Polaroid Pro Palette 8000 experience?

wildbill · Oct 31, 2008

Any owners or users here?
My reasoning for getting this thing is, well, it was dirt cheap and I've got some b+w negs I can't enlarge in the darkroom because of defects like dust, scratches, etc. I plan to drum scan* the neg and output back to 4x5 film.
What film is typically used for "lvt's" or whatever you call negs from this machine?
How about sharpening the files? I'll be making prints up to 16x20.

vinny

*I do the scans myself so their won't be a middle man to muck it up.

Daniel Balfour · Oct 31, 2008

vinny said:
Any owners or users here?
My reasoning for getting this thing is, well, it was dirt cheap and I've got some b+w negs I can't enlarge in the darkroom because of defects like dust, scratches, etc. I plan to drum scan* the neg and output back to 4x5 film.
What film is typically used for "lvt's" or whatever you call negs from this machine?
How about sharpening the files? I'll be making prints up to 16x20.

I've never actually used a film recorder but I've looked into getting one every so often. From what I gather, the Pro Palette 8000 is as advanced a machine as they've gotten, save for LVT's of course.

As I understand it they work like conventional cameras. Load the film recorder's camera using whatever film you like, though the trade seems to smile on T-grain emulsion (fine grain films) such as Tmax or the Fuji flavour.

I don't know how to connect the device to modern computers. I'm guessing it has a scuzzy interface? No clue about software though I'm afraid. As long as the device was "dirt cheap" you've lost nothing by trying.

Masterview · Oct 31, 2008

I have one of these machines, but I have never used it in 2 years. It does connect via scsi, so you may need an adapter. I got my software on ebay. I am unaware of a 4x5 adapter that takes regular film holders. They had one for polaroid pack film.

jag2x · Nov 3, 2008

I've got the older version the 5000, the thing is worth only for bad looking presentation slides
I havent used a 8000, the CRT in it is a lot more sharper than the 5000.
If your doing 4x5 you'll have a much better resolution than using the 35mm that comes with it. There are pages on the net where someone has photographed their monitor with a 35mm camera and got the same sort of resolution from the 8000 using the 35mm film adaptor!
I think the best thing to do would shoot a 4x5 on the 8000, then scan it in and see what it looks like from the digital image. If not sharp, then sharpen the digital image and try the process again.
You want a good unit get a LVT or go down the route of a digital negative via the printer, lot less headache if you want sharper prints...

imazursky · Nov 6, 2008

The 4x5's off an 8000 are ok. Nothing i would consider perfect though.
They exhibit some distortion at the edges. This is a known flaw in the design of the optics.
But you should be able to get an acceptable 16x20 print out of it.
Most of my clients accept this limitation as the 4x5's are for viewing only.

In addition to the 4x5 back, I also have the 6x7 back. I feel the resolution is a bit better on it and the distortion is much less than the 4x5.
I scanned it back in on our Howtek 7500 drum scanner at 600-700mb (i forgot the actual size) for a client. It looked pretty good but you need a good file to start with.
I have a page on our website with the proper sizing and file requirements. A drum scan is a must or dare i say it a large digi file to make the best possible output.

The big problem is the dwindling supply of film that is compatible with the RasterPlus rip.
There are only a handful of the films still made and they must match the profiles. Trying a film with the wrong profile will produce horrid results.
The few B&W profiles available are for old emulsions and you cant really create new ones.
You have to test and test and test.......The best bet it to go down the list and image the same file at various profile settings.
Eventually you can settle on a good one.

I forgot the most important part. Any film recorder needs to warm up. I have mine on at least 1-2 hours before i start any imaging.
The CRT tube needs to stabilize or you will have color and density shifts. You also must have it plugged into a good power conditioner.
Without one, you risk damaging/blowing the tube and/or electronics.

I have decided to use the 8000 mostly for presentation work. I am in the process of purchasing an LVT for high quality 4x5 and 8x10 output.

-ian

alcheech · Sep 18, 2009

Propalette 8000 6x7

Hi, I have a Propalette 8000 (actually 3 of them - one is for parts and the second is a back up). I also have a 6x7 and want to buy another 6x7 as a backup for my machine. If anyone is interested in selling one, please contact me.

thank you,

Al Cheech

DrFoc · Oct 2, 2010

Pploroid Pro Palate 8000 and 3 backs for sale with Mac.

Hello All,

I am based in the UK, and am looking to sell my Polaroid Pro Palate 8000.

It is in fully working order and has an accompanying power mac G4 AGP loaded with all of the correct software.

I also have 3 backs, A 5x4 back, a 6x7 back and a 35mm back.

I will sell as a job lot or split into parts. If you are interested please contact me at dansunfoto@googlemail.com.

regards, DrFoc.

imazursky · Oct 2, 2010

Too bad, i need another 8000 in the US.
I also need a new 35mm back for my 8000. Mine works but the frame lines are uneven.
Its a pain to mount each one individually. I think the back is the culprit.
I have a 7000 coming so ill see if the backs are the same and switch.

But i still need an 8000 and a 35mm back, if anyone has one in the US, pls let me know.

Thanks,
ian

pahp · Apr 25, 2015

Hello All,

I've recently bought a Propalette 8000 in ebay, but the cd that came with it arrived broken.
Since the software is not available anywhere anymore and doesn't have a license either, I was wondering if anyone have it still and could send me a copy via www.wetransfer.com.

I can't make it work without it, and I'm desperately looking everywhere for it.

Thank you in advance
Pedro

bnxvs · Jun 27, 2019

https://wiki.philpem.me.uk/code/filmrec

clift_d · Aug 15, 2022

Apologies for resurrecting this thread, but I wonder whether anyone might have a Polaroid ProPalette 8000 that they're no longer using, and which they'd consider parting company with, ideally in the UK?

