Detailed Assembly Instructions

Layout all the pieces in the fashion shown.

Orientation is important.Pieces 1,2, 3, 4 all oriented with the "6" at the top and the number of the piece at the bottom.

Instructors: note the lines on pieces 1-4 at one inch intervals, making it easier to choose a focal length

Decide on a focal length for your camera.Cut pieces 1-4 at the line representing your chosen focal length. ALWAYS cut over another piece of cardboard so as not to damage your table top.

Place the film plate on top of the pinhole plate as shown. Side of the film plate in line with one end of the pinhole plate. The end of the film plate with the "groove" should stick over the edge of the pinhole plate.

Using a pencil, trace the inside edge of the hole in the film plate onto the pinhole plate.
Using your ruler, draw a line from each of the opposing corners, so that there is a "cross" in the center of the area outlined.
Cut a circle around the "cross" about 1 inch in diameter.

Save the piece cut out.

Using a piece of black tape [folded over at one end], tape the piece removed to the pinhole plate. This becomes your "shutter"The folded over piece of the tape become the "handle" for opening and closing the shutter.

If your pinhole is ready, turn the pinhole plate over and center pinhole over shutter hole. Tape in place

Using piece #2 as a template, draw a line on piece #1,3,4 at the edge of piece #2

KEEP THE ORIENTATION OF THE PIECES CORRECT as shown in step #1above

Collect the four short support pieces

Tape each end of each of the support pieces
Using a scrap piece of foam core as a "spacer" attach one of the support pieces to piece #2 at the top edge. Next attach a second support piece to the bottom edge.

Do the same to piece #1, except the "bottom" support goes where the line was draw using piece #2.

With the tops of pieces #1 and #2 lined up, the supports should also line up.

ONLY on piece #2 does a support touch an edge.

You may wish to REWRITE #1 and #2 on these pieces as the supports have covered up the original numbers.

Using two pieces of scrap, draw a line on the left side of pieces #3 and #4, two pieces away from the edge.

Add tape the ends of the long support pieces, just like you did for the short one.
Add a support to the bottom, AT the line you drew earlier. With the tops of pieces #3 & #4 lined up with pieces #1 & #2, the bottom supports should also line up.
Like you did for pieces #1 & #2, using a scrap piece as a spacer, add a support piece to the top of pieces #3 and #4, EXCEPT, make the end line up with the new line you drew, just like you did for the bottom support.
See how all the supports line up, top and bottom.
To pieces #1 & #2, add tape at the ends, over the support pieces. [four pieces to each of pieces #1& #2]

Place piece #2 onto piece #3, so that the tops line up and piece #2 with its supports fits in line with the supports on #3


This is why we made a two thickness space in placing the supports.
Add piece #1 to the opposite side of piece #3 in the same way. Support pieces should all be inside the growing structure.
Add the pinhole plate to the inside top of the growing structure, sitting on top of the supports.

NOTE: the center of the shutter you made should be slightly to the right of the center of the pinhole plate. If not, turn pinhole plate 180 degrees and try again.
Turn over piece #4 and add to the structure in mirror image of the lower piece #3 [left hand touching #3 in illustration, right hand is pushing down piece #4]
Now turn the camera up so that the pinhole plate is facing you and tape all the "cracks" with black photo tape [to prevent light leaks]
Tape the "cracks" on the two sides as well [formally pieces #1 & #2]. Be careful on the "open" end to stop the tape at the end of the crack
Using double sticky tape, tape the underside edges of the film plate ["groove" down] and place the film plate into the open side of the camera, groove up and nearest the "open" side of the back.

Finally, tape the "crack" formed where the film plate meets the camera body.

If you have not already done so, add your pinhole to the inside of the camera, centered over the shutter on the pinhole plate. Make sure you use black tape all around your pinhole to ensure no light leaks.

YOU ARE DONE !

If after trying your camera, you are still having trouble with light leaks, you can try using an additional piece of black foamcore board or matt board to cover the back of the camera, allowing the film holder to slip in from the side.