What can do you with a Polaroid pack camera?

[@SM64BLJ]

Take your final picture of your collection, shows your journey of old Polaroids come full circle, as the pack film disappeared. I think that would be beautiful

[@hackaninstant]

That's a good idea!

[@MrNavyman53]

​@@hackaninstant Yes, if you haven't yet you should put a mirror where whichever camera you use sits and aim it so the camera is reflected in its place

[@abograth]

This is beautiful. I can feel his enthusiasm and passion talking about his projects. Absolutely lovely!

[@justinlosefsky2578]

I love your passion, and dedication. As a lover of 35mm film/film cameras, I've often thought about the pain of seeing the format die. I admire your resolve and effort to give your cameras new life. ❤ Hat's off to you...

[@okcontent149]

omg this is the perfect video, i just ordered one of these on goodwill before realizing film had been discontinued

[@flyingo]

Brilliant stuff! I have a variety of similar old Polaroids, but never have taken the time to experiment with modifications. I’m envious of you for accomplishing what you have. The fact that you’ve shared your experiences, instructions, and the 3D printing files is just excellent icing on the old Polaroid cake! Bravo sir!

[@achin225]

If Dr Edwin Land were alive today he would find a kindred spirit in this fellow scientist. His enthusiasm and curiosity is infectious. He should keep going because the younger artists are returning to film photography. Instant real photos may be the old/new thing again.

[@NULL_POTATO_EXCEPTION]

I loved this video. It’s so inspiring! I just got into modifying some Polaroid 110As and Bs to shoot Instax. I’m currently working on the 4th one and I’m also doing a lot of 3D printing and learning how to CLA the lenses and thinking about what else I can improve. Watching your video and see how far you’ve come has really motivated me and made me desire more. Thank you for sharing. It was a pleasure to watch

[@hackaninstant]

That's great! Is like to see how you did your 110s...

[@NULL_POTATO_EXCEPTION]

@@hackaninstant Nothing too special, just using Lomograflok backs and some 3D printing. I did start preparing an Instax 210 back for conversion a while back but never finished it. Your videos have inspired me to take another look at it

[@hackaninstant]

@@NULL_POTATO_EXCEPTION I'll be updating the videos on how to prepare a back from instax 210s and 100s. If you start on it, don't modify the cycle switch can or gear slot. It's much easier to use a relay to control motor run on...

[@NULL_POTATO_EXCEPTION]

@@hackaninstant Unfortunately, I've already modified it... But it's alright! I was already thinking about using my resin printer to replicate it. If I ever get that far, I'll share the CAD online. Looking forward to your video!

[@hackaninstant]

@@NULL_POTATO_EXCEPTION it should work fine modified. I just found the relay method easier...

[@joseelement7695]

This was so interesting. I have a couple of Polaroid cameras laying around (like you, I’ve used all my pack film 🙁). I’d love to have a go at printing one of these backs. Thanks so much for sharing your expertise!

[@PhotographerPhilosophy]

You are a pleasure to listen to. Personally I own a 250 and hunt eBay for as many expired refrigerated packs as possible! Happy shooting!

[@studiovitta]

Very nice work man and awesome collection I have two hasselbland Polaroid backs but not film anymore and not alternatives films out there….

[@thelizardking6300]

Thank you, this is so helpful!! I just snagged a 250 lane camera at a thrift store and wasn’t sure what to do with it.

[@qvisionstudios]

Wonderful work to keep these old Polaroids going. I have a few of these that I've been hoarding to convert to 4x5. You gave me some additional ideas. Thanks.

[@johnbrewer318]

You’re my new favourite crazy inventor!

[@mynewcolour]

You should collaborate with (or consult for) Mint, Lomography or Chroma cameras. What you’ve achieved it very impressive.

[@eme42jtm]

Manual exposure is genius!

[@hackaninstant]

Of all my modifications, I like this one the most!

