Graflex.org

chekung · Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2001 8:35 pm Post subject:

Hey folks what a great forum.
I just got another Speed Graphic. This one came with a Polaroid back adapter. Looks like new.
Does any one know if I can still get film for it and what the type # of it would be?
Thanks, Joseph

LelandRay · Joined: 24 May 2001 Posts: 115 Location: Mississippi

The Graflex.Org page dealing with Polaroid holders and film says that the #500 holder is obsolete. I think the current pack film holder is the #405.

Les · Joined: 09 May 2001 Posts: 2682 Location: Detroit, MI

Polaroid says that the model 500 is obsolete and that anybody that has the next model, the 545, needs to either have it rebuilt or buy the new 545i.

Polaroid has been losing money and market share steadily and is in dire straights for people to send them money.

While the 500 is obsolete, current sheet film (types 52,54,59,55, and others) can work. BUT

The new model 545/545i has a catch in the mecanism that keeps the dark envelope from pulling completely out. The 500 has no catch.

So the trick is to waste a sheet of film and get a reference point. Without putting the holder in a camera, insert a sheet of film all the way and then, pull the dark envelope until it just passes the image area then look at the back and see that "When the letter P in Polaroid passes the edge of the holder, its clear" or something similar.

_________________
"In order to invent, you need a good imagination and a lot of junk" Thomas Edison

Fishhead · Joined: 10 May 2001 Posts: 42 Location: Chicago

I picked up a polaroid 500 holder cheap...

I never used it, nor any other polaroid film. If I were to accidently pull the slide all the way out would it spill chemicals? or is the shot just wasted..

I plan on using it for proof shots for my portrait work. Sometimes this is done at people's houses, on their nice carpet

Is there any chance of chemical spill when using polaroid film?

thanks
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WASHINGTON MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY

LelandRay · Joined: 24 May 2001 Posts: 115 Location: Mississippi

You don't risk a chemical spill UNLESS you let the paper waste get away from you. The processing chemical gell is all over the edges of the paper after processing, and it could definitely get on a carpet. I don't know what damage this might cause, though.

I do location portraiture, but currently I use neither Polaroid nor large format equipment on those shoots, so I guess I'm safe, at least for the time being.

chekung · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2001 3:55 pm Post subject:

[ This Message was edited by: chekung on 2001-06-26 09:01 ]

chekung · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2001 4:05 pm Post subject:

Hi Les,
Thanks for the great tip. I might try and find a Model 545 or 545i on ebay
or such but until then you gave me something to work with. I can tell you
are a true product of your experience.
I started out during the Vietnam period as a Navy photographer for three
years. Then after that photography was more less for fun. Today I'm back
working in the field mixing computers with the science of Photography as much as I can.
I am a collector at heart, going back to the wooden speeds that I was trained
with. Your contact printing sounds very interesting. What kind of subject matter
do you enjoy?
Thanks again Les

Joseph

Fishhead · Joined: 10 May 2001 Posts: 42 Location: Chicago

So I would be safe taking the picture.
Pulling out the polaroid.
Then walking to the sink to tear it open?
________
Triumph Motor Company