Fuji fp-100c

[Photo Chemist]

I had this wild idea as I was driving home yesterday. I have two Polaroid Land cameras that I love (same model, 2 different cameras). I can still get the film at an exorbitant price. However, is it possible to make it yourself? If you keep the plastic holder and just refill it? Where would I go to find that out? It's a totally wild idea - but worth a though.

 

[bvy]

You can't actually "make" the pack film, but you could try filling the cartridge with sheet film or instant film. Might have to work to get the film positioned correctly and focus calibrated, but yes, they can be repurposed in this way.

 

[Peter de Groot]

Of course it is possible but not easy. And color is a hard thing to create you need to find a way to get pods etc. You can read about creating an instant film over at new55project.blogspot.com.

 

[EdSawyer]

$30 for 10 shots is not exorbitant. Wait until it really becomes unavailable if you want to see high pricing. (Price some Polaroid 55 or FP100c45 for example). Sure, it's more than the $8/pack it was a year or two ago when we all stocked up but all things considered it's still pretty reasonable.

 

[Photo Chemist]

Of course it is possible but not easy. And color is a hard thing to create you need to find a way to get pods etc. You can read about creating an instant film over at new55project.blogspot.com.

I contacted them about 6 months ago when I asked if they were going to be producing them..I don't think it was dead in the water. (But now it might be).

I'll look again! Thanks!

 

[Photo Chemist]

You can't actually "make" the pack film, but you could try filling the cartridge with sheet film or instant film. Might have to work to get the film positioned correctly and focus calibrated, but yes, they can be repurposed in this way.

Can I ask you what you mean you can't "make" the pack film? Is it the film sandwich (photo paper with the chemicals sandwich?) Or is it the plastic? Or what? I guess I don't understand what part can't be made.

 

[Photo Chemist]

$30 for 10 shots is not exorbitant. Wait until it really becomes unavailable if you want to see high pricing. (Price some Polaroid 55 or FP100c45 for example). Sure, it's more than the $8/pack it was a year or two ago when we all stocked up but all things considered it's still pretty reasonable.

Very true. Considering I'm still buying it, it's still in my price range. I saw a pack of the B&W for several hundred dollars. I didn't purchase it.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

My understanding is that pack film contains separate negative and positive sheets folded or rolled up. They are physically separate and come together only when being pulled through the rollers, whereupon the chemical pod on the positive sheet is broken and developer is distributed between these sheets.

The problem in trying to make this, now that neither Polaroid nor Fuji no longer do, is creating these negative sheets and positive sheets with the chemical pod.

What may work is adapting the camera to accept either the "integral" film offered by Polaroid Originals (formerly The Impossible Project). These integral films are the self-developing type such as used in the SX-70 and 600-series cameras. Or: adapt the camera to work with Instax film.

The route of least effort, and not too much money, is to get one of the older 600-series Polaroid cameras (usually under $20) and buy the Polaroid Originals film for it. Or, you could choose Instax - where it's a choice between a business-card sized image and a nice camera, or a larger image and a huge camera. The film is great, though.

 

[EdSawyer]

Enjoy it while you can, there will soon come a day when we lament how good FP100c was and how much we took it for granted back in the day...(as in, right now). it's far superior to any other instant film offering in the last 8+ years, and likely will be better than any future instant offering for the forseeable future, sadly.

 

[Photo Chemist]

Thanks! That is really helpful information - about the pack containing the negative and positive. I didn't think about that. I knew they had the chemicals in them, but not the positive and negative (but it makes sense).

I have a vintage Polaroid 600, but I'm not quite thrilled with the 600 film (now and former, former Polaroid, formerly Impossible Project). They all seem to have a pink-ish tone that I'm not crazy about. My kids have Instax cameras that are a lot of fun - and I like the Fujifilm that they use so much more than the new Polaroid 600.

Both of the vintage Polaroids I have, were my mother's. So my interest is part sentimental value, part not wanting film to die.

I'll keep at it. I'm thinking there must be a patent out there with more info. Or maybe it's all trade secrets...

