The Most Unique Film Photography Experience I've Had

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In this video, I’m out shooting with a 4x5 Pinhole Camera (the Ilford Obscura), for the first time. I run through the entire process, shooting Ilford Delta 100 film, then jumping back in the office to develop and scan and review the images.
This is something that I recently picked up to potentially use for some select images in my Slate City project. I have zero experience with pinhole cameras, so I wanted to test it out first, to learn how to use it and get a feel for what the photos look like. I have to say, after this first outing, I was impressed. It seems like it will be a great tool that gives a very unique look.
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►GEAR USED/MENTIONED:
Ilford Obscura Pinhole Camera: amzn.to/4bFjx0O
Ilford Delta 4x5 Film: amzn.to/4aljRkk
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Jobo 2509N Reel: ebay.us/9DC9L4
Jobo CPE2: ebay.us/1P6SlF
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[@spaceman77777]

I think that's your tonic Kyle. A process where you don't have %100 control over the outcome. A process where unpredictable elements come into play and hopefully you are pleasantly surprised. I took Photography classes in a Canadian highschool in the early eighties. Our teacher had just got a batch of Canon ae-1s which I was excited to use. But for our first project he wanted us to bring a small cardboard box to school. What a letdown, why the cardboard box and why is he being so cryptic about the project? I signed up for a photography course GD! Then he got us to cut a 2x2 inch hole on one side and seal up any holes. Then we taped some tin foil over the hole. Then he went around to everyone's box and pricked the tinfoil with a pin. He then instructed us to go to the darkroom and tape some 8x10 photographic paper inside the box opposite the pinhole and also had us cover the pinhole with some black paper. You can guess the rest, I took a photo of some spruce tree in the snow with an exposure time of 11 minutes. Twas an awesome photo, wish I still had it.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Absolutely. A little bit of unpredictability is good for me. :)

[@WillGudgeon]

Fantastic results. As someone who almost exclusively shoots with a Pinhole camera it's great to see others enjoying the process. If you want a Pinhole camera with more features Ondu with the rise Pinhole option is fantastic, Zero Image 4x5 has different focal lengths going from the insanely wide 25mm and up to however many sections you want added, both are beautifully made, Reality so Subtle also has changeable focal lengths and a rise Pinhole. A few including the above have options to add filters which is also great especially with B&W photography. Enjoy, look forward to seeing more

[@geoff650r]

If you want to streamline your kit, Intrepid sells pinhole lenses, basically a lens board with a hole and one of those flappy shutters like that Obscura.

[@ericmathisen2825]

I'm a big fan of "Zero Image" cameras. I have two, the Zero 2000 (6x6) and Zero 810 (8"x10"). Relatively expensive but are beautiful cameras. FYI, the bigger the negative the better the image. An 8"x10" negative, contact printed, the quality of the image is amazing! They also make a 4"x5" that is very nice and may interest you.

[@kenlor71]

It is possible to make a pinhole lens board to fit on your camera. I did it many years ago for great results on a Speedgraphic 4x5. A thin sheet of copper, a very small pin, rotate the pin until it pops through, or put the copper/brass sheet on a table and punch a hole through with a pin/hammer. Then use a piece of emery cloth to remove the burr. Instant pin hole.

[@DLivingston]

Unreal process. Props for having the patience to do this. Also, you live in such a cool and unique area and I am so glad you share these trips with us.

[@Sennmut]

Excellent shots! Would be cool to see that church restored.

[@alanhuntley55]

If you're interested in something with changeable focal lengths, take a look at the Harman Titan 4x5 Pinhole. Some folks find the widest cone of 75mm equivalent isn't wide enough, but I quite enjoy shooting with this camera. And, the cost is reasonable when compared to the wooden pinhole models. Hope to see you shooting with your new pinhole for the Slate City project!

[@andypotts8062]

Great video and interesting to see you using the Ilford pinhole..the image you liked of the church and the graveyard is excellent...like most of the images there is a ghostly feel to the final result. Many thanks and best wishes.

[@filipeteixeira-dias9068]

Great video, and beautiful results!

[@rhohoho]

I very much enjoy shooting with a pinhole. There is a level of uncertainty in the process that yields unexpected results, and that makes it a lot of fun. Ondu and Reality So Subtle both have some great camera options.

[@lilib7376]

I have an ONDU 5x7. Well made and beautiful! You may want to try a paper negative with a pinhole camera, it might produce the look you're after.

