Polaroid Land Camera Model 95A

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Anyway, back to the camera at hand:

Keeping up with big easy to use cameras, this post will be looking at one of the first cameras that changed the photography industry. This is the Polaroid Land Camera Model 95A.

I already went through Polaroids history in my Polaroid SX-70 post. So with that let’s get right into it.

The Polaroid 95A is based off of Polaroid’s first camera, the Model 95 (Andrew 2022).

Polaroid 95. Image Source:
https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8085283/polaroid-land-camera-model-95

But unlike the original, the 95A was known as the Speedliner and built in-house, meaning that no outside or outsourced helped was used (Andrew 2022). The 95A was an improved version of the 95, not only that but Polaroid also released the Model 95B and the difference between the A and B compared to the original 95 is that they had “…a new viewfinder window and adjustments to the focal distance and shutter speeds, the later models carried the legacy of the revolutionary design of this beautiful and very capable camera…” (Takahashi 2015).

Polaroid 95B. Image Source:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/TOmOQ69DnhcsbiKkNuYYQ1y35bGZwd_MnOd4953pqKPcvLo0fKPh4gbndgdBlfiEJRhnqHFg2L1F1ZP7o-QL6bXbsiVLoLqsQlcz0SQtDdVIu9OvH07C

Now the main difference between the 95A and 95B, is that the A model used a LV exposure method whereas the B model used the EV scale (Camera-wiki 2025). And to explain what these two methods mean, here are some excerpts from Rockwell (2025):

“LV, Light Value and EV, Exposure Value, are terms used to allow easy discussion of exposure and light without the confusion of the many equivalent combinations shutter speeds and apertures. LV refers to how bright the subject is. EV is the exposure setting on the camera…”

“An LV, or Light Value, is a number that represents how bright a subject appears in absolute terms. It does not take film speeds or exposure into account. LVs are very handy photographic terms to use to describe lighting levels…” and “…Exposure Value, or EV, varies from LV, or Light Value, depending on your film speed. EV = LV at ISO 100. With ISO/ASA 100 speed film you expose with an Exposure Value (EV) equal to the Light Value (LV).”

And also the 95B had “…extra seals for light-tightness when using 3000-speed film (identified by having the letter 'L' preceding the serial number) and slightly later ones yet also have a locking cutter bar…” (Kuhn 2003).

But the 95A and B weren’t the only ones that where modelled after the original 95. Other Polaroids include the Model 100 and Model 700; each came with a slight alteration that separated it from the 95A (Kuhn 2003).

Polaroid 100. Image Source:
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRAo05NerW92vJ9eW3GL4FlCJgWlLMHOV7dEg&s

Polaroid 700. Image Source:
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT3BpKCXgKj1YI_eJDYEYOhPimmbVnFFcaw7A&s

There are others that also carry the look of the original 95. That is because these cameras were modelled after the “…laboratory-type view cameras made as early as 1850…” (Corcy 1954), such as the Pathfinder (Model 110) and the Highlander (Model 80).The style only really changed when the new  Polaroid SX-70 was introduced.

Daguerreotype camera, a laboratory-type view camera examples.
Image Source:
https://d3h6k4kfl8m9p0.cloudfront.net/stories/XqEn4sDmGxhgfdNbE1jrWA.jpeg

Polaroid Pathfinder (110). Image Source:
https://collection-appareils.fr/polaroid/images/Polaroid_110B.jpg

Polaroid Highlander (80). Image Source:
https://farm2.static.flickr.com/1035/1044702923_3c95d49bb7.jpg

There isn’t much history on this camera other than it being part of a great success alongside the original 95, which was created from Eric Land’s daughter’s idea of an instant film (Andrew 2022). Land built a few prototypes to showcase at the Optical Society of America. Then when the prototypes sold out, Polaroid knew they had a hit and made more (Takahashi 2015). And with the demand for more, Polaroid saw that improvements could be made and thus the 95A and the other variations followed after.

And with that, let’s have a closer look at the 95A.

This camera was released in 1954-1957 (Kuhn 2003). And the weight of this camera breaks the record of heaviest camera on this blog, exceeding the Argus C2 and the Vokar I, by double, the Model 95A is approximately 2kg (MWclassic)! And it has the size measurements of 9.5 x 2.4 (10.5 unfolded) x 5.2 inches.

 

The body is mostly metal and covered in leather, and if it is made in the same way as the Polaroid SX-70 then this is most likely real leather.

Before we begin, I would like to point out that this camera came with the case, and man what a case it is.

Made from leather with the name Polaroid in gold, this is truly one of the most fantastic cases I have seen. And the accessories that it came with are equally as impressive. And I will reveal them as I explain the camera. But I should also point out that this case is actually meant for the 700 model, which is similar to the 95A (Kuhn 2003).

Now… Starting with the front-

First is the cover. It is similar to the Agfa Billy Record.

