Is an Instant Film back possible on a Technika III v5?

[noparking]

I'm new to a Linhof Technika III Ver. 5 view camera. Has anyone used a Fuji/Polaroid filmback on this model; and if so, any recommendation on which model would work best?

Thanks in advance,

- Jeff

 

[Dan Henderson]

Jeff: I got a Polaroid Model 545 film holder in a lot of equipment I recently purchased. It fits in my Tech V. I am sure it would also fit in a Tech III since the III I recently sold and my V have the same backs on them and my sheet film holders work in both cameras.

Having said this, I have not used the Polaroid holder to expose any film. I am hanging on to it in the (probably) vain hope that Type 55 film is resurrected someday.

Hope this helps.
Dan

 

[noparking]

Dan,

Thanks for the feedback.

Can Fuji instant film be used in your 545 back, instead?

- Jeff

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

The 545 back is for 4x5" instant sheet film that comes in single-sheet envelopes. Fuji no longer makes film in this format.

You need one of the backs that takes pack film, which would be the Polaroid 405 back (for 3x4" pack film), or the Polaroid 550 or Fuji PA-45 back (for 4x5" pack film).

These will attach to any camera with a Graflok/International type back, including your Tech III v.5.

 

[Marc B.]

Jeff,
Something else to consider. Fuji has apparently discontinued all production of B&W in 4 X 5, leaving only the color FP100c45, in the 4 X 5 size. Final shipments of FP3000b45
(the 4 X 5 B&W), have already taken place, or are, as of this posting.

The Polaroid 550/Fuji PA-45 backs, for 4 X 5 pack film, cost about $125 - $200.USD
on the used market.
The 4 X 5 pack film costs about $28 - $35.USD a pack. $3 bucks a shot, or more.

The Polaroid 405/Fuji PA-145 backs, for 3.25 X 4.25 pack film, cost about $40 - $75.USD
on the used market.
The 3.25 X 4.25 pack film costs about $7 - $11.USD a pack. $1 buck a shot.

Fuji still seems committed to producing both B&W and color film in the 3.25 X 4.25 size.
The smaller backs are cheaper, the film is cheaper, and Fuji seems more prone to continue producing the smaller format.

Do you go 4 X 5, or 3.25 X 4.25? You make the call.

Marc

 

[noparking]

David/Marc,

Thanks for the feedback.

I once read someone's concern over the thickness of an instant film back putting additional stress on the graflex back and making it looser afterwards when using double film holders. Does one of the brands have a shorter depth to minimize this stress?

- Jeff

 

[Roger Cole]

Jeff,
Something else to consider. Fuji has apparently discontinued all production of B&W in 4 X 5, leaving only the color FP100c45, in the 4 X 5 size. Final shipments of FP3000b45
(the 4 X 5 B&W), have already taken place, or are, as of this posting.

The Polaroid 550/Fuji PA-45 backs, for 4 X 5 pack film, cost about $125 - $200.USD
on the used market.
The 4 X 5 pack film costs about $28 - $35.USD a pack. $3 bucks a shot, or more.

The Polaroid 405/Fuji PA-145 backs, for 3.25 X 4.25 pack film, cost about $40 - $75.USD
on the used market.
The 3.25 X 4.25 pack film costs about $7 - $11.USD a pack. $1 buck a shot.

Fuji still seems committed to producing both B&W and color film in the 3.25 X 4.25 size.
The smaller backs are cheaper, the film is cheaper, and Fuji seems more prone to continue producing the smaller format.

Do you go 4 X 5, or 3.25 X 4.25? You make the call.

Marc

So the Polaroid 405/Fuji PA-145 backs fit a regular 4x5 spring back like my Tech III?

Since I have a Polaroid back that takes this size film for my Mamiya 645 Pro, that would be a no-brainer. I can live with the smaller image size since I'd only be using it for proofing anyway.

 

[Marc B.]

Roger,
Sorry. The backs may be identified as, Polaroid 405/Fuji PA-145 backs, but
the front of these backs, (the camera interface), are camera model specific.

Back in the day, Polaroid or Fuji manufactured these backs to accept their
pack films. Then, often 'third party' companies (NPC for one), would finish the
front of these backs to custom fit all the various types of cameras on the market.

The smaller Polaroid 405/Fuji PA-145 backs have been 'third party' manufactured
to fit everything from 35mm cameras, all or most MF cameras, and 4 X 5 cameras.

The larger Polaroid 550/Fuji PA-45 were manufactured for use on 4 X 5 cameras only.

So, you can't use your 645 Pro interfacing back, on any other camera, except your 645 Pro.
You will need to purchase another instant, pack film back, to fit your 4 X 5 Tech III.

In 4 X 5 interface, you can acquire either the smaller pack backs, or the larger pack backs.
The smaller pack film only works in the smaller backs, and the larger only in the larger.

Marc

 

[Roger Cole]

Roger,
Sorry. The backs may be identified as, Polaroid 405/Fuji PA-145 backs, but
the front of these backs, (the camera interface), are camera model specific.

Back in the day, Polaroid or Fuji manufactured these backs to accept their
pack films. Then, often 'third party' companies (NPC for one), would finish the
front of these backs to custom fit all the various types of cameras on the market.