[@KyleMcDougall]

I have some 4x5 paper here. That will be next!

[@alfredmongleton9077]

The ondu 4x5 looks like a really nice option. I haven’t checked their prices but they are top quality. They just made a gorgeous 4x5 as well. A company worth a look at.

[@jeffvreeland7866]

I'm thinking this would be great to play with up here in the North East of the USA when everything is dead and lifeless during the winter. Thanks for the inspiration my dude!

[@basschurink]

Ondu will be your pinhole. His pinholes are great!! Really love mine 6x12 Ondu pinhole.

[@KyleMcDougall]

They look great!

[@michaellong9526]

I add my vote for an Onduu pinhole ,woodwork is beautiful ,have rise and fall versions and one that gives more of a normal wide angle 24 mm vs the usual extreme ultra wide look.

[@rickbiessman6084]

12:00 I found myself shouting with excitement at how AWESOME this shot turned out!!! Loved the rest as well, especially the ones with the bridge.

[@runninblue9415]

No offence but I think that's the happiest I've ever seen you in a video. Good to see 👍

[@oldtownpaul]

Ondu are wonderful for pinhole cameras, and the ‘pinhole assist’ app is brilliant!

[@chriscorey5164]

Agree 100%

[@carltanner9065]

I have the same camera and I love it!!! If you want to try another camera out, Harman make a pinhole that takes 4x5 film holders and so does zero image. They also make larger 8x10 pinhole cameras as well. They may have even gone larger since I last looked.

[@ArthurIvy69]

I had a friend 3d print a 4x5 film holder bracket to my Obscura.. works pretty great and makes it easy for multiple shots ... I need to get out again on the pinhole!

[@Stygmah]

Was that a custom design or do you have a link to an STL you could share?

[@ArthurIvy69]

@@Stygmah I don’t have the file. Never had it.

[@kapurar]

Great video as always and thanks for taking us along on the Pinhole Camera journey. I am intrigued and tempted to get one. Thank you!

[@robbiemer8178]

Lovely photos! I have shot a bit of pinhole in several different formats/sizes. Currently, I am mainly using my 4x5 Intrepid. It gets me variable "focal lengths"/ FOV, I can use the ground glass for relatively simple framing, and I can use ordinary sheet film holders. I also recently got some of J Lane's glass plates and a plate holder. Have not (yet) used those with a pinhole. Before this when I was building basic boxes out of foamboard for my cameras, I would put a mark at the front center edge of the camera and two marks at the rear corners. This helped me figure out the edges of my field of view. Not very precise but it gave me a useful approximation. That Jobo set up looks quite good but, for me, I have and really like the Stearman daylight tank. It will hold four sheets or two plates and uses about 475 ml of chemistry. Can't really use it for anything else but 4x5 but that's all I wanted it for. Thanks for bringing us along! And I am looking forward to seeing your photos as you become more comfortable with the pinhole!

[@michaelwade3074]

Check out the Ondu 4x5. It takes film holders and has variable ‘focal lengths’.

[@garybooth2902]

These photos came out great. Well done.

[@dmay1100]

Hey Kyle; right up front let me just say I really really enjoy the photograph that you picked as your favourite. It's really a nice image truly like it, and I love the story that the image is telling. The other thing that I have to say that is truly hilarious, I was just looking at the exactly the same camera as the one you picked in today's video. I thought it would be a wonderful camera to start back into my film adventures. I really like the character that comes along with pinhole images it tells a story on it's very own. As I say thank you again for the video!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Glad you enjoyed that one! And yeah, the Obscura is a fun camera. Super simple. But having to go in the change bag in between shots is a bit of a pain.

[@Wilma5532]

Impressive detail with that pinhole!

[@dsv]

really nice results, looking forward to see what will be in the next series with (maybe) different camera? :)

[@mikegindling4236]

I also have an Ondu 6x12 and love it.

[@grantmacallister]

These came out great Kyle! Reminded me of when I shot with home made pinhole cameras in high school. I experimented with Solargraphy - tracking the suns path over the course of a month, upwards to 3 months, and exposed the images directly onto photographic printing paper held in a 35mm film canister. It yielded fascinating results, if I recall you end up with a blue colored negative on black and white paper which surprised me greatly. Talk about a long exposure time though!

[@chrisdowswell]

Super cool!!! A 15 minute exposure is the epitomy of slowing down. Love that 1st image as well... best one I think. Thanks for a great video. 👍

[@KyleMcDougall]

Haha, yep, all you can do is sit and wait.

