polaroid test shots - is that real

[chij]

thinking about buying a polaroid back for my hassel

is it really accurate to say that you can use a polaroid to see what your shot will look like

i mean, the polaroid instant film is completely different from the film youre going to use to take the non-instant shot, and different films will give you different end results

say i'm going to shoot with slide film (low lattitude), won't the polaroid test shot look very different

 

[Paul Sorensen]

I have used Polaroid for checking exposure and making sure that strobe lighting is doing what I want, it works fine for that. I also find that I can get more out of negatives when I print them than what I saw in the Polaroid, but that the polaroid can be really valuable, especially when using strobes. When comparing color polaroid with reversal film, yes, the color and saturation will likely be very different, so if that is what you are trying to see, it might be of limited value. Not sure about latitude with Polaroid, but that will likely be different too.

 

[Keytarjunkie]

With the prices polaroid film is at these days, it might not be worth it to use it for checking exposure it's typically accurate enough to help you judge the exposure. Personally, I'd rather use a polaroid back on a Hassie for its artistic merit...the shots I see from that combo (usually with the 80) are beautiful, sometimes a lot more appealing than C41 film.

 

[Brian Legge]

Is the goal to check the exposure or to check the strobes/lighting?

If its the later, that could be a good use for a simple little digital camera. More affordable than Polaroid for lighting check and quick to work with. Since its just a proof, you don't need anything modern or fancy, just enough of a camera to trigger the strobes and review the image.

 

[ozphoto]

We used to use B&W Polaroid to check exposure - much closer to transparency film than colour. If it was spot on with the B&W, it was a fairly safe bet that your film would be exposed correctly also.

As others have said, if it's just to check lighting set-ups, colour will be fine.

 

[TareqPhoto]

I have a light meter to check the lighting or exposure, i also use digital camera for that purpose, so what is really that Polaroid will give me and digital camera/lightmeter will not give me? I will like polaroid photo no doubt, but i will do that to have photos to use not to check exposures and lights.

 

[chij]

maybe i should buy a polaroid camera instead
that way i get the polaroid aesthetic and fill the whole frame

what do you think about the difference in a polaroid shot on a polaroid camera and a polaroid shot on a hassel

 

[ozphoto]

Polaroid can show you the fall of light on the subject, that you may not be able to see. (Think a shadow on part of a product that isn't so noticeable.

We used it in conjunction with the lightmeter readings, to check critical exposures - it also helped the art director/client to see how the setup looked on film.

A portrait with a CEO who could only give you 10 minutes of his time before flying out to Timbucktoo? Set up the lighting, throw your assistant in position and test the look and exposure - not quite right? Adjust & repeat. Got it? Great - shoot the CEO and know it's going to look spot on without keeping him longer than necessary.

These days, with digital, the tethering process is the 21stC equivalent to Polaroid - can see right away on screen what's going on with exposure, layout etc.

 

[TareqPhoto]

I was thinking, is it a good idea to get Polaroid these days when digital is everywhere? I have almost 9 digital cameras including digital MF[$$$$], is it good to add Polaroid for my film photography then?

 

[Rudeofus]

I was thinking, is it a good idea to get Polaroid these days when digital is everywhere? I have almost 9 digital cameras including digital MF[$$$$], is it good to add Polaroid for my film photography then?

A polaroid is something you can give to strangers right away, not via "I'm going to email that to you, give me your personal details". A digital camera may show you the results right away but it's kind of hard to rip off the monitor to pass on an image .