The Results

Below you can see some of the pictures i had taken, they are not in focus which which i think is down to me either moving the camera or the pinhole being to large but hey its a picture which is fantastic and i'm looking forward to trying another shot at this. I will be making the pinhole smaller and using a tripod and once i have made these changes i will post the new pictures to see the difference.

Bring it all together

The inside of the matchbox inserted and then the old 35mm cartridge is turned (using a rod or ring pull) to take all the slack up and bring both films together on either side of the matchbox. Now use the PVC tape to seal up the gaps between the film cases and matchbox and then you are ready to take a picture.
When you are ready you need to have the shutter down and turn the empty canister till you hear 6 clicks then follow the below timings for ISO 100/200 film.

Outside, sunshine: 1 or 2 seconds

Outside, cloudy conditions: 5 seconds

Indoors, normal room lighting: 5 - 10 minutes

I have not yet taken any pictures (but will tomorrow) so will post how i got the film out and also the pictures i took.

Load the camera

I then pulled out enough film to go through the empty matchbox till it connects with the old 35mm film which you then tape together (not overlap) so the new film can be taken into the old canister.

Make the clicker

This is needed to help you know when the film has been moved on for the next picture (six clicks will be enough for the matchbox i have shown you) tape to the top of the new 35mm film

Tape the shutter to the front of the matchbox

Make sure to cover the pinhole and then tape into place with the shutter down (to make sure it will slide in & out)

Make a shutter

Cut of two pieces from the camera film box with the following dimensions: 1-32x32mm 2-25mm x 40mm Then cut out a 6mm square in the middle of No1 and apply some PVC tape to the back of No2 which will help eliminate light leakage into the pinhole.

Use a black marker on tin and tape to very middle of the matchbox

(covering the 6x6mm hole)

make a 0.2 mm or smaller hole in middle with a needle

(i think my hole is a little big but we will see when the film is developed...a lot of trial and error i think)

Cut out a 15x15mm square from the tin can

Cut out a 6x6 mm square in the very center of the matchbox

& the inside of the matchbox!

Colour the inside of the matchbox black

Cut out a 24 x 24 mm square

What you will need

This is the first time i have tried to make a pinhole camera, let alone a matchbox pinhole camera so i will try my best to explain what i am doing during this blog.

First of all you will need to go and buy some goodies from the shop (i have listed what you will need below & where i purchased them)

1-A matchbox (local co-op) 12p
2-Coca Cola tin (local co-op) 50p
3-Black marker (Wilkinsons) 10p
4-Scissors (already owned)
5-Black PVC electrical tape (Maplins) £1.09
6-35mm film (Boots) £2.99
7-Craft knife (Wilkinsons) 39p
8-Sewing needles (Wilkinsons) 62p
9-Empty 35mm cartridge (Boots) FREE
10-A ruler (already owned)
11-A spiral binder (Not pictured)

Optional items

11-Ale, Ale and more Ale (will keep your fingers nimble and the fun alive)
12-Sandpaper (to sand the pinhole after the hole has been made)