[@tommvf]

Kyle is the authentic boss... Thanks for just your observations and introspections.

[@KyleMcDougall]

🙏

[@xander1052]

Hopefully you join in next years Worldwide Pinhole Photography day, Pinholes are fun albeit quite difficult to get right

[@randall.chamberlain]

Gorgeous images. Wow.

[@delisaoutside]

I love how they came out.

[@brentkollock8370]

I love shooting pinhole. I have an Ondu camera that shoots 120 and I love it. Some guide lines on the body which are helpful but not really spot on. I think they make a 4x5 but I cannot remember if it has a Graflex back or not. I have loved my Ondu a lot and would buy another one for sure. Good luck and I like the images you made. Pinhole is always magic and mysterious

[@garonkiesel1646]

Reality So Subtle, Ondu, and Lensles Pinhole Cameras are my 4x5 cameras of choice.

[@wadecfloyd]

I use the Pinsta pinhole camera. You can shoot right onto Direct Positive Paper and develop right in the body of the camera. I don’t know if it’s for serious work but I enjoy it.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Very cool. Will look into that!

[@paulasmith4017]

Great video Kyle! Welcome to the wonderful world of pinhole... I'll add another thumbs up for Ondu. I have the 4x5 rise and a 120 multiformat. Love them both. If you thought 15mins was long exposure time, stay away from Fomapan for woodland pinhole photography, you'd still be there! 🤣 Look forward to seeing more pinhole.

[@tbostrowski6136]

Hey Kyle, greetings from Western Canada . Ive been subscribed for years and follow you on IG, (always thought that following implied stalking in a creepy way, but I digress). So I know you as primarily a film photographer in a digital arena, a hybrid of sorts, shoot film and transfer into digital as gross oversimplification. But I don’t think I ever saw you in a darkroom before developing film. Gotta say that the look in your eyes of joy , excitement and happiness when you first looked at the negs out of the tank really crystallized the analog experience film shooters share. Seeing a workable neg still fresh and wet is the payoff in the process. I know that feeling but haven’t experienced it in too long a time. So thanks buddy, I was able to share that moment of satisfaction vicariously for a brief moment myself. Cheers !

[@samprstn]

Very different process with some really nice results, well done!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Great results, congrats, Kyle! Regarding the faint gray border near the edge, that’s an artifact of the Ilford camera’s design where the front of the camera body fits into the rear. If they’d reversed it (where the front fits over the rear section) it wouldn’t have that light leak, but then would have to be slightly larger in size for the film format. I’ve heard good things about the Ondu line of 4x5 wooden pinhole cameras.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Ah, gotcha. Good to know. I just responded to a comment on the video in regard to what that was. I assumed it was the way the film is held in.

[@gonzalovillar83]

Not a big fan of pinhole photography but your photos are so nice. Great video as usual!

[@simonbishop2006]

Look at Mia pinhole camera for some great 4x5 options. Also take a look at Pinsta cameras where you develop in camera

[@interestings7866]

Beautiful!

[@derrenleepoole]

I’d completely forgotten I own this camera until this video. Must dig it out again. I did own an Ondu(?) 120 pinhole which was good fun too. Might try some direct positive film in the Ilford Obscura.

[@akaneverest]

The view of church with tombstones in the foreground is mesmerizing. Great composition! Didn't you ever try to use your Intrepid 4x5 with a pinhole board?

[@SteffenMiethke]

Hey Kyle! Great video as always. Maybe you could just pick up a lensboard with a pinhole from Intrepid or similar for your existing 4x5 setup. You´d have a way to frame and also a way to use filmholders. I havent tried pinhole myself. But I know that we had lensboards equiped with pinholes at my college. Have a good one :)

[@kevinthephotographer9346]

I second the idea of using a pinhole lens board with an existing 4x5 field camera. As well as being cheaper than buying a new camera, you effectively get a zoom "lens" because altering the degree of bellows extension changes the focal length. At some point you might want to explore paper negatives (either with a pinhole or using a lens) as another means of achieving an alternative look.

[@lorrainehealy1811]

I shoot the Titan Harman with the 72 mm cone, Kyle, you can use your film holders and you can load them with b&w and/ or color, to try something different. It’s a spectacular pinhole camera

[@DodoKing187]

I can second, that it as a really cool pinhole camera.

[@O.Persson]

You might have converted me, I've always avoided pinholes. But that first exterior shoot, is so great! I'm sure it will work great for your project, and I get the look your after. I might have to try pinhole myself someday.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Definitely worth trying!