The smaller Polaroid 405/Fuji PA-145 backs have been 'third party' manufactured
to fit everything from 35mm cameras, all or most MF cameras, and 4 X 5 cameras.

The larger Polaroid 550/Fuji PA-45 were manufactured for use on 4 X 5 cameras only.

So, you can't use your 645 Pro interfacing back, on any other camera, except your 645 Pro.
You will need to purchase another instant, pack film back, to fit your 4 X 5 Tech III.

In 4 X 5 interface, you can acquire either the smaller pack backs, or the larger pack backs.
The smaller pack film only works in the smaller backs, and the larger only in the larger.

Marc

Well of course. I knew I couldn't use the 645 Pro back on my 4x5!

So the Polaroid 405/Fuji PA-145 backs fit a regular 4x5 spring back like my Tech III?

Since I have a Polaroid back that takes this size film for my Mamiya 645 Pro, that would be a no-brainer. I can live with the smaller image size since I'd only be using it for proofing anyway.

I was asking if the Polaroid 405/Fuji PA-145 backs are the numbers I need for the Tech III.

The comment about my 645 Pro back is that it's a "no brainer" that I'd prefer to use the 3.25x4.25 over the 4x5 film on the Tech III because a) the film is a lot cheaper, b) the film hasn't been discontinued, and (here's what I meant) c) I could use the same Fuji instant film in both backs so I'd only have to order and stock one size.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

If your Tech III is an earlier one (the original poster asked about a Tech III v. 5, which was the last version--almost a Tech IV) with only a spring back and not an International (Graflok-type without violating the Graflex trademark) back, which I think the later versions of the Tech III had, then I don't know that you could use a packfilm back. Technikas open fairly wide, but I'm not sure the packfilm backs are amenable to that sort of arrangement. The 545 sheet film back could fit under the groundglass, but 4x5" instant sheet film is no longer made.

 

[Roger Cole]

Mine is earlier, and definitely has only a spring back and not a Graflex/International, but everything I've found about these backs say they fit under a spring back too. Mine will accept a Grafmatic, at least, which is wider than a traditional holder.

In any case I plan to replace the Tech III later this year so even if I get one that won't fit, I'd have it when I get another camera.

 

[noparking]

Jeff,
Something else to consider. Fuji has apparently discontinued all production of B&W in 4 X 5, leaving only the color FP100c45, in the 4 X 5 size. Final shipments of FP3000b45
(the 4 X 5 B&W), have already taken place, or are, as of this posting.

The Polaroid 550/Fuji PA-45 backs, for 4 X 5 pack film, cost about $125 - $200.USD
on the used market.
The 4 X 5 pack film costs about $28 - $35.USD a pack. $3 bucks a shot, or more.

The Polaroid 405/Fuji PA-145 backs, for 3.25 X 4.25 pack film, cost about $40 - $75.USD
on the used market.
The 3.25 X 4.25 pack film costs about $7 - $11.USD a pack. $1 buck a shot.

Fuji still seems committed to producing both B&W and color film in the 3.25 X 4.25 size.
The smaller backs are cheaper, the film is cheaper, and Fuji seems more prone to continue producing the smaller format.

Fujifilm still lists FP3000b45 film

Do you go 4 X 5, or 3.25 X 4.25? You make the call.

Marc

I found this webpage on the end-of-life for the FP-300045 product. (I was hoping it was not true.)

http://translate.google.com/transla...//fujifilm.jp/information/articlead_0132.html

 

[noparking]

Here's a wepage on Fuji's announcement on the end-of-life for their FP-300045 product:

http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Ffujifilm.jp%2Finformation%2Farticlead_0132.html

 

[Roger Cole]

Resurrecting this thread to post that I got a 405 back that arrived last week. It DOES fit the Tech III without any real problem, aside from having to lift the spring back from both ends rather than just sliding it in the open end as with a regular film holder. The darkslide does get blocked a bit by the camera back, making it a bit touchy to remove but far harder to re-insert. I THINK it's going to be pretty workable though. I hope to get a chance to try it out this weekend.

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

If you're shooting rangefinder style with a 4x5" Linhof zoom finder on your Technika, I find I can get pretty close to the 3x4" Polaroid frame by setting the finder for one notch longer than the lens I'm using, so if I'm using a 150mm lens, I'll set it for 180mm.

 

[Subversive Mk II]

If your Tech III is an earlier one (the original poster asked about a Tech III v. 5, which was the last version--almost a Tech IV) with only a spring back and not an International (Graflok-type without violating the Graflex trademark) back, which I think the later versions of the Tech III had, then I don't know that you could use a packfilm back. Technikas open fairly wide, but I'm not sure the packfilm backs are amenable to that sort of arrangement. The 545 sheet film back could fit under the groundglass, but 4x5" instant sheet film is no longer made.

I've just tried a Polaroid 405 slipping in under a Graflok back on a Crown - no problem, if slightly tight. On the Tech IV International back I have, it just doesn't want to go in and I'm not going to force it. Annoyingly, it's only short of being open enough by a millimetre or so. It sits in ok with being secured by the slide-locks though; so that's one way to go.