Tech Directions - December 2007 - (Page 22)

sign to that effect on the door that also advises students to knock before entering. In terms of time involved, it takes about 2 to 2.5 hours to make a camera. For a class of 15 to 20 students, each student should be able to take and develop one negative in one hour. In my class of 10, each student made at least four finished photographs in one week. In terms of cost, chemicals and paper cost about $70. The photographic paper came in a box of 100 8"×10" sheets, which can be halved or even quartered. The chemicals I bought were powders that had to be mixed with water. I only prepared about a third of each package, using a balance to weigh out the correct proportions, since I only had one small class. Tools and Materials Photographic Supplies* Camera Developer Oatmeal box with lid Stop bath Dremel tool Fixer** Flat-black spray paint Photographic paper, black-andBlack duct tape or electrical tape white, matte if possible Thin cardboard, such as cereal Tongs box or manila folder Four plastic tubs Aluminum drink can Clothes pin Thin needle Darkroom Epoxy glue Red light bulb Very fine sandpaper Dim white light bulb, approx. 15 W Small piece of glass, approx. 4" × 6" or 5" × 7" * I used Kodak brand chemicals that I bought from a local studio, but not all studios carry them anymore. You can also order from catalogs or online. ** This is a strong vinegar type acid. I’m told regular vinegar or water would work as well. Procedure Preparing the box 1. Cut a 3/8" hole in the center of the oatmeal box. A Dremel tool works nicely for this. 2. Dust the inside of the box completely and then wipe it with a slightly damp cloth. center of the aluminum plate until it barely pokes through. Sand. Then, slowly and carefully make the hole a little bigger by rotating the drill, keeping it perpendicular to the plate. Sand again. Repeat another time or two until you have a nice, tiny, round, thin hole (Photo 2). 4. Wash the plate with soap and water, and dry it. Do not touch the hole again. 5. Make a thin circle of epoxy glue around the edges of the pinhole and press the plate inside the camera so that the pinhole is in the middle of the cut-out opening. After it dries, seal edges with tape. You might want to Photo 2 Photo 1 3. Spray the inside of the box, both sides of the lid, and bottom with black spray paint. Don’t let it run, as excess paint can become “dust” after it dries. 4. When the paint dries, cover the outside of the lid, and the bottom of the box with black tape (Photo 1). 5. If desired, decorate or paint the outside of the box. have some fingernail polish remover with cotton swabs handy to help keep everything neat. Making and installing the pinhole 1. Make a “drill” from a clothes pin, epoxy, and needle. Glue the needle into the mouth of the clothes pin with about 1/4" protruding (Photo 2). You may need to cut off the back of the needle if it’s too long. 2. While the epoxy is drying, cut the “pinhole plate” from the side of an aluminum drink can with scissors. 3. Carefully press and rotate the pinhole drill in the Shutter A small square of the thin cardboard with a tape hinge and tape closure to lift it up or down works well and is 22 techdirections ◆ DECEMBER 2007 F F Photo 3

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - December 2007

Tech Directions - December 2007 Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology Today Technology's Past Mastering Computers Is This Op-Amp Any Good? Lab-Built Checker Removes All Doubt Here Comes the Sun! Residential Solar Systems Add Up to Savings Pinhole Cameras—For Science, Art, and Fun! Poster Project Maps Out Design Process Gifts for Geeks E-gallery More than Fun

Tech Directions - December 2007

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