What paper do I use for a pinhole camera?

Question

I want to make and use a pinhole camera for a virtual science fair. I know how to make the camera, but I need to know what kind of paper do i use??? Light-sensitive...? I know how to develope, pretty much, but is there ANY type of paper that does NOT need developing? Thanks ;)

Answer 1

Any standard RC paper will work well in a pinhole. I like Ilford RC Pearl.
You may want to try putting film in your camera instead of paper: then you can develop it normally and enlarge it, which will probably be better for a presentation.
There are kinds of gum emulsion that don't need to be developed in a traditional way, but that's probably more hassle than it's worth.

Answer 2

Paper Pinhole Camera

Answer 3

The answer seems to depend on the term, "need." I do not know of any photo sensitive material which can be exposed in an imaging apparatus (camera, enlarger, printing frame, etc.) and not be subject to fading steadily as it remains in the light. There are papers, however, which will yield a visible image without development. The quality is only sufficiently decent enough to demonstrate with primative means that light can cause images to appear on some materials. (Your skin can do that if you cut out a pattern and tape it to your skin then expose the area to strong sun light. Of course the sunburn you get will hold the image of the pattern for a while and fade with time.) Long ago I had a kit with this kind of paper, made for children for elementary photograhic experiments. I do not know what the paper type is called, but a supplier of photo materials should know. It would have to be a low sensitivity emulsion and be exposed for a relatively long time, then be kept out of direct light and viewed in subdued light only to delay image deterioration. Two more points: the pinhole will require the exposure to be long compared to a camera using a lens. Secondly, what you will get if the exposure is long enough will be a negative of the original object. But if you have a light weight paper you can flip that negative over on its emulsion side against a new sensitive paper holding them tightly together and print a positive. That will work- I have done it! That is all I know, unless you could take lens out of a cheap digital camera and replace it with the pinhole. No developing needed there! Are you still there? I probably put you to sleep or damaged your mind. Sorry...

Answer 4

Think of your camera as being like a 4x5 view camera. One image at a time, except you have to load it in the dark room after you shoot each image. Actually I use 4x5 in sheet film in my pin hole. Then I don't have to make prints from paper negatives.

Answer 5

Have you considered Polaroid instant film?
You'd have to make your actual camera fit the cartridge the film comes in.
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Actually, Polaroid have a pinhole photo kit.
Check out the links.

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

nope.