Photo by Damien Burnham

I guess the Polaroid 110A was my first introduction to the larger format camera that no longer had film available.   I purchased this particular camera in 2000 from a  collector friend of mine who decided it wasn`t for him.  He started out as a photographer in Hamburg and whilst on assignment he was fortunate enough to  photograph John Lennon whilst appearing in the film 'How I won the war'.  These photos still adourn his walls today.

I spent much time pondering a use for this fine camera, so after several months of deliberation, my first converted 120 rollfilm Polaroid was developed in early 2001. Shortly afterward the first sheetfilm camera came into being,  following the purchase of my second Polaroid, this time a Japanese version of the 110A, namely the 120. This was to be a camera that accepted 4x5 holders, but still shot the camera`s original format of 3 1/4 x 4 1/4.  I consequently built many conversions following this line, using a rather primitive spring back.  The main problem with this design was that the camera only accepted standard 4x5 double darks and with a slight modification,  Kodak Readyload holders.  The 545 holders and rollbacks were denied access.   The strange feature of my early 'barn door'  back was that the holders were inserted and withdrawn from the left as apposed the the Graflok`s  right handed action.

With time, I was to invent the 'SnapBack'.  This was a simple device that allowed the fitting of most sheetfilm backs, but unfortunately denied roll film backs a suitable interface.  I was loathe to introduce the fitting of the standard Graflok after repeated intimidation, but with time the objection to my conversions was deemed to be unfounded.  My designs did not reflect others so afflicted with the camera`s possibilities.

With the Graflok fitted,  the 110A Polaroid model finds the rangefinder eyepiece obscured by the larger 4x5 back,  so attention must be either directed to the wonderful 110B, or the 110A/120 which requires the Polaroid 900 series finder attached in order to overcome the problem.   This is not a huge undertaking and can be performed by anyone with some knowledge of engineering.  The resulting 110A to 110B transformation sees the old Polaroid 110A as a great vehicle which to attach the Graflok back.

The clunky nature of the Graflok plus the lack of availability led me to develop the 'RAZZLOK' .......a simple lightweight alternative, more about that later.......

The 120 rollfilm conversion requires a little more thought.   I developed an internal winder system and mask, allowing the standard 110A/120 camera body to shoot 6x9.  This format was later increased to 6x12, however it required the original bellows to be replaced and some extensive machining of the body.  I will attempt to describe the various Polaroid models and explain the differences between them.  Models I have modified to one format or the other include the 95B, 110, 110A, 120 and the 110B and more recently, the 900.

The Polaroid 110A comes equipped with the Prontor shutter with speeds from 1 sec to 1/300th of a second,  quite acceptable, especially with finer grained slower speed films, and the Rodenstock 127mm f4.7 lens is most favoured by those who have tried it.  I must admit, it does have a certain quality, and it`s quite amazing, when you consider we are looking at a camera manufactured on or before 1960!  

There is also a slightly more economical glass, which was an option at the time, the German Ennit Munchen 3 element lens, which is surprisingly sharp at certain apertures.  Upon examining shots taken with the former lenses by photographers I`ve met, they seem very impressed by the quality and resolution, remarking that in one transparency, (Extachrome), veins in the leaves on the ground some distance away could be seen with the aid of a 2x loupe! That`s what I love about these cameras and what prompted me to explore further conversions.

The finders fitted to the various models are interesting to say the least.  The earlier 110 Wollensak Raptar lens equipped version, although lacking the later big brightline finder is still one of my favourites, having the old Kalaart coupled rangefinder and pop up style viewfinder with the press wire frame that is adjustable in height to compensate for parallax error, very fifties, basic and functional, not to mention accurate.  The Kalaart type was also fitted on the early Linhofs, with its small peepsight eyepiece and compact design, it was considered the best in design of all rangefindersat that time. The 110 was, I consider the prettiest of all the polaroid series, sporting a chromium finish to bright parts and a darker almost black leatherette.  Unfortunately the 110 seems to be constructed of a different material and can shatter quite readily when machining.  A high degree of caution is required when any milling is attempted, or you will finish up with a damaged body!

The 110 was superceded by  the 110A  with a completely re designed  viewfinder.   A Leica style finder: one window for the rangefinder and a second for viewing.  With this new design the distance is calculated by looking through the range window first, then composing via the view window. The view window was now corrected for parallax at close distances, but the viewing window was rather smaller in dimension than the model to follow, which has spoilt us with its big brightline finder, much improved parallax correction, and now all in one.    Much faster focusing and composition was now possible, thereby rendering the model 110B the most popular.

The 110B was the last of the sturdy metal bodied Polaroids, built around 1960, prior to the plastic boxes that everyone knows, of which I`m sure mysteriously multiplied if left lying around together, until they were in every corner of the globe! The other models that share a similar body to the 110A`s and B`s are the 150, with its peculiar lens and shutter arrangement, and the auto exposure model 900 with its even more peculiar battery assisted shutter arrangement! If the battery failed, it could be switched to manual mode, to get by until a replacement became available. The interesting thing about the 900, is that it shares the big finder found on the popular 110B, however the body arrangement differs.making it somewhat difficult to adapt the wonderful shutter mechanism of the B. The Japanese made 120 Pathfinder model has the identical finder/s to the 110A but can also be fitted with the 900 rangefinder, also making it a much favoured model.

The Japanese built 120 was fitted with a Seiko shutter that gave speeds up to 1/500th of a second and an amazingly small aperture of f90 without the addition of a 'pinhole' lenscap.

