Should My School Invest in (4x5) Fuji Back+Fuji Instant Film?

<p>Hello,<br>

I recently found a stash of 4x5 Polaroid color and BW film at the high school where I teach. I have found it an invaluable tool to show how the view camera works, for metering/lighting setups, explaining pinhole, etc. I guess you could say that I have become dependent on it this year as a teaching tool, and the kids have a fun time using it. In this world of digital everything, believe it or not, some of them really like film and they really like the idea of getting an image and a negative at the same time with Polaroid, especially when experimenting with lights and posing in the studio. For some kids, my darkroom course is one of the only classes not done on a computer.<br>

Ok, so I know I missed the party, that Polaroid instant is kaput, and our Polaroid back will be a paperweight after we take about 30 or 40 more shots. I know there is a Fuji back and there is Fuji instant film. I spoke with one very nay-saying guy at Calumet who basically told me not to waste our money, that Fuji barely ships their instant film anymore. But he also said that because of digital, that film is going to disappear, and that I know is untrue, so I'm left skeptical and a bit confused. Film may not be as popular anymore with commercial photographers, but there is still a demand, especially with fine art photographers, and where there is a demand...<br>

So should we buy the Fuji back and film? Give me some pros and cons.<br>

Thanks,<br>

Jerry</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Your best bet would be fuji pack film (3 1/4 x4 1/4), cheap as can be, and readily available from nearly any Fuji retailer. I wouldn't place too much weight on what the Calumet guy said, opinions are like, well never mind, you get the idea.</p>

<p>Although the film comment is suspect, generally the Calumet guys are pretty good, so I might call someone at BH and see what they say about the Fuji--explaining the school thing and budgets!</p>

<p>But yes, instant film is a great way to demonstrate and teach (I am somewhat surprised the Polaroid is working for you, it was never any good after its expiration date even when refrigerated--maybe you had some of the last made!).</p>

<p>The Fuji 4x5 is a pack film as far as I know. I don't know that there is a back for the 4x5 that allows using the 120 pack film made by Fuji, but their 120 film works in the Polaroid backs that use the 120 size. I never used Polaroid pack film in my 4x5's, but that might be something to look into.</p>

<p>hey somebody told me polaroid is back its called global something did anyone heard about it?<br />called the guy and look into this address<br /> http://www.the-impossible-project.com/projects/</p>

<p>Regarding <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.the-impossible-project.com/projects/" target="_blank">http://www.the-impossible-project.com/projects/</a>, I've been very disappointed with the quality of film I bought for my SX-70 (no color fidelity, and chemical smell). I've used fuji instant film with my large format, and can't say enough good things about it (it comes in color and black and white) and I've always found it in stock at B&H.</p>

<p>If the Polaroid film you found is the sheet film (Type 55, 69, etc) you might see if there is a professional photographer nearby who is stuck with this obsolete piece of equipment and could use a write-off for the donation. That way you are free to finish off the film and not have to buy a back. Even if you have to buy one, it might go as little as $10 or even just pay shipping.</p>

<p>If the film is the 4x5 Pack type film, the holders for those are the same as the current Fuji FP100c45/FP100b45 (color or black and white). My students haven't had problems getting the film, but my suggestion to you, if you want to use instant film for demonstration purposes, I would get the 3-1/4x4-1/4 pack films (Polaroid #'s were 108, 665, 669 etc. Fuji makes FP100b and F100c) and holders. They are much cheaper than the 4x5 versions. Just make sure you are not ordering the 4x5 versions since the numbering is so similar.</p>

<p>Not sure Fuji makes a holder for the smaller pack film and a 4x5. Polaroid had a holder, the 405 as I remember, that worked with a 4x5 and held the 120 size film--which is compatible with the Fuji film as well.</p>

<p>Jerry, when I taught darkroom to high school students a few years ago I had others from the digital class come across, look at what we were doing and complain "all we get to do is use the computer". Several tried to change courses. Film is tactile and that helps to make photography feel real, especially for young people. If it helps young people learn, why not use it? </p>

<p>I've just bought a new Fuji PA-45 film holder and two boxes of FB-100B45 for instant B&W. I've seen a print from the FP-100C45 and it looked great. An architectural photographer told me that the Fuji holder achieves better film flatness than the Polaroid 405 holder. </p>

<p>But the Fuji back only holds the larger film pack, if you can get the film, it certainly is the way to go. The 405 holds the more readily available 120 size.</p>

<p>It's not really 120 size, though many think that because it was popular on MF cameras, the film size is actually 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 and isn't all that much smaller than 4x5 in reality.</p>

<p>The Fuji 4x5 Color Pack Film quality is breathtaking. I have two folders with examples. <a href="../photodb/folder?folder_id=747193">(Link)</a> <a href="../photodb/folder?folder_id=420601">(Link)</a> I certainly hope that Fuji continues to produce it. <br>

FWIW, framing with the smaller pack film will be off center in a 4x5 view camera. It could be confusing.</p>

<p>The Fuji 3.25x4.25in pack film works in all the older Polaroid land cameras as well as in Polaroid backs for medium format cameras- stuff that accepted the type 100 film. As far as I know it works in the Polaroid backs for view cameras that utilize type 100 film(sorry I don't know the model number). It does not produce a negative.</p>

<p>You can get a back for a view camera made by Fuji for it's 3.25x4.25in film, but it will cost at least 75 dollars (that's what it was when I was considering one). Or, you can get a Polaroid back made for that size film, and it will probably be a lot less (30-50 dollars I would guess).</p>

<p>Don't bother with the 4x5in Fuji instant film. It costs 3 times as much on special order, where I live at least. Also the backs that are made by Fuji for it will be over $100 (but it's likely the one you have will work with the Fuji 4x5 instant film- I couldn't tell you for sure). Not sure if it produces a negative.</p>

<p>As for the impossible project, I wouldn't spend the money on their film. The only 4x5 film they have at the moment that will work with your Polaroid back is more expensive per pack than it would be to replace your view camera. No joke. Also the type 100 film they have right now is of inferior quality to the Fuji stuff and will cost twice as much (excluding shipping, which will make it cost three times as much). The impossible project will be exciting as soon as they start producing enough film that one pack costs less than a fortune. At the moment, it's somewhat useless, especially for your purposes.</p>

<p>Here's what I would do: If you have a few boxes of the Polaroid type 55 film that you can guarantee, sell them on eBay. It's extremely valuable stuff. I can't tell you how much you'll get, but my guess is that it will be enough to buy a few boxes of the Fuji 3.25x4.25in instant film and a back to use it in(again, look for a back made by Polaroid for use with type 100 film). If the film you have isn't type 55, then your initial investment in the Fuji instant film will still be under $100.</p>

<p>Before loading film into a used Polaroid back for the first time, be sure to clean the rollers with a damp paper towel. Also, I like to clean them between each pack. (That's advise I wish I had had before I used an old Polaroid back for the first time)</p>

<p>I must say that I am extremely jealous of your students. I'm a senior in high school, and our print photography program, while it is definitely the best in the area, doesn't go nearly as far as yours clearly does. I wish my teacher could teach me how to use a view camera, develop sheet film, etc. Your doing your students a great service.</p>

<p>People have recently discovered that you can reclaim the negative from the Fuji instant pack films. There's a lot of information on Flickr about this. I've tried it with the FP-3000B and it works great. Just treat it in Heico Perma Wash and scan it. It's similar to the old Pola 665. You can also remove the black coating on the back of the FP-100C with bleach to make it a negative. Give it a try.</p>