[@qhgabriel1]

left me speechless

[@dunnymonster]

Polaroid need to put you on their pay roll! Genius 👍

[@jwebs94]

You are a genius! I just inherited a Polaroid Land Camera 100, while cleaning out 'the old family homestead'. I was so thrilled until I looked for film. I started thinking that there's got to be SOMEWAY to put some film in these, but I'm not handy at all. Now, I found some photos in the case and figured out that the camera originally belonged to a different branch of the family tree. The cousin wants the photos of course, but I'm also going to offer the camera to him. Kinda hoping he doesn't want it. lol. I'd love to do the 120 film hack with this. As I am NOT handy, I'll likely contact you for a quote if you'd be willing to make the mods for me. Here's to hoping he doesn't want the camera!! lol I guess there's always Ebay if he does --because now I am obsessed with this thing. The photo quality is amazing. I was thinking, 'This is a Polaroid?" The pics I found were 50 years old and in great shape. The colors, everything... so much better than the Polaroids I grew up with in the late 70s and 80s. Too bad they stopped making the film.

[@ericvajda5463]

this is fantastic! i have a polaroid 420 i picked up and figured it would just be a display piece, but this is inspiring me to modify it!

[@abelsilvan]

Each of those cameras are fascinating! I can't really think of any other format for you to fit into those land cameras!

[@hackaninstant]

After I posted it, I realized I forgot to mention the 35mm x 10 panorama cartridge and back that's available to print. Maybe next video...

[@macbookdieter]

Fantastic video, I have a few Polaroid and instax cameras. I would love to turn my 230 into a 120 or instax camera. I just purchased a Lomograflok for a Crown Graphic, hopefully testing it out soon

[@kentuckyexplosion]

This is so fun!! I wish I found this earlier!

[@tacticaltome]

Thank you so much for sharing all these with us ☺️ you have inspired me!

[@michaelturner4457]

Something I miss from packfilm land cameras is the distinctive smell when peeling the print, and tucking the cold clip somewhere warm.

[@hackaninstant]

Those are good memories!

[@nonni3955]

Amazing. Will be looking into this. Thanks

[@anonanon7822]

I’m nearly 26 and i was shooting 35mm/120 since 21. Recently i got into instant - got myself impulse af and some 600 film to test it out and few month later sx70 is one of my favourite cameras that i lug almost everywhere and shoot everywhere(i mostly shoot landscapes and cities, not like street photography or anything - just cities. Architecture, views, streets and so on. Got back from my day trip on weekend from Budapest with 20 amazing polaroids). And then i got into instant rabbit hole even deeper and got myself refrigatered fp100(yes i paid 100 euros for it) and polaroid propack. I doubt that i will afford to shoot more of pack film but i will come to any good deals i'll probably get some more of pack stuff :) Seen some with 90s/2000s expiration dates and unknown storage condition in 20 euros price range. But all and all that format is most likely dead and i'm so jealous of you that you had such wonderful expierence of shooting it for so many years. I will probably shoot my fp100 at special occasion and then get some more old polaroids as they are getting cheap as chips now and do a different conversions to 120/4x5/instax and integral film and will shoot my sx70 and 600 box cameras more and more.

[@hackaninstant]

Polaroid pack film was the best instant film. In glad you got to experience it! These cameras still have a future!

[@Ruylopez778]

Step 1: Get Timothee Chalamet and Kendal Jenner some Polaroid Land cameras to be seen with. Step 2: Internet goes crazy for Land cameras. Step 3: Wait for Kodak to buy up One Instant and invest several million dollars. Step 4: Shoot an improved version of One Instant. It is a bit sad that instant technology (or rather film available) has actually regressed, a bit like how Concorde was decommissioned. I hope that the trend for instant film and instax continues and eventually One Instant becomes a little more consistent and affordable. If you didn't know already, there's a startup called 'Newland' which is developing a Polaroid integral back for Land cameras. It's a completely reversible conversion with an adapter for the lens. The film is ejected by hand crank, so I guess no battery required and it can use the cheaper i-type film.

[@hackaninstant]

Haha, this might work, but that's a lot of "ifs!" Yes, it is sad--I look back over the instant photos I took 40 years ago and am still impressed by the vivid, accurate colours. And funny you mentioned newlandcamera--the SX-450 build I did was initially inspired by his idea. He has faced numerous challenges designing a Polaroid back from scratch, but he plans on releasing it soon. One of the downsides is because a mirror isn't in the image path like the original cameras, the image taken with that back will be reversed. And because this back uses a correction lens to increase the focal length of the lens to compensate for the 18 or so mm film plane offset, the rangefinder will not technically be accurate, though at higher apertures, the depth of field may be large enough to compensate for this inaccuracy.

