Show off your Polaroid Conversion

[B-9]

Hello! I see we have a few members who have posted their Polaroid conversions, anyone else out there using a Polaroid for 4x5 or Instant 669/100?

Here's the spot to post your build, your plans, or your finished conversions.

With the increasing popularity of Polaroid roll film camera conversions, I've been putting my a$$ into overdrive on my own project.

Here in Michigan, the winter is starting to break way to spring showers and warmer weather. Having been shooting a ton of 35mm this winter, I thought it would be nice to retire my Burke and James (2x3 Press) for a much needed wood body overhaul/refab.
In the mean time, I'm going to finally put my parts and pieces to good use on a Polaroid 900.

Originally I started a conversion on a model 800 in 2010, but after a thorough dismantle the project was abandoned for a later date, that never happened. Fast forward to 2014, I've been itching to shoot Fuji Instant film for years now, I even contemplated permanently mounting my Polaroid back to my B&J. In comes a craigslist ad for a Black Model 900 polaroid, sure 20$ is a lot for one of these, but my mind was racing with all those old ideas and all the fun I could have using such a conversion this summer. I bought it, stashed it, and waited for an opportune moment. I recently sold my Leica kit and moved to a comfortable Nikon S2 kit, and have been debating the purchase of a 50mm lens, when I spotted a 150mm Rodenstock at a fancy price. Introducing the opportune moment, I jumped. Now I have all my pieces, short of a bit of aluminum for the front standard (I'll sort that at the local hardware).

Here's my breakdown for you potential DIY'ers:

Polaroid 800 (Parts, Practice) Cost: Free/Donation
Polaroid 900 (Real deal) Cost: 20$/Craigslist
Polaroid CB103 back (669) Cost: Free/Salvaged
Rodenstock 150/6.3 Geronar Copal 0.0 (LNIB) Cost: 200$/eBay

Front standard:

1/16x6x10" Aluminum hobby plate Cost: 8$/Hardware
ABS Grey, Dark Grey, PVC Schdl 40, Polypropylene black Cost: Free/Shop Scraps


I see info on the Geronar is scattered over the web, gates a bit of info for you potential buyers.
Specification
Optical Construction 3 elements in 3 groups
Aperture Range f/6.3-f/45
Covering Power 62°
Image Circle @ Infinity 180mm diameter @ f/22
Shutter Copal #0
Shutter Speed 1-1/500 sec., T, B
Flange Attachment Size 32.5mm dia. x 0.5mm (std Copal #0 size)
Slip-on Cap Sizes 42mm front, 31.5mm rear
Filter Size 40.5mm
Flange Focal Distance Not specified by manufacturer
Overall Length 2" (~51mm)
Weight 8 oz (230g)
Maximum Format Size 4x5"

The Geronar 150/210/300 are triplets marketed as affordable alternatives to their Sironar line. Typically offered in a kit with a Toyo camera, these lenses are very compact.
The Geronar is Byron's #1 choice for his conversions, and I can see why. The tiny Geronar sports multi coated optics wrapped in a super slim package only slightly bigger than the coal shutter.
The Geronar typically was mounted in a modern Copal #0.0 Shutter in all black fixings, although some exist in Sonar DB mounts. (Not appropriate for this conversion)

Hope that helps.

 

[Ezzie]

My 110A/600SE conversion. CB103 back, and hacked Graflex 6x9 on 600SE type back/adapter.

http://on-your-kitchen-worktop.blogspot.no/2012/06/polaroid-pathfinder-110a-brought-back.html

http://on-your-kitchen-worktop.blogspot.no/2012/08/lucy-hybrid-120-roll-film-adapter.html

 

[B-9]

Thanks for posting your build Ezzie! Your 110 has classic good looks, especially like the cream and green combo.

I've started my build by cutting my 800 practice camera. I used a cutoff wheel on a grinder to make my cut. Although the result was very clean looking, i was a bit off on the miter from top to bottom. Easily fixed with a sanding pad and another 2 minutes. Made a complete mess of the rangefinder, metal bits galore! I'm going to have to try blocking the opening with clay inside next go, see if that helps. I really don't want to disassemble the rangefinder, although it may be inevitable for cleaning. Much easier and safer (feeling) clamping the camera with the top plate on. So far so good, going to see about mounting the pack film back today without loosing the bellows rivets. Since I'm using the 150mm Geronar, I'm not entirely concerned about adding distance between the lens and back.

I've also been buying film, so far I've snagged a few packs.
1x Polapan Pro100
1x Polapan T667 3000
3x Fuji FP-100c
All expired of course.

 

[Ezzie]

Thank you.

I removed the top cover before using a hack saw. It actually wasn't too hard. I thought it would take ages, but in fact it took maybe 5-6 minutes. The top cover holds just a couple of mirrors and the finder lenses, held in place with springs, nothing to worry about. Mine needed a clean, and the RF a small adjustment anyhow. The end of the top is filled with epoxy and filler.

 

[B-9]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-shutter...599?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f32c02be7

Ordered one, going to see if it will fit inside the collapsed camera.
Will report back.

On a side note, can anyone help me achieve accurate close focus with my 150mm lens?
I'm not to the point of mounting the lens, still working on my front standard. But I know without a custom ground RF cam I won't get accurate rangefinder focusing throughout the range. I've contacted Razzle about a custom cam, but its a lot of work getting the 2 cams I have out, let alone seperate them from the cam arm, then who knows what to find a correct rivet. Im really only interested in accurate focus from 3.5ft-20ft give or take. My main goal for this camera was portraits. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[kram]

My polaroid conversion. After much thought, what I wanted was the fast 127mm lens. So I mounted the Polaroid 600SE Mamiya 127mm f/4.7 lens on my MPP VII. It has shutter speeds up to 1/500, weighs ~150g and is cammed to the camera. External viewfinder is the only real let down.

 

[Brian Levy]

Why not simply find a 180 or 195 to do the film conversion since it already has a manual shutter and 114 mm lens? I just sold my 180 and 195 but, had been thinking about it before a collector wanted all my Polaroid stuff so they and another dozen autopacks and untold number of accessories left the homestead.

 

[hamradio]

Perhaps he already had the MPP around with a Polaroid 405 back (or similar), and didn't want to pay a princely sum for a 180 or 195. I myself cannot justify that cost for something that only shoots packfilm.

 

[kram]

Yes I already had the MPP, with a 150mm lens. Wanted something slightly wider and faste. Cost of 127mm lens ~£50. Could have putchased a Littman for £850, but happy with this set up.

 

[kram]

Up date. Have made a recessed board for the mpp+ mamiya lens, so now I can clse the camers shut like the polaroid. Any updates on other people's conversions?

 

[Colin Corneau]

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polaroid_110b_4x5_Conversion.jpg

Had one of these and am so bummed I sold it, in a period of low $...basically a 4x5 Leica style rangefinder. So easy to use and the sweetest lens.