On the cover is the tripod socket.

 And above that is the “kickstand” that holds up the camera.

To open the cover, the user must press the button at the top; the piece of metal that has Polaroid written on it.

Once it is opened, we find the camera.

Unlike the other foldout cameras, like the Agfa Billy Record and the Agfa Isolette I, the 95A doesn’t foldout when the cover is opened. Instead, according to the manual (that came with the case), you must pull on and slide out the shutter slide all the way to the end of the cover until it clicks/locks in.

Now, let’s get to the lens-

This lens is a fixed 130mm lens, with an f/stop max of 8.8, with a 3-element glass (see my Polaroid SX-70 post for more info on this).

This means that the lens has an element coating and (possibly) has three pieces of glass.

This lens can also take adaptors, and luckily, this camera came with a few. In the carrying case, there is another case that is a smaller version and made with the same wonderful attention to detail.

This is known as the Polaroid Close-up lens kit. It comes with three close up lenses and a built-in steel measuring tape, that “gives correct adjustments for camera focus and lens attachment…” (the manual).

Underneath the lens is the shutter speed setting.

It toggles between I (instant), which takes instant photos, and then B (bulb), used to keep the shutter open for as long as it is held down. The B is used when a flash is attached, and automatically jumps back to I when the shutter closes.

The flash connector is lower and opposite the Shutter speed toggle.

This is a bi-pin (a PC connector, see the Pucky I post) flash M-sync (see the Fujifilm 35-ML post), this according to Kuhn (2003). This is known as the regular flash. And again this camera came with the flash gun that was used for this connector, but more on that later.

Then above the lens is the shutter dial. This is the LV method, in which the user has to set the shutter speed using the wheel on the top right corner. This switches it between 1-8.

Each number between 1-8 has a specific shutter speed and f/stop value. By turning the wheel, you set both the speed and f/stop at the same time, using the multi-hole petal method.

Here is the table that gives the f/stop and speed numerical value corresponding with the 8 numbers:

To know what number to set and use for certain lighting conditions, one must use the light meter that comes with the case.

You point the metering window at the subject and then the needle will move to one of the 8 numbers and when it lands on a number, the user sets the shutter dial to that.

On the left hand lower corner is the shutter release button. This camera has an everest rotary shutter (Kuhn 2003) and “…is a type of in-lens shutter in which a single stroke of the shutter lever first tensions and then releases the shutter. Thus the shutter does not need cocking, and there is no separate cocking lever…” (Camera-wiki 2023). And alongside the shutter release, one can find the remote shutter cable release socket.

Directly under the shutter release is the focus setting.

This is on the inside of the front cover and slides the whole camera forward and backwards and even over the cover’s edge. The focus can be set to 3 ½ - 50 feet and infinity.

 On top-

This is here you can find the leather handle.

And the X-sync electronic flash connector.

Now to address the main focal point of this camera, the bellows.

I explain what they are in my Agfa Billy Record post and list the two types. And the 95A has the Chamfered cornered.

The right side-

Here is the viewfinder.

Unfortunately, this one is cracked, but still works.

Polaroid 95A viewfinder. Image Source:
https://mwclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/mwclassiccameras-20210305-4.jpg

This viewfinder, like the Ensign All-Distance Twenty, uses a wire frame viewfinder.

The first wire frame is the arrow; this is where you line up the subject to get the best picture.

And for objects that are closer than ten feet, the user must use the second wire frame, this is known as the parallax correction. This second wire, with the indicator behind the shutter, is used to help frame the subject. The indicator is used to help frame objects that are 4 and 8 feet away. And anything further away from the 50 feet, you can set it to infinity.

Above the viewfinder is the accessory clip.

This is used to attach the light meter.

And the flash gun.

This camera came with the Polaroid BC flash, model 202 and uses bulbs.

This flash works with the M-sync flash.

The 95A also came with the Bounce flash adaptor to set the flash vertical for bounce flash picture.

This clip locks the flash in place and can only release by pressing the button.

On the left side-

Here is the second tripod socket for vertical pictures.

On the back-

Here is the latch to the picture door.

This is opened when the picture is taken, the paper tab is pulled out and after waiting 60sec, this is used to open the picture door and well, pull out you picture.

Above that is the film release switch.

This is flipped in order to allow the film roller pins to release and allow the user to pull out the film tab.

At the bottom-

Here is the cutter bar.

 This is used to cut off and help tear off the excess paper.

Above that is the film compartment latch.

The user must pull on the lever to open the compartment.

Then there is the film compartment.

Now this has a complicated loading system. So to make it easy on you and to stop me from over explaining, here is the manual:

 This camera uses type 48 film, which was part of the Polaroid 40 film series.

