Trouble with my polaroid back and type 55

dwdmguy · Oct 20, 2009

First time using the 545 pola back and type 55 film.

I placed the envolope in the holder exactly as described and when I pulled out the tabs (envolope) the film should stay in the holder so the picture can be taken. I didn't think so after running my thumb and forefinger on the env. and thinking the film was still in there but I've never done this so I tried anyway.

Of course, no exposure. I can't seem to get the the film to stay when pulling the env. Again. I put this env ALL the way in when loading.

Any suggestions please?
Thank you

Anscojohn · Oct 20, 2009

The little tab in the holder which grabs the envelope has collapsed. Bend it up slightly with your fingernail.

dwdmguy · Oct 20, 2009

John, do you mean the silver metal tab in the middle of the "end" of the holder?
Thank you.
Tom

jeffreyg · Oct 20, 2009

Tom,
The Polaroid holder I have has a lever that has two positions. One for pulling out the paper backings so the film can be exposed and one for processing. I assume that is what you mean by "the silver metal tab". It has to be in the correct position to operate correctly.
Jeff

dwdmguy · Oct 20, 2009

Jeff, no, I understand that, I am speaking of the tiny little silver piece about 1/32 of an inch "inside" the holder that would grab the end of the packet when pulling out.
I am assuming John is speaking of this?

Vaughn · Oct 20, 2009

That's the one, Tom. Unfortunately, it is not a "hook" that one can bend up, but a solid block that raises up when the holder is in the "L" setting (allowing the outer film sleeve to be removed only. Actually, the lever when moved to "P", pushes down on a button which in turn lowers the silver block -- this allows one to remove the entire packet.. So push your button and make sure that the hook comes up when the button is not pressed.

As I mentions before, my problem was that the metal lip on the film packet would deform, allowing it to slip by the "hook". The packets are stuck together internally -- which I can loosen up before I put it back in the holder (and the metal on the packet is easy to push flat again.)

Vaughn

dwdmguy · Oct 20, 2009

Well, you see Vaughn, this is very interesting. First, per the instructions on the 55 and the pola holder, I move to "L" before I put the sheet in. Is this not correct.
Does this little silver tab "JAM" the end of the film sheet (Black bar) and prevent the film from coming out.

I have to admit, I thought I was smart and this should be easy but I'm not getting it.

My workflow is, swing arm to "L" all the way and then pull the tabs out without any other action. This is where the entire sheet with the film is coming out. No?

Thank you much

Vaughn · Oct 20, 2009

Yes, Load with "L", and the metal strip on the end of the film sleeve should ride over the silver tab one way, but can not (supposively) be drawn back out. The metal strip on the film sleeve is attached only to the inner septum, not the outer sleeve. The film itself and the pods are attached to the inner septum.

In theory, pulling the sleeve out while in "L" mode keeps the inner septum where it is, and only the outer sleeve is partway drawn out of the holder. This can be easily checked -- if the inner septum remained in the holder, you will not be able to feel the pod of chemistry. Check where the drawing says not to touch. If you feel a bulge there, the silver tab did not grab the inner septum, and there is no film out and ready to be exposed.

Putting the lever over to "P" causes that silver tab to drop away, allowing the whole film packet to be removed while the rollers are tight together (smashing the pod and spreading the chemicals in the packet that you pulled most of the way out of the holder.

If you can remove the entire film packet with just the lever in "L" position, then your silver tab is not grabbing the inner septum.

The "normal" way to remove the entire film packet for processing later is to have the lever on "L", and also pushing the button over by "P" to release the inner septum, too.

Vaughn

Anscojohn · Oct 20, 2009

dwdmguy said:
Jeff, no, I understand that, I am speaking of the tiny little silver piece about 1/32 of an inch "inside" the holder that would grab the end of the packet when pulling out.
I am assuming John is speaking of this?

******
Yes. That's the one. It is not "grabbing." Tweak it up a bit and it should allow you to just pull out the paper "dark slide."

dwdmguy · Oct 20, 2009

Thanks guys. We are all on the same page. So, it's not grabbing the film and pods when I pull on the two tabs.
So how does one Tweak this up. It's impossible to grab, I've even tried using a size zero screw-driver..?
Thank you again.

jeffreyg · Oct 20, 2009

Tom,
I just checked my Polaroid 545 and the "catch" that needs tweeking is elevated in "L" and depressed in "P" but it is also depressed when "R" is pushed in. It might be possible that the "R" lever is bent or somewhat stuck in the depressed position as it does not take much movement to cause the catch to be depressed. If that is not the case try bending it up as has been suggested being sure to havethe lever in the "L" position. Good luck.
Jeff

KenS · Oct 20, 2009

Tom....

There was a time when I bought 55PN by the case....

On a few occasions (over all these years) I ran into a similar problem.

Please check (closely) the 'insert-able' end of your polaroid holder just to make sure that one of the metal clips from a previous
envelope has not come off and been retained "down there"... preventing an accurate grip on the newly inserted film such that
pulling the 'cover envelope' out ready for exposure only to find that the sheet of film is not being "retained" in the holder.

You may have to really LOOK closely.. its is not that 'easy' to see that the clip that has been 'locked' within the holder. One of the 'early'
holders we used could be somewhat disassembled... but the one that is down in my darkroom seems to be 'riveted' and cannot be
opened. When it happened in that unit, a pair of 'fine' pointed pliers could grip the retained clip well enough to yank the sucker out.

Ken

Anscojohn · Oct 20, 2009

dwdmguy said:
Thanks guys. We are all on the same page. So, it's not grabbing the film and pods when I pull on the two tabs.
So how does one Tweak this up. It's impossible to grab, I've even tried using a size zero screw-driver..?
Thank you again.

*****
Darn, I jsut don't remember. We had this problem on occasion with the MP-4 copy camera. And whatever tweaking we did fixed the problem--until the next time.

Vaughn · Oct 20, 2009

Ken's right -- I forgot about that one.

Anscojohn · Oct 20, 2009

Vaughn said:
Ken's right -- I forgot about that one.

Yep, that's it. And sometimes we had to pull the Polaroid back apart to get that bit of metal out. IIRC (obviously, not a given) the unit comes apart at the seams somehow. Cut me some slack though; it's been going on thirty years since I worked with the MP-4.

flash26c · Oct 20, 2009

http://www.skgrimes.com/about/545/index.htm I have had the same problem, actually, all the problems. I finally solved them about the same time the film was discontinued. I did buy a 545 pro that has a timer and TWO silver tabs to grab the film!

dwdmguy · Oct 21, 2009

Ken, good idea thank you. Checked. Nope. But would have made sense.

Now, without the back on my 4x5 I placed a pola sheet into the holder and watch it go in. It clicked and in a bit I'll attach it when I'm ready and see if the env pulls off leaving the film. (Can't do that now or I'll loose the sheet and you guys know how rare these are now)

Thank you SO much and I'll report back;

Trouble with my polaroid back and type 55

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