll need to sand that thing), and boom, you're done!

The main thing you'll want to keep an eye on is the size of the hole in the metal tab because it'll affect the look of your image. Essentially:

  • Smaller hole = sharper, but darker image
  • Bigger hole = softer, but lighter image

Have you ever made a pinhole lens like this one? (Lens cap pinhole lenses are pretty popular.) Let us know down in the comments.

Source: Blue Mantle Films

diypinhole camerasPinhole Lens
Cinematography & Cameras