How to Make a Pinhole Camera Using 110 Film

Introduced in the early 1970s, 110 film was originally made for less expensive cameras. These days, 110 film is more difficult to locate because some major retailers no longer carry it and the camera companies themselves produce less of it. In many cases, it is more difficult to find than 35mm film. Because of its packaging, though, 110 film is great for making a pinhole camera, needing few materials and little time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 110 film
• Instamatic 110 film camera
• Empty, clean aluminum soda can
• Electrical tape
• Exacto knife
• Ruler

1. Look on the back of your film canister and wind your film, using the cog on the top of the film canister until you have passed several arrows and reached the second number 1 on the canister. Whenever you take an exposure, wind your film past the arrows until you reach the second number in the series of four. Since this may differ with each brand of film, you may want to test how much the film needs to be wound so you don't ruin a roll with double exposures.

2. Measure the width and height of your film hole. Cut a small piece of aluminum that size from your clean aluminum can.

3. Using a pin, create a tiny hole in the center of the piece of aluminum you just cut out of the can.

4. Tape the aluminum piece down onto the 110 film canister, covering the film, using your electrical tape. Tape anywhere else where light may come through, but leave your film counter on the back of the film visible.

5. Expose your film (see the link in Resources).

6. Take your film into a photo development store for processing.

Resources

• Pinhole photography, camera design calculations
• 'Smileycam' 110 Pinhole camera
• 110 Instamatic Cartridge Pinhole Camera