Should I buy the GOOse?

[ludoo]

I found a Polaroid 600se (aka the GOOse) on local classifieds at an attractive price (250€, about 100-150 less than prices on past ebay auctions), got a call back from the seller tonight and he is keeping the camera for me until he comes back next Monday. It's apparently in mint condition since it was used in a studio, and comes with the standard 127mm f4.7 lens (which according to Camerapedia produces incredibly crisp, full-range images) and its quite rare hood.

I need another camera like I need a bash on the head, but strangely there's a little extra money in my account right now, and the 600se is a weird and beautiful beast (and I'm kidding myself I'll later recoup the expense by selling some other stuff).

For those that don't know it, it's this (pictured with the optional wide-angle viewfinder from the Camerapedia page)



A medium format rangefinder with removable lenses made by Mamiya and branded by Polaroid, with a default instant film back for 100 film (the one still sold by Fuji) that can be replaced by backs for 120 roll film, large format, or a ground glass for focusing.

It's a beast, but I find the combination of MF, good quality optics and Polaroid film irresistible. The only problem is I'll have to sell my new Plustek scanner and get a V500 or V700 to be able to scan the Polaroids and MF negatives/slides.

What do you say, should I go for it?

[Attila]

Surely if you can use with 120 film, I think it will be produce awesome results.

[ludoo]

[Scheimpflug]

[luisalegria]

Thats somewhat lower than the going price for that set on US ebay.

120 backs for these are common and not very expensive.

All together it looks like a nice price for a 120 rangefinder.

What Polaroid film do you use on that ?

[Minolfan]

If you really want to use the camera where it is made for, know the opportunity to get a back for 120 and the price is OK for a camera in a good condition... why do you ask other people with GAS to reject your wish to purchase the thing?
For the pictures you can use a cheap A4 scanner; no argument to sell the filmscanner. Here you can only expect the enthousiast cry for samples!
I was always impressed by the Mamiya Press rangefinders, must be great to work with.

[ludoo]

I met the seller tonight, and bought the 600se. In my hurry to get the camera (always a dangerous thing when affected from GAS), I checked all the functional stuff (shutter, aperture, lenses, etc.) but did not notice a straightened filter ring on the lens. But I got a Polaroid Land Camera 100 Auto as a bonus thrown in with the 600se, so I'm pretty happy.

I already removed the front viewfinder mask on the 600se to clean the viewfinder glass which was really dirty, and now it's sufficiently clear (when I discover how to open the rf/vf assembly I'll give a deeper clean). I shot a couple of pictures on Fuji FP100-C, a beautiful glossy colour instant film, and am amazed by the results: not especially by the lens sharpness, as I'd need 120 film for that, but from the overall results. Pastel colors, a nice dynamic range, and the incredible feeling of holding a print in your hands right after shooting.

I have fallen in love with Polaroids, and now understand why many others love shooting this film. In the next few days I'll try to convert the 100 Auto to modern batteries, and if there are no other problems with it, I'll take it out shooting.

[Scheimpflug]

Congratulations!

[walter g]

[ludoo]

[LucisPictor]

Wow! Congratulations, Ludo!
Cams like these are fun! This is what really makes us happy, isn't it?
Buying something that we don't really need but that is just a lot of fun to us.

[exaklaus]

The 600 is a great cam. Had it and loved it. And sold it....
The 100 should work fine with a CR123A 3v Lithium battery. Converted my 320 to it and it works fine!

Klaus

[JWH]

Wow, a polaroid camera with interchangable lenses?! Wasn't aware these excist.

Got a few questions, this interests me higly!

- What kind of lenses go on this?
- Are there more camera's with changable lenses that have instant film backs?

[ludoo]

[fish4570]

I hope your GOOse lays golden eggs for you ...

[ludoo]

First pics from the 600se. I have to say the camera handles beautifully: it's large but pretty comfortable to hold, and easy to keep steady even at slow shutter speeds. And the lens is *sharp*, looking at the pictures with a loupe, I can easily discern minuscule details invisible to the naked eye.

The scans are from the crappy HP multifunction printer at the office, and have little relation to the wonderful, glossy colors of the prints and their dynamic range. The scans also lose most of the shadow details.

First picture ever with this camera to test that it worked before buying, in the hall of my apartment building, a bit underexposed.


My usual subject, caught in a rare relaxed moment, 1/30 second.


The view from my balcony, to test infinity setting.

[Scheimpflug]

[peterqd]

[ludoo]

[ludoo]

[fish4570]

You got a good one there. I see the G00se is laying golden image eggs ...

[ludoo]

Tonight I finally understood the real value of a Polaroid camera, something that most Polaroid owners know: a Polaroid is a social tool, a means of aggregation, not only a camera.

I had dinner at my aunt's, ten people a few kids, a few adults. I arrived late and brought the 600se loaded with 3000asa b&w film, and we spent a good half hour after dinner composing, shooting and commenting shots. My 9-year old nephew shot one too, and he really enjoyed the experience. And my aunt got to keep the pictures, a few of which were pretty good as memories of a family occasion, as a thank you for the incredibly good dinner.

I now think every photography enthusiast should own a Polaroid.

And btw, I have a Miniportrait 402 (4 lenses, to take 4 shots on a single sheet) coming, and a 110b which I will try to convert to packfilm (and then possibly sell the 600se).