Lite45 - A parametric model for an easy 4x5 camera

Lite 45 is a re-engineering of the P5 Muto pinhole camera. It uses the same film holder and body, but features a different front plate that accommodates a helicoid, which can be purchased on Amazon or AliExpress. The helicoid mounts the lens via a retaining plate, and the entire model is fully parametric, allowing adjustments for different flange distances. No bellows are required.

Printing Settings:

• Printer model: Bambu A1 Mini
• Material: PLA
• Profile: 0.2 mm Strength profile in Bambu Studio (6 walls and 25% infill – probably not necessary)
• Top plate and retaining ring: 0.08 mm layer height
• Supports: Required only for the top plate

Assembly – Required Materials:

• Epoxy glue 
• Plastic putty (optional) 
• Focusing helicoid (the model is designed for an M65–M65 helicoid, such as this one) 
• 4 × M3×6 screws 
• 4 × M3×8 screws 
• 8 × M3 heat inserts 
• Vinyl foam (1 mm thick) 

Assembly – Process

1. Glue together the three main elements: the film holder part, the body, and the cone. You can fill any gap between the cone and the body with plastic putty.
2. Insert the heat inserts into the top of the cone and into the sides of the body.
3. Secure the tripod mounts to the side with M3×8 screws, and attach the top plate in the same way (it must be secured with M3x6 screws).
4. Just screw the helicoid onto the front, and mount the lens into the retaining ring before screwing it to the helicoid.
5. Apply a thin strip of vinyl foam along the four sides of the film holder part to prevent light leaks. This is not counted in the Flange parameter, so add in EXTRA_SPACE parameter (I added 0.5 mm)

The chassis is kept in place against the body with strong elastic bands. Make sure it is fully seated (all the way down) to avoid light leaks. You can also create a focusing glass using the provided STL file, by gluing in a piece of glass from a cheap frame and covering it with adhesive opaque film. 

Additional notes:

• The design currently uses a 17 mm helicoid, but this can be modified in the file (remember to account for +1 mm of the retaining ring).
• A 4.9 mm spacing is considered for the chassis, but this can also be adjusted.
• A TXT file is included with the specifications of the custom M65×1 thread profile, which you may modify if necessary. Just remember to convert it in xlm.

The photo you see is shot with Schneider Xenar 150mm 1:4.5.