A visual update on my January contribution to the BoF 2026 Pinhole Challenge
#mia612m #pinhole #believeinfilm
The theme for the BoF 2026 Pinhole Challenge this month was set by John. He gave us Winter.
Holga WPC
We were fortunate enough to have a small fall of snow in early January which I thought was serendipitous given the monthly theme. I accordingly nipped outside with the Holga Wide pinhole camera to make my entries for the month.
However, as the month has progressed with day after day of cold, dark, damp, frankly miserable conditions I realised that in reality winter here isn’t about snow and ice. I therefore set out this past weekend to make a new set of images for the Challenge with the currently ever-present MIA 612m.
All images: MIA 612m unless stated
The minute I inverted the negative to see the raw positive I knew I’d capture a typical Yorkshire January; snow isn’t uncommon but it’s not the typical Winter weather we get here.
The low winter sun is irresistible to me
Finally, an image that I started processing but never finished.
Hopefully I’ve not left you feeling too cold with this selection. Fair to say though that the BoF Pinhole Challenge 2026 is off to a great start.
My first four rolls with the #MIA612m #pinhole camera from
@miapinholecameras.bsky.social #believeinfilm
* Specifications *
The Mia 612m is a multi-format pinhole camera capable of producing images in 6×6, 6×9 and 6×12 format. The manufacturer, Andrea, claims that it does so with very little if no vignetting. The specifications (from the website) are:
I’ve put a handful of rolls through the camera over the last week and so far have been mightily impressed. The camera is sturdy, light and very easy to use. With no electronics nor indeed any glass, I’ve been able to leave the camera out in the rain for an hour or more without worry whilst I made a series of long exposures. A quick wipe down with a tea towel afterwards and all was right with the world. Being a 6×12 format a standard 120 roll gives six negatives, winding to frames 1,3,5,7,9 and 11 is very straightforward; the winding knobs move easily yet stay put when not being used and the simple viewing hole in the back makes reading even Ilford’s frame numbers straightforward.
The simple shutter is easy to use and is held in place over the pinhole by a magnet. It’s the only minor niggle I have as extra care is needed to ensure this doesn’t get dislodged when putting the camera in (or out) of the messenger bag I typically use. The filter holder is a masterpiece of simplicity and whilst I’ve yet to give it any serious use I can see it being a very welcome feature – and it comes as standard.
All in all my first impressions after four rolls and four different locations/situations are very positive. There is limited vignetting at 6×12 and to be fair I’m unlikely to use the camera in the 6×6 or 6×9 configurations; I have a favourite 6×6 model with three pinholes and rarely bother with 6×9. Indeed, I’ve several pinhole cameras including premium wooden models and the MIA 612m definitely holds its own. It was an impulse buy inspired by the 2026 BoF Pinhole Challenge but one of my better impulse purchases! Expect to see plenty more images from this little gem over the coming year.
Postscript. Should Andrea release a version II then I’d like to see a tripod mount on the side to facilitate easier vertical compositions when using a mini tripod (my usual pinhole support).
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