Instant Film Backs for V System

[Daniel Unkefer]

Please enlighten me.

I have a Model 100 Instant film back, which I use with Fuji 100C Color film. I like it alot, and am ordering more film to use in it. Also I am looking at a second back, an NPC model, which will work with my HC2 and other prisms. It is a pain to change the viewing system around, just to shoot a 'roid.

There is also Hasselblad Polaplus (I see) and Arca Swiss instant backs. Am I gaining anything with either of those? I also see 100, 400, and 3000EI B&W instant films available, so it will be good to have a second back.

Anybody using the NPC with the 500C/m and 500EL/m?

 

[polypal]

I have all three backs and like you I use the NPC back to go with the NC 2 finder.

The "100" and the PolaPlus are basically the same back suitable for Fuji Film.
The PolaPlus is the later model with some minor improvements.

Arca backs use an older type of instant film that is no longer available.

The 100 and the PolaPlus are probably the best buy in the s/h market.
They go for less 5 - 10% of the MRP!

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

Paul,
It look to me, that the NPC will fit the 500C/M, but probably, not the 500EL/M. Is that right?

To shoot a 'roid on the EL/M, is removing the prism and using the Model 100 still the best choice? I see them available from about 10US dollars, up to over a hundred. I guess some people don't know about Fuji Instant Film! BTW it is -far- superior to the old Polaroid emulsions, especially the color material. And, much cheaper for instant feedback, than a medium-format digital back, but still over a dollar a shot. But well worth it, if you make 'em count

 

[polypal]

Hello Daniel,

The NPC does not work with the EL series while it collides with the motor part of that camera.
The only solution is to look for an NC2-100 prism.
That prism is slightly modified and allows for a Pola back to be used with any Hasselblad from the V series.
Check KEH they had one last time I looked.

Fuji does make very good instant film.
To brighten up the IF scene instant film is again produced in the old Polaroid factory in the Netherlands.

Former staff of Polaroid and an Austrian enthousiast were able to start with a new IF process.
The key part of the old Polaroid film, both a machine and the chemicals, was no longer available.


Paul

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

Well I have learned something new today

Paul,
It turns out I have three regular NC2 prisms, and already have one NC2-100! I wasn't aware of the -slight- difference, my reference catalog is from 1979, and the NC2-100 is not in there. KEH does have several NC2-100s in the $45 price range, grabbing another one should solve my prism problems, when working out in the field, and wanting to do a 'roid, without changing everything all around. After testing my NC2-100, it works just great on my ELMs and 500CMs with the Model 100. I also eventually buy an HC3, I have the HC4/70 which I use with my 70mm backs (I will explain about this stuff in the future).

If I want to use the old original Meter Prisms (I have three of them) with Instant film, I think I will have to get an NPC back for those to fit properly on my cameras.

Model 100 backs seem to be very plentiful, often very inexpensive, I will soon find a spare or two. I want to order the 400 speed B&W film (only available from Fuji in Japan). www.unicircuits.com is the best source.

I also need to restock my supply of FP100. I was never a fan of color polaroid.

 

[polypal]

Although important the difference between the regular NC2 and the NC2-100 is so small you need to have both to notice it.

The NC2 still enjoys many followers.
It is the prism with the largest magnification.

They are from the early days of the Hasselblad company.
That still does not make them useless. Many enthousiasts will agree to that.

 

[jim_lukow]

Thanks for starting this thread and the information you've supplied.
The 500c/m kit I received as a gift contained a polaroid back - I was getting curious if I wanted to try it out or not.

I guess currently the need for instant feedback hasn't really occurred.

I think those of us that grew up exposed to polaroid probably still think its kinda neat.

Jim

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

It is the prism with the largest magnification./quote]

Paul,
I don't think the NC2 is useless. If I did, I wouldn't own four of them
I appreciate your expertise, now I see I would like to have another NC2-100, and maybe sell my third NC2. Then I will be set for anything that comes along.

NC2/NC2-100 is my favorite prism. I also like the metered one, but that's just me.
Thanks for helping me sort all this out. I do tend to like the earlier stuff, myself.

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

I think those of us that grew up exposed to polaroid probably still think its kinda neat.

I grew up with it, to me it's an invaluable tool for testing images. And yes it is also fun to get the instant gratification.

Buy a pack of Fuji FP100 color and try out your Polaroid back, you might find it's great fun, to peel 'em open.

 

[polypal]

Buy a pack of Fuji FP100 color and try out your Polaroid back, you might find it's great fun, to peel 'em open.

Careful!

Jim may not have the 100 or polaplus back.
He could have the "80" back.
No more film for the 80 back available.
At least Fuji does not supply that film.

