problem with removing 55 without processing

hi there,

 

i've been dealing with polaroid type 55 film in a 545 holder for years. every

so often, and moreso lately, i have an issue when i try to remove the film

without processing it. usually i will push the "r" button and pull on the tab,

removing the whole packet without engaging the rollers. but sometimes it seems

the envelope doesn't "catch" back on to the film packet when slid back in to the

holder, because i will be left with an empty envelope in my hand and the film

still in the holder! do you think this could be an issue with the holder or

with old film? i have a box that will expire in a month but i have some fresh

backups as well. i'd prefer to not open the new ones as i'll be flying

internationally and the last time i flew with an open box of polaroid, security

made me toss all my coating rods!

 

thanks!

~christine

Check the retracting 'tooth' inside the holder at the opposite end from the level.

 

I've found that can bend a bit to be too grabby. I just bent mine back a bit with a small screwdriver for the same problem.

whe you flip the lever to "L" an d press the "r" button, you can simultaneously push the packet from the center to move the neg and envelope as a unit part way out of the holder. Then grasp the package below the chem pod and pull it the rest of hte way out. This keeps the neg from separating from the rest of the envelope.

<a href=http://www.skgrimes.com/about/545/index.htm>Field repair info at S.K. Grimes</a> for the Polaroid 545.

Brian,

 

That was a great tip. Thanks!

I just picked up 2 boxes of type 55 to test. I dont know how bad my 545 holder is.

 

Thanks

I have never been able to remove the film packet from my holder (545i) without engaging the rollers. The last time I tried, my film stayed in the holder and I lost the shot. I do it like this now: Take photo etc, flip lever as if you were going to process it, pull film out 5-10mm, flip lever back to disengage rollers, pull film out till you clear the pod, engage lever again and pull the rest of the film out. Works every time for me and the results are perfect every time. Just make sure you don't pull too far on the first step and burst the pod. You'll feel resistance when you hit it so just go slowly and stop when you feel it. Also, you may be wondering why I engatge the lever again at the last step to get the film out of the holder? Well, on my holder, the film wil NOT come out no matter how hard I pull if the rollers are not engaged. Don't know why and I really don't care either ;)