Is there a replacement for Polaroid type 52 film!

[spurvis]

I work in a research lab and have used a Polaroid 545 land film holder for 24 years to take all my photos. I use Polaroid type 52 4x5 black and white film but it has been discontinued. Does ANYONE know of a film that I can use as a replacement, that will fit this holder? Thanks for any help!!
spurvis

[Michael N. Meyer]

There is no replacement for any of Polaroid's sheet film materials that will fit your holder. I always loved Type 52 and am sad to see it go.

The only instant films now available are pack films from Fuji. You will need a new holder for it.

[vinny]

the only instant film that'll fit your holder is polaroid.
The closest thing to black and white instant film in 4x5 is fuji's 4x5 pack film which isn't sold in the u.s as of yet*. japanexposures.com has the film in several speeds. They also make a smaller size pack film but only in 100 and 3200asa which will work in a polaroid 405 holder. Do a search here for previous posts on fuji instant film.

I did get confirmation from fujifilm this morning that 4x5 b+w pack films will be sold in the u.s. in a couple months.

vinny

[Frank Petronio]

The practical answer is to simply use a digital SLR. But you might consider setting up a simple B&W darkroom and running conventional film. It's what people did before Polaroid, and now after. You can see a negative in ten minutes, put a loupe on it and inspect it for informational purposes. If you need prints you can make contacts or get an enlarger.

[BrianShaw]

T-52 had a really unique look, Frank. I'd like to know more specifically how to replicate that look in film or dgiits!

[Dan Schmidt]

What are you using the polaroids for?

Most labs including mine have switched over all of the optical and electron microscopes to digital capture.

[spurvis]

I'm taking pictures of gels. Yes, we have digital cameras here but I'm old-fashioned, I don't like them. I don't like the quality of the instant print-outs. It looks like I'm not going to have a choice, though.

[venchka]

Perhaps the printer and paper are at fault for the less than appealing digital imaging?

[Gene McCluney]

You "can" get Fuji pack films that fit in either a Polaroid or Fuji pack-film holder that will fit on most modern 4x5 cameras. It is thicker than the single-sheet film holder, but will still slide in under the ground-glass, or attach in place of the ground glass back on graflok equipped cameras. This is a different film holder from the single-sheet holder you now use for Type 52.

[venchka]

Polaroid Holder 405 for the 3 1/4"x4 1/4" Fuji material.
Polaroid Holder 550 for the 4x5 Fuji material.

Fuji also offers holders.

[spurvis]

Thanks, I'll look into those holder/film combinations.

[Onestepbeyond70]

You might be interested in this:

http://www.polapremium.com/shop/film/4x5inch

[VintageCameraEtc]

There are still packs of Polaroid 52 film out on eBay that are "new." I personally have a stock pile of 2007 exp. Polaroid 52 film and if you still are interested - send a PM.

I hear people use this film to make X-rays, is that true?