Polaroid Land 95A

Art Deco Credentials ⓘ

Post Deco
Cameras with the last traces of Deco styling

Limited: Minor and largely incidental Deco elements

Produced after the main Art Deco period.
Brushed aluminium on faceplate.
Horizontal ruled lines on faceplate.
Body constructed of cast aluminium
Body covered in brown leatherette.
Handle of real leather.
Many chrome highlights

Specification

Manufacturer	:	Polaroid
Produced	:	1954
Classification	:	Medium Format
Body Type	:	Folding Bed
Bellows Deployment	:	Sliding Rail
Construction	:	Cast Aluminium
Film Type	:	40‑series roll film
Film Width	:	82 mm
ImageSize	:	2.5 × 3.25 inches
No. of Images	:	8
Lens Type	:	3‑element triplet
Focal Length	:	130mm
Focus Type	:	Variable
Focal Range	:	3.5ft - inf.
Aperture Type	:	multi‑hole Waterhouse wheel
Aperture	:	f/9 - f/35 *
Shutter Type	:	5‑blade Leaf
Shutter Speeds	:	B, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50,1/150 sec *
Size Closed (w x h x d)	:	130 x 245 x 60 mm
Size Open (w x h x d)	:	130 x 245 x 200 mm
Weight	:	1.925kg
* Measured on this camera

Description

The early Polaroid Land Camera 95A represents a transitional moment in instant‑camera engineering, combining the rugged mechanical design of the original Model 95 with refinements that shaped later Land cameras. This rare early‑production variant features the original I/B leaf shutter and Polaroid's unique 1–8 Waterhouse‑stop exposure system, where settings 1–4 share a wide aperture with progressively faster shutter speeds, and 5–8 maintain a fixed speed while stepping down through smaller apertures. At its heart is a 130 mm f/8.8 three‑element triplet lens, capable of surprisingly sharp central rendering and classic mid‑century character. Built with heavy cast‑alloy construction, polished metal trim, and a distinctive folding bellows, the 95A stands as both a functional photographic tool and a beautifully engineered artifact from the dawn of instant photography.

Get a camera like this from Ebay - Polaroid Land 95A

How to Use

The Polaroid Land 95A camera was designed to use Polaroid 40‑series roll film, a format that no longer exists today.

The manual for this camera is found here:- Polaroid Land 95A camera

This camera has a 1-8 position exposure system. The specification of the 8 positions are shown below. These values were measured on the particular camera shown. The higher shutter speeds were not particularly stable varying between 1/100s and 1/120s. I have taken the worse case of 1/120s.

There is a good comparison between the EV values calculated from measurements and those quoted in the camera manual. The difference can be attributed to the fast shutter speed being unstable on this particular camera.

Exposure Setting	Aperture	Shutter Speed	EV (Calculated)	EV (Manual)
1	f/9	1/11	9.8	-
2	f/9	1/25	11.0	11
3	f/9	1/50	12.0	12
4	f/9	1/120	13.3	13
5	f/13	1/120	14.3	14
6	f/20	1/120	15.5	15
7	f/25	1/120	16.2	16
8	f/35	1//120	17.2	17

Using 120 film

There are a variety of websites that show how to modify a Polaroid camera to use 120 film. I have my own idea of how this can be done without modifying the camera. Check back here for the method and results later.

If you don't want to bother with an exposure meter, follow the guide shown. It is based on the 'Sunny 16' rule. Film is so forgiving and will produce acceptable results even when overexposed by 2 or 3 stops or underexposed by 1 stop.

Remember that the exposure guide in the camera user manual may not be helpful as it is based on the use of old film with a low ISO value.

The tables assume that the sun is at least 30 degrees above the horizon - that's 10am - 5pm on a summer's day (May-August) in the UK.

Because of the slow speed of this camera, you may need a tripod or hold the camera firmly against your face to stop blur through shake.

Using ISO 100/125 film

Weather Conditions	Shadow Detail	Camera Setting
Sunny Snow/Sand	Dark with sharp edges	7
Sunny	Distinct	6
Slight Overcast	Soft around edges	5
Overcast	Barely visible	4
Heavy Overcast	None	3
Open Shade /Sunset	None	2