[@geoffmphotography9444]

Great results from such a simple device. Very interesting video thanks.

[@pauldavidkemp]

You can get the HARMAN TiTAN pinhole camera, as that takes double darkslides

[@m29matt]

I love this channel so much. ❤

[@jamesmallard9336]

I use the Ondu 4x5 and it uses magnets to hold the 4x5 holders

[@markwalkerphotography]

Perfect for some grey North Wales weather!

[@KyleMcDougall]

Indeed!

[@lillianvalentine1975]

great video, have you looked at the Zero Image 4x5? I have one and like it quite a bit. thank you for the inspiration today 🙂 the Zero Image 4x5 can do several focal lengths and uses film holders.

[@BillPutnamPhoto]

I found a pinhole plate that goes on Copal 0 shutters, then put that Copal 0 on my Linhof Super Tech V. Works like a charm. Plate maker is Skink Photo.

[@SlavaVeres]

❤ 10:15 Hudson Bay Company coffee mug, eh? 🇨🇦 😉

[@KyleMcDougall]

🙌

[@rogerharrison4316]

I was in those exact two locations a month ago with my 10x8 Deardorff! I have a Reality So Subtle 5x4 pinhole camera which you are welcome to borrow if you would like. It's one of the older models with a fixed focal length of 35mm, though, which is insanely wide on 5x4. The new version he does has variable focal lengths which might be better for your project. If you'd like to borrow it, though, let me know.

[@chriscard6544]

11:55 is absolutely gorgeous

[@damo42315fg]

Great work

[@ale_s45]

Amazing

[@joecharrington]

Ilfosol 3 / FD10 are now my go-to stocks after ID11 now seems to disappear for months on end. Quick and fast developer, racks up a hefty price if you have a steady workflow though!

[@faded_memory]

I’ve been shooting Harman direct positive paper on my Ondu 4x5 pinhole. You should look into both of those. Beautiful cameras and the direct positive paper has a really interesting look.

[@faded_memory]

Also the Lightme app has a pinhole setting so you don’t have to do the conversion.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Good to know!

[@jaypage8823]

Fantastic images of the old church, very moody and atmospheric! Old ruins always look better in B&W, at least to my eye and the soft focus really adds to that "historic-kind of look". Your video is very timely for me since I have been thinking of trying pin hole photography this summer. I'm going to stick with 120 roll film which I regularly use and I will start with a Holga 120 wide-angle camera (6 x 9) and Acros II 100 film (to avoid the reciprocity issues). What apps were you using on your iPhone? Thanks.

[@stevinoname]

This is some really cool stuff

[@mgscheue]

I recently bought a 120 pinhole camera (MIA) and it's so much fun. I was surprised to get pleasing stuff on my first roll.

[@chriscard6544]

MIA pinhole is freaking awesome, with a very elegant vignetting

[@mgscheue]

@@chriscard6544Yes! And he’s such a nice guy, too.

[@KyleMcDougall]

I've been chatting with Andrea from Mia. Might try one out in the future.

[@sabinekranich4707]

I would suggest an Ondu pinhole too.

[@KyleMcDougall]

They look great!

[@johnmilner0859]

Nice images

[@AlejandroVisuals]

I did not know that I would be looking for a new camera today, joke aside, the results are really unique, great work

[@KyleMcDougall]

Cheers. Had a lot of fun with this one.

[@DodoKing187]

if you're looking for an early 1900s look I can also always recommend using a Kodak Brownie from that period like a Brownie No. 2, they take 120 rolls and produce 6x9 images, it was basically the iPhone of that time so we are used to the look as being "antique". Also I cannot recommend the absolute joy of building your own pinhole. ;)

[@KyleMcDougall]

Ah yes, great idea! Could be fun to try out.

[@Dwarvenchef]

I have many pinhole cameras and find each one shoots very differently from another. I use 135, 120, 4x5 and 4x10, with others built from old “Land Polaroid” cameras. Ondu, Zero Image, RealitySoSubtle, Santa Barbara Co., and several others in various sizes and formats, I find myself getting a new PH camera when I can’t get a specific shot im after or i read of a new maker with a different twist on this old format. I have drunken the Koolaid from the trough of Pinhole Photography.

[@Kristophersmithphotography]

Can I ask that you do a video centered around your scanning process for 4x5? Using my GFX just isn't working for this...files are way too huge!

