Can a Polaroid 600SE be converted?

[TheFlyingCamera]

Can you convert a Polaroid 600SE (essentially a Mamiya Press body, but with a pack film back) to use roll film instead, since the Polaroid pack film for it is not available any more? Or is it not worth the hassle/expense?

 

[blee1996]

You don't need to convert, you just need the right adapter called Mamiya M adapter for Polaroid 600SE. With the right M adapter, you can use Mamiya Press roll film backs on the Polaroid 600SE body. They might be available on eBay from Japanese sellers, as well as a 3D printed version from Lo-Fi camera (eBay id aaron7399).

 

[xya]

Yes, I had this adapter https://www.instantphoto.eu/pola/pola_600se.htm, see the bottom of the page. Some more info on the differences between the two systems is here https://www.instantphoto.eu/diy/uni_600se.htm and yes, a 3D print should be passible.

 

[infrar3d]

There's a seller on ebay, called Instant Madness, that has 3d-printed M adapters for the 600SE. I haven't purchased one, but I have thought about it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133403426564

 

[pdccamerqs]

Does the M adapter for the Universal Press work on the 600SE?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154716526184

 

[OrientPoint]

Does the M adapter for the Universal Press work on the 600SE?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154716526184

View attachment 424333

No, you will need an adapter with the correct "feet" (connectors) for the 600se. the 600se ones have a notch, the Universal ones do not.

 

[aconbere]

No, you will need an adapter with the correct "feet" (connectors) for the 600se. the 600se ones have a notch, the Universal ones do not.

I have 3D printed feet for this purpose and they seemed to work fine (not battle tested but the adapter works). I might be worried about using them when holding the camera from the back

 

[OrientPoint]

You can also look for a 600se compatible pack film back and salvage the feet from it. Pack film backs should be very cheap, as there's no film for them. The feet are secured with screws. It's easy to transplant them to a Universal-compatible back or adapter plate. (This is what I did).

 

[aconbere]

You can also look for a 600se compatible pack film back and salvage the feet from it. Pack film backs should be very cheap, as there's no film for them. The feet are secured with screws. It's easy to transplant them to a Universal-compatible back or adapter plate. (This is what I did).

Yeah absolutely, i have a bunch of the press film packs.

 

[pdccamerqs]

You can also look for a 600se compatible pack film back and salvage the feet from it. Pack film backs should be very cheap, as there's no film for them. The feet are secured with screws. It's easy to transplant them to a Universal-compatible back or adapter plate. (This is what I did).

Great idea! Thank you!

 

[xya]

You can also look for a 600se compatible pack film back and salvage the feet from it. Pack film backs should be very cheap, as there's no film for them. The feet are secured with screws. It's easy to transplant them to a Universal-compatible back or adapter plate. (This is what I did).

It' s not that easy. The 600SE claws have to be filed down by 0.4mm. If the foams of your camera are new, it might work without filing.

And be careful, there is a late version of the pack 100 back which is all plastic. It's base lacks the shiny metal surfaces, it's all black. All those I have seen were made in the Netherlands. The claws of this back cannot be unscrewed, they are riveted. So no changing of the claws without big trouble.

If you want to attach a Universal back or adapter correctly to a 600SE, unscrew the Universal claws, file the basis of the 600SE claws down by 0.4mm and fix them with their screws. The back will easily attach to a 600SE. I had no focus issues because of the 0.4mm difference in height.

 

[OrientPoint]

It' s not that easy. The 600SE claws have to be filed down by 0.4mm. If the foams of your camera are new, it might work without filing.

And be careful, there is a late version of the pack 100 back which is all plastic. It's base lacks the shiny metal surfaces, it's all black. All those I have seen were made in the Netherlands. The claws of this back cannot be unscrewed, they are riveted. So no changing of the claws without big trouble.

If you want to attach a Universal back or adapter correctly to a 600SE, unscrew the Universal claws, file the basis of the 600SE claws down by 0.4mm and fix them with their screws. The back will easily attach to a 600SE. I had no focus issues because of the 0.4mm difference in height.

I did not have any issues, fit or focus-wise, when I transplanted mine. It's small sample size of two, however. Perhaps they were made to different tolerances at different times, or something else was going on. If needed, taking the feet down a fraction of a millimeter should not be a challenge though. The feet I worked on were made of fairly soft metal.

 

[Mulder]

Can you convert a Polaroid 600SE (essentially a Mamiya Press body, but with a pack film back) to use roll film instead, since the Polaroid pack film for it is not available any more? Or is it not worth the hassle/expense?

Indeed you could do that, but only if you can find a Polaroid 600SE in good condition and for a reasonable price.