Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Polaroid 420 Automatic Land Camera - Introduction

April-Lea Hutchinson's Polaroid Automatic 420 Land Camera

blog by Michael Raso

Welcome to my series of blogs dedicated to the long line of Polaroid "folding" Automatic Land Cameras. Also known as the Polaroid 100 Series Land Cameras or Polaroid Folding Pack Cameras, Polaroid Corporation first introduced in 1963 with the Polaroid 100 Automatic Land Camera and continued the series through 1977, ending with Model 450. Other folding camera popped up years later like the Polaroid Reporter, Polaroid Pro-Pack Camera and the "hard-bodied" Colorpack series. This Film Photography Project blog series is dedicated to all these wonderful and durable instant film cameras. I hope to cover all of them in the weeks and months ahead.

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring
"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring"
Polaroid image using the Model 420 by April-Lea Hutchinson


What's the "buzz" about the Polaroid Model 420? Besides the fact that Film Photography Podcast (FPP) co-host Mat Marrash and awesome photographer April-Lea Hutchinson shoot with it, this plastic Polaroid "pack" camera ranks high as one of the favorite models in the long line of Polaroid instant cameras. It's handsome looks with gold trim make it a recent fav!



Introduced in 1971 and produced through 1977, this Pola-Pack-Tastic camera features a plastic body and plastic shutter/lens housing, a 114mm f/8.8 2-element plastic lens, parallax viewfinder with distance estimator in the eyepiece, a 1/1200sec to 10sec (automatic) shutter, an aperture of f8.8 to f42 (automatic), exposure compensation dial with range of -1/+2 stops (Lighten/Darken control) and Film speed settings of 75asa (for 100asa film) and 3000asa (for BW 3000asa film)

Camera uses Fujifilm FP-100c, FP-100b, or FP-3000b instant films as well as many expired Polaroid "pack" films still available at the FPP Store or at The Impossible Project.

Film Photography Podcast - March 2011
What is FPP?
The Film Photography Project seeks to inform, engage and inspire amateur and professional photographers working in the traditional film medium. Launched by FPP founder Michael Raso in 2009, FPP provides a forum for photographers from around the globe to share their creative output, challenges and product reviews, while promoting the viability of vintage cameras and film through frequent give-aways and exchange programs. In addition to the Film Photography Podcast Internet Radio Show, the Film Photography Project network of imprints includes the FPP Flickr Page, YouTube Channel, Facebook Group, Twitter Account, newsletter and the Film Photography Project Store.

Polaroid Impulse Portrait / Impossible PX 600 UV+
About me
Michael Raso is passionate about film as a viable and exciting medium for the visual artist, even in this age of digital photography. A photographer, producer and filmmaker working professionally in the visual arts for over 20 years, Michael is also the founder of the Film Photography Project and its fortnightly internet radio show, the Film Photography Podcast. At last count, Michael was actively shooting with over 50 vintage cameras.

http://www.filmphotographypodcast.com

FPP Episode Episode 36 - June 1, 2011 features a spotlight on the Polaroid Automatic 420.






Have a question about your film photography? E-mail me anytime!
Michael Raso
FilmPhotographyPodcast (AT) gmail.com

April-Lea Hutchinson's Polaroid Automatic 420 Land Camera
Purchase your own Polaroid 420 Camera at the FPP Store!

Content Copyright 2011 Film Photography Project, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved.

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