5x4 Rangefinder Camera

[Hamish Gill]

I bought a MOD54 from a company called Process Supplies (london) LTD the other day ... they were the only seller with them on ebay and I was in a hurry so i bought it with little knowledge of the company in question.
Unfortunately it turned up damaged ... to cut a long story short I ended up having a chat with the guy who (i think) runs the place on the phone ...
Sounded very passionate about film photography!
A recent comment on their facebook page Process Supplies (London) Ltd - Photographic services & equipment - London | Facebook would confirm that

Anyway, he happened to mention in passing the 5x4 rangefinder cameras they have for sale ...
Id actually come across these recently but couldnt find a uk "manufacturer" ... I say it in speech marks as they areactually modified polaroid 900's or 110's ...

just look at these

Polaroid 110 camera with 127mm Rodenstock 4.7 Ysarex lens

Polaroid 900 With Schneider 150MM 5.6 Symmar-S Lens

Now take into account that I havent shot one shot of LF yet ... but blimey do i want one of these!
I do love a rangefinder ... I have have a fairly strong feeling that Im going to get a kick out of LF ...
why does there have to be so many cameras that I want?

 

[Pete Askew]

And I guess me pointing out that the MPP is fitted with a range finder would have no bearing on this?!!

 

[Pete Askew]

Not a bad price at all. They do look interesting.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Its the weight ... the mpp feels like a tripod camera!
Going out tomorrow with it though pending not feeling ill still and not having 40million things on like last weekend ... ...
Hoping to have my first LF shots done by the end of the weekend

 

[Pete Askew]

You can stick a handle on them too I think - like a Technika. Or a big flash gun like on a Speed Graphic. But you are right, they are easier to handle on a tripod. But then that is part of the process and pleasure. Maybe use a MF rangefinder for walking and shooting and LF for more contemplative stuff. After all it does work out at about £1.50 a shot!!

 

[Brian Moore]

They look like very nice conversions.

 

[Pete Askew]

How much would the unconverted camera cost Brian?

It shouldn't be so hard to fit a Graflok back on one.

 

[Hamish Gill]

You can stick a handle on them too I think - like a Technika. Or a big flash gun like on a Speed Graphic. But you are right, they are easier to handle on a tripod. But then that is part of the process and pleasure. Maybe use a MF rangefinder for walking and shooting and LF for more contemplative stuff. After all it does work out at about £1.50 a shot!!

I suspect you are right ...
And considering I have been so happy with the fuji gs645s shots I should probably get a bit of control over my material desires! ... ...
this mf stuff is really helping me find my grove you know ... those misty tree shots have made my year ... they about sum up everything i currently like ... Ill probably go off them, but for now I am very happy with what im shooting ...
I should probably stop trying to find other ways to shoot and just shoot more

 

[Brian Moore]

How much would the unconverted camera cost Brian?

Pete,...the 110 with the Rodenstock lens is highly regarded. Most people--that I've heard of--convert them to shoot Fuji peel-apart film. Last I checked I think the non-converted ones were going for about $200US. Not sure. Even less sure about the 900. I don't think that Symmar lens came on the 900 and I think the 900 is one of those old Land Cameras that go dirt cheap.

However, I'm guessing at the above. I'll double-check.

 

[Hamish Gill]

There is one like this in a shop in town ... Must check what it is tomorrow

 

[Brian Moore]

The 110 has a Wollensak lens. The 110 A and B have the Rodenstock lens. "Buy it Now"s on E-bay anywhere from $200 to $500, with the higher prices being conversos.

I also found plans:

Polaroid 110A,110B to 4x5 conversion Plans. | eBay

Now,...diving back in to see the 900.

 

[Brian Moore]

Looks like it's as I thought, the original 900 has a fairly mundane lens and so the converso in Hamish's original post must have had the Symmar lens added. Current auction prices go from $10 to some crazy "Buy it Now"s of $200.

 

[Pete Askew]

Yes, you can see the new standard they have made. So probably these conversions are quite good value.