Shen Hao and Polaroid Backs

Can anyone confirm for me if there is any problem using a Polaroid 545 or 545i

back on the Shen Hao?

 

Thank you.

I have a Polaroid 545 pro and a shen hao and since i have used it i have never seen any adverse affects... Can you specify what problem you are having? someone on here may know of a problem... i hope this will help you correct the problem if your having one...

Hi Ted, thanks for the response. I do not have this camera. I wanted to be sure I learned of the limitations before I make a decision on a camera. You answer helps though. Thanks.

I have a 545, not sure if it is i, but certainly not pro. Haven't noticed any problems either. It is a bit heavy but at least in normal shooting positions it hasn't caused trouble.

<p>Here is previous discussion of Polaroid holders on She Hao cameras: "<i>Shen Hao 4x5 question</i>" at <a href="http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00EwGH">http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00EwGH</a>.</p>

A limitation i've mentioned before is the cameras ability to hold focus with the shen hao

roll film holder. I bought the 6x12 holder a few years ago for about $400 and it's

worthless on my camera, not to mention it's leaky light trap. The weight of it flexes the

camera enough to buzz the focus so you won't get sharp negs as you will with standard

sheet film holders. This focus issue may be a problem with other heavy rfhs as well.

Eric, I used the Polaroid 545i, Kodak Readyload and Fuji

Quickload holders on my Shen Hao HZX-IIA45 with no problems.

 

BTW, if you're going to use Readyload or Quickload backs too,

be aware that even if the sleeved single sheet films of all three

manufacturers are physically identical and fit into each others

holder, not every film WORKS with every holder.

 

Nevertheless, Readyload and Quickload films work well with the

Polaroid 545 holder, as I can confirm from personal experience.

 

Friedemann

<p>Works for me:

<a

href="http://pig.sty.nu/Pictures/pigpix.q?dir=shen-hao-back">inserting

the polaroid holder</a>;

<a

href="http://pig.sty.nu/Pictures/misc/experimental/half_lily-type55-contact-1.jpg">sample

Type 55 contact-print</a>

</p>

<p>

 

Only thing I'd say is make sure it's thorougly inserted - I have

been known to get a bit of light-leak off the bottom/left edge

(resulting in a patch of flare-style reduced contrast) if not

careful when using the 545 holder. Otherwise fine.</p>

Oops. Ignore my first link; that's `how to insert an ordinary film holder', not polaroid-specific.

A Polaroid 545 back is about the same thickness as an ordinary film holder and slips under the ground glass back. AFAIK, a 545 (or any of its more modern incarnations) will fit on just about any 4x5 camera.

 

The 405 back is more problematic. Before I bought my Zone VI, I asked Calumet specifically if it would work with a 405, and they assured me that it would. My experience is that it will work, but - - - the 405 is thicker than an ordinary film holder, so it does put more stress on the camera back to slip it under the ground glass. I don't think the stress is necessarily harmful, however. The other issue is that the 405 has a built-in darkslide, and its handle sits very close to the body of the camera. As a result, when I try to grasp the darkslide handle with my fat fingers, I tend to lift the holder away from the camera body. The result is that if I'm not careful, I will fog the edge of the film.

Wow. Thank you for the fast and very useful/informative responses.

 

Great group of people on this board!!!

 

Erik.