Bought a Speed Grafhic and Im confused about polaroids..

bibowj · Sep 8, 2011

Hello All- Im a long term reader of this forum but I dont post often, so please forgive me if Ive not played enough to warrant an answer to my humble question

Im primarly a digi shooter (pro and for fun) but Ive found that digital isnt...fullfilling to me, so I decided to get into some 4x5 work just as food for my soul. I purchased this Speed Graphic from ebay a few days ago: http://www.ebay.com/itm/270811856169?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
I REALLY want to be able to shoot some polaroids with thsi so I can learn before I start shooting actual film, but Im getting some mix results in my searches online on which of the few backs will work.
So Im pretty sure this back on the camera isnt the Grafloc version, so can someone please tell me which back to buy (without mods) to fit the pola film that is available online (ie not expired film at $100 a box).

Thanks everyone, youre awesome!

removed account4 · Sep 8, 2011

hi

i have a feeling you can use a polaroid 405 film holder ( i think you have enough clearance under your spring back )
and 665 instant film. you won't get a full 4x5 image.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RZi2rGN80s ( for info on using the film holder )
and
(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
for some 665 film being sold right here in the classifieds.

i don't have a spring back 4x5 camera, so maybe someone with one can give you a definitive answer ...

i have a clearing tank i don't use anymore, if you are interested, i will be happy to sell it to you,
so you can clear the negatives " in the field"

with your camera you can also shoot paper negatives, which can be as fast sometimes and less expensive than instant film.

have fun !
john

vpwphoto · Sep 8, 2011

I have a couple polaroid backs laying about. Find out what you need and I'll be happy to send one for $7.00 plus postage.

bdial · Sep 8, 2011

Your camera does not have a Grafloc back. The 405 holder John mentioned or its Fuji equivalent may fit, but it will probably be a tight squeeze. The one you don't want is the 545 sheet back or its variants. These take the single sheet packs that only Polaroid made.

I'll second John's suggestion of using enlarging paper, it's easy, cheaper than Polaroid or Fuji instant film, and there are no doubts about what fits what.
If you use a yellow filter to bring down the contrast some, you get a nice full-tone negative that will print very nicely.

Jim Noel · Sep 8, 2011

The 405 back is very likely to break one or both springs on the back. I had that happen many years ago.

jp498 · Sep 8, 2011

I think the polaroid film is going to be all expired. Your only fresh instant film option is fuji. They need a camera with a graflok back though as the holder is thick. pa-45 holder and fp100c45 film or pa-145 holder and fp100c film. If you just want to play with it without film, shooting some paper is a fun activity. If you stock up on instant film, keep it in the fridge not the freezer.

Otherwise, it looks like a good choice of speed graphic; the metal hood on back is handy, and the front standard is new enough to have some basic movements. I've got one like that which the previous owner installed a graflok back on.

amac212 · Sep 8, 2011

I originally had a spring back on my Speed Graphic but you cannot squeeze a pack film holder underneath of it (and so I was only using my 545, 545i and 545 pro backs). A couple years ago I switched to the Graflok back so that I can use medium format pack film in the 405 back.

Here's a good link discerning between and identifying the different graflex camera backs: http://lommen9.home.xs4all.nl/holders/index.html

johnielvis · Sep 8, 2011

how to do it

get longer screws for the back springs from the hardware store--I did that and it works just fine for the pola back---you can add springs from a click pen to those if you want to use regular film holders too...or an adjustable nut to "close dowN" for the regular thinner holders

Nicholas Lindan · Sep 8, 2011

If you want a low-cost way to learn how to use the camera, then Polaroid/Fuji instant film is not the way to go. Polaroid is used to confirm lighting and exposure when the cost of a re-shoot is high.

Freestyle sells some pretty cheap EDU Ultra 400 for $33 for 50 sheets ($0.66/sheet as opposed to $4(and up)/sheet for Polaroid). The stuff, however, has horrible reciprocity failure and is only suitable for well lit subjects - figure 1/25th of a second shutter speed or faster to stay out of danger with losing shadow detail. You can process it in HC110 in a tray in 3 1/2 minutes, a minute or so in rapid fix and there's your negative. If you are really into 'instant' results then you can process the negative in Dektol and make a contact print with a wet negative (you can even do it in the trunk of your car http://www.weegee.org/).

As others have mentioned, paper negatives are another easy entry with very low costs. I think some of the faster RC papers approach ASA 25 - allowing hand-held shots. However, contrast is really high unless you use VC paper with a heavy yellow filter - and then speed plummets.

removed account4 · Sep 8, 2011

Nicholas Lindan said:
If you want a low-cost way to learn how to use the camera, then Polaroid/Fuji instant film is not the way to go.

Freestyle sells some pretty cheap EDU Ultra 400 for $33 for 50 sheets. The stuff, however, has horrible reciprocity failure and is only suitable for well lit subjects - figure 1/25th of a second shutter speed or faster to stay out of danger with losing shadow detail. You can process it in HC110 in a tray in 3 1/2 minutes, a minute or so in rapid fix and there's your negative. If you are really into 'instant' results then you can process the negative in Dektol and make a contact print with a wet negative (you can even do it in the trunk of your car http://www.weegee.org/).

As others have mentioned, paper negatives are another easy entry with very low costs.

hi nicholas

processing the film in dektol will only save 30seconds
( 1:3 / 3 mins ! )
paper negative just take 1-2 mins

thanks for the weegee link, that is cool !
john

djacobox372 · Sep 11, 2011

Polaroid film is expensive, id just buy some cheap student b+w film and develop it yourself in trays or using a combiplan tank.

If your shooting 4x5 youl want to learn film development otherwise your in for an expensive ride.

mhcfires · Sep 15, 2011

I put a washer under the spring back before screwing it down, it gave me enough clearance to use a Grafmatic holder, so a polaroid back should fit ok. This was suggested by someone on the graflex.org site.

Bought a Speed Grafhic and Im confused about polaroids..

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