Polaroid 80A good for anything?

[rippo]

Accidentally just bought a Polaroid 80A. I thought I was buying a 250, but instead it came with a "wink-light 250" flash or something like that. A very dumb click but it wasn't a ton of money on ebay. (I did pick up a 250 as well, for the same price.)

So the 80A takes obsolete roll film. Is the camera good for anything? Or just a hastily-purchased paperweight? Any project ideas for it?

 

[Prof_Pixel]

I worked in a photo shop during the late '50s and sold lots of Polaroid cameras. The 80A camera and 250 Wink-light worked with 3000 speed B&W film; the Wink-light being used to add a little fill flash and the system made some pretty nice pictures. At this point, they are just collectors items.

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

1957-1959 production. It can be converted to film camera , I dont know if its back could be opened and place a 4x5 back. But some people does it and sell for 1600 dollars. Wait few days and replies , someone would turn with a idea. Old Polaroid Camera lenses are a jewel and you can expect a very very high quality pictures.
Dont sell it , gift it and most importantly dont ruin it to a pinhole.
I will look for converted polaroid sites and turn back to you at here again.

 

[Mustafa Umut Sarac]

ok , it can be converted to 120 film and can be advanced in dark bag.

 

[xya]

it can also be converted to pack 100 film, widely avaible from fuji. you'll need a pack film back, a hacksaw, some glue and silicone. and diy skills of course. it's the same procedure as converting a 110 model, wich has a better lens. it's worth doing it if you happen to find a cheap 100 pack film back...

 

[Steve Smith]

Quite easy to convert to 120 roll film. I have done a similar model 160. The lenses are much better than you might think too.

it can be converted to 120 film and can be advanced in dark bag.

No need for the dark bag, it can be wound on like any other 120 film camera. I had a label on the base of mine giving the number of rotations between frames.


Steve.

 

[raoul]

I made a conversion - drilled a hole and made a spindle to turn the 120 roll as a winder. Worked quite well, easy to use.

 

[rippo]

Thanks, all! I've done some research now and seen what is possible.

I don't really need another 6x9 camera unfortunately. The ones I have get very little use. The 100 pack film sounds interesting, but would require finding a back. I have a RB67 back, I wonder if I could kludge that on it? Will have to investigate. Thanks again!

 

[xya]

you should be able to do that. nearly all of the genuine holders are made of the standard 100 back part and a special adapter plate. there are screws which fix the plate to the back. unscrew them and the standard back part should come off. that's the basis of the easy conversions.

 

[rippo]

Hmm I think mine is an off-brand. Will take a look and see, when the camera arrives. Thanks!

 

[raoul]

One problem with a pack film conversion is that you need to ensure the pack film sits at the same distance from the lens as the roll film originally - otherwise the focus will be off.

This was my reason for going for 120 conversion, as it meant the film didn't change position from the original.

 

[Steve Smith]

Its fairly simple to move the front standard retaining mechanism back a bit so the lens to film distance remains the same. This is done for 5x4 conversions as well as pack film.

As stated though, it is easier to convert to 120 as the original film plane can be maintained.


Steve.