Zero Image 4x5 Pinhole Camera: A Decade of Shooting
For the past 10 years, I’ve been using the Zero Image 4x5 Pinhole Camera, and it remains one of the most unique and rewarding cameras in my collection. Unlike modern digital or even traditional film cameras, this handcrafted wooden pinhole camera strips photography down to its purest form—light, time, and composition.
In this review, I’ll walk you through the camera’s features, how it performs in real-world shooting, and share images captured at its different focal lengths: 25mm, 50mm, and 75mm.
A Timeless Handmade Camera
The Zero Image 4x5 Pinhole Camera is a handcrafted wooden pinhole camera made by Zero Image, a Hong Kong-based company known for its beautifully designed, high-quality pinhole cameras. The Zero Image 4x5 is made from teak wood and brass fittings and finished off with 15 layers of coating, applied by hand to the camera, to insure maximum protection of the wood.
Key Features
- Film Format: 4x5-inch sheet film
- Focal Lengths: Adjustable between 25mm, 50mm, and 75mm
- Pinhole Size: 0.18mm (25mm), 0.28mm (50mm), 0.35mm (75mm)
- Aperture: F/138 (25mm), F/176 (50mm), F/216.5 (75mm)
- Angle of View (diagonally): 148.35° (25mm), 120.99° (50mm), 99.35° (75mm)
- Shutter: Basic version: Manual sliding wooden panel - Deluxe version: cable release adaptor
- Weight:168 gm(basic camera) 130 gm (extension frame)
With no lens, no electronics, and no viewfinder, using the Zero Image 4x5 requires patience and a different mindset compared to conventional cameras.
Shooting with the Zero Image 4x5
To demonstrate how this camera performs, I captured images at its three available focal lengths: 25mm, 50mm, and 75mm. Each offers a unique perspective.
The focal length is changed by adding an extension frame.
25mm (Ultra Wide-Angle)
At 25mm, with an angle of view of 148.35°, this focal length is extremely wide, giving a distinctive look that suits some subjects more than others. The extreme width introduces significant vignetting, which varies based on exposure length—longer exposures on overcast days with slower films produce more even images, while shorter exposures on brighter days result in stronger vignetting. Additionally, stretching distortion around the edges occurs due to the steep angle at which light rays enter and project onto the film, causing the image to expand outward.
25mm - Pinhole size 0.18mm - Aperture f/138 - Angle of View 148.35°
50mm (Standard Wide-Angle)
At 50mm, with an angle of view of 120.99°, this focal length is still quite wide for a 4x5 pinhole camera. However, it provides a more balanced and natural look compared to the extreme distortion of 25mm. This is one of my favorite focal lengths for this format, as it offers a pleasing composition without excessive stretching. On certain days, depending on the lighting and exposure, some vignetting may still occur, and slight edge distortion can be present, though it is much less pronounced than at 25mm.
50mm - Pinhole size 0.28 - Aperture f/176 - Angle of View 120.99°
75mm (Moderate Telephoto)
At 75mm, the image becomes more compressed and gives a more natural feel, it will have an even finish over the film with no vignetting or distortion, this setting works well for most things.
75mm - Pinhole size 0.35 - Aperture f/216.5 - Angle of View - 99.35°
From left to right.
75mm - 50mm - 25mm
Using photographic paper
Photographic paper can be a great medium for pinhole photography, but it behaves differently than transparent film, especially in wide pinhole cameras. At 25mm, vignetting is extreme to the point of being nearly unusable (see comparison below). 50mm performs better but still shows significantly more vignetting than film. The best results with photographic paper come at 75mm, where the vignetting is reduced and the images are more balanced.
Zero Image 4x5 @ 25mm.
On the left Photographic film on the right photographic paper
Sharpness isn’t usually a focal point in pinhole photography—if you’re using a pinhole camera, chances are you’re not prioritizing sharpness. However, it’s a question I frequently get asked. The Zero Image 4x5 is surprisingly sharp for a pinhole camera. Zero Image uses a 0.001" brass shim pinhole, which is precisely engineered to create the sharpest possible image while maintaining the signature softness and character of pinhole photography.
While it will never rival a lens-based camera in terms of sharpness, the details it captures, especially at 50mm and 75mm, can be quite impressive for a pinhole system.
Zero image 4x5 @ 50mm
Left: Original image - Right: Cropped
The Shutter system
The shutter system can make or break a pinhole camera, and Zero Image has created the best shutter system available. They offer two types of shutter mechanisms. The basic version has a simple up-and-down pivot shutter, which works well.
For more precise control, the deluxe version comes with a cable release adapter pre-installed. Using a cable release eliminates any extra movement caused by manually opening and closing the shutter, preventing unintended motion blur. Additionally, on shorter exposures, it’s possible to accidentally capture your hand in the frame when operating the shutter manually—using a cable release completely eliminates these issues and makes exposures more consistent and accurate.
The Experience: Slow Photography at Its Best
Using the Zero Image 4x5 is a deliberate, meditative process. Unlike instant digital feedback, you must pre-visualize your composition, manually calculate your exposure, and wait for film development to see the final result.
Exposure & Light Control
With fixed apertures of f/138 (25mm), f/176 (50mm) and f/216.5 (75mm) , exposure times are long, often several seconds to minutes, depending on lighting conditions film etc. A light meter (or smartphone app) is useful to estimate the correct exposure and reciprocity failure of the film.
Composition Without a Viewfinder
There’s no viewfinder or external guidelines on the Zero 4x5 so composition is not the easiest, trying to pre visualize the shot and an educated guess is what is needed. This adds an element of surprise and forces you to focus on the broader artistic process rather than pixel-perfect precision.
Film & Development
Since it uses 4x5 sheet film, you must load individual sheets into film holders in complete darkness (film holders will needed to be purchased separately). Developing the negatives is an essential part of the experience, most labs don't take large format film so developing at home is a must for most people, it gives a hands-on connection to the images you create.
Final Thoughts: Is the Zero Image 4x5 Worth It?
If you’re considering getting into large-format pinhole photography and are using photographic film, the Zero Image 4x5 is an excellent choice. It offers the convenience of multiple focal lengths and features an exceptionally well-designed shutter system.
That said, the 25mm focal length is extremely wide, which can be challenging to use and isn’t to everyone’s taste. However, when used effectively, it produces striking and unique images. Even if you prefer to stick to 50mm or 75mm, this camera will satisfy most users with its versatility and craftsmanship.
Over the years, it has become one of my absolute favorite pinhole cameras, helping me capture some of my most memorable pinhole images.
Pros:
✅ Cable release shutter system
✅ Beautiful, handcrafted design
✅ Sharp, for a pinhole camera
✅ Variable focal lengths for different looks
✅ Encourages creativity and patience
Cons:
❌ Long exposure times require a tripod
❌ No viewfinder means framing takes practice
❌ 4x5 film can be expensive and time-consuming
❌ Not good for photographic paper
❌ film holder will also need to be purchased
For me, this camera has been a decade-long journey of artistic discovery. If you love the idea of capturing light in its purest form, the Zero Image 4x5 Pinhole Camera is absolutely worth trying.
Have you used a pinhole camera before? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Watch my full video review here: (Insert YouTube link)
If you're looking to purchase a Zero Image camera, you can order directly from their official website.
For those in the United States, I recommend checking out their authorized dealers, as there have been some reported issues with shipments from Hong Kong reaching the U.S.
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Zero Image 4x5 gallery https://pinholelife.com/collections/zero+image+4x5
Some of my favorite Zero Image 4x5 photos over the years
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