Hunting to identify a camera

[Marc Nitti]

Hi all,

I saw a camera being used the other day, but wasn't able to get up to the photographer to see/ask what kind it was... So hoping someone will have an idea how to identify it.

It looked large format (but possibly could be medium), it had a pull out lens with bellows and looked quite antique. However, it seemed to use some kind of instant film. Once the shot was taken, the photographer would pull a tab on the side and yank the film/photo out, peel off a sheet/cover and then let the photo dry out and start to appear.

Any ideas anyone? Would love to track the make down and see if I can buy a similar one.

Thanks,

Marc

[awldune]

Sounds like you saw a large format camera with an instant film back such as a Fuji PA-45.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fuji-PA-45-Instant-4x5-Film-Holder-Polaroid-Fujifilm-/360267068628

Fuji still makes instant film for large format cameras.

[Jack Dahlgren]

The good thing about large format cameras is that the film holders are nearly universal so you can use that same instant film back with many different large format cameras.

That certainly doesn't help with your hunting as almost every large format camera has bellows and many of them look quite antique - even if they are new.

[Marc Nitti]

Aha, thanks guys. Those are really good leads. Going through a lot of the large format cameras which seem to take that PA-45, they all seem quite "boxy". Anyone know of any model which looks more like an overgrown Billy Record? This kind of shape, just bigger:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alf_sigaro/663268811/in/pool-camerapedia/

[awldune]

Aha, thanks guys. Those are really good leads. Going through a lot of the large format cameras which seem to take that PA-45, they all seem quite "boxy". Anyone know of any model which looks more like an overgrown Billy Record? This kind of shape, just bigger:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alf_sigaro/663268811/in/pool-camerapedia/

Polaroid 110B?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/diyosa/4031748271/

[Marc Nitti]

Just found some of the older models on that rhwirled site. Yes, it was similar to that 110B, actually more like the even earlier 100 or 110 since it had a very simple viewfinder and not the larger hump with what looks like 3 sets of optics on the 110B, something like this:
http://www.rwhirled.com/landlist/pics/campics/OneHundred.jpg
http://www.rwhirled.com/landlist/pics/campics/110.jpg

Plus it had a dark lens area, not a silver/metal one.

This might actually be quite a futile chase. Just had another forum suggest it might even be a converted plate camera which I saw, which opens up a whole realm of other candidates.

Nonetheless, this has been of immense help starting from zero knowledge of this type photography to now tracking down at least the format, film and types of camera. I'll just start searching for a camera that I like and can buy on a budget to use pack film.

Thanks guys, much appreciated!

[Peter K]

Plus it had a dark lens area, not a silver/metal one.
A Technika (http://www.linhof.de/technika-e.html)?

[Captain_joe6]

Now here's the hang: film for Polaroid 100-series cameras (any that take roll film, like the 110A and B, etc) has been out of production for a long, long time, so if you get one, it's going to be useless.

So, what I believe you're looking for, and what would satisfy all of your wants, needs, dreams, and fantasies, is this:

http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~razzle/Razzle_/razzle_.html

He's not got the most elegant website, so the gist is this: he's developed a very nice replacement back and conversion for 110A and B Polaroids, which allow for the use of any standard film holder, most importantly the new Fuji PA-145 instant pack film holders.

If I remember, his prices are pretty reasonable, as well.