[@neonhalos]

such a charming video! i became the owner of a land model 450 a few years ago, rescuing it from the dump despite knowing full-well it was essentially "unusable." however, after reading up on that particular model, i became so intrigued in the possibility of using it somehow. it appeared to have been a fairly decent model when it was released and i always love a good glass lens on an instant camera! while these projects are impressive and i'm in awe of just how many modifications you have developed, i fear they're outside of my realm of ability. 😅 but nonetheless, it's nice to see that there is a lot of potential for modifications to breathe new life into those bellows!

[@hackaninstant]

If you have access to a 3d printer, maybe try a 120 conversion, which is a drop in cartridge and back. I'll be doing a vid on it soon.

[@neonhalos]

@@hackaninstant oh awesome! I do have access to one, so maybe I'll give it a shot! looking forward to the video!

[@briansegarra9312]

Pretty cool i toyed with the idea of a internal 6x9 120 film back for my pack film camera and 3d printer but my skills weren't up to the task Found your website i my try one of your mods

[@tomas5160]

thanks you so much im gona try do the conversion to 4x5 :))

[@hugotrimmeljr4473]

Fantastic!!! Thank you for sharing your brilliant work

[@youjustgotcarled]

Thank you so much for putting your 3d models online, I have been able to convert my polaroid 210 to shoot 6x6 120.

[@hackaninstant]

Cool! I love hearing about Polaroids getting used again!!

[@drparham]

Great work man would love to see your 6x9 stuff

[@hackaninstant]

I'm working at redesigning both 6x6 and 6x9 with their respective backs. You can see what's been done already by going to my website (conversions) and my Instagram page (half way down the timeline).

[@knoptop]

Great custom camera projects!

[@Rhezoloution]

These are thing YOU can do...not ME...i dont have the skills lOL. Congrats on the great projects!

[@filmlovephotography]

Super cool projects 👍

[@flyingo]

Your idea of shooting an image and then putting the developing chemicals inside the camera is being done in the “Pinsta Camera”, and the results are quite nice. It is a pinhole camera design, but I would think that a combination of your paper positive color process, and their developing injection/rinse and removal process might do the trick. Pinsta Camera only does black & white for now, but the design is interesting.. a 3D printed camera that uses syringes to inject, and remove, the developing chemicals. They have several vieeos out now here on KZbin. Thanks for this video! I’m beginning to experiment with paper as film in 4x5 and pinhole cameras.

[@hackaninstant]

Yes, the pinsta is a good design for a pinhole camera. I've also seen film holders that can also accept chemicals to develop the negative, which is closer to what I'm visualizing. The issue would be the film plane offset that a developing back or film holder would have...

[@flyingo]

@@hackaninstant yes indeed. That’s probably, for me, the most impressive thing about your modifications. I’m an engineer by trade, but you figuring out the shutter offset and film plane adjustments needed are fantastic!

[@johnnyloveit901]

I have an idea for a future 6x9. Have you ever seen the Agfa Clack. It is a very compact bakelite 6x9 camera. It maintains a small width by useing a conave film plain in the back. You might even just try getting a Clack just the play around with one. This is fun camera to use.

[@hackaninstant]

A concave film plane would be great for simple wide angle lenses that have spherical aberrations, as the curved film plane would help compensate. Polaroids use longer focal length lenses because they are in effect large format cameras...

[@tbmcqueen4259]

You mad lad, you went and did it…!

[@burntoutelectronics]

Thank for your terrific work! Im particularly interested in the instax and 6x9 mods

[@hackaninstant]

The 6x9 mod is detailed on my website

[@burntoutelectronics]

@@hackaninstant Thanks. The link to the 3D files on the 6x9 page downloads the 35mm pano files instead

[@hackaninstant]

@@burntoutelectronics Oops! OK, got the link fixed...

[@burntoutelectronics]

@@hackaninstant perfect! Thanks. Using 6x9 there's no adjustment needing to be made for focus? I.e. the film plane is the same for both type 100 and 120 film in respect to distance from the lens?

[@hackaninstant]

@@burntoutelectronics yes, the film plane is the same with the 120 cartridge.

