How to Convert a Polaroid to 120 Film
In fifteen to twenty minutes you can convert any roll-film Polaroid to shoot 120mm medium-format film. Medium-format film produces a negative almost four times larger than 35mm film, which means you can make much larger prints of the image without losing quality.
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Things You'll Need
- Roll-film Polaroid camera
- Power drill
- 1/4-inch drill bit
- 7/16-inch drill bit
- 1/4-inch by 1 1/2-inch bolt
- 1/4-inch knob
- Construction paper
- Clear red glass or plastic
- Scotch tape
- Black cloth
Instructions
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1
Remove the back panel from the camera.
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A drill bit Use a 1/4" drill bit to drill a hole at the bottom of the film chamber on the right. This where you are going to insert a bolt to make the winding shaft.
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A bolt Screw a bolt that is 1/4 inch in diameter and 1 1/2 inches long into the hole you just drilled at the base of the film chamber.
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Attach a knob to the bolt so you can crank the winding shaft. You can pickup a generic 1/4-inch knob at a hardware store.
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5
Make two shims by folding torn construction paper into two small wedges. Use the shims to prevent the film canister from moving around in the left film chamber.
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Use a 7/16-inch drill bit to drill a hole in the pressure plate.
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Cover the hole you just drilled with a piece of clear red glass or plastic. Use a small piece of clear plastic tape to secure the glass.
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Insert 120mm medium-format film into the camera.
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Cover the back of the camera with a piece of black cloth to prevent light leakage. Use a thick black cloth that does not let any light through and make sure it completely covers the back of the camera.
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Tips & Warnings
Be very careful about light leakage. The tiniest hole in the fabric can ruin your film.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit antique camera image by nutech21 from Fotolia.com drill bit on black marble image by phizics from Fotolia.com bolt image by Petr Gnuskin from Fotolia.com
