Quick Answer: The Pinhole Camera STEM Lab is a telescoping, light-tight pinhole camera with 3 interchangeable brass pinholes of 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm and a 60mm x 60mm frosted glass screen. A 0 to 150 mm scale on the inner barrel measures the screen distance.
Last updated: October 2026
Key Features
Two sliding barrels in matte-black composite polymer to keep out stray light
3 interchangeable brass pinhole foils: 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm
Frosted glass viewing screen, 60mm x 60mm
Engraved metric scale on the inner barrel, 0 to 150 mm in 1 mm steps
1/4-inch threaded brass socket for a bench rod or tripod
LED "F" target included for showing image inversion
Technical Specifications
Specification
Value
Pinholes
3 brass foils, 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.8 mm
Screen
Frosted glass, 60mm x 60mm
Scale
0 to 150 mm, 1 mm resolution
Mounting
1/4-inch threaded brass socket
Length
160 mm to 280 mm (telescoping)
Diameter
75 mm
Weight
Approx. 420 grams
About This Product
Aimed at the lit "F" target in a darkened room, the camera throws an inverted image on the screen, which shows light travelling in straight lines. Sliding the barrels changes the screen distance so students can measure image size and work out magnification, while swapping the 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm pinholes shows the trade-off between image sharpness and brightness, with links to the camera obscura and the eye.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does changing the pinhole do on the Pinhole Camera STEM Lab?
A smaller pinhole gives a sharper but dimmer image; a larger one gives a brighter but more blurred image. The kit has 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm pinholes.
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