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 made from 316 grade stainless steel; 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 for making pinhole cameras....wonderful selection and super-fast shipment...…
Mary C. B. ...Indigo Instruments entomology pins...in my artwork for almost ten years now, and 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 |
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!