The Conversion: Polaroid roll-film camera becomes 4×5 snapshot camera

A friendly soul emailed me today to ask if I knew how to convert her Canon 30D into an infrared camera. I haven’t the foggiest, but I’m going to do some reseach. In any case, this got me thinking about camera conversions, which I think could be an interesting regular feature.

Something I HAVE heard about, and has always intrigued me, has been the conversion of  the old Polaroid roll-film cameras into 4×5 rangefinder cameras. The point of this is to effectively create a large format snapshot camera, which is rad.

The camera generally used is the Pathfinder 110A or the Pathfinder 110B.These cameras were produced in the late fifties and early sixties, and originally retailed for about $170. The best thing about them was the fast and sharp lens: the 127mm f/4.7 Rodenstock Ysarex. They are also set to expose the film fully manually, giving the photographer complete control. However, when roll-film went out of production, they were rendered essentially useless.

But a few brave souls started converting these cameras decades ago to accept standard 4×5 film backs, ready-load holders, or Polaroid and Fuji 4×5 pack film adapters. Most notably, perhaps, was William Littman, who started making the Littman 45 Single decades ago. He was profiled in American Photo a few years ago, which had Bruce Weber shoot a few images with the camera. Here’s one.

photo by Bruce Weber

Littman is known as a master craftsman, but as with a Cadillac dealer, he charges the big bucks. There are others who can craft these puppies for you, or you could do it yourself, you lazy bum! Or you can go online and geek out about it. Either way, get yourself some Fuji film, because Polaroid pack film is gone baby gone.

Anyone out there have a converted Pathfinder? Send in sample images!

UPDATE: Robert Schneider sent in an image, and says: “I just found a 110B that had been modified for pack film by Four
Designs.  They’re out of the Pola conversion biz, but they used to do a
beautiful job. I’m still at the goofing around stage, but it’s a wonderful camera to use. The person I bought it from even threw in some Type 665 P/N film — the holy grail!”