[@SnowmansApartment]

wow, i would love to give some of these a try! Amazing!:)

[@petepictures]

Lovely ideas , and results. I however like to shoot them originally .

[@hackaninstant]

I would love instant pack film to come back. But every year, the film gets more expensive and more expired....

[@petepictures]

I have some for sale in Johannesburg , kept in the fridge @@hackaninstant

[@beldron]

You're a genius 🤩👏🏻

[@richardt1792]

I wish I was as mechanical as you. I don't have the mechanic/engineer gene. I am looking into using some of the 3D instax backs. There are ones for Graflex, Polaroid 600SE, Mamiya Universal or Super 23. As I recall there is one company that puts out a single image pack film that is very expensive. Perhaps some a company in China will see the demand for pack film and start producing it again. There are millions of pack film cameras and pack film back waiting for film. I suspect many folks would pay $30 a pack if it was available again.

[@yorkieinnz4648]

Came across by chance..great content thanks. Now subscribed :-)

[@coolduder1001]

I miss pack film so much

[@hackaninstant]

Nothing will really substitute for pack film...

[@stephenwhited1833]

Could you use one to make a enlarger head shining the light somehow in the back and building a negative holder? Just a thought to spur your curiosity

[@hackaninstant]

Yes! Before I got my 4x5 enlarger, I took a Polaroid that had a bad shutter and removed the shutter then built a stand, and a light housing for the rear. I could then slip a Polaroid negative in there and project it to enlarge!

[@Jennifer_Prentice]

I shoot 120 roll color film and would love to mod one of the two old land cameras like that I have to shoot it :). Thank you

[@hackaninstant]

What model of land camera are you interested in modding? 120 film needs a 3d printed adapter and back. Check out polaroids.theskeltons.irg/conversions.htm for more details. Contact me if you have any questions.

[@Jennifer_Prentice]

@@hackaninstant I can do the shutter speed mod but not sure about the holder for the film. No idea how you even figured out the focus point lol.. Pretty amazing.

[@hackaninstant]

@@Jennifer_Prentice The 6x6 120 adapter is quite a bit easier than the 6x9 one. Just print all the parts, including the back, then replace the back with the 3d printed one. The 120 adapter/cartridge will fit into the space that the film pack went.

[@Jennifer_Prentice]

@@hackaninstant I do not have a 3d printer so might have to consider paying someone to make one..

[@gotja]

Wow

[@1987productions]

you are awesome ! :)

[@rancosteel]

The greatest thing about Polaroid peel film was the smell of the emulsion.

[@gunier.j.kintgenanimations]

Hey, do you still have the printer files for the 120 film pack designs? I have a pack camera, & would love to see mine with some life in it again!

[@hackaninstant]

Check out the links in my profile. Both my website and thingiverse profile have the 120 files

[@lofianddiy]

Great content- I really enjoyed your work!

[@hackaninstant]

Well, I think what you're doing is great as well! Rescuing polaroids from disuse...

[@lofianddiy]

@@hackaninstant They are wonderful medium format cameras, very worthy of rescue!

[@gotja]

Wow!

[@Rutherfordium2023]

Take the picture of yourself, one of the men lucky enough to be able to use pack film.

[@clarenceboddicker9360]

Do you have any tutorials or detailed instructions anywhere that explain how to do the instax wide conversion? It's surprisingly difficult to find any specifics out there.

[@hackaninstant]

Yes, go to my website on my profile and click on conversions. There are detailed instructions on various conversions.

[@clarenceboddicker9360]

@Hackaninstant Fantastic. Thanks.

[@mastedi]

Interesting! Wouldnt it be better to use a 180 or 190 that has manual aperture and shutter speed settings?

[@hackaninstant]

@@mastedi yes it certainly would! Those are both very nice cameras. However, I've never owned either one...

[@oscarpruitt684]

I am really interested in the roll film mod. I use a lot of 120/620 camera and love them so much. Do you have those STLs available?

[@oscarpruitt684]

Nevermind, I found them. They were not under 3D accessories but under the specific conversion. Time to start modding :)

[@BryanCepak]

I just discovered you and your work. I own a Polaroid 100, 104, and 420 cameras. Which would be the most suitable for modifying to a medium format film? Also, I don’t have the skill set to create a manual shutter speed controller. Will it work properly if the original camera electronics are used with negative film for automatic exposures?

