Your favorite polaroid packfilm camera?

EASmithV

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Hello,

I'm looking into getting a Polaroid pack film camera to itch my instant film scratch...

Which model would be able to give me somewhat shallow depth of field?

Other than that, which model is your favorite?
 
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EASmithV

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Also, thinking about putting a 101mm Ektar on one, any idea if that's do-able? What's the normal focal length for this thing?
 

wilfbiffherb

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I have a 103 and a 101 - modded to take AAA batteries. both good!
 

Steerage

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It depends on the look you want. The plastic lens cameras have a certain "Polaroid look" to the photos, and that's sometimes what you are going for. If you want more sharpness, the 250 and 350 are nice cameras -- they have glass lenses and Zeiss rangefinders, and are pretty reasonably priced.

For shallow depth of field, there are a couple of ways to go. First is the 180/185/190/195 cameras, which have more ability to adjust apertures than the other cameras. These are getting pretty expensive. The other way to go is the Polaroid 600 or 600SE, which are press-style cameras manufactured for Polaroid by Mamiya. Or, you can get a Mamiya press camera with Polaroid back -- very similar but the lens mount is different.

Edit: I forgot to mention the ultimate resource on pack film cameras: Dead Link Removed.
 
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EASmithV

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how hard would it be to hack a LF lens onto a 420? A 101 Ektar or 127 optar might fit the bill, and perhaps would still be close to the original FL enough to shoot wide open with the rangefinder
 

EdSawyer

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That has been done, many times. Not too hard, alinging the rangefinder could be tricky though.
 

one90guy

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My favorite Polaroid with battery mod is the 100, metal body and tripod mountable. Also a Polaroid 110 converted to pack film is great. sold mine and have totally regretted it. It is hard to find the 110's at a decent price now. I am converting a couple of 150's to pack film right now, just do not know about the lens yet.
 
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EASmithV

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I just found a Polaroid Colorpack II for free in my grandfathers house! Guess i'm gonna get some fujiroids and test this thing out. It takes AA's too!
 
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