Polaroid Type 48 colour film. Image Source:
https://mikeeckman.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/PolacolorFilm.jpg

What makes this film interesting is that it came on a roll instead of a film pack. This film first shown in 1947 and then released in 1948. It works similar to the Polaroid Colorpack 80, in that it has a positive and negative side. The negative side is where the chemicals are and that imprints the image on the positive side.

But for a more in-depth explanation here an excerpt from Kukulski (2014) and the manual:

“Black and white instant film is much like regular silver-based photographic film, with a few added elements. A negative sheet is exposed and then aligned in the camera with a positive sheet that has a pod of chemical reagent at its leading edge. This two-sheet sandwich is then passed between two rollers, which break open the reagent pod and evenly spread the chemical between the two sheets. The negative develops quickly, after which the unexposed silver halides in the negative (which make up a latent positive image) are solubilized by the reagent and then transferred by diffusion from the negative sheet to the positive sheet. After a minute the sheets are peeled apart to reveal the completed positive print…” and “The original Type 40 Land film was roll type film, in which separate positive and negative rolls were loaded into the camera; after each shot, these were aligned and processed in the camera, and then cut off with an integral cutter. After the 60 seconds processing time had elapsed, a door was opened on the back of the camera and the finished print could be removed. These positive prints needed to be coated with a fixer to prevent fading, a messy inconvenience that led to the development of pack films in the early 1960’s. The pack films, with 8 or 10 shots per pack, featured negative-positive sheet pairs pre-aligned in the pack and advanced through the rollers by pulling paper tabs, and no requirement for post-development coatings.”

This series had many different variations, with differences ranging from the ASA/ISO to some being black and white and other in colour. This series was the 40, 41, 42, 44, 46, 46-L, 47, 48, 146-L, 413 and 410 film types (Instant Options 2015).

To learn how film and instant film works please see my 200 Color Plus, Polaroid SX-70 and the Polaroid Colorpack 80 posts.

Now this film was discontinued in 1991 (Kuhn 2001). But this camera can be adapted to take more modern film, such as the Instax Fujifilm film. But I wouldn’t recommend it as instant film is constantly changing and being discontinued, basically making this camera a “showpiece” (Takahashi 2015). But that is fine seeing that this camera has an art-deco design that rivals the Beau Brownie. 

Now to just briefly go over the other accessories that came with the case: the storage equipment.

These are the tools used to help preserve your images. These came with the film and they are the print coater to help flatten the image onto the print mount, a piece of cardboard.

Then there are other accessories, that didn’t come with this camera:

Obviously this camera is much bigger than the  Polaroid SX-70, and I bit more complex than the Polaroid Colorpack 80. But it is still a brilliant piece of machinery and an amazing part of camera history. But if I had to put these three Polaroids in order, I will put the SX-70 at number one, because it is small, light and looks really good. Second the 95A, because it looks better than the Colorpack 80, which is last.

What do you think? Do you agree, or do you think the Colorpack 80 deserves a higher spot? Would you adapt the 95A if you had one to take modern instant film? Or do you think that all of this is a waste and we should just embrace digital photography? Let me know in the comments.

Thank you for making it to the end and as always, I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did researching it.

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List of sources:

Andrew. 2022. Polaroid Model 95A- The Massive Misfit. https://shootfilmridesteel.com/polaroid-model-95a-the-massive-misfit/

Camera-wiki. 2023. Everset shutter. https://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Everset_shutter

Camera-wiki. 2025. Polaroid Speedliner. https://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Polaroid_Speedliner

Corcy, M. 1954. Polaroid 95A instant picture camera. https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/polaroid-95a-instant-picture-camera-edwin-herbert-land-polaroid-corporation/2wFTKpLqmHy1rw?hl=en

Instant Options. 2015. Rollfilm Films. https://www.instantoptions.com/landlist/films/rollfilm/40.php

Kuhn, M. 2001. Film Alternatives for Polaroid Rollfilm Cameras. http://www.landlist.ch/landlist/how2-rollalt.htm

Kuhn, M. 2003. ROLL FILM CAMERAS (40-, 30-, and 20- Series films). http://www.landlist.ch/landlist/landdcam-roll.htm#95

Kukulski, M. 2014. A Brief History of Photography: Part 9 – Polaroid & Instant Film. https://notquiteinfocus.com/2014/07/22/a-brief-history-of-photography-part-9-polaroid-instant-film/

MWclassic. Polaroid 95A folding Land Camera, with black bellows & brown covering. Back can be adapted to use medium/large format films. https://mwclassic.com/product/polaroid-95a-folding-land-camera-with-black-bellows-brown-covering-back-can-be-adapted-to-use-medium-large-format-films/

Rockwell, K. 2025. What are LV and EV. https://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/ev.htm

Takahashi, T. 2015. Photography: History of Polaroid Cameras - Model 95 Land Camera. https://www.thedailytofu.com/blog/2015/8/2/photography-history-of-polaroid-cameras-95-land-camera