Polaroid Speed Graphic

[3rdtrick]

Here is my latest project. I have added a back from a Polaroid oscilloscope camera to my 3x4 Speed Graphic. The standard Polaroid back only fits the 4x5 body but the 3x4 body is more suitable for the Polaroid format. The viewfinder is perfect and the focal length is just right.

This has a coated Kodak Ektar 127 lens that gives a great look to the Fuji packfilm and the Supermatic shutter has X sync for electronic flash. Now all I need is the body mount for my aluminum Graflite flash.
Pete

 

[mdarnton]

That is SO cool. Does it mess with the normal focal plane? If not, this would be a nice conversion for a 3x4 Graflex Super D.

I suppose the back is impossible to get? Is the film available currently? What does it use? I've fallen out of touch with what's available in Polaroid stuff.

For mounting your flash, do you mean you need the sliding clamp for the flash, or the double-eared plate for the camera? I have one of the latter in a drawer somewhere.

 

[3rdtrick]

The Speed Graphic has adjustable infinity stops but I measured and shimmed to the film plane was correct. Yes it would be a great way to make use of your Super D. The back I used came from an oscilloscope camera but I have learned since that you can cut down any pack film body metal or plastic. I had to cut the wood pieces on the Speed Graphic then mounted the Polaroid with screws using body tape as a gasket. I also cut the battery compartment down on the Polaroid but that is not actually necessary. The double eared plate is what I need for my flash.
Pete

 

[Harry Caul]

This is way cool... I'm a big fan of instant cameras the Fuji pack film is really nice. Is the whole frame exposed? I'd love to see some shots with this setup.

I just bought a 4x5 Speed Graphic w/Wollensak 254/4.5. It's my understanding that that lens is one of the fastest/longest you can get while still allowing the body to collapse properly. And if you stretch the bellows a bit, you can get nice head and shoulders portrait framing, something that is almost impossible with my 195. The lens works out to the equivalent of an 85/1.2 on 135. I can't wait to start playing around with it!

I've never shot 4x5 film before so I was just researching the use of a Fuji PA-145 or Polaroid 405 back. That should allow me to use regular Fuji pack film in it -- albeit cropped from 4x5 to 3.25x4.25. Sadly the 4x5 Fuji instant film was discontinued a year or two back. 🙁

 

[3rdtrick]

Those Polaroid 405 and Fuji PA-145 backs are hard to find but they give you instant fun with your Speed. To answer mdamton's other question, Fuji makes instant pack film in color (iso 100) and B&W (iso 3000). They are available from B&H or Adorama and some local stores. It just takes a minor adjustment of the springs in the Polaroid back to use them. I will post pics when I get them scanned in.
Pete

 

[one90guy]

Here is my latest project. I have added a back from a Polaroid oscilloscope camera to my 3x4 Speed Graphic. The standard Polaroid back only fits the 4x5 body but the 3x4 body is more suitable for the Polaroid format. The viewfinder is perfect and the focal length is just right.

This has a coated Kodak Ektar 127 lens that gives a great look to the Fuji packfilm and the Supermatic shutter has X sync for electronic flash. Now all I need is the body mount for my aluminum Graflite flash.
Pete

Great looking camera, would like to see some photos from it.

David

 

[3rdtrick]

Thanks David, I have taken a few but nothing to post yet.

 

[3rdtrick]

I know it has been a while but I finally scanned them. Here are a couple from the camera.

Shot on FP100C film.
Pete

 

[shadowfox]

Cool conversion.
A good use of 3x4 camera body.

 

[f16sunshine]

Interesting kit up. It looks very nice.
Fun timing too. I just placed an ad for a Polaroid or Fuji back in the want to buy classified.

 

[3rdtrick]

Thank you Will, Andy,
The back I used was cut down from an oscilloscope camera but I realized I could have just used any metal body camera. The best way to get an actual CB-103 back is to find a slide copier or passport camera and take it apart. I just picked up a slide copier for $10 with a pristine film back.
Pete

 

[Harry Caul]

This is way cool... I'm a big fan of instant cameras the Fuji pack film is really nice. Is the whole frame exposed? I'd love to see some shots with this setup.

I just bought a 4x5 Speed Graphic w/Wollensak 254/4.5. It's my understanding that that lens is one of the fastest/longest you can get while still allowing the body to collapse properly. And if you stretch the bellows a bit, you can get nice head and shoulders portrait framing, something that is almost impossible with my 195. The lens works out to the equivalent of an 85/1.2 on 135. I can't wait to start playing around with it!

I've never shot 4x5 film before so I was just researching the use of a Fuji PA-145 or Polaroid 405 back. That should allow me to use regular Fuji pack film in it -- albeit cropped from 4x5 to 3.25x4.25. Sadly the 4x5 Fuji instant film was discontinued a year or two back. 🙁

Resurrecting this thread has given me a chance to post some of my shots as well... I finally tracked down a PA-145. Wow are those instant film backs expensive! Anyway, these are just iphone pictures of the shots, but I think they turned out great. And best of all, my camera appears to working perfectly. Exposure was dead on. These were all taken at f5.6 and while the iphone photos don't show, the center sharpness is fantastic. I'm excited to try this setup in the daytime with the FP100C.

 

[3rdtrick]

Great Harry, Glad you are using the camera. Yes the film backs are expensive that is why I made my own from the oscilloscope camera. Also the film backs do not fit on the 3x4 body.
Pete