Polaroid 110b 4x5 snap shooter with a lens interchangeable system!

[salihonba]

Hello everyone! I am new here
I would like to show you the project I am on, to convert a Polaroid 110B into a 4x5 snap shooter with lens interchangeable system.
It took me 4 years already, and I hope I can finish it by the end of this year!
Please tell me what you think, any comments are welcome!!

http://picasaweb.google.com.tw/salihonba/MyPolaroid110b4x5Project#

 

[ic-racer]

Looks like a cool project. How will you focus it?

 

[salihonba]

127mm lens on 4x5 is equivalent to 40mm focal length on 35mm camera, and 90mm equivalent to 25mm, so I think for such a wide angle lens, estimate and shoot is not difficult.

 

[tony lockerbie]

I've seen many old Polaroids converted to 5x4, but not like this, very interesting project.....and I love that bellows! Good luck with it, and don't forget to post some shots with it.
Tony

 

[salihonba]

Thanks tony, and I think this can release people who want to convert Polaroid into 4x5 limited in 110B or 110A, actually, 900 will be another good candidate, for if you plan to use other L/F lens as standard lens, like fuji 125mm, old Zeiss tessar 120mm, are all good choice, compare to 127 Ysarex.

 

[salihonba]

Now I am working on the back, trying not to attach Graflex film back, to keep Polaroid's own slim style, not easy, but very challenging! Hope I can have a good result to share.

 

[EASmithV]

I can't wait to see your results! Is it going to be a folding camera?

 

[salihonba]

yes, it is a beautiful folder, and people convert it into a 4x5 for years.

 

[salihonba]

I will try to explain more detail in my blog, you are welcome to visit there
http://salihonbashome.blogspot.com/

 

[salihonba]

I turn the Polaroid 110B hot shoe into a modern standard cold shoe in here
http://salihonbashome.blogspot.com/

 

[salihonba]

Now comes the body, I made a jacket for it.

 

[Steve Smith]

Excellent instructions on bellows making. I managed to work it out for myself a few years ago - wish I had something like your guide to show me then, it would have saved a lot of time.

I have XY knife cutter and laser cutter at work. These transform rib cutting from an ordeal to a simple process.



Steve.

 

[salihonba]

Curious to ask, if you own a 4x5 snap shooter like Polaroid 110B with lens exchange ability, besides 127mm as standard lens, what other lenses will you pick?

 

[Anscojohn]

Thanks tony, and I think this can release people who want to convert Polaroid into 4x5 limited in 110B or 110A, actually, 900 will be another good candidate, for if you plan to use other L/F lens as standard lens, like fuji 125mm, old Zeiss tessar 120mm, are all good choice, compare to 127 Ysarex.

*********
Ahhh, I went to post a question and find that you are the person whom I should ask. Dontcha just luv Apug!? I have a 110B convert with a problematical Prontor SVS shutter. IF I cannot get the shutter repaired, do you think it would be difficult to substitute or replace the lens/shutter as you suggest. I am not a tool-using member of our species; more of a fiddle fixer. What do you think would be involved?

 

[Rick A]

I've been busy figuring out how to turn a 210 into a 5x4-- so far it looks VERY doable
Rick

 

[flash26c]

I just finished looking at razzledog's site and he has converted lens' on the 110a,b, &900. He makes a bracket to replace the existing one that looks real good to me. He also used to make the bracket so that you could have tilt and shift but has stopped making them for some reason. Might give you some ideas John - http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~razzle/index.html

 

[salihonba]

Yes I think converting 900 is a good idea, since you can make a flat front stand, meaning no size limited to #0 shutter as 110B or 110A, I alway wanted to use Schneider 120/6.8 angulon on it, who takes #1 shutter. It will be on my project list. I would not make a front stand who can shift or tilt, because it will be a snapshooter, not a view camera.
I learned a lot from Dean's site, bought his CD years ago as a started point. I also learned many good ideas from Mr.Noah in NY, hope I can make a good conversion like them.

 

[salihonba]

Dear John, Prontor SVS shutter is what I think very good in quality, I believe that your problematic shutter will be easily repaired, but if you would like to replace the shutter, almost any #0 shutter can be used, only problem is that the trigger is not so long in length as SVS has, so maybe you need a release cable to trigger. And the lenses, as long as the rear element is small, can go through the hole on front stand, you can pick any one. All you need is a wrench for lens, and a screwdriver only, take off and remount from inside, it is easy.

Or you can follow the way Mr.Littman suggested on his site (not anymore now, don't know why), for the purpose to use the big rear element lens but without the lens exchange ability, take off the rear element(even front element!) when folding the camera, leave only the shutter, cover shutter with a tiny cap, and when unfolding the camera, remount the rear/front element back to the place.

In my way, lens exchange is very easy, but it needs some modification on front stand, and for accommodation big rear, better replace the bellows at the same time. I do think of providing a service, convert front stand for anyone who needs it, into a exchangeable system.

 

[salihonba]

Camera finished, almost. Infinity stopper are waiting for parts, but now I can show you the images, I will explained later, please leave your comments, and all comments welcome.
http://picasaweb.google.com.tw/salihonba/Byron#

 

[Thomas Wilson]

So when will you start taking orders?

Seriously, very well done! It looks great.

 

[salihonba]

Yes I will take orders, thanks for asking, but you have to prepare your camera for converting, I will post more detail of it later.

 

[salihonba]

More detail on http://salihonbashome.blogspot.com/, please keep eyes on it. Daniel

 

[salihonba]

 

[salihonba]

Solutions for 3 lenses in a row.

 

[salihonba]

Am working on converting 900, without focus knob, it is more slimmer, and more sturdy.