After seing this Team Droid pinhole camera..  I was inspired to create a Golgo73 version of a panoramic pinhole camera.. 

Below is what I came up with..  The G73 Pano Pinhole 35..

The main difference was that I wanted to use 35mm film..  It's much cheaper.. And more importantly -> Way easier to find..  I was aiming for a small form factor initially.. But I went a bit bigger to make first time construction easier..

The end result was main body dimensions of 185mm x 104mm x 50mm..

It's actually feels good in the hand.. And the oversized controls are easy to use.. A nice snug fit prevents any light entering the camera once the film is loaded..

I used overlapping front and back panels for clean look..

The camera comes apart in two halves.. The main body.. And the back cover..

The back cover has an integrated level.. To make it easier for me to get a level shot..  The two columns are actually covers for the viewing windows (to see the frame numbers on the film)..

I used red gel windows to prevent any unwanted exposure to the film, but that is wrong.. It will fog your film.. So don't do this for 35mm film.. (My idea was to  first look for the frame number on the left side.. Take your photo.. Then wind the film till you see the number appear on the right window.. That way you know you've advanced the film enought to take the next shot..)  I however found that I could not see any numbers.. And I now know why I couldn't find the numbers.. They don't show up until after the film is developed!.. I will be taping those window up for sure!.. (Much thanks to Wim for the very helpful post-construction feedback.)

You can also see the soft open cell foam backing.. Which helps keep the film pressed against the box frame (which you'll eventually see below).. Which in turn..  Ensures that light from the pinhole will only register inside the box frame..

Here is the main body with the shutter open..  I've sanded and shaped it so that opening and closing the shutter creates as little movement as possible.. But still creates a light tight seal.. 

With the main body flipped over.. You can see how it all works.. The winding knobs were recycled from old toner cartridges from the laser printer at work..  I glued the yellow knob to a film carrier that I hacked from an old disposible camera that I've had for over ten years..  The black knob was glued to an old 35mm film spool..  The frame that the film sits on gives the image a focal length of 35mm..

I load the film in a darkroom so I can get an extra two shots on the film.. I created a sliding wedge to allow the film load into the carrier easily.. The is locked down by the wedge once loaded.. After loading.. I prewind the film using the black knob.. Then I wind the film back into the canister after every shot.. This way.. In case of any accidental opening of the camera.. The shots already taken will be safe inside the film canister..

Here you can see the pinhole (0.03mm).. Which I created with the tip of no.9 pin.. Through an aluminum can.. Which I later painted flat black.. Surrounding the pinhole is the box frame.. With panoramic measurements of 55m x 25mm.. I also added an peep notch on the shutter for easy aiming of the camera..

I plan to glue in some weights in the vacant spot under the film.. To make the camera heavier.. Which will make it more stable.. And less susceptible to camera shake/blurring..

I put a lip on the shutter.. To prevent any light leaking from above..  You can also see that I curved the box frame/film plane because I thought that it would prevent warping the image.. But that is incorrect..  Pinhole cameras do not create distorted images (even with a short focal length for wide angle of view).. So a flat film plane is optimal..(Again, much thanks to Wim for the very helpful post-construction feedback.)

I also added a tripod mount (from an old/broken camera).. The mount is reinforced with internal metal bar.. Which will prevent it from popping off the camera..   Using a tripod will definitely help me get a sharper photograph..

It was quite fun putting it all together..  It actually  took more time planning it all out.. And finding all the proper materials/pieces..  Than the time it took to cut all the foam core board out.. And glue it all together..

I was thinking of creating a remote/cable shutter release next.. Which I will definitely post photos of.. When it's done.. With the remote setup.. It will make it look like a Claymore mine..  I've got to grab some olive colored paint next!..

Click here to view the photos produced by the prototype The G73 Pano Pinhole 35..

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