WoodyCam #2 represents the second chapter and natural evolution of my journey in designing and self-building wooden pinhole cameras.
This new version was born as a technical and conscious refinement of the previous camera. I wanted to correct structural and optical issues encountered in the field with the first version, striving to combine the tactile and aesthetic authenticity of wood with greater execution precision of the pinhole.
The Mathematics of Light
The beating heart of WoodyCam #2 is an extremely fine pinhole pierced on a thin metal sheet, measuring an exact diameter of just 0.30 mm. This microscopic aperture, completely replacing a glass lens, challenges the canons of modern digital photography.
The mathematical relationship between the pinhole diameter and the internal focal distance (about 11 cm, with an equivalent focal length of approximately 55 mm) determines a fixed focal aperture equal to f/128. This value guarantees extraordinary depth of field and the characteristic detail softness typical of a pinhole, free from any chromatic aberration or lens distortion.
Craftsmanship Meets Slow Image
The exterior design, handcrafted entirely from fine wood, not only responds to aesthetic needs but imparts warmth, robustness, and a unique identity to the camera. The choice of natural and sustainable materials pairs perfectly with the slow and eco-friendly spirit of pinhole photography: a meditative and physical alternative to modern technological frenzy.
WoodyCam #2 is not a simple update, but a conscious re-appropriation of the photographic act, where exposure time is measured in minutes rather than thousandths of a second.
To compare this model with the first prototype and explore differences in focal distance and construction, visit the dedicated page for WoodyCam #1.
Roberto Lacava
