with Contax polaroid back.

[hmb]

could anyone explain to me the difference btwn Fuji FP 100C 4x5 and Fuji FP 100C 3.25x4.25.
The first is peel apart, and 3x the price. I have not had any real hands on work with polaroid so have been having a tough time researching what each is. I would like a negative to work with but not even sure if you do get the negative from it is there a instant print left? And the neg is only acces with the peel apart types?
I have the back so would like to give it a try and experiment.

Anyone know what films the Contax 645 polaroid back works with?
thank you

 

[dwdmguy]

Well, first, if your speaking for the Contax 645 the fuji fp 4x5 films' are no good to you. This back will only accept the 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 pack films by fuji.
But be advised, you will get only about 40 pct of the image onto that 4 1/4 sheet using the contax. I have one as well.

It is a pull apart. The film themselves, both the B/W's 100 and 3000 are excellent as well as the color 100. All very good.
As far as the neg, you will have to do quite a bit of work to get a useable negative from this sheet but it can be done. You have to fix it, wash it and bleach it.
Go to flickr and check out the Fuji instant films group and you will learn a lot.
Best of luck.
Tom

 

[hmb]

thank you Tom. I ended up finding a great SX-70 on etsy (suprise!) for $20.00. It has the nice brown leather case and is seeming to work fine. Thought even if it didn't work it would make a nice paperweight.
So now I need to dig up some info on how it works, the shutter speeds and what the lighten darken adjustment does. I have some sx-70 artisticz film. I also had the polaroid back for the contax so at a much more reasonable price will give that a run.
One thing for sure is that I am much more aware of composing my photographs with much greater care, looking for something in the simplicity to really make them work. They can create some beautiful images but can also have a very snapshot look to them. Looking for lines and shadows and color more than details and expression. It is a good tool for me to break out of my usual habits.
thanks again for taking the time.
Heather

 

[dwdmguy]

HMB: esty? What is this please?

 

[hmb]

didn't expect to find it here but do a google of etsy and search vintage cameras. wouldn't expect to find working vintage cameras but I think I was lucky with this one!

 

[dwdmguy]

hmb, that is one crazy site.
SO, what did you work out with your Pola Back and Contax?
I'm using the Polaroid 600SE camera now, building a Mamiya Universial Press and they truly are optical giants. Really fine and the path to build up and grow the system is amazing. Just ordered a Ground Glass for up-close portrait focusing. The Fuji Film n these are really, really good as well.

Start getting your "instant" parts now, because film and instant films are on their way back big time. Very clear indicators.....
T

 

[hmb]

So Tom, what would you be collecting? It seems as though polaroid (or now Fuji instant) prints are not as archival as I would like them to be. Should I be looking to get the negs from these peel apart films?
I am going to do some research into what Fuji might be producing in the future. Roll films? what do you know about the future of them?
As for the Contax Polaroid back, pretty worthless, size wise. I know you said it would be small but didn't expect it to be that small, on the corner of the film like that.
I found a nice deal on a Polaroid 102 land camera, in good shape. Might snatch it up.
Nothing like getting sidetracked from tasks at hand !
Cheers,
H

 

[dwdmguy]

Hey H,
I'm not sure what you mean by "collecting" I have quite a wicked answer to the archival question/issue. I really dont care, I'll be dead.......
Ok, that only 1/2 true, I want prints to leave for my son and then his family, but I can't sweat every thing, this should be fun, If I was a HCB et. al., I would be concerned but I do a great number of prints in my darkroom, My son will have plenty of prints for generations, so I try to keep that part light and have fun.

Told ya, that Contax is really useless unless it's for what it was intended for, exposure control, ok, it doesn't hurt to thow a pac in once in awhile but it does not see that much light.

What film does the 102 accept? Remember we are pretty positive that 600 film will be rolling off the production line in 2010 so there is safety with cameras that accept that film.

Really, try to study the Mamaya Press Product and the Polaroid 600SE. There is a gent by the name of Tony Samone that will be beginning cutting plates for the 600se that allow a general 4x5 film holder to be inserted. His rep is outstanding in this field and his machine cutting said to be the very best.
t

 

[dwdmguy]

Oh, sorry, you can in fact get the negs from the Fuji product line, have you checked out the number of videos on youtube that show this, pretty easy but very, very fragile.

I'll tell you what, I have a couple of boxes of PolaPan 55 whereas I have the negs, and they are the most insane Negs I have ever seen in my life. Check flickr for that. It's a long lost film now, but it really is wonderful.

Saving alert, Polaroid twin pack of 664 on sale now at Unique Photo for $13.00 / 20 photos. 664 is a Polapan film also that gives a very nice neg.
I'm always careful with them but they arrived.