Polaroid Back for Leica M

[Justin Low]

Hi!

I have what I think is quite a unique Polaroid back for Leica-M cameras, made by NPC. I've owned it for quite a while, and from what I know, the previous owner had it custom-made.

It replaces the regular back-door with one that has a rectangular aperture for the fused fiber-optic lens that transmits the light from the film plane to the Polaroid film.

I have not tested it, but I'd assume it's working properly. Would anyone know what something like this is worth?

The closest I've come to appraising it is the NPC back made for the Leica R cameras, which is priced at $899 on B&H (Link).

Given that this appears to be a one-off piece, what would you think?

Thanks!

 

[jbf]

Dont know Justin... but i think you should give it a good photoshoot to strut it's stuff. 😀

 

[Erik L]

what a strange item

 

[Al Kaplan]

I have vague memories of reading about that in one of the photo mags years ago. They were expensive but I think they were available on a "order one and we'll make one for you" type of basis.

 

[Frank Petronio]

I used to use those NPC backs with Nikons for corporate annual report photography, they were "expected" and their $900 price tag was a stumbling black and sign of being established/serious. In practice they are kind of silly, you would pull the film partially out and you could get two 35mm exposures on one sheet of 669-sized film, then loupe it with your art director looking over your shoulder. Why we simply didn't use medium format is beyond me, but the trend was to shoot Kodachrome slides even where we should have been using larger formats.

A few years ago I sold a Nikon one for $250 or so. They are essentially worthless now that Polaroid film is a rare commodity -- there are only two flavors of Instant Fuji film available that will still be in date shortly....

And they are anti-ethical to the whole notion of Leica RF style photography... they imply that you are set up on a tripod and are "building" a staged photo, not exactly a Leica's strong point.

I'd keep it. eBay will disappoint you. Perhaps if you post it for sale on some of the free listings some crazed collector will come up with the $1500 you should ask for it, but it might take years.

 

[Sparrow]

Put a Canon full-frame sensor where the Polaroid film mounts then sell it as a full-frame digital M interchangeable back………sorry no….silly me…that’s not possible is it, film plane clearance and micro-lenses and other stuff make it impossible

🙄

 

[sepiareverb]

The old Nikon Polaroid Back by Marty was indeed a standard. I'd forgotten about that little tab to pull the film partway Frank. Seems so silly nowadays, but they were expected anytime the client was present and one shot 35mm.

 

[Justin Low]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Here are some pictures of the back. I'm still unsure what to do with it.

Back Cover



Front, showing the modified Leica M back-door and fused fiber optic array



Close-up of array



'Mounted' on the camera



Hope y'all find it interesting! 🙂

 

[LeicaTom]

I bet I could shoot some KRAZY looking PinUp/Fetish work with that thing.....I almost bought one for my Canon F1 for like $300, it`s more than likely worth double that for someone who would want to use it - you should TEST it first and that might SELL it better to someone, or you might end up liking the results?

I`ve already got so many wild rolls of mixed up crossprocessed and special test films, going though my M6 every week, to add Polaroid to my mix would be even more confusing 😉

Tom