Fuji FP-100C a substitute for Polaroid 690 ?

[amicusfelix]

Sad news to hear about Polaroid. I've used a small mound of 669 and 690 over the years for proofing. Time to think about options.

Does anyone know if the the Fuji instant pack films will work in Polaroid holders? It appears from a web search that Fuji FP-100C is the same size print and is presented in a similar pack format. I've never used this film and know nothing about it.

Does anyone have experience with using FP-100C in Polaroid backs that were designed for 669/690 ?

 

[David Grenet]

The FP100C will work in Polaroid 405 holders (smaller pack size) and apparently 550 holders (4x5 pack size) although I don't actually have one of these. Furthermore it works in the older (100 series) Polaroid pack film cameras without any hassle.

FYI FP100C has quite high contrast/saturation but this can be reduced substantially by simply reducing development time. The film acquires a faded/vintage look when underdeveloped without any major colour shift.

 

[pwitkop]

I've used the fuji films in a npc polariod back on my RB quit a lot, they worked just fine. In fact I prefered the fuji films, they were more consistent for me. As far as I know they are entirely compatable with the polariod holders.

Peter

 

[keithwms]

Yes, I have been using fp100c in a holder designed for polaroid pack film. No problems. Very nice stuff. Seems to perhaps have better shelf life than the polaroid, in my experience. I mean, I have year-old fp that I lost in my move and just found it, and it shows no colour shift.

The 4x5 fp100c is *way too good* IMHO to waste on proofing. The prints can be truly remarkable.

The biggest differences between the fp and the polaroid is that the emulsion of the Fuji stuff is superduper strong, you can throw your print in boiling water and pull off the emulsion and work it quite clumsily with your hands, it won't break as easily as the poalroid stuff. Then you can let it dry and glue it down or whatever. Keep that in mind for a rainy day! So emulsion transfers are fun with the fp. On the other hand, I've never gotten an image transfer to work with the fp. Somebody here did, but it was a really funky procedure like: develop partially, then pull it apart in the dark and press on it with a moist warm rag or something.

Try it you will like it. I told Fuji about a year ago that I have a strong desire to shoot fp100c in 8x10 instead of 809 ($$$) and they wrote back and said sorry, no can do for now. Fingers crossed.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

I've used FP100C in the Polaroid back on my Bronica S2a and in the NPC back for my Canon New F-1, and it works fine. It should also work in Polaroid 405 backs. Many people found this a better proofing medium than any of the Polaroid films.

Just to clarify, it comes in two pack sizes, one for 405 and backs of the same size, and one for the 550 and Fuji PA-45 back.

 

[rmann]

How do you tell the two different pack sizes apart when making an internet order? I just got one to try in person at B&H and they did not say anything about two different sizes??

 

[fdisilvestro]

There is a 4"x5" and a 3.25"x4.25". According to the B&H web site they have the following codes:

4x5: Mfr 15435638 • B&H # FUFP100CG45
3.25x4.25 Mfr # 15435626 • B&H # FUFP100CG

These for FP100C color ISO 100

Regards,
Francisco

 

[HerrBremerhaven]

There is FP100C, which works in the Polaroid 405 holder. There is also FP100C45, which is a larger pack that only works in the Polaroid 550 holder, or a holder that Fuji make. Neither size pack will fit into the opposite size holder, due to physical dimension differences. It is clearly stated on the box when it is FP100C45, or just regular FP100C, though I recall that Calumet had the wrong picture and description on their website for quite some time (likely still do). If in doubt, phone in your order.

Just on colour response, FP100C is somewhat between Polaroid 669 and 690. I tend to like the greater saturation in 690, though probably because I shoot with Kodak E100VS, which is sort of an okay match-up. Anyway, I don't need super accurate proofs, just something good enough to hand to a client or AD.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography