Pinhole Lens 3.0 Assembly

The video above outlines how to assemble your Pinhole Lens mk3. Please note, the assembly is best completed with four m3 locknuts instead of two m3 locknuts and two regular m3 nuts. If you purchase a DIY Kit, this is what we will include. Skip to 1:36 for part information and 2:40 to go straight to the assembly instructions. Direct video link: https://youtu.be/9KbDJYrP3w4

Alternatively, here are written instructions. Use these in conjunction with the video.

  1. Find the lensboard piece and flip it so you're viewing the back. Place one m3 lock nut into each of the two hexagon shaped openings with the nylon ring facing toward you.
  2. Take your pinhole and position it centered over the center opening. Use the backplate to verify location. Gently slide it around until the positioning looks good.
  3. applying pressure to hold the backplate to the lensboard piece (so the assembly does not fall apart), insert your two remaining m3 locknuts in the hexagon shaped openings.
  4. Continuing to hold everything together, use two m3 8mm socket head screws and screw everything together. If the mk3 text is in the bottom right, you will bolt together through the left and right openings (as opposed to the top and bottom openings).
  5. Double check the pinhole position. If it has shifted, return to step two and try again.
  6. Take the top plate (the shutter) and place it on top of the lensboard. It will cover the heads of the left and right socket head screws.
  7. Passing through the entire assembly, use the remaining two m3 8mm socket head screws to fix everything together. These two screws should be tight enough to hold the shutter in place, but loose enough that you can still move the shutter with one finger.

To calculate your aperture (f number) on a pinhole lens:

Multiply your focal length by the size of the pinhole. If you purchase your pinhole lens from us, the size of the laser-drilled pinhole is 0.5mm. So if you had your pinhole lens 100mm away from the ground glass, your aperture would be f200. From there you can use a light meter to determine your shutter speed.

Happy shooting!