Polaroid Land Camera Model 800 [1957]

I had NO idea how big this camera was until I had one in my hand. This thing is absolutely humongous, and quite heavy, particularly with the flash attached. This camera used Polaroid roll film, which as far as I understand it was discontinued before I was born. Some people have modified these cameras putting other instant film backs on them.

Safety note: As with all of my cameras I clean and remove any and all batteries from the cameras and flashes. This flash, called a Winklight, had a large Eveready cell in it the likes of which I’d never seen before. While removing it the large flash capacitor was visible inside the case and would have been easy to touch; I knew enough to stay away! Well, later when I assembled the camera and attached the flash, the action of sliding the flash onto the mount triggered the flash! Assuming the whackadoodle battery is long dead, this means the capacitor had been holding a charge for literally decades. I could have easily gotten a good jolt from that capacitor – I’m lucky I didn’t touch it.