What is the value of a Polaroid 440 Land camera?

Answer 1

This camera sells for $1-5.00 alone, or for $15-25 with original case and manual, depending on condition.

More Information

The Polaroid Model J66 was a simplified Electric Eye camera marketed from April 1961-1963; it is a larger, heavier version of the J33, which debuted in the fall of 1961. Polaroid made nearly 1,000,000 units of this camera, which retailed for $89.99, a lot of money in 1961.

The J66 had a 114 mm f/19 (before 1962*) or f/14.5 (1962 and 63) single element plastic lens. The small aperture size (19 or 14.5) meant that the user needed high speed film and/or plenty of light to make a decent picture, the reason the J66 accepted only ASA 3000 film. The camera used a rotating flash with large, round AG-1 bulbs, for direct or bounced light.

Some of the cameras drawbacks included it fully automatic exposure feature with no manual override, and the ability to accept only ASA 3000 black & white film. Later, the #660 adaptor kit made color Photography possible.

You can identify the lens and approximate age of the camera by looking at the colored dot on the lighten/darker control ring. A yellow dot indicates the lens is an f/19, and was manufactured before 1962; a blue or green dot indicate the lens is an f/14.5, manufactured in 1962 or 63. The cameras with yellow dots are rarer than the green or blue dots, but this popular model is still plentiful on the secondary market.

[December 2010]

Answer 2

The Polaroid 150 Land camera is not popular with collectors. You can buy a working camera in good condition for $1-10, or a kit complete with carrying case, accessories and manuals for $15-$20.

Other Information

Polaroid manufactured approximately 400,000 150 Land cameras between 1957 and 1960. This was the precursor to the old Polaroid 800, and featured a coupled rangefinder and parallax-correcting viewfinder. The 150 was a decent amateur camera for its day, but the film was discontinued in 1980. Some people have had success converting these units to accept standard 120 roll film, but the conversion destroys any collector value the camera may someday have.

Answer 3

Collectors can purchase a J33 in good working condition for an average of $8-20, with case and manual.

More information

The Polaroid J33 Electric Eye Land camera was a smaller version of the then-new model J66, and was manufactured from September 1961-1963.

The J33 used 30-series roll film, which was discontinued decades ago. Some camera hobbyists have successfully converted the camera for use with conventional 120 roll film (the kind that needs to be processed and printed), but the conversion destroys any collectible value the camera may have.

[December 2010]

Answer 4

The value of the camera depends on the condition, ranging from approximately $10 for the camera alone to $90 or slightly more for a complete kit. Demand is not high for these cameras, particularly if they are damaged or have cosmetic blemishes.

Other Information

The Polaroid 440 was manufactured from 1971-1976, and retailed for $99.95. It was a mid-range camera in the 400 series -- neither entry level, nor top of the line. The 440 uses Series 100/660 pack film that is still available from Polaroid, Fujifilm and Impossible Project.

[December 2010]