Fujifilm brings 4x5 instant black-and-white film to US

[bmattock]

http://www.adorama.com/alc/news/Fujifilm-brings-4x5-instant-black-and-white-film-to-US

FB-100B is a peel-apart panchromatic film designed for large format cameras that accept instant film backs. The film is primarily designed for proofing for professional and commercial photographers. Image area is 3.5x4.5, and images are fully developed in 30 seconds. The film is available in 10-sheet packs which are currently available for under $29. While Fujifilm offers a 4x5 PA-45 Pack Holder ($205), the film is also compatible with Polaroid's 550 back—which, used, costs about the same as a new Fujifilm Pack holder.

 

[Pickett Wilson]

$3 a pop for 3.5x4.5 images? Doesn't sound appealing to me.

 

[Trius]

Well, a meter doesn't tell you if your lighting WORKS visually.

Another attraction of instant film has been its unique look, combined with its true uniqueness as an image.

I'd love a replacement for Type 55, especially if it had the same character. And if they fixed the difference for proper exposure between neg and print, that would be sweet.

 

[Rayt]

I am actually having a 110B conversion made incorporating the PA-45 back. I shot some very fast FP-3000B45 with my SW45 and was very impressed with the grain, tonality, etc. I shoot 4x5 for contact prints and scan and this is a viable substitute for my uses.

 

[BTMarcais]

I saw that announcement today too... oddly enough we've had this film in stock at the camera store I work at in Berkeley for a couple of months now....?

(and the color for a couple years)

-Brian

 

[amateriat]

I call this a win. And, as Bill would likely say, if you want/need this film around, and want to see it stick around (for a while, at least), go buy it. I'm just amazed Fuji is doing it, and am thrilled, even though I've nothing to shoot the stuff with.

Of course, I was thinking about a Holgaroid some time back...may be time for me to put-up-or-shut-up.

Edit: Bill: Nearly forgot...does this yield a negative as well as a print?


- Barrett

 

[shadowfox]

The film is fine, it's the holder's outrageous price that I can't swallow.

I don't care if that format has a cool look, but I'm not paying $100-200 for a plastic box.

Fuji should go all they way by lowering the price of the new holder, that will force those clowns selling used ones on ebay to lower their prices also. Otherwise, I don't see a lot of point bringing this film to the US if only a few people will buy it.

 

[bmattock]

I call this a win. And, as Bill would likely say, if you want/need this film around, and want to see it stick around (for a while, at least), go buy it. I'm just amazed Fuji is doing it, and am thrilled, even though I've nothing to shoot the stuff with.

I didn't say that, but I admit I was thinking it.

Of course, I was thinking about a Holgaroid some time back...may be time for me to put-up-or-shut-up.

Edit: Bill: Nearly forgot...does this yield a negative as well as a print?


- Barrett

I'm not sure, but I don't think so.

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products...ilm/fujifilm_instant_films/fp_100b/index.html

The tech sheet talks about folding the negative up and discarding it - nothing about treating and/or keeping it.

 

[lightshot]

The only thing you can really do with the negative part is to wait just a few seconds after shooting and then make a contact print out of it. Fuzzy, imprecise, and best used for alternative art not photography. However it does kind of wreck any chance you had for a decent photo.....

Holgaroids are habit forming.

 

[imajypsee]

actually, you can make a negative from Fuji FP100b

actually, you can make a negative from Fuji FP100b

there's a lengthy discussion happening in the Flickr Polaroid forum

http://www.flickr.com/groups/polaroid_/discuss/72157618948828028/

I've tried it and had crappy success, mostly due to excess developer left on the negative

and washing it off in tap water causes the emulsion to go soft and ruins it;

my attempts are not panning out, but others have done it. Supposedly using some fixer helps. The FP100c (color) is less problematic.
It's also very messy....

I didn't say that, but I admit I was thinking it.



I'm not sure, but I don't think so.

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products...ilm/fujifilm_instant_films/fp_100b/index.html

The tech sheet talks about folding the negative up and discarding it - nothing about treating and/or keeping it.

 

[monochromejrnl]

$3 a pop for 3.5x4.5 images? Doesn't sound appealing to me.

if you were a professional photographer that relied on large format equipment you'd probably find that $3 a pop to confirm exposure is well worth the money when on a commercial shoot...

 

[Jamie123]

if you were a professional photographer that relied on large format equipment you'd probably find that $3 a pop to confirm exposure is well worth the money when on a commercial shoot...

Even if you're an amateur this isn't that much. Where I live it costs more than $4 more to have a sheet of 4x5 (c-41) processed so $3 to check with a Polaroid isn't too bad.

 

[BTMarcais]

Yep. I remember being in college 10 years ago though, and the on campus lab would do 4x5 for 1$/sheet, c41 or E6.
And polaroid was STILL about 3$ a sheet!

(a bit less for b/w a bit more for color)

seems almost a better deal now.

-Brian

 

[MCTuomey]

I picked up a 550 on eBay for less than $100 earlier this year and will try the fuji product to work on my technique (LF newb). I think it'll work for my needs, being cheaper than burning and dev'ing 4x5 sheets for practice exercises. But it's still pricey.

 

[rjporter]

I second the motion for Fuji to make a type 55 (or at least 665) clone. I have about a half a box left of 55 left for special projects. it's like gold. All my favorite stuff from college was on 55, and blown up to 20x24 and virtually grainless. I ran out and bought a pack from my local store when they were down to their last case ever. sweet.

 

[lightshot]

there's a lengthy discussion happening in the Flickr Polaroid forum

http://www.flickr.com/groups/polaroid_/discuss/72157618948828028/

I've tried it and had crappy success, mostly due to excess developer left on the negative

and washing it off in tap water causes the emulsion to go soft and ruins it;

my attempts are not panning out, but others have done it. Supposedly using some fixer helps. The FP100c (color) is less problematic.
It's also very messy....

The second one looks really good!

 

[rphenning]

that second one is insane. I love it.

 

[JohnTF]

It has been interesting in pinhole work as well.

The holders vary widely in price at the photo shows. Not unusual for someone to sell a 4x5 outfit in a large case with Graflex, film holders, and Polaroid holder, for basically the price of the camera.

Are they still making film packs of sheet film that work in the Polaroid holders?

4x5 Polaroid are another tool to work with, the more the better.

Regards, John

 

[jedrek]

You can get FP-3000B (also b&w polaroid film) for $9.95 at B&H, that brings down your price/pic down to $1/frame. FP-100B is even cheaper.

I've been buying this film for years, I'm not sure why Adorama had a release about it in September 2009...

Anyway, here's a technique to extract the negative from sheets of FP-100B - supposedly the fuji films self-terminate development, so this technique won't work with polaroid pack films: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pacorocha/sets/72157619006319867/

 

[Frontman]

I like the 100b film, it scans well, and is still cheaper than the cost of a regular 4x5 + developing. And it really works well to evaluate your exposure settings. Large format is a rather complicated process, and it's nice to be able to verify what kind of image you are going to get without having to wait for your film to be processed.

I use the old Polaroid back for Fuji film, the Fuji back is simply a xerox copy. Keep an eye open for old passport cameras at flea markets, pawn shops, or junk shops. I paid $22 for a passport camera with a perfect Polaroid 550 back.