POLA.SLR1 Polaroid SLR

Updates:

• 9 September 2023
  • Mirror mounts and body now uses stronger magnets - 20x5x2mm rectangular
  • Added lensboard for mounting a M65 17-31mm Focusing Helicoid - see Morten Kolve's M65 lensboards and use the one that works for your 150mm lens

The POLA.SLR1 is the first version of a fully manual Polaroid SLR that uses large format lenses, specifically the Schneider Symmar-S 150mm f5.6 - and is built around the processing unit from a Polaroid OneStep 2.

Build cost is around £350-£400 all in, but depending on the cost of your lens, it can be as high as £600.

It’s not a project to take on lightly, but it’s also not the most difficult build out there. In use it’s very similar to a large format camera, specifically the Graflex SLR, but the mirror is manually actuated by a lever on the side of the camera.

Note: the lens projects directly onto the film, and because Polaroid is exposed from the front, the photos are mirror images. If this is a problem for you, then I’d recommend you skip this project.

Taking a picture is a little dance that you’ll need to learn.

• Set lever to “FOCUS”, lens to largest aperture, and then open the lens
• Meter your scene and take note of the settings
• Focus and compose using the ground glass
• Set the aperture and shutter speed, close the lens, and cock the shutter
• Set the lever to “SHOOT”
• Trigger the shutter
• Set the lever back to “FOCUS” and eject your film

Below you'll find: 

• a 45-page build guide in PDF format
• 3MF files
• An OrcaSlicer 3MF containing all parts split into platters, with recommended settings, orientation, and supports painted in
• STEP files if you want to modify or remix the design

I originally put these files up for sale on my website, but I think I'd rather have this out there for others to make and improve on. You can buy me a beer or two if you want to say thank you.