polaroid 4 x 5--which/where to buy?

[rbiemer]

Thanks to a fellow enab--I mean RFF member😉 -- I am getting a pinhole camera which uses a Polaroid 4 x 5 back. Been poking around the internet a bit looking to see what's available for film.

Choices are becoming limited--Polaroid's own site has 4 or 5 films listed as "in stock"; are any of these current production?

How long out of date should I consider/worry about?
And, lastly:
Where do you folks recommend buying from?
Thanks!
Rob

 

[rogue_designer]

If they've been refrigerated, they tend to keep pretty well. I still shoot some type55 and Type 54 (Pro100) that is two years out of date without worry.

The color films are a bit more finicky.

I buy mine from Helix or Central Camera in Chicago, but since I live there, it's easy.

B&H and Calumet should both have fresh supplies and fast shipping to you.

 

[dreilly]

Rob,
I use the Fuji variety (100 color and b&w, 3000 B&w). I suspect that fuji will keep it in production longer than Polaroid...there's always a niche for retro technology in Japan. The Fuji film is cheaper by a bit, and the cheapest prices I found for it are at B&H in NYC. Oh, actually, that is for pack film, not sheet. Not sure about sheet, but at least try B&H and see what they show.

In terms of out of date, it seems that it doesn't last as long as negative film, the chemicals can dry out. Still, there's anecdotal evidence of folks having success with recently out of date film and beyond.
Hope that helps!

cheer
doug

 

[venchka]

Badger Graphics and Precision Photo & Video in Austin, TX both had Type 55 in stock the last time I looked, about 1-2 months ago. I assume you have a Polaroid 545 model back? That one takes Polaroid P/N film as well as Kodak & Fuji normal film in Quickload/Readyload format. You will need the clearing chemicals and some means of holding the negatives for clearing and washing. The Polarid web page has all the information.

Hey, Memphis, that Konica looks just like mine. Dad bought it in Japan in 1950 or 1951. I'll check the serial number. Fantastic camera! Is your lens the 3.5 or 2.8? Leicas wish they had a shutter as smooth and quiet.

 

[Pablito]

I have shot a lot of Polaroid 4x5 over the years and in my experience, it is almost always no good if it's outdated. Further, I've even had problems when it's SHORT dated. And it was always stored under good conditions, in the refrigerator or at normal room temp.

 

[rbiemer]

Thanks, y'all!
Lots of good places to start.

Gee, Memphis, around here "enabler" is a term of endearment...

And I'll need to sort out a scanner of some kind to share results, but this really is looking like big fun!

I hadn't thought of using the Quick/Ready loads in this back; this could be trouble. Trouble with a capital $!

My interest in this daylab camera and the back is two-fold: I haven't done any big(ish) format pinhole in a long while and this will work easiest for not having a darkroom.
And, I have been getting some GAS for one of the Bender View cameras--something to do indoors when I'm back up here(Adirondack Mountains) Jan, Feb, and March next year. And I was thinking "polaroid" for the camera to start with.

So the Camera Fates all converged to let me get the camera and back from Memphis just in time to learn it a bit before the snow flies!

Just need to stop looking at the FK and FKD cameras from the FSU...
Rob

 

[David Goldfarb]

B&H always has fresh Polaroid in stock and usually the best price or close to it.

I'd avoid past-date Polaroid film. The pods dry out, so you're likely to get undeveloped corners, and color film is prone to color shifts.

 

[venchka]

You do know that the Polaroid Type 55 P/N film thingies can be inserted into the back, exposed and then removed for "developing" later? That would work well for The Great Frozen North. Expose outdoors. Re-insert into the holder and develop indoors after the film has reached room temperature.

 

[Gumby]

I have shot a lot of Polaroid 4x5 over the years and in my experience, it is almost always no good if it's outdated. Further, I've even had problems when it's SHORT dated. And it was always stored under good conditions, in the refrigerator or at normal room temp.

ditto. Polaroid processing pod dries out at some point so out-of-date product is quite dicey - good for experimenting but no good for anything where a "guaranteed product" is needed. Even when refrigerated, Polaroid can be sensitive to how it is stored - should be stored flat rather than on the side since the chems in the pod can migrates and cause uneven coverage.

 

[Dektol Dan]

As others have said, but...

As others have said, but...

Stay away from out dated Polaroid, you may have luck but then...
Be very careful refigerating it. Never freeze it. If you read what Polaroid says it should never be refrigerated at all. A cool room laying flat is what they suggest.

 

[adietrich]

re: polaroid

re: polaroid

rbiemer,

I absolute love the type55. Here is my favourite example after some "duotoning".
My problem with outdated film was, that the washing/cleaning of the negative became much more difficult. I can tell you that you will really hate yourself after you destroyed your neg. with too much scratching.

-a

 

[rbiemer]

a,
Beautiful!
I'm getting excited about this polaroid pinhole camera and will post my results when I can.
Rob

rbiemer,

I absolute love the type55. Here is my favourite example after some "duotoning".
My problem with outdated film was, that the washing/cleaning of the negative became much more difficult. I can tell you that you will really hate yourself after you destroyed your neg. with too much scratching.

-a