polaroid transfers + travel?

Hello!

 

So I'm going to be backpacking in Italy and France for a couple of months this

summer, and I'll be keeping a sketchbook with writings, pen and ink stuff, and

watercolor. I've seen a lot of polaroid transfer stuff but never done it myself,

and was thinking it would be really awesome to have that kind of photographic

image alongside of sketches.

 

I've read up on which cameras take the 669 film [100,200,300, or 400 series

Land, + a few others that tend to be more expensive, yes?], but I certainly

don't know what the strengths of any one of them are, or whether it is feasible

to plan to haul one of these cameras all around, especially on top of the other

couple of cameras I am planning to bring. Or whether it will be feasible to do

these image transfers in hostels, etc.

 

So, essentially:

 

-Polaroid image transfers + backpacking?

 

-if yes, recommended model of camera?

 

 

thanks sooo much!

 

robin

Robin, sounds like great fun! I would recommend a 250 or a 360. Replace the battery and run some film through it before you go. Google the Land List if you haven't already. Enjoy!

That sounds like a fantastic idea! I would strongly recommend this book "Polaroid Transfers: A Complete Visual Guide to Creating Image and Emulsion Transfers" by Kathleen Carr so that you know ahead of time what to do and how to deal with any problems that might come up. I also suggest, as the other post already did, that you try some before you go to get the feel of it.

 

I'd love to see the end results when you get back!

 

- Randy

Get yourself a Daylab machine, shoot regular 35mm film on your trip and then use the Daylab when you get back to do your Polaroid transfers...

 

http://www.daylab.com/

The Daylab idea is a good one, but if you really want to take a Polaroid camera with you, my suggestion would be the EE100 or "The Reporter" models. They are exactly the same as the ProPack, only they use flashcubes (obsolete but not impossible to find) instead of the dedicated electronic flash. Not an issue if you are shooting outdoors. The cameras can be had for about $10 and, best of all, they use AA batteries available at any drug store.

It would be awkward to do this on the fly, as the process involves warm water, rollers, drying space, etc. Polaroid sells a kit that includes everything that you need (or used to), but it's not the most portable of processes. The Daylab idea is probably the best way to go.

 

I believe that the 5X4 Polaroid sheet film can be processed later, so that's another possibility. You could take along a pinhole camera or an old Graphic, which aren't that much larger than the older Polaroids. (I have a 110a conversion; it's large.)

A daylab would be the easiest way to do this. Just remember to shoot slide film. Polaroid is

a positive process, so you need to start with a positive--in this case a slide.

Daylabs cost $50 to $300 used to new.

 

I would stick with your original idea, especially if you want to do it while traveling. Personally, I think the fact that you don't have the best access to materials while you're traveling will make your sketchbook look even better. I can imagine that you'll be affixing your image transfers and letting it sit to dry over the course of an hour or two. Not perfect, but then you end up with a really neat travel book with some warped pages and some dye stains here and there. I think it'll look like a work of art by itself in the end. The whole concept of image transfers is NOT perfection... you like the rustic, old, imperfection of sketches, watercolor, etc. Your travel book is a perfect medium for this.

 

Someone suggested getting the EE or Reporter models. If they are anything like the ProPack, do NOT get these. The ProPack (I have one) isn't pro at all! How could anybody call the ProPack "Pro" when it doesn't even let you focus!! I'm serious. No focus except for turning the front lens to where you THINK the object is. 3 feet, 6 feet, etc. I mean, I can do that on my Holga already. I want focus control. Maybe the EE and Reporter DO have a rangefinding focus capability. If they do, then get one of those because they're small.

 

Whowever, if that whole series cannot focus with a rangefinder, then get one of the 100-400 series automatics. They're all automatic except for the manual 180, 185, 190 and 195. But those four cameras will cost you at least $200 each.

 

Pick up a 250, 360 or 450.

 

250 is very common, has no timer so you'll have to count for yourself. Other than that, it's the same as the 360 and 450 for the most part. It requires 1 special battery you can find at BatteriesPlus and good camera stores (Hunts Photo and Video in the Boston area carry them). Get the 268 flash unit and M3 bulbs.

 

360 has a dedicated electronic flash system that usually doesn't work anymore. But it has an electronic timer. You need to buy 2 special batteries (one for timer, one for shutter) you can find at the same locations I mentioned above.

 

450 has an improved flash system which uses "hi-power" magic-cubes. Less dedicated than the 360, so you can work through problems more. Electronic timer, same as 360. Needs the two batteries, same as 360.

 

You CAN use other models like the 100, 101, 320, whatever, but they're just a little inferior to the ones I mentioned. Lots more plastic and stuff, less control over different kinds of film, etc.