My latest 4x5 back is the 'RAZZLOK' I have used this back for months now and have found it to be very fast, reliable and most of all, simple!  Standard holders slip in and out with ease as do 545 Polaroid holders and Kodak Readyload backs.  The main advantage is its ability to grip the holders securely by tightening the four thumbscrews.  This operation takes only seconds and safeguards against pulling out the holder when removing the darkslide or film sheet (in the case of the 545).

The 'RAZZLOK' is very light and fitted to a 110B results in a combined weight of just over three pounds. (110B).  I find this can easily be carried around all day.

The new 900 with movements is quite an exciting innovation  that shoots like a normal 4x5 with rangefinder accuracy, or behaves like an oversized 'LENSBABY'  The front standard can be manipulated into many different positions, or simply returned to the neutral position with the aid of clickstops.  For the first time ever, the 900 can be used as a truly artistic tool that is so simple, robust, and realistically priced. It`s slightly heavier, but doesn`t have the 'bendy strut syndrome' that`s popularised by some

( I must admit,  I`ve never yet experienced a problem with this, but we must humour some people I guess)

The 900 front standard is entirely designed and contructed by myself in my Custom Machine Shop from aluminium, brass and stainless steel,  it`s built tough and it`s polished to match the original 900 body hardware

After experiencing the trials and tribulations of Polaroid camera conversions since 2001, I `ve only had to endure one very impatient PITA.  She chose to ignore my advice and offers of help.  Please remember that I can only perform miracles three days a week, so if you need one please be patient.

I will endeavour to get a Razzle to you ASAP, but patience is definitely my pre requesite.  A friend who is undoubtedly the finest classical guitar maker in the world has a waiting list of twelve years for a single instrument, so consider yourself lucky that it won't take anywhere that long!

I believe any form of 'Patent' would place a strangle hold on development and improvement of the camera and the costs incurred applying for one would have to be passed on somehow.   I constantly implement changes in order to achieve the best overall method of conversion whilst maintaining a common sense approach to the end price.

I believe it's people that sell cameras......not 'Patents'.

 Much has been said about the original Polaroid 110B/900 finder and its ability to cope with the 4x5 frame......the following shots are true representation of the standard finder after conversion.  Please note that the original finder is totally untouched apart from normal adjustment to the swing mirror to bring the ground glass image and what you see through the finder.  I incorporate a simple adjustment hole in the rangefinder housing to allow fine adjustment in the field.  This feature is now standard on all Razzle conversions!

Image at left is finder at THREE feet showing the parallax frame kicking in.  At right is actual ground glass images......(please excuse the reflection).

As you can see, the standard finder, totally unmodified (providing you keep to the original 127mm f4.7 Rodenstock lens) needs no modification to facilitate correct parallax compensation.

Recent comments received regarding the Razzle 4x5:

"The main purpose of this note is really this. Your work is inspiring and this morning, someone you have never thought of before saw your work and was so inspired by it, it changed his thinking ... Thank you sir, thank you"

Kinda makes it all worth it ............

Dean -

I was out of town for the last week so I just got the camera today and it's wonderful. I've only put in a couple test Polaroids and they came out perfectly. That lens is super sharp!  Thank you very much for the great work.

Jonathan

Polaroid Razzle fitted with a 90mm Angulon and Razzlok 4x5 back.

This camera is nothing less than fantastic! And it
handles like a dream! My girlfriend has also started to fancy it. So
I have decided to give her the 135mm 110B for her birthday. When do
you think it's due?
 
Fantastic spring! Happy me!

And all the way from Norway!

A friend of mine showed me your genius cameras, and I'm very interested in purchasing one. I have been working with hand held rangefinders and 4x5 field cameras, wishing I could combine them. You did

From Ryan in Austin Texas.........

Hi Dean

I have been on the road for a few weeks and finally got my assistant to forward the new "Razzle" to me in New Orleans a few days ago--- I love it! The best one yet; The 900 rids you of the big knob on the front and the track bed and latch are much more positive. The rangefinder is deadly accurate and the single tightener is is as efficient as it gets.

Keep up the great work!
Cheers, Chris

A few kind words from Chris Usher.............!

FYI, I've done a lot of work with intellectual property consultants and engineering firms, and I have been fascinated at all the posturing.

I can tell you with complete assurance that no patent, pending or otherwise,  would stand up to a challenge.

I have run across several old Polaroid conversions at flea markets dating back over 20 years.  Any patents would fail the "obviousness" test instantly.

What I think is being pursued is the "be a jerk" strategy,  which many firms that own a lot of questionable patents do.

It becomes a question not of whether the patent is valid,  but of who is willing to spend the most money for the longest time.

Your site is a complete overload of ideas, guys like you don't need patents.

Ed in New Jersey...............

Dean -

I've been shooting with the camera you sent and I love every inch of it. Using it is almost as nice as hearing the oohs and ahhs when I pull it out of the camera bag.

Jonathan

Hi Dean,

Just a quick check-in on my camera. Are we still looking at a Christmas 07 delivery?  I'm starting to cover the Presidential elections here and would love to have the camera next time I'm photographing the candidates. thanks so much,

Stephen

Hi Dean,

I'm kind of embarassed to admit this, but the Blue 900 is quite a fondleable camera.

It's so damn pretty.   Finally getting some time to walk around with it and it makes me grin just looking at it.

Bart