4x5 Polaroid back and Fuji film compatibility?

[EASmithV]

Well, I've been looking at other people's results, and my GAS has driven me to the point of Polaroid-Back acquisition. The question is, what is the best back to get, and what film is the most likely to stay in production, and will they work with each other?

 

[wildbill]

search fuji instant film holder
or fuji PA-145
this comes up quite a bit
fuji pa-145 or polaroid 550 is the only way to go but the holders are rare and $$$$$ compared to a year ago. Only fuji makes film compatible for them.
check freestylephoto.biz, search instant film. fuji's site has some info but they really oughta write an explanation of what options are available.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.167 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102 UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0)

And of note, Fuji instant films are NOT accepted by the DSD Polaroid film holder.

 

[nickandre]

why exactly does fuji not just make a sheet film product. They already make quickloads.

 

[KerryMcClain]

just to clarify, the Fuji PA-145 fits 4x5 cameras, but takes the smaller 600 series pack films (like 669 or FP-100C). the PA-45 fits 4x5 cameras and takes the 4x5 pack films (like 559 or FP-100C45). there's also a Polaroid equivalent of the PA-145, the 405.

Fuji is still making both sizes of pack films, and being the only game in town (at the moment), are unlikely to cease production.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

The Fuji pack films work exceedingly well in the appropriate Polaroid pack-film backs.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

why exactly does fuji not just make a sheet film product. They already make quickloads.

My opinion, I think it is because the pack-films serve the same purpose, work very well, and are less costly per-exposure than the individual sheet films formerly made by Polaroid. With declining film sales most manufacturers who continue to make film products are reducing the variety they produce to save costs and continue to operate at a profit. Fuji makes a color and several b/w instant pack films, the only thing they don't make is a P/N film like the old type 55. They make both sizes of pack films. I applaud them for continuing.

 

[EASmithV]

Wait, to clarify, If I get the Polaroid 405 holder, then it will let me use single sheets and will work with Fuji Instant films?

 

[Paul Sorensen]

Wait, to clarify, If I get the Polaroid 405 holder, then it will let me use single sheets and will work with Fuji Instant films?

Nope, it will let you use pack films from Fuji. There are no more single sheet instant films.

Edit: 4X5 pack films by Fuji. There is also a Fuji holder to do the smaller packs which are WAY cheaper, so for proofing, might be a viable option.

Edit again, the Polaroid 550 holds the 4X5 packs, the Polaroid 405 holds the smaller packs. Depends on whether you want to use the larger and much more expensive 4X5 film, or the smaller 600 series compatible films to save some money.

 

[EASmithV]

Is there a Fuji film to fit a Polaroid 500 back? I take it that the 545 backs are now useless??

 

[EASmithV]

Would it be easier to break open a pack of film, load it into double darks, and roll it through rollers in a black bag later?

 

[Moopheus]

I take it that the 545 backs are now useless??

Not entirely--they actually work pretty well with Fuji Quickloads.

 

[Paul Sorensen]

Would it be easier to break open a pack of film, load it into double darks, and roll it through rollers in a black bag later?

I really doubt that this can be done. I did once dissect a dried out pack of polaroid, the way that the pieces are assembled is kind of complicated. I guess in theory one could do this, but I can't see the benefit. I really think that the thing to do is get either the Fuji or Polaroid 4X5 or 3.25X4.25 pack film backs and then shoot the packs that way.

 

[EASmithV]

I really doubt that this can be done. I did once dissect a dried out pack of polaroid, the way that the pieces are assembled is kind of complicated. I guess in theory one could do this, but I can't see the benefit. I really think that the thing to do is get either the Fuji or Polaroid 4X5 or 3.25X4.25 pack film backs and then shoot the packs that way.

What if I take the rollers off a small land camera, and take apart a pack of 600 film, put the sheets in a 4x5 double dark, and then roll through the rollers in a black bag?