Solargraph Camera
We calculate the final price from your selected file. You review and accept it before payment.
Saved on this device.
Pinhole solar camera for taking ultra long exposures (multi-month) of the sun as it crosses the sky
- Rating
- 5 / 5
- Likes
- 68
- Downloads
- 181
- Makes
- 1
- Views
- 1,997
- Reviews
- 1
Updated at source:
Model information
- Source
- Printables
- Category
- Photo & Video
- License
- Creative Commons — Attribution — Share Alike
Posting this near the winter solstice which is the best time of year to place one of these cameras.
The design is:
- Fully Parametric in FreeCAD - so you can alter the photo paper size and angle of view
- Easy to develop for a pinhole camera - you just need the photo paper and a scanner
- Mounting Grooves and zip tie holes to hold it stable while it is exposing
What you will need
- Black and white Photo Paper (6x4 but you can customise)
- Scanner
- 2x M4 Screws (to secure the lid)
- Coke Can (for the pinhole)
How to Print
Both parts can be printed easily without supports but you should pick a filament that will block the light and stand up to your climate (eg PLA might warp in hot summers).
Once you have printed the models, cut a piece of coke can to fit in the aperture hole and poke a small pinhole with a thumbtack.
Optionally weatherseal with hotglue, tape and spraypaint.
How to Setup the Photo
Place the photopaper into the camera and secure the lid with M4 screws. It is best to do this in a dim room and place some tape or bluetak over the pinhole when you are done so no light gets in while you place it.
When you place the camera use the following website to understand where the sun will rise and set:
How to Develop Photos
Over time the image will burn in to the paper, so when you open the camera you should be able to see the negative of the image on the paper.
Relatively quicky, scan the paper with a flatbed paper as it will slowly become darken over time.
In your photo editor of choice, “Invert”the colours to get the proper image and adjust the contrast and brightness to fully bring the image out.