What to do with a Polaroid Land 800

mooseontheloose · Aug 28, 2011

I've inherited a few old cameras from my uncle, the most interesting being the Polaroid Land 800 (roll film) camera. I know that the film is no longer produced for it, and that it's possible to convert it to regular rollfilm use, but I'm wondering if it's possible to use it with 4x5 film or paper instead (I know the image size will be smaller than that), as I'm not really keen on spending a lot of money of something that will probably have minimal use.

I'm visiting my parents at the moment, which is why I have the camera, but no film or paper to test it. It seems to me that it could work, but I'd like to know if anyone has tried it, and has any recommendations about holding the film/paper in place, or protecting it from the dimpled back.

Rick A · Aug 28, 2011

I've been shooting 4x5 paper negatives in my 110a, could even shoot 4x5 film in it. Just open the back up and insert the sheet, close it up and shoot what you want. Of course, shooting film requires a blacked out room to load and unload, you can use a safe light for paper.

raoul · Aug 28, 2011

You can convert these - the difficulty is that when adding a back (Graflok or Polaroid) it usually means the distance to the lens changes, requiring adjustment of infinity stops.

eddie · Aug 28, 2011

I think the Autocord is more interesting...

Discoman · Aug 28, 2011

It can be converted, it is either pretty pricey to do so, or hard to do so yourself-and one little slip renders the camera into a useless chunk of plastic and metal.
I do seem to recall someone making a MF roll film mod for one. Just involved knobs and drilling, not modifying the entire camera.

xya · Aug 29, 2011

look at this:

http://photo.net/classic-cameras-forum/00MtA1

it's a cheap and easy conversion, there are lots of tips and links. the 800 is quite a good one for this. good luck and please report back if you succeed.

Steve Smith · Aug 29, 2011

Convert to 120.

Steve.

mooseontheloose · Aug 29, 2011

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

Xya - thanks for the link, it looks really interesting. I like the idea of shooting panoramic images on rollfilm in that camera, but am still unsure about doing the mod.

I may do what Rick does, try it with paper negatives first, and see how much I like working with the camera before doing anything more to it.

Joe VanCleave · Aug 29, 2011

I use my Polaroid Model 800 with paper negatives, and it does real well. I can't recall right now the shutter settings, but I've metered the scene with a handheld and referenced the various speed and aperture combinations of the 800 from its manual to find the right setting. With a 4x5 film box loaded with sheets of paper, you can reload the 800 out in the field using a changing bag. Loads of fun, and keeps the camera in original condition.

~Joe

Still-life of my old Adler typewriter, north light back porch using preflashed grade 2 paper in Polaroid Model 800:

Mike Wilde · Aug 29, 2011

I have converted a much more pedestrian, but still roll film old Polaroid J66 to use rolls of bulk loaded 70mm long roll portra 160NC c-41.

The modification was to drill a hole for one stove bolt to pop out the 'top' to serve as a means to wind the take up roll. Take up roll is a 35mm spool with a bit of whittled dowel spliced in the middle. Feed spool is just plian dowel. Black gaffers tape and cinefoil has been used to close off the area where the backing paper once exitted.

With the 70mm film the aspect ratio is closer to 6x9, but on steroids. It must be loaded and unloaded in the darkroom.

I limit my roll length to that equal to 220 film, so as to be able to use a modified paterson reel to develop it in a roll film dayllight tank.

BrianL · Aug 29, 2011

Get in the Way Back Machine and then you could send it to Polaroid and they'd send you a current reburded camera. I used to find these all over the place for a buck or 2 and exchange them for SX-70s. Only cost was shipping, something like $5. One Christmas I gave more than a dozen out to friends and relatives. Polaroid wanted their customers not be be left out in the cold. I wonder when the last roll of film is made if companies such as Nikon, Canon and Olympus will offer such a program.

Blue Monkey · Sep 1, 2011

Old Polaroids don't die - someone always resurrects them. Converted my Model 95 into a 6x12 since 120 film was easier to get and to use.

http://www.pbase.com/qzone/polaroid_6x12

It took awhile, but still works great.

Renato Tonelli · Sep 2, 2011

Blue Monkey said:
Old Polaroids don't die - someone always resurrects them. Converted my Model 95 into a 6x12 since 120 film was easier to get and to use.

http://www.pbase.com/qzone/polaroid_6x12

It took awhile, but still works great.

That looks great. I am interested in converting one to 6x12 as well once I find a good body.

one90guy · Sep 2, 2011

I am at this moment adding a packfilm back from a cheap plastic Polaroid to a 150 which I think is very close to the 800. I have taken ideas from several online how to's. My eyes and hands are not as good as they use to be but so far it has been easy. Measure twice and cut once.

What to do with a Polaroid Land 800

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