Maybe the new pola company in the Netherlands is going to make film for that back again.

 

[jim_lukow]

Careful!

Jim may not have the 100 or polaplus back.
He could have the "80" back.
No more film for the 80 back available.
At least Fuji does not supply that film.

Maybe the new pola company in the Netherlands is going to make film for that back again.

Just looked at the back . . .
on the Hasselblad tag above the name Polaroid is . . .
100 !

I guess our friend's uncle made good choices.

Jim

 

[polypal]

Just looked at the back . . .
on the Hasselblad tag above the name Polaroid is . . .
100 !

I guess our friend's uncle made good choices.

Jim

I think uncle simply bought the back at the time the 80 was already obsolete............

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

Today I picked up two more Model 100 backs, to use with the different Fuji emulsions. I also called B&H in New York City and ordered 5 packs of FP-100C (color glossy), 5 packs FP-100B (100 B&W spd), and 5 packs of FP-3000 (3000 B&W super-speedy). And I am inquiring with friendly Dirk at Unicircuits in Japan about getting the FP-400B (400 B&W). Interestingly, B&H still has a lot of Polaroid pack film for sale, but it is about 2X as much as the Fuji, as far as I can tell. And B&W only.

 

[polypal]

USA supplier of "Fujiroid" with friendly prices:



http://www.melpiercecamera.com/proddetail.php?prod=4902520233912

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

In the USA B&H has the best price, for fresh Fujiroid:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...5200784_FP_100B_Professional_Instant_B_W.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...35626_FP_100C_Professional_Instant_Color.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...0772_FP_3000B_Professional_Instant_Black.html

You can also find it on Ebay, but it is more expensive!
That is a good price ($7.25) for short-dated FP-100C

Unicircuits in Japan has the FP-400B (about 2X!):
http://www.japanexposures.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=32&products_id=80
Just ordered three packs from Dirk!

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

I have sort of gone "Instant Film Crazy" this week....

Saturday I took my 500C/M with meter prism, and went shopping at the local pro outlets, for the NPC backs. Glad I had the camera with me, I tried fitting on about twelve different ones, two had a nice solid feel, with no looseness/sloppiness of fit. So I bought two nice NPC backs, to use with the 500C/Ms, when I use the meter prism (I am thinking of out in the field, not in my studio). Also got a pile of expired free Polaroid film from one of the dealers. It is -FUN- to see the image instantly.
Polapan Pro 100, Polacolor 690 & 679.

Bought another NC2-100 from KEH, so that gives me two of those to use. Are they difficult to take apart, to remove dust in the interior spaces of the prism??

 

[polypal]

"Bought another NC2-100 from KEH, so that gives me two of those to use. Are they difficult to take apart, to remove dust in the interior spaces of the prism??"


Difficult is related to the expertise and skill you have, hard to say.

Most NC2s could do with a piant job.
That is a good reason to take the prism apart and clean the glass elements.
These acquired dust and often have a thin layer of particles that reduces clear images.

My expertise is heresay.
I am lucky to have a good technician who does these jobs for me and returns the prisms in as new condition for a modest compensation.




NC2 rebuilt




Paul

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

Packages are arriving here for my Instant Film Project. Fifteen packs of film so far, in three speeds. The NPC back I bought which fits tightly(ten I tried did not fit tightly) has a problem with the rollers not properly squeezing and spreading the chemical pods, so it's going back to the local store, maybe they will swap the rollers for me, for a set that does work properly.

400 speed Fuji B&W has been shipped from Unicircuits in Japan. It is only available over there.

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

I have ended up with three good Model 100 backs, to use on my ELM's, with my NC-2/100 and HC-4 Prism Viewfinders. One back for 100 color, one for 100 B&W, and a third, for 400 B&W or 3000 Speedy. And of course they also work with my 500CMs. But previously, I had no way to do instant photography with a prism on the EL/Ms.

I also now own two good NPC backs, I will use on my 500CM with the old Meter Prism, like when I am working outside. Again, one for color and one for B&W.

These backs were 300+US when I first bought my new 500CM, back in the late seventies. Now I can buy good (properly working) ones for $30-$40 price range. So it makes sense to me to go ahead and have access to all the available instant emulsions, to work in both my 500C/Ms and 500EL/Ms.

It has been a bit of work to pull it all together, but it is well worth it to me. I have always enjoyed running test exposures prior to shooting regular film. With all this new equipment, this is a true luxury for me. And why not, the cost is -very- reasonable!

 

[Daniel Unkefer]

Here's my Instant Photography System

Three Model 100's, Two NPC's, Four kinds of Instant Film.

I'm set for a while.