Polaroid 405 Holder Test Shot
I recently been turned to Fuji-roids and decided to shoot both FP-100C color instant film and the FP-3000B B&W instant film (sadly, now discontinued). After unsuccessfully begging for a holder at LFForum, I succumb to the big auction site and got the Polaroid 405 for their current going rate. Winning the auction made feel ecstatic to start shooting, then it dawned on me that my Wista 45 does not have a Graflok back which these holders require. Another camera that has a Graflok back (e.g. Speed Graphic) would cost me $400 (sheez…). Fortunately, the Wista spring back can really expand; enough to put 2 standard 4×5 holders.
The Polaroid 405 back arrived yesterday and the first thing I did is test fit it to the Wista. Viola! It fits!
Nikkor-W 150mm at F/5.6, 1/15 seconds
Nikkor-W 150mm at F/5.6, 1/15 seconds
Some observations on using the holder and the FP-100C…
Likes:
1) Instant gratification.
2) A negative to play with in the darkroom.
3) Normal lens on a 4×5 is slightly long for this format.
4) I can use my Wista and the lenses I have for it.
5) Polaroid Land Cameras takes these film and they are inexpensive (<$50).
6) At $0.90 a sheet for a PROCESSED positive and negative is cheap.
Don’t likes:
1) Not 4×5 so it has less image info.
2) I have to consciously re-frame for 3.25″x4.25″ format.
3) The big one which I hope I can remedy, it has a blue cast to it and the images are definitely on the cool side. I’m gonna’ have to use it with an 81B or 812 warming filter.
Overall, I’m really late in the game on instant film and wished I had started on this earlier. So far the FP-3000B black and white film are still available and I’m jazzed to test it. Fuji sent the last shipment to the US early this year. I gotta’ stock up before the price makes it unobtainable. After that, FP-100C would likely be on the chopping block next.
Now… what’s an INSTAX?
