It's finally out...new 4x5 instant film product

duparis00 · Mar 23, 2014

Dead Link Removed

I've been following these guys for a while, they been at it several years and have posted their results on flickr. But essentially they designed their own 4x5 instant film from the ground up, and now are starting a kickstarter project to get it mass produced.

Here's their official site.

http://www.new55project.com/

jcc · Mar 24, 2014

Finally! I hope it takes off, and the production sheets drop considerably in price.

removed-user-1 · Mar 24, 2014

Wow. Gotta get my hands on a Polaroid sheet film back... and make a pledge ASAP.

Ken Nadvornick · Mar 24, 2014

I pledged. First time I've ever done that for anything. Price per unit will drop with volume. But volume can't happen until it all gets started in earnest. And that takes money. Those initial sheets will be expensive. But there's no other path to less expensive without going down that one at the beginning.

Ken

duparis00 · Mar 24, 2014

Ken Nadvornick said:
I pledged. First time I've ever done that for anything. Price per unit will drop with volume. But volume can't happen until it all gets started in earnest. And that takes money. Those initial sheets will be expensive. But there's no other path to less expensive without going down that one at the beginning.

Ken

That's exactly why I'm pledging. They can't utilize economies of scale without getting into production in the first place, so anything to get them started I'm down for.

mgb74 · Mar 24, 2014

I pledged a few bucks even though I doubt the film will ever be economical enough for me to use. Any endeavor that broadens the availability of film, even film I may not use, encourages others to take on these types of initiatives. So, in the end, my pledge is self serving.

bvy · Mar 24, 2014

Blocked at work for being "suspicious." Guess it'll have to wait till I get home. Sounds exciting.

DKSEA · Mar 26, 2014

I am supporting this. What a great tool for aspiring large format photographers like me.

Consider the time and expense to get to a location, develop the film and print a proof. Having the capability to see a test shot is worth the extra cost to me.

Doug

Richard S. (rich815) · Mar 26, 2014

They need to raise $400k? I backed it at $50 but I doubt they will reach it.

Shootar401 · Mar 26, 2014

Still waiting to see if this will be an other impossible project where they say they have a product, but really do not.

TheToadMen · Mar 26, 2014

Shootar401 said:
Still waiting to see if this will be an other impossible project where they say they have a product, but really do not.

I'm guessing you meant an impossible project, not Dead Link Removed? Since the latter does have the original polaroid machines and is making instant film, even in 8x10".
And yes, I saw the factory myself. Quite impressive indeed.
But this Kickstarter project ... I have some doubts too. I hope they succeed.

Ken Nadvornick · Mar 26, 2014

Just for grins...

In the last 24-hour period (from 16:22 local time yesterday to today) the number of pledges has increased by 75, and the amount pledged has increased by $9,727 exactly.

If this rate were maintained for the 40 more days of the project the final tally of pledges would be 3,326, and the final dollar amount would be $448,270.

Ken

Gary892 · Apr 4, 2014

I have chosen to back this project because type 55 film is an experience unto itself.

I still have two Polaroid type 55 boxes of film left in my frige and will be using them this year.

I hope this project gets funded and that the market will support the makers of the film. I know I will.

Gary

mitch brown · Apr 4, 2014

just pledged $125 hope it goes
mitch

vdonovan · Apr 4, 2014

I'm a supporter too. I hope we can all get behind this worthy project. They are absolutely serious, and have the skills and knowledge to make it really happen. One thing I've seen about some Kickstarter projects, particularly in manufacturing, is that the originators vastly underestimate the difficulty and cost of really making a quality product. I believe Bob Crowley at New55 has made an honest effort to really estimate the cost of the project and the resulting product. Given his background and the amount of testing and development that has gone into New55 so far, I have no question that he will get it off the ground if we shooters will get behind him and support the project on Kickstarter.

Ken Nadvornick · Apr 8, 2014

They just now hit the 25% funded mark (US$100,000)...

Ken

giannisg2004 · Apr 10, 2014

Their wording on rewards is sketchy, and I don't think their project fits kickstarter.

Kickstarter is for startups, with finished R&D and business plan, that just lack the initial capital to start production.

Kickstarter is not for funding R&D, or paying business expenses.
You don't ask for the money upfront, to "see where it gets you".
If you want to do that, go pitch to a venture capitalist (which btw, will get half your business' stocks plus tie you with other stuff too).

