Instant Film & Hasselblad

[arigram]

I just got the PolaPlus back for my Hasselblads and a few packs of Polaroid 664 BW film and Fuji FP-100C color film. The packs are still sealed and I have never tried instant film before.
If I load a pack, does it mean that I cannot exchange the film on the back until I finish all the prints included? So, if I load the back with a color pack I won't be able to use the BW unless I finish the color one?

Any other tips regarding their use?

 

[chiller]

The polaroid back should have a darkslide like any other 'blad back. You can insert the darkslide and remove the polaback and put on the film back.

 

[arigram]

What I meant is to exchange the instant film on the PolaPlus, not the whole back for a A12 back.

 

[bill schwab]

From my experience you can swap the film packs, but you will lose the top piece of film. Consider it your darkslide.

Bill

 

[arigram]

Allright, thanks Bill.

 

[Alex Hawley]

ari, its best to have two backs if you want to swap films. one can unload and reload the film packs in the back but its difficult and not worth it IMO. so, you either use up all the film in one pack before swapping, or have two backs loaded with the different film.

 

[Marco Gilardetti]

For my files: is Polaroid stuff still available in Greece, perhaps?

 

[arigram]

I have three A12 backs and one PolaPlus. I shoot BW and so I won't be needing to get a second PolaPlus to load color in it as I got the instant color pack mostly for experimentation.

Marco: Yes, Polaroid is available in Greece and so is Fuji instant film.

 

[PamelaHL]

Well, I'm confused! What is the point of the Polaroid back if you have to finish the whole "roll"? Are they "processed" when you take the roll out of the PolaPlus back? So they don't require further processing, but you also cannot take just one shot, view that finished photo, etc.?

 

[arigram]

Pamela, its not really confusing.
The instant film comes in packs of ten or so that you insert in the back. Every time you make an exposure you remove the print/film with the shot which then develops outside of the back. The rest of the pack remains in the back. You are free to remove the instant film back from the camera body at will like the other kind of back with the use of a darkslide.
My question was regarding the removal of the pack itself from the back before it has been all spent as I will be using two types of instant film (BW-color) and I have only one PolaPlus.
Its not a big thing as the serious work I will be doing will be with one type of film, either BW or color.
I do mainly BW photography but I am also interested in experimenting with color polaroids or using them as reference for handpainting the BW photographs.
So, if I load a BW pack into the PolaPlus then it will probably be used for tests. I never so far have needed test shots (or the instant view of digital for that matter) as I always know what I get when I press the shutter. But, since I have some new equipment I have not used before including strobes, I will probably be spending BW polaroids for learning purposes.
Later on I might still be using BW instants as a safety precaution in a difficult or importand project and thus is my concern.
I would like to be able to shoot maybe a color polaroid or two during a BW session for experimentation, reference or actual creative use, so I was just wondering how much freedom of movement I have without getting a second instant back.

Thank you all and I apologise for the confusion.

 

[PamelaHL]

Perhaps if I had all of my brain power at my disposal, this simple explanation would have occurred to me; thank you for your generous response, Ari.

BTW--my husband's father is from Prevezis area. Beautiful country, fantastic people! It feels a bit like home to me, even though [because?] I grew up in India.

 

[arigram]

I am no fan of Greeks Pamela, but I am happy you love your husband's ethnicity. But I understand why it would be like India to you, even though I have not travelled yet to that fascinating country.

Back to the PolaBear subject, I thought of just buying a cheap Polaroid camera.
Any suggestions?

 

[rbarker]

I am no fan of Greeks . . .

Oh, Ari, you're tarnishing our assumptions about Greek people. (lol)

Back to the PolaBear subject, I thought of just buying a cheap Polaroid camera.
Any suggestions?

Personally, I think you're better off with a PolaBack that fits your camera, so the exposures are being made through the camera's lens from exactly the same camera position. Using a separate Polaroid camera will give you a picture, but one with a different perspective and no directly-relatable exposure info.

Just for grins, here's an un-bare PolaBear back.

 

[Soeren]

Nice shot Ralph
What about a frame filling wide angle shot
Cheers Søren

 

[arigram]

Indeed, thank you Ralph. It reminds me of fat greek moms sunbathing at the beach. Only the bear has less hair.

I thought of your suggestion and it makes sense. After all, its much preferable to use the Hassie as a polaroid platform than a cheapo single-focus one. Yet, sometimes, like when I want some reference to the colors of a scene for handpainting the BW photos, a cheapo one would be ok. The Hassie polaroid backs are far cheaper than the film ones but they are still expensive. Maybe I can fish an extra one in EBay...

 

[arigram]

I just made my very first polaroid!
Actually, I used the color fuji film and because I had very little light, handheld the camera, used the Distagon 4/40, estimated the exposure values and used a nightstand's lamp, the result is very cool, very artsy and make me want to take lots more!
I know I should have gotten the Holgaroid too!

Can I do any manipulations with this kind of instant film?
Does the negative have any use?

 

[ann]

Ari, no you can't do a manipulation with this type of film

I am not sure if fuji film with do a "lift" or a "transfer"; however , i have a pack of the 100 film and will test it out in a week or so, and let you know.

 

[gr82bart]

It reminds me of fat greek moms sunbathing at the beach. Only the bear has less hair.

Damn you Ari! I have to clean my keyboard now...

Art.