[@KyleMcDougall]

I use a mix of GFX, or the Epson V700. The 4x5 scanning setup is something that I still need to perfect.

[@BE-kv5yx]

I am just starting to look into pinhole camera's - love your images. May I ask what the App you were using was (to work out your timings). This is the main area I am worried about at the moment. Thank you.

[@bernardkelly235]

Very enjoyable, Kyle. Pinhole is as much a mentality as it is a method. I have two cameras, one 6 x 17, the other 6 x 4.5. Both have given me good (and as often bad) results. Now I'm wondering if I could make something larger myself, something that would take an 11 x 14 holder, say. (Not suggesting, of course, that you too go that far, but you could simply attach a pinhole board to your Horseman.)

[@KyleMcDougall]

I did just find out about the pinhole lens boards. I love the idea.

[@LRPhotographer]

Have you looked at the pinhole board for the Intrepid? :)

[@KyleMcDougall]

Just found out that was a thing!

[@BillyHopscotch]

Check out the Pinsta. Can shoot and develop paper in the camera itself.

[@anthonys_expired_film]

How did you store the exposed 4x5 sheets out in the field? Did you put them in a film holder?

[@thenutter2003]

i like to use my Zero Image 4x5 pin hole works well.

[@ChrisThe1]

huh. what a crazy camera

[@tedphillips2951]

Intrepid Camera has a pin hole lens board for 4x5 view cameras.

[@ricomichel]

@KyleMcDougall Are these darker lines along the edges of the negative due to scanning a negative that is too dense with an Epson flatbed? I'm wondering because I've had the same problem, I overexposed negatives with an old meter (about +2 stops). I think the lines may be due to reflections from the film holder, but I'm not sure. Delta 100 is gorgeous, but can produce very dense negatives that may exceed the Epson's capabilities. Anyways, please let me know! Always much enjoying your videos! Thanx - Éric

[@KyleMcDougall]

The black lines are the film border, and then the darker lines after that I think come from the way to film sits and is held in by the front cover of the camera.

[@ricomichel]

@@KyleMcDougall OK thanks, so I understand these darker lines (not the film border) appear on your negatives? But they don't appear on mine so they must be caused by the scanner. Mystery still unsolved 🙃

[@matthewlooney8229]

Love this! What scanner are you using for large format scans?

[@KyleMcDougall]

Epson V700

[@izzwizamahjah275]

doesn't intrepid have pinhole on lens boards?

[@SathyaPeacock]

never shot with a pinhole and I'm intrigued

[@jcbahr]

the interior shots remind me of the green knight

[@guitaradam182]

Anybody know which reciprocity timer app Kyle is talking about at 3:47?

[@KyleMcDougall]

It's just called 'Reciprocity Timer'

[@simonberry1977]

Lovely! Any temptation to try a @pinstacamera

[@KyleMcDougall]

Just found out about them.

[@anthonys_expired_film]

The Mia Pinhole 4x5 uses a film holder. I have one and posted results on my IG.

[@eltinjones4542]

These turned out ok but I'd rather watch than do 📷👍

[@steveh1273]

You can expect a lot of diffraction, but you know that already.

[@smellyelly5940]

Kyle McDougall, you look like Tyler Stalman

[@eewilmeth]

you have an intrepid 4x5 right? i have their pinhole lens board and can shoot 4x5 pinhold with a film holder. so for 20--30 bucks you're in business.

[@KyleMcDougall]

Just found out about the pinhole lens board. Might be the answer to what I'm after!

[@buyaport]

Got a Harman Titan with 2 cones and an Ondu 6x9. Advantages: They are light and relatively cheap. And the proces of taking pictures can be fun. Disadvantage: The pictures are rubbish. Everything is unsharp. Waste of good film. Comparing the pictures I take with my old Graflex 4x5 or Fujica 690 with the pinhole pictures in the same formats, using a camera with a lens is a nobrainer for me. If you don't have a pinhole camera: You have been warned!

[@Stygmah]

Yeah that's kind of part of pinhole my friend.

[@johnlaw6735]

ONDU

[@leave-eye]

I haven't shot pinhole.

[@johnsmith1474]

Is the irony lost that while the pinhole camera is completely fundamental & pure a device, and though you could avoid it, you choose to use the completely high tech phone for a number of other functions? You could meter by guesswork as you've been in this light hundreds of times, and frame with a small wire finder, wouldn't that have been more satisfying? Perhaps this came to mind afterward?