My understanding is that pack film contains separate negative and positive sheets folded or rolled up. They are physically separate and come together only when being pulled through the rollers, whereupon the chemical pod on the positive sheet is broken and developer is distributed between these sheets.

The problem in trying to make this, now that neither Polaroid nor Fuji no longer do, is creating these negative sheets and positive sheets with the chemical pod.

What may work is adapting the camera to accept either the "integral" film offered by Polaroid Originals (formerly The Impossible Project). These integral films are the self-developing type such as used in the SX-70 and 600-series cameras. Or: adapt the camera to work with Instax film.

The route of least effort, and not too much money, is to get one of the older 600-series Polaroid cameras (usually under $20) and buy the Polaroid Originals film for it. Or, you could choose Instax - where it's a choice between a business-card sized image and a nice camera, or a larger image and a huge camera. The film is great, though.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Recently, someone mentioned they had a Polaroid 600 SE (the "G00SE") converted from pack film to Instax.

I don't remember the name of the person/firm that performed the conversion.


Anyone...?

 

[P.johnson14]

I have a 800 body that had a 600se back put on it. Nate at Instant Options did it for me. He modifies a Belair instant back to fit the 600se mount. It works very well, and I can also shoot 120 and FP100c. Nate put a 110a lens and lens board on that camera as well, and it is now my main "Big" camera.

He might be able to make something custom if you need it.

 

[Photo Chemist]

Oh wow!!! I didn't even think of that! I've heard of Nate of Option8, but didn't consider modifying the camera. Thank you so much for suggesting that!

I have a 800 body that had a 600se back put on it. Nate at Instant Options did it for me. He modifies a Belair instant back to fit the 600se mount. It works very well, and I can also shoot 120 and FP100c. Nate put a 110a lens and lens board on that camera as well, and it is now my main "Big" camera.

He might be able to make something custom if you need it.

 

[Meyer Trioplan]

I've found that I really like taking recycled cartridges and inserting Ilford Otho Plus film cut to fit. I've gotten some great results from using old Polaroids this way.

 

[Photo Chemist]

So...how do you do that? Not the physical cutting and inserting, but the part after. Is it one shot at a time? Do you have to remove it and then develop it right away? I'm really curious. I'd love to hear more.

I've found that I really like taking recycled cartridges and inserting Ilford Otho Plus film cut to fit. I've gotten some great results from using old Polaroids this way.

 

[mshchem]

Instax , put your Polaroids in a place of honor. If you like the Fuji pack film,you should have seen the greatest of the real Polaroid. It's enough to make you believe in miracles . Maybe someday there will be a substitute.
I think you should buy a 4x5 Crown Graphic, shoot sheet film and make contact prints. That's essentially (sort of ) what a Polaroid pack film print is.
Best Mike

 

[Photo Chemist]

Nothing like being enabled. Or encouraged to keep the G.A.S. active!
I figured I'd give large format photography a go, but didn't think it would be this soon. Thank you for the suggestion. I will research it the Crown Graphic.

Instax , put your Polaroids in a place of honor. If you like the Fuji pack film,you should have seen the greatest of the real Polaroid. It's enough to make you believe in miracles . Maybe someday there will be a substitute.
I think you should buy a 4x5 Crown Graphic, shoot sheet film and make contact prints. That's essentially (sort of ) what a Polaroid pack film print is.
Best Mike

 

[Meyer Trioplan]

So...how do you do that? Not the physical cutting and inserting, but the part after. Is it one shot at a time? Do you have to remove it and then develop it right away? I'm really curious. I'd love to hear more.

Here's a run down that includes my "alternative" ways to use a pack film camera. Admittedly, the Ortho film seems to use the camera to its best potential...

https://vintagefilmhacker.wordpress...s-to-keep-shooting-packfilm-polaroid-cameras/

I've actually ordered a 25 pack of Ilford FP4+ from Freestyle in the 4.75 x 6.5 size in the Ilford ULF film order run for under $40. Using a paper trimmer and a "bump stop" to position in the dark, I can cut the sheets in half and have 50 sheets of FP4 in 3.25 x 4.75 that should fit the pack film holders perfectly, at under 80 cents a sheet.