[@hackaninstant]

@@BryanCepak the model 100 would be the best camera for 120 film. It has 4 ASA auto exposure settings that will work with most film along with the lighten/darken control.

[@JoeyShip]

You are a legend!!

[@willraya1791]

hey would it be possible to use a polaroid onestep 1 with the onestep 2 mod

[@hackaninstant]

@@willraya1791 you can modify a Onestep to use itype film by powering it with an external battery and changing the shutter timing capacitor so it meters for ISO 640 film.

[@M10000]

How do I buy a conventional film holder like the last camera has? What is it called so I can ask my computer who sells them?

[@hackaninstant]

The 3x4 film holders and film door are specific for this camera and are not sold anywhere. The 3D files however, are provided for free on my website (link in profile). You can download them and send them to a place like craftcloud3d.com to get them printed (black petg is best) to use with your camera.

[@gsxs_geo]

I just bought a 355 from a garage sale (brand new and never used) and you are telling me I am never going to use it ? Can I still find some films on the internet ? If yes what would be the best pack to get please 😢?

[@hackaninstant]

@@gsxs_geo you can still find expired film--look for fp-100c. It's expensive...

[@gsxs_geo]

@@hackaninstant thank you so much ! Prices are high yes.. I found at 45€ which is pretty correct compared to others

[@MSTZ]

So what was your final picture?

[@hackaninstant]

@@MSTZ all of my pack film mods!

[@brandonwilliams2799]

How do i do the modification for 120 film

[@hackaninstant]

Check out my website under conversions. The instructions and 3d files are there.

[@gottanikoncamera]

I have a 195. I was thinking the same thing re: paper negs and real film so I saved six or seven pack film holders. How do you hold the film flat, just tape? I was considering cutting foam to fit. Be nice if more cartridges were made available through 3-D printing.

[@hackaninstant]

When using old film packs, I take them apart and load the negative where the original negative went, then I reassemble the pack and it holds the negative flat. I've also just loaded the negative right in the camera and placed an empty pack on top and closed the door, which also works.

[@gottanikoncamera]

@@hackaninstant Huh, it never occurred to me to take the pack apart; I was just thinking I'd slide the neg in and use foam to hold it flat. But I like your idea of just sticking the neg in and putting the pack on top! Thanks for the idea!

[@jrmott]

Why didn't you film any of these projects?

[@hackaninstant]

@@jrmott I was too buried in each project to film it, plus, I didn't know whether any of them would work out! I did film some reels tho--check out my Instagram account in profile

[@ml.2770]

I have a Colorpak iv. Which mod would you recommend?

[@hackaninstant]

I designed a back and 120 6x6 cartridge fit the Super Shooter 2, which I think will fit on the Colorpack IV. This mod is on my website under conversions, at the bottom of the page.

[@joseuribe430]

Supersense pack film is available

[@hackaninstant]

Yes it is! But at $20/picture, I would have to think long and hard before taking a photo...

[@joseuribe430]

@ just take 1

[@hackaninstant]

@@joseuribe430 My opinion is that when something has died, lay it to rest. Onesense it trying to raise it from the dead with old stock and paper cartridges and it shows. I think it's time to work through the grieving process and move forward...

[@juliovila8233]

Ok do you do these customization for yourself or can one contract you to hack there Poloroids

[@hackaninstant]

I'm not setup to produce the modifications I've designed, but I provide the instructions and support files on my website for free.

[@wildace4535]

do you got a 150 in your collection?

[@hackaninstant]

No, I mainly collected pack film cameras, and the 150 is a roll film camera.

[@emilecrowther7706]

At this point you just need to make cameras from scratch

[@hackaninstant]

I've made a couple of large format cameras...

[@AnalogFlashback]

I bought a Polaroid 180 to create content and be my first large format camera. But I can't find the film for a good price. Do you have any tips? I'm still starting my channel, would you like to follow it for charity? :)

[@TheKarnage23]

This guy is some sort of Polaroid wizard 🪄

[@thelemon5069]

What about land cameras like the 80b?

[@hackaninstant]

I haven't worked on an 80b, but I understand it can be converted to 120 film fairly easily.