Possible to modify a disposable camera to shoot 4x5 or 8x10?

[nascarfann]

Is it possible to modify a disposable camera to shoot 4x5 or 8x10? I am strapped for cash and was wondering if I could make a really cheap 4x5 or 8x10 camera by modifying a disposable.

 

[Luckless]

First question would be how useful [more likely useless...] a lens out of disposable camera might be for something like a 4x5 or 8x10. I wouldn't guess there are any models out there that project an image circle remotely useful for a 4x5.

Some might be able to stretch to cover the smaller end of medium format, but I don't expect great edge detail.

If you're really set on low-budget 4x5, then pinhole might be your best bet to get useful results out of the project.

 

[Vaughn]

No, their lenses will not cover. For the same amount of effort and money, one might as well make a cardboard LF pinhole camera, or one that uses a cheap process lens -- or even a magnifying lens.

 

[Digger Odell]

The old polaroid land film cameras eg. "the land 800" will shoot almost 4x5 (3.5x4.5 ish) by just putting film in them. But they are a one shot deal like that, and must be loaded and unloaded in a dark room. Can be had very cheap because the polaroid film is no longer available, usually shipping costs about the same as the camera.

 

[BAC1967]

The old polaroid land film cameras eg. "the land 800" will shoot almost 4x5 (3.5x4.5 ish) by just putting film in them. But they are a one shot deal like that, and must be loaded and unloaded in a dark room. Can be had very cheap because the polaroid film is no longer available, usually shipping costs about the same as the camera.

Any Polaroid that took Type 40 film, see the Land List http://www.landlist.ch/landlist/landdcam-roll.htm. 4X5 fits perfectly, you do waste some of the film but you get the nice rounded corners. Best to get a rangefinder model like the 800 that Digger mentioned, that’s mine below. You can scale focus with the non-rangefinder models. This is probably the cheapest way to get into 4X4 other than making a pinhole camera.

Mossy Creek Bridge by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Polaroid Land Camera - The 800 by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

 

[AgX]

Is it possible to modify a disposable camera to shoot 4x5 or 8x10? I am strapped for cash and was wondering if I could make a really cheap 4x5 or 8x10 camera by modifying a disposable.

Yes and No...

Yes, by using a relay lens. No, as this means adding a complete 8x10 camera to a disposable one.

 

[Chan Tran]

Any Polaroid that took Type 40 film, see the Land List http://www.landlist.ch/landlist/landdcam-roll.htm. 4X5 fits perfectly, you do waste some of the film but you get the nice rounded corners. Best to get a rangefinder model like the 800 that Digger mentioned, that’s mine below. You can scale focus with the non-rangefinder models. This is probably the cheapest way to get into 4X4 other than making a pinhole camera.

Mossy Creek Bridge by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

Polaroid Land Camera - The 800 by Bryan Chernick, on Flickr

I used to do that with a Polaroid 150. I used changing bag to reload.

 

[Alan Gales]

How are your wood working skills? You can make a sliding box camera for cheap.

https://www.johanniels.com/en/large-format/139-coopercam

 

[NB23]

Well look at it this way, you can always cut a piece of 8x10 film into about 36 little pieces of 24mmx36mm.

You could then fit one of those little films behind the lens of that disposable camera and shoot one exposure at a time


This would be a really smart money saving move.

You can always thank me later.

 

[Chan Tran]

Well look at it this way, you can always cut a piece of 8x10 film into about 36 little pieces of 24mmx36mm.

You could then fit one of those little films behind the lens of that disposable camera and shoot one exposure at a time


This would be a really smart money saving move.

You can always thank me later.

Using price from B&H and Porta 160 as reference. Cutting the 8x10 sheet into 24x36mm piece cost 25 cents each and if you buy the 36 exposure 135 portra 160 it cost 20 cents each. So no saving for spending the time to cut it in total darkness.

 

[Paul Howell]

Pathfinders have been modified to take a 4X5 back, Polaroid and Konica made cameras with shutters and apuature control, Polaroid's was called the reporter, not the best lens, I have seen some that were turned into MF cameras but machining an adapter to take a 120 back. Dont know how well they held up as unlike the Pathfinder the Reporter had a plastic body. I don't see a disposable camera working for 4X5, the lens are very basic and were designed to cover 35mm. I would think about an old box camera, one that that took 6X9.

 

[NB23]

Using price from B&H and Porta 160 as reference. Cutting the 8x10 sheet into 24x36mm piece cost 25 cents each and if you buy the 36 exposure 135 portra 160 it cost 20 cents each. So no saving for spending the time to cut it in total darkness.

Craaaaap¡

 

[wiltw]

A 'normal' lens for 4x5 coverage typically has 150mm FL, so your disposable would need to accomodate the lens, the body which by definition would be over 150mm deep!

 

[Truzi]

Any Polaroid that took Type 40 film, see the Land List http://www.landlist.ch/landlist/landdcam-roll.htm. 4X5 fits perfectly, you do waste some of the film but you get the nice rounded corners. Best to get a rangefinder model like the 800 that Digger mentioned, that’s mine below. You can scale focus with the non-rangefinder models. This is probably the cheapest way to get into 4X4 other than making a pinhole camera.

I've done this with my Great Grandmother's The 800. Aside from the hassle of putting it in a changing bag to load film, it works fairly well, though does not cover the entire sheet.

If you are low on cash but good with tools you can modify this style of Polaroid camera to take sheet-film backs. There is a lot of information on the web.

As for the suggestions to make a pinhole camera, I've done that with a cigar box. Most tobacco stores will sell the empty boxes for a few dollars. I drilled a finger-sized hole, and hot-glued a flattened piece of Pepsi can over it. Used a needle to make the pinhole.

Of course, you still have to put it in a changing bag to load and unload film. I went to an art store (Pat Catan's) and got some strips of wood for hobbies, and cut it so I could wedge it in place over the edges of the film to hold the film flat and in place. The easiest way to make the box light-tight is to use electrical tape around the lid.

Again, you could modify the box so you can attach film backs (with rubber bands for a cheap method), and play with mounting lenses as someone else had suggested. Also, somewhere on this forum are threads about people making pinhole cameras using cardboard or matting board, etc.

I think some of these homemade pinhole cameras or finding an old Polaroid Pathfinder-style camera would be a cheap way to enjoy 4x5 until you can afford something a bit easier to use.

 

[ic-racer]

Is it possible to modify a disposable camera to shoot 4x5 or 8x10? I am strapped for cash and was wondering if I could make a really cheap 4x5 or 8x10 camera by modifying a disposable.

Yes, but you will need a very small subject (like 2cm) to fill an entire 8x10 sheet with the image of the subject.