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

Ken Nadvornick · Apr 18, 2014

Environmental street portraits?

It's already almost a retro overload to be asking "Can I make a photo of you using this?" and you are holding a gleaming pristine 4x5 Crown Graphic with Graflite and Press 25 flashbulbs.

Being able to then add "Say cheese!" followed by "OK, come sit and watch this. It's really cool." and doing the ancient Polaroid roller development thing right before their eyes is just too delicious to contemplate.

But the relevant part is that instead of having to promise them only an emailed scan at some point weeks in the future, I can (after using it to confirm what's on the negative) simply hand them both the 4x5 print AND the burned flashbulb as a thank you.

People are already compliant as hell when they see just the gleaming antique camera and flashbulbs. Add the instant print aspect from the ancient past (not even digital can to that!) and I could probably ask people to jump from buildings for better compositions, and have them waiting in lines to do so...

Ken

Ken Nadvornick · Apr 18, 2014

New55 Film

Ken

duparis00 · Apr 18, 2014

RalphLambrecht said:
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?

That's an interesting way of putting it, I have no "need" for instant film either. I've been getting by with using my DSLR to confirm my settings, especially with long exposures and then shooting with the 4x5. The fact I don't need it doesn't change the fact that I still want it. This kind of product isn't presumably an integral part of anyone's workflow anymore, but then again shooting film, especially professionally hasn't been a pragmatic choice either. It's become a creative choice for most and an experience choice for the rest. For me shooting instant 4x5 is not essential but it makes the process more enjoyable for me and I along with 1000+ others are willing to pay for this experience. I wish there were more so the project can succeed...but we'll see what happens. If it doesn't come to pass nothing changes for me.

aRolleiBrujo · Apr 18, 2014

Oh my, I left that part out!! Thanks for cluing me in!!
I have read that the b67 pro s can use 4x5 Polaroid via the NPC MF-3 Polaroid back, would you know if this is true, or would anyone else here, know? Thanks, for your time, and help! -Happy photography! -Americo

CatLABS · Apr 19, 2014

Actually there is a 545 back that fits the RZ76, and i am not sure if there is one that fits the RB back but that stands to reason:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Polaroid-545i-Back-Adapter-for-Mamiya-RZ67-/370912274752

aRolleiBrujo · Apr 19, 2014

CatLABS said:
Actually there is a 545 back that fits the RZ76, and i am not sure if there is one that fits the RB back but that stands to reason:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Polaroid-545i-Back-Adapter-for-Mamiya-RZ67-/370912274752

Ahh, I see, oh the ho hum! This hobby shall be the ruin of me, as I am off to seek the fit for my Mamiya RB67!
Thanks for the heads up, I'll do more research in case I missed something, or, I'll go broke trying!

Kevin Harding · Apr 19, 2014

Why use a 545 back on the RB67? You can get myriad Land Camera backs online and use the FP-100c and (sadly discontinued) FP-3000b film.

aRolleiBrujo · Apr 20, 2014

Kevin Harding said:
Why use a 545 back on the RB67? You can get myriad Land Camera backs online and use the FP-100c and (sadly discontinued) FP-3000b film.

i figured that the back would be budget friendly, while allowing use of my 65mm and 90mm.

Kevin Harding · Apr 20, 2014

Do you mean in terms of image size? The back isn't going to change the image size the RB67 produces, which is at most 6x9 on the instant film. With FP100c, there's a fair bit of "wasted material" with unexposed film on either side of the image. If you were to strap a 4x5 back to an RB67, you'd be wasting even more film.

Never mind the fact that the film isn't yet available, though I am backing it to use on my Toyo.

Kevin Harding · Apr 20, 2014

Also, no matter which lens you use on the RB67, the output image will be same size on the instant film.

aRolleiBrujo · Apr 20, 2014

Kevin Harding said:
Also, no matter which lens you use on the RB67, the output image will be same size on the instant film.

Hmm, This seems to pose an unexpected conundrum. Welp, c'est la vie!

I think I got the idea here...

http://rb67.helluin.org/backs/
[h=1]Other[/h] [h=2]Cut film/Plate Holders[/h] Mamiya produced several different ways to expose cut sheet film or plates. At the date of writing, Feb 2011, at least two different manufacturers are producing cut film in this size. Presumably, you could also cut down 4″x5″ film.

Double cut film/plate holder
- These look like miniature 4″x5″ large format film holders. They mate with the revolving adapter like the roll film backs.
Plate holder adapter for Plate holder model 2 for Mamiya C series cameras
- This is a plastic adapter so that the Plate Holder Model 2 for Mamiya C can be mounted onto the RB67′s revolving adapter. The Plate Holder Model 2 itself takes a single piece of cut film 2 1/4″ by 3 1/4″ or 2 1/2″ by 3 1/2″.
Small metal sheaths actually hold the film, then are inserted into each side of the holder.
- Type A sheaths hold 2 1/4″ by 3 1/4″ cut film
- Type J/D sheaths hold 2 1/2″ by 3 1/2″ dry plates
Film pack adapter (sheet film was once sold in packs of 16 known as film packs).

Kevin Harding · Apr 20, 2014

Yes, you could "presumably cut down 4x5 film" as in 4x5in film won't fit. There are lots of Land Camera backs for the RB67, one of which I have. They take film in the size of the FP-100c, not 4x5 instant film, which you wouldn't be able to "cut down."

Andrew O'Neill · May 3, 2014

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

They reached it and money is still coming in. Currently $419,804 with 52 hours to go.

Xmas · May 3, 2014

Kevin Harding said:
Do you mean in terms of image size? The back isn't going to change the image size the RB67 produces, which is at most 6x9 on the instant film. With FP100c, there's a fair bit of "wasted material" with unexposed film on either side of the image. If you were to strap a 4x5 back to an RB67, you'd be wasting even more film.

Never mind the fact that the film isn't yet available, though I am backing it to use on my Toyo.

hey I thought mine was 7x7 have I goofed yet again but there were several RB backs from several suppliers not just Mamiya?

Kevin Harding · May 3, 2014

Polaroid made some, Mamiya made some. If they attached via the Graflok back it was all good, but the size of the image depended on the mount. None were much bigger than 6x9 or so!

Xmas · May 3, 2014

aRolleiBrujo said:
Hmm, This seems to pose an unexpected conundrum. Welp, c'est la vie!

I think I got the idea here...

http://rb67.helluin.org/backs/
[h=1]Other[/h] [h=2]Cut film/Plate Holders[/h] Mamiya produced several different ways to expose cut sheet film or plates. At the date of writing, Feb 2011, at least two different manufacturers are producing cut film in this size. Presumably, you could also cut down 4″x5″ film.

Double cut film/plate holder

These look like miniature 4″x5″ large format film holders. They mate with the revolving adapter like the roll film backs.

Plate holder adapter for Plate holder model 2 for Mamiya C series cameras

This is a plastic adapter so that the Plate Holder Model 2 for Mamiya C can be mounted onto the RB67′s revolving adapter. The Plate Holder Model 2 itself takes a single piece of cut film 2 1/4″ by 3 1/4″ or 2 1/2″ by 3 1/2″.

Small metal sheaths actually hold the film, then are inserted into each side of the holder.

Type A sheaths hold 2 1/4″ by 3 1/4″ cut film

Type J/D sheaths hold 2 1/2″ by 3 1/2″ dry plates

Film pack adapter (sheet film was once sold in packs of 16 known as film packs).

The link does not make it clear that the inserts for the pro motor backs interchange happily between motor backs (and they don't need batteries...).

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

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