I'd like to do some experiments with moving pictures from digital back to film in 35mm format, and this seems to be a good option, but I'm having a problem actually finding one of these machines in working order.

Thanks.

julia_london · Sep 7, 2022

clift_d said:
Apologies for resurrecting this thread, but I wonder whether anyone might have a Polaroid ProPalette 8000 that they're no longer using, and which they'd consider parting company with, ideally in the UK?

I'd like to do some experiments with moving pictures from digital back to film in 35mm format, and this seems to be a good option, but I'm having a problem actually finding one of these machines in working order.

Thanks.

Hi, yes I have one and I am based in west London. I am not near it right now but I will take a look and send you some pics when I can in the next few days

clift_d · Sep 7, 2022

julia_london said:
Hi, yes I have one and I am based in west London. I am not near it right now but I will take a look and send you some pics when I can in the next few days

Thanks Julia.

julia_london · Sep 12, 2022

Hi clift_d, I have dug it out of storage, and it is working fine. I have two cameras that would come with the Propalette - a standard 35mm and a 5x4 camera as I used to make my own 5x4 trannies for projection use. I never used the 35mm camera but I always kept it in position in the unit when not in use. I still have the scsi and power cable in the box also. Here are some pics. Let me know if you are still interested. Thanks Julia

clift_d · Sep 12, 2022

Thanks Julia - I'm really interested. Any idea how can I contact you offline - I don't seem to be able to message you directly? I suspect both our forum registrations are too new. I'm going to contact the Site Admins to see if I can sort something out. Regards. Daniel

julia_london · Sep 12, 2022

clift_d said:
Thanks Julia - I'm really interested. Any idea how can I contact you offline - I don't seem to be able to message you directly? I suspect both our forum registrations are too new.

Yes I think you're right.

I also have some beautiful 5x4 slide holders too in their original boxes PLUS a Jobo autoprocessor with tanks and a mini boiler that needs to go too.

clift_d · Sep 12, 2022

julia_london said:
Yes I think you're right. I will give it a go with this, my email address is juliaevans.home at gmail.com - drop us a line on that if you can.

I also have some beautiful 5x4 slide holders too in their original boxes PLUS a Jobo autoprocessor with tanks and a mini boiler that needs to go too.

Julia. I'm potentially interested in all of those things you mention, but definitely in the Polaroid.

monofinder · Sep 24, 2022

Ah... I saw this post too late.
Is there anyone around who wants to sell Propalette 8000 or 7000?

photolabequipments · Nov 14, 2022

Hi! I've one Polaroid Propalette 8000
{Moderator's edit: For Sale listings are open only to paid subscribers}

MattKing · Nov 14, 2022

Welcome to Photrio photolabequipments.
We've edited your post because "For Sale" listings are available only to paid subscribers.

clift_d · Nov 28, 2022

I'm struggling to find a copy of the original Polaroid Macintosh drivers for my newly acquired ProPalette 8000. I believe I have a copy of the PC drivers, but all my existing hardware is Mac, so I haven't yet been able to put together a working setup. I don't suppose anyone has the original Mac software somewhere on disk, that I might be able to get a copy of? Thanks.

clift_d · Dec 21, 2022

The drivers for Polaroid Palette for Mac can now be found at the following link:

https://www.mediafire.com/file/ebctuokc4s31q6b/Polaroid_Palette_for_Mac.zip/file

This is legacy OEM Polaroid software for their no longer available film recorders, and should work with the Palette CI-5000 and HR-6000, and ProPalette 7000 and 8000/8035/8045/8067 film recorders. The software runs on PowerMacintosh on Mac OS 8.5 - 9.2.1, and requires a computer with a CD drive and a SCSI interface.

If you get it running, please share your setup and results.

clift_d · Dec 21, 2022

Just in case the Mediafire link goes down, the CDR image is now also available for download from the Internet Archive:

Polaroid Palette for Macintosh : Polaroid : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

This is the DVD/CD master image of a Polaroid OEM CD containing the Macintosh drivers for their series of Palette and ProPalette film recorders, including the...

archive.org

The disc image will allow you to install Rasterplus 2.02 and Palette Export 2.0, and there are updates to Rasterplus 2.06 and Palette Export 2.01 available elsewhere online.

clift_d · Dec 21, 2022

By the way, for people who have a 7000 or 8000, you might want to grab a copy of CFR Film Table Commander:

CFR Film Table Commander creates and edits Polaroid Color Film Recorder Film Tables

CFR Film Table Commander edits and creates new Polaroid ProPalette 7000 and 8000 series Color Film Recorder Film Tables. It supports all film formats for these models. A 'New Film Table' wizard helps you create new film tables. Various exposure controls, including calibration targets, let you...

www.srs1software.com

It’s a film table editor for the ProPalette 7000 & 8000 that runs on Windows (alas), which has been made available as freeware by its creators. There’s no knowing how long it will stay available so you should grab it while you can. The online FAQ says that it will only edit the PC film tables but it seems to also recognise the Mac film tables, on a Windows computer, if you add a .FLM code to the end of the film table file name.

clift_d · Dec 23, 2022

Just to add to the post above, it appears that CFR Film Table Commander running on Windows can actually be used to edit / generate film tables for a ProPalette 7000 / 8000 running on Mac OS 9. As above, to recognise Mac film tables in CFR Film Table Commander on Windows you just need to add a .FLM file code to the end of the film table file name. To use film tables generated / saved from CFR Film Table Commander on Windows, with Rasterplus on the Macintosh, it looks like you just need to change the Type & Creator codes of the film table with ResEdit as follows:

Code:

Type 'TEXT' -> 'CFFT'
Creator 'dosa' -> 'NPoL'

Polaroid Pro Palette 8000 experience?

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