Pinhole

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I have a pinhole adapter.  It’s actually for a Canon FD mount, but I have an FD-M mount adapter so I can use it on my digital camera. Adapter on adapter.  

According to the supplier the pinhole has the following specifications:

  • F-Stop: F204
  • Hole: 0.22mm
  • Angle of view: 52º

So, naturally, I wondered whether this configuration would produce optimal images.  By optimal, I really mean in focus

There are two variables to play with in a pinhole: [1] the size of the hole [2] the distance between the hole and the sensor plane.  The size of the hole is fixed; drilled by the manufacturer at 0.22mm. As well, the distance is fixed, but I don’t know what that is and thus it needs to be calculated.  I completed the following: [1] distance from sensor plane to flange (lens mount) [2] height of FD-M Adapter [3] height of pinhole adapter.  This works out to distance = [1] + [2] + [3] or 28.4 + 11 + 3 = 42.4 mm.

Using the formula [1] to calculate the pinhole size I can see if what I have is close enough. The formula where r = pinhole size is r = SQRT (wavelength of light * magic constant * focal length); r = SQRT (0.00055 * 1.9 * 42.4) = 0.290.

That is the optimum pinhole size for the focal length (42.4) is 0.29 mm.  What I have is 0.22 mm. So, will this difference be observable?

Test gnome with pinhole. Soft, but recognizable.
Test gnome with pinhole. Soft, but recognizable.
Gnome at about 0.15 m from lens.  Note, most of my lenses have a minimum distance of 0.8 m so this demonstrates quite an improvement for closeup photography. While soft, the subject [gnome] is not that bad.
Gnome at about 0.15 m from lens.  Note, most of my lenses have a minimum distance of 0.8 m so this demonstrates quite an improvement for closeup photography. While soft, the subject [gnome] is not that bad.
Reference shot taken with 35mm @f/2.5. Certainly much crisper.
Reference shot taken with 35mm @f/2.5. Certainly much crisper.

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