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[ebrown27]

I picked up a 545 from ebay (it has not arrived yet) and do not know what shape it is in. It was said to be working OK although not too pretty, shows that it has been used. I ordered Polaroid 55 film. This is supposed to be either neg or positive - I think as yet I do not know how it changes from one to the other. The blue box of 55 arrived today. Is the film sealed inside. How do I put it in the 545 when I get it? One sheet a time or does the 545 take the 20 sheets of 4 x 5 that is in the box? Where can I find some instructions on using the 545 and Polaroid 55 film. The film cost too much to ruin a few sheets or the whold pack. As you can tell, I do not know anything. I used to use a 21/4 x 31/4 film pack on my little press camera that I bought from the old General Camera Sales in Chigago.That is as much as I know. Appreciate any light you can throw on this subject.

[ This Message was edited by: ebrown27 on 2005-01-20 16:54 ]

[Dan Fromm]

[RichS]

Open the blue box... There should be a film instruction sheet inside...

The film is in a sealed conatiner inside the blue box. Don't open that till you're ready to shoot it. They come in individual sheets that are used one at a time.

Go to the Polaroid site and download the instructions for both the 545 and the film here:
http://www.polaroid.com/service/userguides/photographic/protech_ug.html
The 545i holder instructions will be good enough as the holders are almost identical and function tha same way.
The spec sheets for the film offer a little more info than what you'll get out of the box...

You should also buy some sodium sulfite for clearing the negatives. That info is in the instructions and you can probably buy it from where you bought the film.

The positive and negative are two different things. It doesn't change from one to the other, it is both just like any other photo process. The difference is that you can generally only use one or the other. This is because they have different speeds. Try ASA 50 for the print and 32 for the negative. These numbers will give you results and a good starting point.

After you get the holder, read the instructions and try it, see if you need any other questions answered. It's all pretty simple once you've done it...

[ebrown27]

[ebrown27]

Opened the box, nothing except a sealed package of film inside along with 4 vials of print coater, that are no instructions at all. I will call Polaroid tomorrow and see what they have there.I am downloading instructions for using the 545i.

I am not familar with sodium sulfite. I have sodium theosulfate - fixer on hand. I received the Polariod film from NYC and here I am in north Mississippi. I miss the local photography shop with all the film and chemicals one might need but they are disappearing. Two years ago we had one local shop, today the nearest is 90 miles away.

I will try Google see what info that I might find.
Thanks
Ed

_________________
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.
-- Unknown

[RichS]

Try here for an example:
http://www.photoformulary.com/DesktopModules/StoreProductDetails.aspx?productID=780&tabid=9&tabindex=2&categoryid=0&selection=0&langId=0&Search=sodium%20sulfite

"sodium theosulfate - fixer" is something totally different...

Many places sell the sodium sulfite so it's not hard to find, but usually does have to be mail ordered...

The film data sheets, 545 book and tip sheets available at Polaroid will give you all the info you need.

If there's any doubt, just ask

[ebrown27]

Thanks, I have found most everything I needed on Polaroid's site. But they left a few questions unanswered so I am going to call them this morning. Polaroid is too expensive to use very often but I do not have a dark room set up yet, to develop regular sheet film. I want to do some test shots with it. From what I see on the Polaroid site is that when I open the sealed package of film the film is still sealed as indvidual packages per sheet. While checking through the site I see they have film packs that fit some type of holder for a 4 x 5 camera. I have not seen one on sale on ebay and I would venture that if bought from Polaroid it would be expensive.

_________________
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused.
-- Unknown

[t.r.sanford]

Briefly, each sheet of film for the "545" back is in its own opaque paper envelope. There is a metal lip, or flange, crimped onto the end that goes into the holder first.

The holder has a two-position lever. In one position, the developing rollers are apart, and a latch that engages the metal lip is tensioned. In the other position, the rollers are together for developing, and the latch is open.

Whith the lever in the "liad" position, you push the packet all the way in, and you hear a little click as the flange slides under the latch (on the left end of the holder, when you're behind it).

Now, you pull the paper envelope, or sheath, out, gently, to the right. It has a cardboard batten glued to it that is intercepted by a stop inside the holder. You feel the resistance when it's time to stop pulling.

Now make your exposure, push the paper sheath back in vigorously (wiggle it if necessary to insure it reengages the metal flange snugly), and move the lever to its "process" position. This closes the rollers and opens the latch. Now, pull the packet smartly to the right -- the action required for all "peel-apart" films since the old six-exposure rolls.

The other holder, the "550," works with film packs that look just like the common 3¼x4¼ ones, but are 4x5. It works the same way as the "405" holder for the smaller packs.

[t.r.sanford]

...should have written, "With the lever in the load position..."

Also should have noted that the metal tab is crimped to the sheet of film inside the paper sheath; that sheath just nests under the flanges on both faces.