Graflex.org

[hd002e]

Hi,

I recently got a polaroid 4x5 back for my speed graphic. The back looks like this:

http://www.intofoc.us/ebay/images/polaroid500b.jpg

polaroid land 500 back

I am trying to figure out how to use Polaroid 56 film with it but I cannot figure it out for the life of me.. Can someone please help?!

Thanks,

hd

[RichS]

hd, you don't really specify if you're asking about the 500 holder or the film, or maybe both?

For the holder, a quick search of the forums will supply all the info you may need, such as:

http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?topic=4343&forum=3

and

http://graflex.org/helpboard/viewtopic.php?topic=2100&forum=4

For film specific questions, a more specific question may help. The basic info is included in the box. The full data sheets and 545 holder operation is available from Polaroid's web site (which I can't get to work right now)...

If you have more specific questions that we could help with, ask...


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"Ya just can't have too many GVIIs"
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[Doug Kerr]

Hi, hd,

Here is how to use Type 5x (e.g., 56) film in a Polaroid 500-type back.

Current film does not work properly in a 500-type back unless a special procedure is used (which I describe here). The reason is that the current film does not interoperate properly with the latches in the 500-type back that stop the envelope from coming completely out of the holder in step 4 below.

1. Take a film pack. Look at the side labeled "This side toward lens". Note the little "center target" (circle with a superimposed cross). Using a felt-tipped pen, make a circle about that same diamater on the other side of the pack in the same location.

2. Put the lever in the holder in the "load" position.

3. Slide the film pack into the holder in the direction shown by the arrows. The side marked "This side toward lens" goes toward the lens (!). Push the pack in firmly - it is necessary that the metal strip on its far end engage a latch inside the holder at the left end.

4. When you are ready to shoot (i.e., when you would pull the dark slide on a sheet film holder): Grasp the tabs and pull the "envelope" to the right carefully until the circle you drew just emerges fully from the mouth of the holder. If the envelope comes all the way out the pack is ruined.

5. Shoot.

6. Push the envelope all the way back into the holder (this is like replacing the dark slide).

7. Move the lever to the "process" position.

8. Grasp the tabs and pull the whole pack smoothly, fairly quickly, completely out of the holder.

9. Wait the indicated development time.

10. Peel the pack apart, starting at the tab end. Remove the print.


The newer 545-type back works properly with current film: You do not need to make any special stop mark (Step 1), and in Step 4, the envelope is pulled until is is stopped by the internal latches.

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Best regards,

Doug

[ This Message was edited by: Doug Kerr on 2006-11-09 22:44 ]

[Joe Koski]

I use an alternative approach. I take a long nylon wire tie and wrap it around the bar on the back of the Polaroid 500. Then with it sticking out to the right, I cut the tie to length as a gauge of how far to pull the envelope. For storage, the tie can be folded back against the Polaroid 500.

Joe