Dan Pickard, a physics teacher, sent us this self portrait taken on the steps of his high school in Seattle. The technique of pinhole photography is a simple camera without a lens, the camera obscura.
He used a #1 stainless steel insect pin that makes a hole of about 0.4mm. That produces a well focused image along with sufficient light throughput. This image of a bromeliad (a botanical group which includes pineapples), also from Dan Pickard, was done with a #0 stainless steel insect pin
This thinner pin size will flex when pressed against a thick sheet of paper, cardboard, etc. You may need to hold the pin near the tip with a pair of tweezers or a hemostat.
We've offered Czech made stainless steel pins since 2005. Entosphinx stainless steel pins are 316 grade stainless steel with a nylon head; protect your valuable collections whether they're insects or textiles. Buy just a few & our delivered cost beats "free" shipping!
Google Reviews, click on the names to see in full:
Alison B.:..ordered a sample pack of insect pins..wonderful selection and super-fast shipment...…
Mary C. B...Indigo Instruments entomology pins...in my artwork for almost ten years...a big part of my studio practice!
Some blogs that may be of interest:
Insect Pins for Art, Nozzles, Puppetry...Even Insects. Our pins ensured Sponge Bob's pants didn't fall down!
Pinhole Photography & Eye Evolution. See also pinhole camera examples with a #0 insect pin & a #1 insect pin.
See our blog Bioquip Inc. Products Catalog-Indigo Instruments Equivalents may be a useful reference for some.
Pin # | Dimensions | Pin Head | Wire Gauge(s) |
1 | 38x0.40mm (1.5x0.016") | 1.1-1.3mm | 42 |
Focal Length (cm) | Focal Length (in.) | Pin Size | Pin Diameter (mm) |
---|---|---|---|
9.0 | 3 1/2 | 1 | 0.40 |
Focal Length as defined here is the distance from the pinhole at the front of the camera to rear where the photographic film or paper is placed. This is the distance of best theoretical focus of the pinhole camera's image with a pinhole of particular diameter.
The actual pinhole size/aperture made with a particular pin will likely be slightly larger than the diameter of the pin shaft. A small diameter pinhole has a shorter effective focal length; however smaller diameter pinholes will also require longer exposure times than larger pinholes. Depending on your photographic/artistic goals (ultra-sharp focus may not be required, or even desired) you may wish to choose a larger pinhole and give up some sharpness for faster more practical exposure times.
Information provided courtesy of Dan Pickard, Seattle WA
Entosphinx stainless steel pins are made from 316 grade stainless steel which has a minimum of 0.36% molybdenum (Mo) for superior corrosion resistance. This Certificate of Analysis is our guarantee of truly rust resistant insect collection pins.
Great pins, have been using them for years without issue.
I use these pins for my insect collection. They work great!