My Camera Obscura
I decided to try to create two different kinds of camera obscura (fixed lens and telephoto lens) using the following materials:
Telephoto Lens Version
I began by cutting two lengths of tube of different diameters so that one could fit inside the other. I placed a small piece of greaseproof paper across the end of the thinner tube and taped it to the sides securely. I then attached a small piece of tinfoil over the end of the wider tube, taped it to the sides securely and made a tiny pin hole (about 0.5 to 1mm wide) in the tin foil.
I inserted the thinner tube into the wider tube and moved it backwards and forwards noticing how the image increased and decreased in size. I adapted the camera by creating a special eye piece at one end to make sure that very little light got into the tube. The darker the tube inside, the brighter the image appeared.
Fixed Lens Version
This version was similar to the one above but a simpler construction. I used only one tube, cutting a section from the end over which I taped the tinfoil. I covered the longer section with greaseproof paper before re-attaching the shorter section. I made a tiny pin hole in the tinfoil and was then able to observe an upside down image projected onto the greaseproof paper screen inside the tube (see opposite).
I was really pleased with my cameras. I preferred the telephoto version because it allowed me to zoom in and out of the image. However, the fixed lens version was also successful because I used a wider tube and the image was bright and clear. I am going to experiment with creating a slightly bigger camera obscura next time, possibly using my bedroom!
I decided to try to create two different kinds of camera obscura (fixed lens and telephoto lens) using the following materials:
- sections of cardboard tube
- tape
- tinfoil
- greaseproof paper
Telephoto Lens Version
I began by cutting two lengths of tube of different diameters so that one could fit inside the other. I placed a small piece of greaseproof paper across the end of the thinner tube and taped it to the sides securely. I then attached a small piece of tinfoil over the end of the wider tube, taped it to the sides securely and made a tiny pin hole (about 0.5 to 1mm wide) in the tin foil.
I inserted the thinner tube into the wider tube and moved it backwards and forwards noticing how the image increased and decreased in size. I adapted the camera by creating a special eye piece at one end to make sure that very little light got into the tube. The darker the tube inside, the brighter the image appeared.
Fixed Lens Version
This version was similar to the one above but a simpler construction. I used only one tube, cutting a section from the end over which I taped the tinfoil. I covered the longer section with greaseproof paper before re-attaching the shorter section. I made a tiny pin hole in the tinfoil and was then able to observe an upside down image projected onto the greaseproof paper screen inside the tube (see opposite).
I was really pleased with my cameras. I preferred the telephoto version because it allowed me to zoom in and out of the image. However, the fixed lens version was also successful because I used a wider tube and the image was bright and clear. I am going to experiment with creating a slightly bigger camera obscura next time, possibly using my bedroom!