Ready Loads

[Michael Kadillak]

I am considering 4x5 readyloads and wanted to check in with those that know what is available in holders and film selections. I see that Fuji offers a holder an d I believe that I heard that Kodak has a new holder. Another concern I have is related to film plane accuracy and sharpness with the readyloads.

What films are available in B&W and color for the readyloads from Kodak and Fuji and how is the sharpness? Does one manufacturer have an advantage over the othe r and are the films interchangable in the others film holder?

Thanks in advance

[Matt_1193]

This should answer most of your questions.

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/products/films/readyload/r eadyloadMain.jhtml

[Ellis Vener]

None of my local dealers stock the new (single sheet per packet) design of the Kodak Readyloads yet. The problem seems to be that they are being phased in as new stocks are ordered and since no one is buying the existing (two sheets per packet) stocks... (That is some catch, that Catch-22!)

I have been relying on the Fuji Quickload and Quickload holdr for many years now. I understand that, like Kodak, Fuji will be launching a color negative (I beieve NPC) and a new black and white negative emulsion (ACROS 100?) in Quickload sometime this year as well, maybe by summer. In the meantime you can get these Fuji E-6 films in Quickload: RVP (Velvia); RDPIII (Provia 100F); & RTPII (64TII) -- a 3200K balanced emulsion).

Personally I've never had a sharpness or a groundglass to film plane alignment problem with either of my cameras or Fuji Quickload holders. I have had a sharpness problem, particularly towards the edges of the long sides of the frame when using both the Fuji and the older style of Readyload packets when used in a Polaroid 545i holder.

[John Hennessy]

<and how is the sharpness?>

The Fuji holder (and Kodak too I think) is spring loaded and therefore holds the film flatter than the usual plastic holder.

One thing though is that you need to protect the film before and after use. It comes in a sturdy box but is subject to creasing while handling which will cause a light streak on the developed film. There is a Rubbermaid food container just the right size for about 20-25 sheets that is sturdier than the original box. Don't store the holder with film or it will damage the film by creasing it while in your case. Another caveat about which you can do nothing is wind. On a windy day, the paper dark slide is hanging in space flapping around unlike the removable dark slide of a conventional holder.

One can only hope that Illford and Agfa get in on the fun and put film up this way. You can carry much more. Hopefully all film will be interchangable with all holders too.

[adam friedberg]

nps quickload has been out for about a month now. fuji said they do not have plans for npc quickloads. at least not for now.

unofficially, i was told by a sinar rep (will remain unnamed) their precision holder wasn't better than fuji ql in fuji's holder for film flatness. and, yes, i know this is just hearsay.