DKSEA · Apr 17, 2014

giannisg200- Respectfully I disagree.

I recommend anyone interested in NEW 55 to read the Kickstarter Guidlines. Dead Link Removed. Here are the main two.

"Everything on Kickstarter must be a project.

A project is something with a clear end, like making an album, a film, or a new game. A project will eventually be completed, and something will be produced as a result.

Every project on Kickstarter must fit into one of our categories.

Our categories are Art, Comics, Dance, Design, Fashion, Film, Food, Games, Music, Photography, Publishing, Technology, and Theater."

It doesn't say that:
"Kickstarter is for startups, with finished R&D and business plan, that just lack the initial capital to start production.

Kickstarter is not for funding R&D, or paying business expenses."

What it does say is:
"Projects must be clear about their state of development, and cannot be presented as preorders of finished products."

This said I encourage anyone interested in the return of a instant 4x5 Print and negative material to consider supporting the NEW 55 project kickstarter.

They are now up to 1056 supporters with commitments for $158,168.00

Douglas King
Seattle

Ken Nadvornick · Apr 17, 2014

I already have. Including twice doubling my original pledge amount. And buying a NOS 545 holder.

Ken

aRolleiBrujo · Apr 17, 2014

I read somewhere that my Mamiya RB67 Pro. S, using my MF-3 Mamiya RB67 Polaroid back?

Roger Cole · Apr 18, 2014

aRolleiBrujo said:
I read somewhere that my Mamiya RB67 Pro. S, using my MF-3 Mamiya RB67 Polaroid back?

You read somewhere WHAT about your set up??

duparis00 · Apr 18, 2014

I think Kickstarter is more than adequate at deciding what projects "fit" their platform.

My friend is currently seeking funding for his documentary and 5 days in he's already 20% funded. It's used for many different things.

Kickstarter is not only for start-ups and you would be wise to read a little history with regards to New55 before commenting. I've followed their blog for a very long time and they have been doing R&D for 3 years. When that was finally finished they launched the project in order to source funding to buy the equipment they need to make the packs. It also behooves you to read up on past kickstarter projects and you'll clearly see businesses in every area of development not only get approved for posting but also get funded.

Popular ones that were in R&D mode pre-production, pre-business plan as you point out should be prerequisites are:

Oculus Rift
MagMod
TriggarTrap ADA
Flag
People of the Delta

And these are just the ones I've funded personally. All of these products were in pre-production, development and Flag was actually pre-coding because funding dictated whether or not they do iOS or iOS and android. People of the Delta didn't even start filming until 6 months after funding was completed and isn't scheduled to release well over a year after start date.

FYI, "business expenses" overlap with "initial capital to start production" so you can't say it's used is allowed for one and not for the other.

giannisg2004 said:
Their wording on rewards is sketchy, and I don't think their project fits kickstarter.

Kickstarter is for startups, with finished R&D and business plan, that just lack the initial capital to start production.

Kickstarter is not for funding R&D, or paying business expenses.
You don't ask for the money upfront, to "see where it gets you".
If you want to do that, go pitch to a venture capitalist (which btw, will get half your business' stocks plus tie you with other stuff too).

Ken Nadvornick · Apr 18, 2014

Another data point...

In the 24-hour period between 9:35am PDT local time yesterday and this morning, New55 pledges increased from US$153,997 to US$166,158 (+US$12,161) and backers increased from 1,029 to 1,087 (+58).

For those 58 that's an average pledge amount of US$209.67. However, some of that average resulted from existing backers increasing their already-standing pledges.

Ken

duparis00 · Apr 18, 2014

Iluvmycam said:
Nice website and pix David L.

I hope the film project is a big success. It would be wonderful to see some film coming back instead of it always being the other way around.

Hi, thanks for checking out my site, I really appreciate the compliment

Me too, I've been following this project for a while and there were a couple times where it seemed they couldn't continue. I know many felt if they could get it to kickstarter it would become a reality, but things are still iffy right now.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 18, 2014

Sorry but I have absolutely no need for instant film in any sizeI didn't even use it when it was readily available.What doyou want it for?

It's finally out...new 4x5 instant film product

removed-user-1

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