Polaroid Lenses and Shutters

thuggins · Nov 26, 2020

I have seen references to using Polaroid lens/shutter combinations for large format (or at least "baby" large format). Goodwill has many Polaroids that go for practically nothing. While I would normally be loathe to cannibalize an otherwise good camera...

Does anyone know what models have useful lens/shutters?

Digger Odell · Nov 26, 2020

The land cameras, 110a 110b, also I have seen CHEAP ocilliscope picture taking rigs that also use polaroid lens/shutter combo's. These are better for close up work but will work at infinity. (be aware these ocilliscope lenses have different lens spacing than a regular press lens) 110a/b cameras are sought after for 4x5 back conversions, and are kind of spendy, you can get a good press lens for the same $ or less. Also, I don't believe these lenses with cover 4x5 with much movement. I was hot to convert a 110a/b to 4x5 format until I discovered the Graflex. I do use a polaroid 900 as a one shot wonder with 4x5 sheet film. (load and unload in dark 1 shot only) The shutters have all the same age issues as any other vintage rig, they will probably need a CLA.

Dan Fromm · Nov 27, 2020

Re the gelcams and 'scope cameras (Polaroid CU-5, DS-31, -34, -39, and Shackman 7000) , they came with a variety of lenses in a variety of shutters. The 127/4.7 Tominon in Copal Press #1 shoots very well at all distances on 2x3, should do well on 4x5. The shorter lenses for then are intended for closeup and don't cover 4x5 at distance.

I've tried all of the MP-4 lenses, made to be front mounted on a Copal Press #1, except the 105 mm. Of the ones I've used, only the 135 will cover 4x5 at distance. I've had three examples, all were awful. The MP-4 Copal shutter has no diaphragm so can't be used to rehouse cells taken from dead #1s but is useful for front mounting.

grat · Nov 27, 2020

The 105mm will just barely cover 4x5, and will focus to infinity (some of the MP-4 lenses won't). Also, since it's a front-mounted assembly, you "lose" about 10mm-- it's effectively a 95mm bellows draw, so if you're tight on space on the wide end, it may be an issue.

Having not used it in anger, I can't really comment on image quality.

Ian Grant · Nov 27, 2020

I have two Polaroid lenses a 105mm Tominon in a Copal Press shutter, I bought it really for the shutter and haven't used it, if I do it'll be to shot 6x7 on a home made camera. I think in a separate thread Dan Fromm mentioned these weren't always that sharp.

The second is much nice a Yashinon f4.7 127mm in a Seikosha SLV shutter, this is a much nicer lens, I have used it to shoot 6x7 and it's very sharp, I ought to try it on one of my PAcemaker Graphics or Super Graphic.

Ian

xya · Nov 27, 2020

as said, the lenses from the 110 series, which were 127mm lenses, a wollensak raptar and a rodenstock ysarex. there was also a 120 with a 127mm yashinon in a seikosha slv shutter. all these are good lenses, but just cover 4x5, no movements. and there was the 180/195 series with a 114mm tomion in a seikosha shutter, which hardly covers 4x5, but is an excellent lens. IMHO forget about all the rest. the mp4 lenses have been a deception for me.

Peter Schrager · Nov 28, 2020

Ian Grant said:
I have two Polaroid lenses a 105mm Tominon in a Copal Press shutter, I bought it really for the shutter and haven't used it, if I do it'll be to shot 6x7 on a home made camera. I think in a separate thread Dan Fromm mentioned these weren't always that sharp.

The second is much nice a Yashinon f4.7 127mm in a Seikosha SLV shutter, this is a much nicer lens, I have used it to shoot 6x7 and it's very sharp, I ought to try it on one of my PAcemaker Graphics or Super Graphic.

Ian

Ian I used that 127mm lens and it is crack sharp..mine had like an almost yellow coating on it!!

KinoGrafx · Dec 31, 2020

I’ve got the 105mm Tominon in a press shutter and it covers 4x5 fine and is quite sharp stopped down (even a little room for movements!)

Polaroid Lenses and Shutters

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