Self Portrait with a Polaroid Land Camera

I was so excited when I picked up a portrait kit #581/581 thinking it would work on my existing Polaroid  Land Camera. However unfortunately the viewfinder adapter wouldn’t fit. So what to do?  Buy the another portrait kit suitable for the camera ? Na, Buy another Land Camera!  This was solution. As I needed to use a tripod too, see why in this blog post.

I managed to buy for $9.99 US a not so bad Polaroid 100. The very first in the series of this kind of model for pack film. This is actually better than my existing 330 Polaroid which the body is made entirely of plastic except for the back. The 100 which was made between 1963 to 1966 features a full metal body and metal lens board block. Even though of course it adds extra weight to the camera, it just feel so much more classy.

Finally my portrait kit would work. I even had a self timer too.

What do I need to make a self portrait with a Land camera ?

Firstly to make a self portrait you’ll need a tripod.  All the metal based Polaroid cameras feature a tripod hole.

Which Portrait Kit to get ?

There are two viewfinders the #581 and #581A. The ‘A’ version is suitable for the Zeiss Viewfinder. See the table which Polaroid Land Camera is suitable.

If your land camera has a metal foldable viewfinder than it support the portrait and close kit.  However if your viewfinder is the plastic fixed viewfinder which hasn’t got a hinge  than none of the kits will be compatible with your camera.

Kit	Model compatible with
Portrait Kit #581 Close Up Kit #543	Polaroid 100, 101, 102, 103, 135, 230, 240, 340, 440 and Countdown M80 models.
Portrait Kit #581A Close Up Kit #543A	Polaroid 250,350, 360,450

 

Next, fit the Portrait Kit Lens adapter to the front of the camera.

 

Polaroid Land Camera 100 – Portrait Kit Lens adapter #581/581A

Then the viewfinder adapter so the camera can focus correctly with the lens adapter.

If you are using a flash, ensure to reduce the output by use of the flash cover. The flash cover comes  included with the kit.

Finally a self timer

Yes, of course you are going to need some way of triggering the shutter. The Polaroid #192 self timer should do the trick.

Polaroid Land Camera 100 – Self Timer #192

The Self Timer is support by following Land Cameras:

Elemental, Standard, Classic, Deluxe, Premium, M60, M80, Model 100, Model 101, Model 102, Model 103, Model 104, Model 125, Model 135, Model 210, Model 215, Model 220, Model 225, Model 230, Model 240, Model 250, Model 315, Model 320, Model 330, Model 340, Model 350, Model 355, Model 360, Model 420, Model 430, Model 440, Model 450, Model 455

 

The Results

The first picture I figure to come out of my newly renovated Land Camera 100, I thought should be a self portrait.  So using some expired 669 Polaroid film pack, which is over 20 old. I manage to produce a Polaroid selfie.