Polaroid Pro Palette 8000 experience?

pyr · Dec 1, 2024

koraks said:
AFAIK it's still pretty much the only realistic way at present to output digital files to camera (color) film that's sort of within reach of small-scale users and amateurs. I think that makes all other considerations pretty much moot - although they can be a cause of concern.
As to burnt CRT's - I'm sure some kind of CRT must have burned out somewhere, sometime. But as electronics go, CRT's are pretty robust. Common failures around CRT's are the high-voltage circuitry, in particular deflection transformers. Those are/were notorious failure items on e.g. computer monitors.

Thank you Koraks. Are the transformers easy to replace and do you think it is wise to buy one recorder and then another one when it surfaces for spares ?

In other words, are they repairable by electronicians when you have spare parts ?

How much would you pay for a used one considering the « risks »?

NB I have used a lasergraphics recorder recently and the results were good though they needed colour correction in the slide projector. Also maybe 8k would be better for 35mm slides as 4K is good but a bit soft compared to « native in-camera » slides.

koraks · Dec 1, 2024

I can't comment in specifics, but in general, repairing circuitry around CRT's is a specialized line of work, preferably complete technical documentation should be available for the device and there should be access to spare parts. It's also a dying art since CRT's have of course gone out of fashion for the most part. Moreover, defects around the CRT are just one caterhiy out of several failure points.

Realistically, I think in most cases if a machine like this dies, it's best assumed to be a lost cause.

If this is for protection of native digital or 'hybrid' images, I'd forego the whole film recording stage and look at digital projection instead.

clift_d · Dec 2, 2024

I think koraks has it right - if one of these unit dies then the only option is likely to be to source a working replacement. There are repair manuals available but most of the components inside look to be Polaroid proprietary assemblies for which replacements will obviously not be available, and while these manuals also include printed schematics for the various boards in the units, these would obviously only cover simple replaceable components, and would not cover things like the contents of EPROMs, etc.

Ulrix · Jan 24, 2025

ProPallette 8000s seem to be quite sturdy. I have two, and they still work. As so do the MacBook G4 Lombard. That’s the one to get. It has native scsi. I fire them up once a year, when someone asked for digital slides or negatives. I can’t really see the difference bt. 4K and 8K though. If I need something high res I’d go for an LVT negative or CRT from an Agfa Alto.

LomoSnap · Feb 28, 2025

Can anyone with an HR6000 upload some film scans?
I just bought an HR6000, but I'm a bit skeptical about its sharpness. I printed out a resolution chart and some test images, and the sharpness is poor. I can only accept such negatives enlarged to 5x7 paper.
Is this the performance of the HR6000? Or do I need to calibrate it? (eg optical focus, CRT focus adjustment collimation)

clift_d · Jul 16, 2025

maya0574 said:
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Maya - The mods here are pretty strict about people posting wanted requests or similar in the discussions - you're supposed to use the Classifieds section for those things, so I expect your post will get deleted.

clift_d · Jul 16, 2025

In terms of the availability of either the medium format (6x7cm) or the large format (4x5") film backs for the Polaroid 8000, there probably weren't very many of them made when they were originally released, and so you'll need to be a bit lucky if you're going to find one or both of these now.

maya0574 · Jul 16, 2025

clift_d said:
In terms of the availability of either the medium format (6x7cm) or the large format (4x5") film backs for the Polaroid 8000, there probably weren't very many of them made when they were originally released, and so you'll need to be a bit lucky if you're going to find one or both of these now.

It is indeed difficult

maya0574 · Jul 16, 2025

DrFoc said:
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.

Hello, is there a picture of the 45/67 back?

clift_d · Jul 16, 2025

maya0574 said:
Hello, is there a picture of the 45/67 back?

The 4x5" adapter was based upon a standard large format film back that had been adapted and fitted to a interface box for the film recorder, and would generally have been used with standard dark slide cut film holders.

The 6x7cm film back was based on a Mamiya RB67 motorised magazine adapted to take trigger cues from the film recorder.

Both film backs had their own format-specific lenses which imaged the CRT onto the film at the right scale, and they were manufactured for Polaroid by a company called Double M Industries of Texas which closed many years ago. I believe that an alternative 6x8cm adapter was also made by a company in Germany.

Good luck with your search.

maya0574 · Jul 17, 2025

I used this monitor to enlarge color or black and white digital pictures before, but the contrast was not good and the colors were not perfect.

maya0574 · Jul 17, 2025

But after I bought the 8000, the color contrast was balanced and the colors became full and bright.

maya0574 · Jul 28, 2025

clift_d said:
4x5 英寸适配器基于标准大幅面胶片背面，该胶片背面已调整并安装到胶片录像机的接口盒上，通常与标准深色滑切胶片支架一起使用。

View attachment 403123

6x7 厘米的胶片背面基于 Mamiya RB67 电动弹匣，该弹匣经过调整，可从电影录像机获取触发提示。

View attachment 403122 View attachment 403125

两个胶片背板都有自己的特定格式镜头，可以以正确的比例将 CRT 成像到胶片上，它们是由德克萨斯州一家名为 Double M Industries 的公司为宝丽来制造的，该公司多年前关闭了。我相信德国的一家公司也制造了替代的 6x8 厘米适配器。

祝您搜索顺利。

在哪里可以找到 8000/8035 硬件的固件升级？
(Where can I find firmware upgrades for 8000/8035 hardware?)

clift_d · Jul 28, 2025

There was a firmware update floating around previously, but even if you can find a copy I would think long and hard about whether you really need to use it. If anything goes wrong during the update you would risk turning your propalette into a door stop as there is nowhere that can service these devices.

Polaroid Pro Palette 8000 experience?

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