Modifying a Polaroid Land 80 for 70mm

I got hold of a Land 80 yesterday. I didn't really want to spend too much time modding the thing, first I tried the paper pull through method. For whatever reasons it didn't work for me. Either the camera or my technique.

I just so happened to have a 616 reel rolling around, and a bunch of 70mm film. So I figured why not? I drilled some holes in the body, snipped some pieces out and epoxied a bolt through the body into the spool. I then glued a wingnut onto the bolt. Sure, there are smarter ways of doing this but I don't generally plan too well the first time around on these things.

For now the glue is drying, the spool sorta turns freely but I'll have to wait for it to completely dry. I got impatient a few times and had to reglue when I separated the bolt or nut.

Here's some photos of the mod. I'm sure I'll have lightleaks. I guess I should have used a washer or two. Live and learn.

I dig it. Looking forward to the progress.

odell1618photography said:

I dig it. Looking forward to the progress.

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Ugh, three rolls down and no progress yet. Needs some fine tuning and a larger changing bag or full dark room.

Cool, the back looks a lot different to the slightly later type, hope you get it sorted out

awty said:

Cool, the back looks a lot different to the slightly later type, hope you get it sorted out

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I'm taking a break. Maybe find some 4x5 meanwhile to shoot in it. This is one of those projects that has me very frustrated. I could cut 70mm sheets but it's really a pain to load and frankly this is not a fun camera to shoot.

Cholentpot said:

I'm taking a break. Maybe find some 4x5 meanwhile to shoot in it. This is one of those projects that has me very frustrated. I could cut 70mm sheets but it's really a pain to load and frankly this is not a fun camera to shoot.

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That’s a sound plan. Quite often an idea occurs while I’m working on something else entirely.

odell1618photography said:

That’s a sound plan. Quite often an idea occurs while I’m working on something else entirely.

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This is the first project that really got to me. I'm sure something will occur to me at 2am and I won't be able to go back to sleep.