It happens to all of us....you find this cool looking Polaroid camera in a thrift shop for fifty cents - buy it - only to find out that the film is long discontinued and stuff that is available is probably bad and the stuff that is known good is outrageously expensive.
Well, maybe this only happens to me...??
The camera in question is the Polaroid Electric Zip in blue (they came in patriotic colors...red, white, blue and black). Although some ridged body Polaroid cameras could take both 100 and 80 series pack film, the entire Zip line was meant for 80 series packfilm only.
For those of you unfamiliar with the ins and outs of packfilm, the 80 series film was more square than the rectangular 100 series film. The key distinction however is that the 80 series film was discontinued when Polaroid went belly up whereas 100 series packfilm is still made by Fujifilm.
I wanted to convert the camera to sheet film, however considering the number of death threats I got from previous Polaroid to regular film conversions, I elected to stay "Instant."
In this Instructable, we will convert a Polaroid Electric Zip from 80 series packfilm to 100 series packfilm.
* "Packtastic" is the registered trademark of the Film Photography Project, Michael Raso - Benevolent Overlord.
Well, maybe this only happens to me...??
The camera in question is the Polaroid Electric Zip in blue (they came in patriotic colors...red, white, blue and black). Although some ridged body Polaroid cameras could take both 100 and 80 series pack film, the entire Zip line was meant for 80 series packfilm only.
For those of you unfamiliar with the ins and outs of packfilm, the 80 series film was more square than the rectangular 100 series film. The key distinction however is that the 80 series film was discontinued when Polaroid went belly up whereas 100 series packfilm is still made by Fujifilm.
I wanted to convert the camera to sheet film, however considering the number of death threats I got from previous Polaroid to regular film conversions, I elected to stay "Instant."
In this Instructable, we will convert a Polaroid Electric Zip from 80 series packfilm to 100 series packfilm.
* "Packtastic" is the registered trademark of the Film Photography Project, Michael Raso - Benevolent Overlord.
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The Electric Zip was a consumer grade Polaroid camera popular in the 1970's. Many survive to this day in thrift shops and junk drawers around the world. The front standard works probably as well as the day it was manufactured, however the plastic that makes the body has grown brittle with age. I imagine that the plasticisers have evaporated. Perhaps some armor-all would revitalize it a little?
Luckily, cyanoacrylate glue works wonders on the broken plastic pieces.
The camera is built along the same lines as other packfilm cameras, but takes the square 80 series film exclusively. This is a problem since Polaroid has stopped producing the film and current stocks are deteriorating quickly. To use this camera as I intend, I'll have to convert it to the readily available 100 series packfilm that is still made by Fujifilm.
For this instructable you ill need:
1. An Electric Zip camera (this modification will probably work with any 80 series film camera made by Polaroid).
2. One or more packs of Fujifilm 100 series pack film.
3. Small format pliers like needle nose.
4. Razor knife, box cutter, exacto knife (any one).
5. Ruler.
6. Rotary tool (optional).
7. Cyanoacrylate glue (superglue) if you break any plastic piece as I did.
8. 45~60 minutes of time.
Luckily, cyanoacrylate glue works wonders on the broken plastic pieces.
The camera is built along the same lines as other packfilm cameras, but takes the square 80 series film exclusively. This is a problem since Polaroid has stopped producing the film and current stocks are deteriorating quickly. To use this camera as I intend, I'll have to convert it to the readily available 100 series packfilm that is still made by Fujifilm.
For this instructable you ill need:
1. An Electric Zip camera (this modification will probably work with any 80 series film camera made by Polaroid).
2. One or more packs of Fujifilm 100 series pack film.
3. Small format pliers like needle nose.
4. Razor knife, box cutter, exacto knife (any one).
5. Ruler.
6. Rotary tool (optional).
7. Cyanoacrylate glue (superglue) if you break any plastic piece as I did.
8. 45~60 minutes of time.
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I'm wondering if there would be a way to remove the stop from right side of the pack holder. even if you had to glue in a few plastic tabs to keep the film from sliding around, this would eliminate the need to alter the film packs. if I get ambitious, I will also post another comment.
Again, well done!
VO! I like what you do, brother... we're cut from the same hacking cloth, you and I. Keep it up!