Conversion of a
Vintage Polaroid
Models • 95 • 150 • 110A/B • 900 • a100 • a250 • a350 • a450 • SX-70 • Holgaroid
The Rangefinder
In order to keep the amount of cleaning required for this project to a minimum, removing the rangefinder is not only a good idea, its an excellent one. This particular camera I used, though clean on the outside, still had some dirt inside the rangefinder. To clean it, you need to remove the plastic housing with 3 screws. Two on the back and one in the front.
Though it is certainly not necessary at all, removal will make the entire project process just that much moreOpen the front of the camera to remove the single screw. It will be much simpler if the the front is locked open.
Turning to the back, the left screw is totally easy to see and remove. On the Model 150, the roll-film holder thing even has a fancy notch cut out!
The right side, is a different story. Luckily, some time ago, I had broken my glasses and acquired a Philips screwdriver of tiny size. I thought of bending a nice screwdriver 90 degrees...
Though the right side of the rangefinder and camera body is going to be hacked off later, I like to learn as I go so removing the rangefinder now, makes sense.
Now, it should be able to do this fancy dance. But wait, you need to be careful of that flash shoe and its wires...
If you get lost at anytime, you can always click the link at the bottom of the page to come back here.
The Steps
parts & labor
what's needed to get the job done
basics of function
how does the camera usually operate; what parts do what and go where
the back, the strap, the flash
taking off useless vintage roll-film parts
the rangefinder
removing, taking apart and cleaning
cutter-bar & inner parts
more useless vintage parts that have to go
ready the donor
removal of all nonessential parts from a packfilm donor
hack to pieces
make the back fit
odds n' ends
tidying up; side door
putting it all together
replace rangefinder, fix flash; paint
reset infinity
setting the focus stop
Information …
The Models
These are the models I have personal experience with and are used within this site.





