Author Topic: Instax processing with Polaroid rollers? (Read 21148 times)

Jack Johnson · « **on:** July 31, 2015, 05:12:01 AM »

I'm thinking of shooting some Instax in my pocket Graflex (2x3), but I don't have an Instax camera for processing the film afterwards. I've read of people using rolling pins, pencils, etc., with mixed results.

Does anyone know if the rollers from a peel-apart Polaroid camera are close enough to do the job? I thought it would be cake to temporarily remove them from one of my cameras to use inside a dark bag.

tkmedia · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2015, 12:49:04 PM »

tricky and doable, but was never able to get 100% spread.

Francois · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2015, 02:47:32 PM »

Look for old photocopy machine parts. They have nice polished steel rollers that can crush anything.
I used one for spreading rock hard pods from some polaroid 4x5 film

tkmedia · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2015, 12:56:00 AM »

for alt rollers, I always find that the areas farthest away from the reagent pods have a harder time spreading evenly.

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2015, 06:11:10 PM »

Thanks, everyone!

My local grocery store carries Instax film, so I'm going to pick some up this afternoon and experiment.

Hopefully I won't explode a pod inside my dark bag.

Francois · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2015, 09:10:18 PM »

Nah! These things are pretty solid. I once dismantled an Instax print to see what was inside and what looks like paper is actually some type of metallic tape.
Just make sure you put something flat and solid in the bag before pressing it with the rolling pin.

BTW, the instax goop is jet black...

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #6 on:** August 03, 2015, 03:23:43 AM »

I saw a blog online where someone had used a rolling pin and it blew black goop everywhere, so I was a little paranoid.

First try through the Polaroid rollers, similar development patterns to everyone else on the Internet:

20150802-001 by Jack Johnson, on Flickr

With the next couple of tries I tried making a paper sleeve to help grab the pod and pull it through and it made it easier to get started, but the development turned out the same. I thought I might try something like an envelope to see if it'll put a little more pressure on it.

Still a metric ton of fun.

Bryan · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2015, 04:20:34 AM »

Jack, How did you fit the film in the 2x3? Does it slide into the holder easily? I'm wondering if I could get it in a 4x5 holder. I have thought about taking some pack film out and loading it into a 4x5 holder, not sure how it will fit though.

I look forward to seeing how the envelope method works, that may just give it enough pressure to spread the goo evenly.

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2015, 04:38:30 AM »

It's a little bit of a tight fit. It goes in easily, but the pod end gets squished under the latch end, so it takes some oomph to get the darkslide in and out. Nothing major, but not fast and easy, either.

Francois · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2015, 02:47:59 PM »

Maybe you should consider making a custom jig to help with the process... A bit like the 8x10 polaroid processor...

tkmedia · « **Reply #10 on:** August 04, 2015, 12:44:11 AM »

the best result is of course to reinsert the film into a instax cartridge. insert into instax camera and fire off the shutter with the lens covered.

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #11 on:** August 04, 2015, 03:54:36 AM »

There's only one model of Instax camera that interests me, so I'm trying to avoid the extra purchase.

I did another test, trying to sandwich the film between two index cards. I was pretty proud, because it fits and it makes it really easy to get it started through the rollers, but no luck:

collage_20150802212320641 by Jack Johnson, on Flickr

...and, it was just enough pressure to blow out the goop a little. I thought I would try just one index card next, though I'm not sure if I should put it on the front or the back. I'm thinking the back.

Though I wouldn't want a ton of them, I kind of like the resulting print. It's growing on me. It's like a dream remembered.

I'm also curious about the two semicircles of darkness on the pod side. I think it might have to do with the way I'm gripping it, pulling from the center. I've been thinking of a way I could use something like a paper clamp to pull it through the rollers, but I'm not sure it'll be strong enough.

Bryan · « **Reply #12 on:** August 04, 2015, 04:59:43 AM »

Very dreamy, I like it!

Francois · « **Reply #13 on:** August 04, 2015, 02:41:14 PM »

You could always make something with a crank... Look at how printing presses are made.

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #14 on:** August 04, 2015, 02:50:30 PM »

I like that idea, especially together with your earlier one. Rollers from something like a copier would already have gears attached.

Hoping for smaller and lighter, though. Maybe from something like a toner cartridge? Oooh, or a dead OneStep, etc?

