What holder do I need for FP100C?

[BetterSense]

I've never shot instant film and I don't know how it works. However I can get at least ten boxes of FP100C color instant film for $15/box. I think this is pretty cheap--is it? That's not much more expensive than good B&W film, and I could use the film for proofing, I suppose. I understand that I need a special back to shoot it, though. I have a Speed Graphic with a Graflok back. Do I need a special Fuji back, or some kind of polaroid back? There are many different kinds of Polaroid back I have found.

[Roger Thoms]

Just film has FP100C for a $10 box in quantities of 5 boxes. I have bought film from them, they're good outfit. They also list on 1 Fuji holder in stock. New holders aren't cheap but considering what used ones go for new might not be such a bad idea. As far as Polaroid back I beleive the 405 is the one you want. Maybe so one can confirm this.

Roger

[SW Rick]

B&H has the film for $8.49/box. I used it in my MF pack film (intended originally for Polaroid pack film) holder- you can buy used Polaroid pack film holders for 4x5. I'm sure Fuji has new holders as well.
There's also 4x5 Fuji instant film, which requires a special Fuji film back (I think it can also be used with the Polaroid 550, but NOT with the plain old Polaroid 4x5 single sheet holders).

[Jiri Vasina]

BetterSense, FP100C is a 3 1/4 x 4 1/4" in size and can be had new from BHPhotoVideo for $8.50 per 10sheet box. What you probably have in mind is FP100C45, which is 4x5" in size, and for $29 from the same vendor.

If you intend to only use it for proofing, I'd recommend the smaller size (3 1/4 x 4 1/4"), which can be used in a Fuji PA-145 holder - it' significantly cheaper and yet almost the full 4x5 size. (I think the Polaroid 405 holder will also accommodate this film, but please check it elsewhere).

If you want to use the larger size, and your price I assume is for the larger size, then you can use the Fuji PA-45 holder. I don't remember the Polaroid holder that can be used for that one.

I shoot the smaller 3 1/4 x 4 1/4" size in the PA-145 holder, with a MPP Micro Technical with a Graflok back. Good setup, have some nice results, but I use them mostly for family occasions, so do not post them on the web.

Jiri

[BetterSense]

Someone on eBay says the #500 holder will work with the FP100C-sized film. Is he wrong?

I'm not sure now what size the ones I can get locally are. I had thought they were 4*5 but all it says on the package is FP100C. I must be able to get an inexpensive holder or I won't be able to afford to shoot any instant film.

[Jiri Vasina]

The price for the PA-145 holder I have was on the order of $50-$75 (I don't remember that well). It will fit a 4x5 graflok back, the exposed area is approx. 9x11cm

If there is only FP100C on the package, it's the smaller one, and then your price is too high. Go to B&H website, search for FP100C and compare those 2 results you get (images of the boxes) with the one available to you. If it's the 4x5 it might be worth considering, the smaller ones not...

Jiri

[Frank Petronio]

Polaroid 550 holder = Fuji PA-45 : either for the larger, more expensive 4x5 PACK film. These slide into the camera's back or can be clamped with the Graflock clamping bars with the ground glass back removed. You can find used holders in the mid-$100 range on eBay, the Fuji and Polaroid are similar.

Polaroid 405 = Fuji PA-145 ; for the smaller, less expensive pack film like the old Polaroid 669. Same as what people used in the medium format backs, etc. People tend to use these with the Graflock clamps unless their camera back has a large enough "throw" to open up wide enough to allow it to "seat" into position (it is not a "slide-in", more of a "set-in"). You can find used holders of either type for $80-$100 USd on eBay and elsewhere. The Fuji model has a metal darkslide, as did the older 405 models.

Fuji names their instant film the same regardless of size, so be sure to check the FP-100C or FP-100B or FP-3000B is the proper size for your holder (price should be a tell-tale).

Note that the old but very common Polaroid 545 series holders are for the single sheet 4x5 films, which are no longer being made by either Polaroid or Fuji (but old stock is sold on eBay for high prices).

As with all of the instant film holders, you want to confirm that the rollers are clean and all the parts are in place. Some photographers put them away broken and dirty 10 years ago....

Hope that helps. The solution I use is the PA-145 with Fuji Fp-100C or B, and an old 545 for when I find the older film for cheap.

[Jim C.]

Frank's post is pretty comprehensive and on the money, but I do have to correct one thing, Fuji does add '45' after the film name to designate it's 4X5 instant pack film not the smaller 3 1/4 X 4 1/4 size, so FP100C45 is color, ISO 100, 4X5 instant film.

This Fuji data/spec sheet will also help -
http://www.fujifilmusa.com/shared/bin/fp100c-pi.pdf

[Compact Diss]

Bringing up an old post found through search.

I recently purchased a Polaroid Type #500 4x5 film back, I purchased this film to use Fujifilm FP-3000B Instant Black & White Print Film, ISO 3200, 3-1/4x4-1/4", Pack of Ten (10). Looks like this film holder will not work, BUT is there any instant film on the market, easily available that i can use with the #500 film back?

Thanks!
Joe

[towolf]

BUT is there any instant film on the market, easily available that i can use with the #500 film back?

Nope. But there might be this sooner or later (http://new55project.blogspot.de/2011/12/frequently-asked-questions-about-new55.html)

[Winger]

Nope. But there might be this sooner or later (http://new55project.blogspot.de/2011/12/frequently-asked-questions-about-new55.html)

Echo the nope and add the fact that the new55 is said to not work with the #500, but only with the newer 545 holder.
The Fuji 3000B pack film you want to use is discontinued, too, and only old stock will be what's available soon (or maybe already). It's great stuff, though.

[Compact Diss]

Thanks for the insight. Looks like developing and printing is the way to go, no easy way out to get started...

[Winger]

If you can get a Polaroid 405 holder, that will take the Fuji 3000B and 100C (there's still some 3000B out there). With the 100C, once it's dry, you can get the backing off the negative part and make a negative that can be scanned or used in an enlarger (just takes gel toilet cleaner).

[photonsoup]

I just saw a polaroid 405 on the auction site for $75.00 buy it now w/free shipping. it was not labeled as a 405, but it is one. the fp3000b works great in it. I really liked that film. Amazon is still selling it for $20.00 a pack (http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-FP-3000B-Instant-Single-images/dp/B00017LSK8/ref=sr_1_1/176-8447224-6997224?ie=UTF8&qid=1408579313&sr=8-1&keywords=fuji+fp300b)