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Binary Rock

  1. 2006

2006-03-26 - Handheld 4x5 Project

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  • The first piece of the puzzle - a Polaroid 250 Automatic Land camera, $0.99 on eBay

    The first piece of the puzzle - a Polaroid 250 Automatic Land camera, $0.99 on eBay

  • The film for this camera is long since discontinued, but I have other uses in mind

    The film for this camera is long since discontinued, but I have other uses in mind

  • It's too bad it's in such nice shape, because the only thing I need is the nice Zeiss rangefinder

    It's too bad it's in such nice shape, because the only thing I need is the nice Zeiss rangefinder

  • Closeup of Zeiss rangefinder

    Closeup of Zeiss rangefinder

  • View through rangefinder (note dual images of picture frame, for focusing)

    View through rangefinder (note dual images of picture frame, for focusing)

  • Size comparison, with 35mm film included for scale

    Size comparison, with 35mm film included for scale

  • Still much smaller than a view camera

    Still much smaller than a view camera

  • Sadly, 40-year-old Polaroid film doesn't work very well

    Sadly, 40-year-old Polaroid film doesn't work very well

  • Time to remove the rangefinder from the 250

    Time to remove the rangefinder from the 250

  • Rangefinder removal

    Rangefinder removal

  • Rangefidner is free!

    Rangefidner is free!

  • Cardboard prototype for 4x5 back adapter

    Cardboard prototype for 4x5 back adapter

  • Marking out the lines for the real one

    Marking out the lines for the real one

  • Drilling the starting hole for the jigsaw blade

    Drilling the starting hole for the jigsaw blade

  • I don't play the jigsaw very well yet

    I don't play the jigsaw very well yet

  • But that's rectangular enough for me

    But that's rectangular enough for me

  • The final shape cut out

    The final shape cut out

  • Light traps cut out, everything cleaned up and sanded

    Light traps cut out, everything cleaned up and sanded

  • Approximation of assembly

    Approximation of assembly

  • The elegantly retro-looking Polaroid 110A arrives

    The elegantly retro-looking Polaroid 110A arrives

  • With its nice mechanical shutter and classic-looking integrated lens cap

    With its nice mechanical shutter and classic-looking integrated lens cap

  • Alas, this camera will only be donating its lens and shutter

    Alas, this camera will only be donating its lens and shutter

  • Top view, lens folded out

    Top view, lens folded out

  • Rear view. I'm not sure what that red switch does.

    Rear view. I'm not sure what that red switch does.

  • Aside from its size and weight, this is another reason the 110A is not ideal for this project. Separate rangefinder and viewfinder

    Aside from its size and weight, this is another reason the 110A is not ideal for this project. Separate rangefinder and viewfinder

  • There's a lot of metal in this camera, and it's surprisingly heavy

    There's a lot of metal in this camera, and it's surprisingly heavy

  • It doesn't look much bigger than the 250, but it feels huge in your hand

    It doesn't look much bigger than the 250, but it feels huge in your hand

  • The second attempt goes better. Control comes with practice

    The second attempt goes better. Control comes with practice

  • Cleaner, straighter cuts this time around

    Cleaner, straighter cuts this time around

  • There, that looks better

    There, that looks better

  • Removing the lens from the 110A

    Removing the lens from the 110A

  • Unscrewed

    Unscrewed

  • Lens is free

    Lens is free

  • Rodenstock Ysarex 127mm f/4.7 in a Prontor shutter

    Rodenstock Ysarex 127mm f/4.7 in a Prontor shutter

  • The 320 arrives in a case

    The 320 arrives in a case

  • With flash and instruction manuals

    With flash and instruction manuals

  • The 320 looks like the 250 but is made primarily of plastic, so it's much lighter

    The 320 looks like the 250 but is made primarily of plastic, so it's much lighter

  • But it has a crappy rangefinder, which will be replaced with the one from the 250

    But it has a crappy rangefinder, which will be replaced with the one from the 250

  • Ready to remove the front lens from the 320

    Ready to remove the front lens from the 320

  • Lens cover removed, revealing auto-exposure electronics

    Lens cover removed, revealing auto-exposure electronics

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