Polaroid Backs

Kirks518 · Nov 21, 2014

When, and how often do you use your Polaroid back?

I just picked up an RB67 Pro SD, and it came with a Polaroid back, which looks like it was never used. Made me wonder if I'll ever have a need for it.

dreamingartemis · Nov 21, 2014

I've used polaroid backs on medium formats and from my experience, they are best for testing studio setups or you just want to quickly see a draft result of your photo before committing real film to it - to see whether if the result is under or over exposed. Keep it, you might not know when you'll be shooting with polaroid backs.

darkosaric · Nov 21, 2014

I think that portraits on Polaroid back with RB67 are great thing to do (+1 for small prints that were discussed in other thread - intimate and great to hold in hand).
When you will have some guests at your place, make some portraits and give them a print - you will see how happy you will make them .

Kirks518 · Nov 21, 2014

So really, for my purposes, it would be more of a novelty I guess. I would probably use it for my daughter and her friends, let them have an image to hold and take home. I'll run a roll or two through it for fun, but I doubt I'll keep it.

Another question -

The kit came with 3 WLF's. Why would someone want/need three waist level finders? They're all the same, so it's not like they are different magnifications or anything. Any reason to keep 3 of them, or should I sell two of them?

mweintraub · Nov 21, 2014

I think I use the Polaroid back on the RZ more than roll film. I love the 7x7cm images and so do other people. I have a slew of photos from the RZ on my cube wall at work.

John Koehrer · Nov 21, 2014

Kirks518 said:
Another question -

The kit came with 3 WLF's. Why would someone want/need three waist level finders? They're all the same, so it's not like they are different magnifications or anything. Any reason to keep 3 of them, or should I sell two of them?

If they're not kept apart, they breed. Quite a bit like hamsters but they don't eat their young.

If you decide to get rid of one inexpensively, cheap or some kind of trade, let me know.

snay1345 · Nov 21, 2014

I think they are great. I try to take one at most locations that I go to after I have taken some film shots. Something about having a stack of these things from all over that I enjoy having around.

PtJudeRI · Nov 23, 2014

Which one do you have? I have the Lane back, where my image is all pushed to one side. Honestly, it doesn't get much use from me, I more often use my 405 back in 4x5 to get the whole image.

one90guy · Nov 23, 2014

I have been searching for one for my Bronica EC, they seem to be like unicorns

Joachim Zettl · Nov 26, 2014

I am also pretty new in the RB67 worlds and have bought a pola back recently. i love to use it for family and friends, since you have a lovely instant-effect. I bought a bunch of film packs since the fuji-bw-films (bw3000) are rare now and are no longer produced.

Dan Quan · Nov 28, 2014

I think I've had a poloroid back for every film camera I've ever owned, at least every film camera I've ever shot with professionally. Except the Horseman 8x10, that was too expensive. The first one I ever bought was for a Nikon F 3 HP. For me it's one of the most valuable tools available, and I actually just just got one for a Pentax 67. Both the F3 and P67 use NPC backs and get a dedicated body. I use the roids to build the shot, to light the shot. It's hard to imagine shooting without one.
Hopefully I can eventually use the P67 professionally and maybe even transition to it exclusively. Hopefully.

Polaroid Backs

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