Francois · « **Reply #15 on:** August 04, 2015, 08:50:01 PM »

A dead one step would work.
Or an old Kodak Handle or EK4...
Or a camera that takes pola 80 film

Ezzie · « **Reply #16 on:** August 04, 2015, 10:10:51 PM »

The rollers on the cb103 etc type backs can be removed for cleaning. They are also available as parts. Seen them on ebay now and then. I would try to build something around one of them.

Francois · « **Reply #17 on:** August 04, 2015, 10:24:42 PM »

I wonder if taking some round steel stock and simply cutting to size, threading the ends and assembling in two slotted steel pieces with strong springs wouldn't be easier...

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #18 on:** August 04, 2015, 11:30:31 PM »

I did some research between socks this morning and I think I'm going to try rollers from a Spectra. They're geared together, and it would be easy to test the spacing before getting too deep in construction.

Bryan · « **Reply #19 on:** August 04, 2015, 11:47:51 PM »

Quote from: Jack Johnson on August 04, 2015, 11:30:31 PM

I did some research between socks this morning and I think I'm going to try rollers from a Spectra. They're geared together, and it would be easy to test the spacing before getting too deep in construction.

If you had a used Spectra film pack with a working battery you could probably have the motor run it through when you close the film door.

tkmedia · « **Reply #20 on:** August 05, 2015, 02:50:01 AM »

never tried but I would think that a kodak instant camera with the non-motorized hand crank film ejector would work.

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #21 on:** August 05, 2015, 03:03:54 AM »

I didn't realize those were hand crank. Very cool. I'm going to have to keep my eyes peeled! Thanks!

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #22 on:** August 05, 2015, 05:33:02 AM »

Well, turns out I have a Polaroid TheButton which has Spectra-style rollers. Tried them, and no luck. Popped the goop pods, and based on the developer pattern I wonder if the pack film rollers aren't too tight as well. It's almost like they need consistent pressure instead of consistent spacing.

Ezzie · « **Reply #23 on:** August 05, 2015, 12:49:44 PM »

If you were to spend money on this then Lomography do make a stand alone Instax back with hand crank.

Francois · « **Reply #24 on:** August 05, 2015, 02:37:13 PM »

But the link back is sure to cost more than a used instax.. The one I use cost me 10 bucks at a garage sale.

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #25 on:** August 05, 2015, 02:39:18 PM »

I've seen those, but it looked like they were about the same price as an Instax camera, and I couldn't tell if they had a darkslide or something similar.

Something like the Diana back with a darkslide would make it easy.

tkmedia · « **Reply #26 on:** August 05, 2015, 06:45:30 PM »

the ones with the hand crank iirc are the Kodak EK2 / Kodak EK4 / EK20 / EK22 / The Handle / The Handle 2 / Coke Happy Times / Pleaser / pleaser ii...

Francois · « **Reply #27 on:** August 05, 2015, 09:06:48 PM »

Quote from: Jack Johnson on August 05, 2015, 02:39:18 PM

I've seen those, but it looked like they were about the same price as an Instax camera, and I couldn't tell if they had a darkslide or something similar.

Something like the Diana back with a darkslide would make it easy.

I don't think that Lomo would have bothered adding a darkslide to their backs. But it should be easy to hack one together that works on 4x5.
I'm thinking about using an old DDS and cutting it up, fixing the instax back in it so that the film distance is the same as for the regular film... making sure the crank still can turn or making a crank shaft extension...

jojonas~ · « **Reply #28 on:** August 06, 2015, 08:58:46 AM »

I came to think of Kavin Kadooka and his experiments. he didn't seem to find the cheapest rollers though, he custom ordered them if I remember right

Album: Pentax 67 Instax Back - Kevin Kadooka

ah, I linked to his album for it but if you go to his stream you'll find some videos too where he descibes it and shows how it works
https://www.flickr.com/photos/frostedbutts/

6cmsquare · « **Reply #29 on:** August 08, 2015, 07:10:28 PM »

Hmm, I like this idea. Polaroid instax fits perfectly in my cut film holders for my Mamiya, and to roll it (being a chef of an Italian restaurant) I have about a dozen old pasta rolling machines.... with easy to calibrate, stainless steel rollers. I'll try it and report back.