Instant film with Calumet?

LMNOP · Oct 18, 2015

Anyone out there using Fujifilm FP100-C film on a Calumet C400 or similar 4x5 camera?

I would really love to have the power of test exposures, the mystery is killing me. I also like the versatility of instant prints. I wonder what holders would support a pack of instant film, the type they still produce.

vdonovan · Oct 18, 2015

It works great with Fujifilm PA-145 holder.

Catlabs has a kickstarted going to make a new version of this holder. It looks like it will be shipping soon:
Dead Link Removed

LMNOP · Oct 18, 2015

vdonovan said:
It works great with Fujifilm PA-145 holder.

Catlabs has a kickstarted going to make a new version of this holder. It looks like it will be shipping soon:
Dead Link Removed

Hmm - for $150 on eBay it seems like the pa145 could be worth it. Would this be a good fit for the calumet? I wonder about compatibility with future cameras.

vdonovan · Oct 19, 2015

I don't know about the Calumet specifically, but it has worked fine on every 4x5 that I've used with a spring back.

xya · Oct 20, 2015

the polaroid holder is a "405". works with my cambo wide, my linhof and my rittrecks, all with international standard back, no problem.

Kevin Harding · Oct 20, 2015

There is a lip on the bottom edge of the Polaroid holder which can sometimes make it hard for the holder to seat on the spring back. I mention this because I had a 4x5 back for a Rittreck View that "sloped" up to the 4x5 spring back, and the holder wouldn't seat. I obtained a second back, with "cutouts" to the 4x5 back and the holder seated well.

LMNOP · Oct 20, 2015

xya said:
the polaroid holder is a "405". works with my cambo wide, my linhof and my rittrecks, all with international standard back, no problem.

Which cambo wide model do you have? I am really interested in the results this system is capable of.

CatLABS · Oct 20, 2015

LMNOP said:
Anyone out there using Fujifilm FP100-C film on a Calumet C400 or similar 4x5 camera?

I would really love to have the power of test exposures, the mystery is killing me. I also like the versatility of instant prints. I wonder what holders would support a pack of instant film, the type they still produce.

will check tomorrow and let you know for sure.

xya · Oct 21, 2015

LMNOP said:
Which cambo wide model do you have? I am really interested in the results this system is capable of.

I have an old cambo wide 470. with full 4x5 film there is some vignetting at the edges. but I bought it for 6x12 format, so the edges are less visible. I have a sinar zoom back and I use viewers instead of the ground glass. works fine for me.

with the polaroid 405 there is no problem at all, as the format is smaller. the ordinary 405 is not "centered", so there is a "P" mark on the front plate to adapt the position of the optics to the position of the 405 film window. with a "centered" 405 (quite rare and hard to find), you just leave the optics centered.

CatLABS · Oct 21, 2015

The answer is that a 405 can be used with a CC4XX type camera.

LMNOP · Oct 21, 2015

xya said:
I have an old cambo wide 470. with full 4x5 film there is some vignetting at the edges. but I bought it for 6x12 format, so the edges are less visible. I have a sinar zoom back and I use viewers instead of the ground glass. works fine for me.

with the polaroid 405 there is no problem at all, as the format is smaller. the ordinary 405 is not "centered", so there is a "P" mark on the front plate to adapt the position of the optics to the position of the 405 film window. with a "centered" 405 (quite rare and hard to find), you just leave the optics centered.

The wide 470 is exactly what appeals to me right now. If they weren't 1300+ I would pick one up, maybe someday. I have loved shooting with my Calumet so far but I feel that the rangefinder style would suit me better. I hope someday to acquire a wide 470! Do you have pictures of that camera in action or example images online?

LMNOP · Oct 21, 2015

CatLABS said:
The answer is that a 405 can be used with a CC4XX type camera.

Thank you so much for letting me know! I noticed your user name, can't help but ask... How long would I have to wait to buy one of your kickstarted models?

CatLABS · Oct 21, 2015

LMNOP said:
Thank you so much for letting me know! I noticed your user name, can't help but ask... How long would I have to wait to buy one of your kickstarted models?

They should start shipping some time in November.
You can pre order on the site right now.

xya · Oct 22, 2015

LMNOP said:
The wide 470 is exactly what appeals to me right now. If they weren't 1300+ I would pick one up, maybe someday. I have loved shooting with my Calumet so far but I feel that the rangefinder style would suit me better. I hope someday to acquire a wide 470! Do you have pictures of that camera in action or example images online?

sorry, no, no pictures online. I'm an artist photographer, I make works of art based on my photos, nothing to show on the web. but I can put some images of my camera in 2 weeks when I will be back home. maybe I'll sell the camera this winter. I'll let you know if you're interested.

Instant film with Calumet?

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