The 1800´s Spy Camera - How to Make the Best Retro Mini Camera

Remember those times specifically in 1870 when you wanted to take a picture and you could not, ahhhh good times, However with new technologies the photos are taking a very fast course and this is wonderful, Isn´t it?

But we don´t take a moment to think about the fun that was before taking a good picture or even the process for the development, which for a time, was a ritual. But first a little history ... As they have been fixed in the title the pinhole camera has been present since ancient Greece and even Aristotle and Euclid wrote about it and little by little it evolved to what it is today.

The operation is very simple...
A beam of light enters through a pinhole (It is a small hole) projecting at the other end of the camera. The funny thing is that the image appears inverted on the other side (Due to the nature of the light) I believe that a word says more than a thousand images, Please do not critize me I´m not very good with quotes haha, but here is an image that illustrates it better

Enough talk and let´s start working

The materials you are going to need are:

• Cutter or exact.
• Marker
• A very small box or boat (I used a jeweler's box)
• Black insulating tape
• Aluminum foil
• Pin Liquid
• Silicone glue
• Black acrylic paint
• Photographic paper (usually used in photography studios, but easy to get on the internet)
• A photo development kit that contains all the necessary chemical products.
• Three large containers.
• Three clips with protective rubber to avoid damaging the photos.
• A dark room Tender red light.

To make the camera you must first locate where the virgin photo paper will be placed, since you will have to Charge your camera in a room as dark as possible only with the red light of a spotlight, as this does not affect the virgin paper.

Once you have located the part where you are going to place your paper, you have to cut a square right in front of that place.

After painting both the lid and the box with acrylic paint, this paint allows you to cover small holes where

could happen light and spoil the photo. It is important that there is no light leakage.

Using the scissors, cut a small piece of aluminum foil that covers the box you cut, then make a small I orient helping you with the pin, which is as clean as possible, to that it will be the pinhole (the equivalent of a lens).

With the black ribbon make a kind of hinge, this will make the process of uploading and downloading photos more flexible.

Finally to hold the virgin paper only use a piece of black tape.

Now for the Photo reveal...

As the reaction times of the chemists depend on the manufacturer in the manufacturer, it is better to follow the instructions indicated by the manufacturer. but the basic principle is that in the three containers there is a developer, a sealer and water with vinegar to stop the reaction.

Divide your containers with the chemicals in three steps, putting them in order on a table in the dark room and keep your virgin photo paper already cut in close sizes that fit in your camera.

Place the red light in such a way that you can only see a little in the shadows, otherwise you would saturate the virgin paper.

To take your photos load the camera in the dark room by sticking the paper with black tape. Then place your finger in the pinhole, this will serve as an obturator.

Finally, carefully place the camera where it does not move and remove your finger to take the picture.

Count from 8 to 15 seconds depending on how much light there is and place the finger again.

Enter the development room and only there you will be able to remove your finger.

Finally dip the photo in each of the containers following the development times indicated by the manufacturer.

When drying, the photo will come out in negative. To have your photo ready simply scan the negative or take a picture with your cell phone and edit the image in any editing application that allows you to invert the colors of the image. I recommend Picsart or Photoshop.

Thanks for looking at this tutorial. :)