Camera Obscura

3D Model

I had some old lenses lying around and I wanted to use them as a camera obscura. Thanks to an online lens simulator and some equations I was able to figure out a configuration giving a variable focal length between one and five meters.

This is the somewhat ambitious design I worked out. It’s shaped like a teepee with a motorized turret and optics package on top. It’s intended to project astronimical or landscape scenes onto the middle of the floor, with viewers sitting around. It’s a little over three and a half meters tall, which would also be the target focal length.

The altitude and azimuth mirrors can be rotated to see the entire hemisphere of the sky. The tent is made of blackout fabric with a reflective exterior to keep a nice, dark area for good visibility and exposure. It’s also designed to be slept in. I imagine aiming the turret towards the next day’s sunrise to be awakened by the scenery and light.