Author Topic: Polapan (Read 4746 times)

Ed Wenn · « **on:** July 26, 2011, 12:11:31 PM »

I have no idea why, but it seems that until this weekend I've never used any b/w Polaroid film apart from 665/55. I recently bought a few packs from various drug dealers on evilBay and decided to take it with me to Cornwall. Wow! The results have been fantastic and I'm having a lot of fun. Here is one arty photo and some holiday snaps.

All shots from a Polaroid Land Cam 360 + Polapan film. No scanner here, so I've taken digi photos of these prints with my camera phone.

Fence Post in the Fog by Ed Wenn, on Flickr

Shadows in the Tunnel by Ed Wenn, on Flickr

At Castle Drogo by Ed Wenn, on Flickr

A Line of Cows by Ed Wenn, on Flickr

Francois · « **Reply #1 on:** July 26, 2011, 03:12:48 PM »

Very nice work Ed

I'm quite surprised by the "texture" of the images... especially since it's on glossy paper. Makes them look like some older process...

Looks like you had a good time in Cornwall

sapata · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2011, 05:02:39 PM »

Great shots Ed... I like the last one very much.
Cornwall is such a beautiful place...

Mojave · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2011, 05:51:11 PM »

Love these Ed!!! What type film was it?

Miles · « **Reply #4 on:** July 26, 2011, 06:03:01 PM »

Top fog

astrobeck · « **Reply #5 on:** July 26, 2011, 06:23:05 PM »

Great stuff!
Had to do a double take on that third one...Amy and her detached boots below.

Super good shots!

And wow, Joe is really growing fast!

Miller · « **Reply #6 on:** July 26, 2011, 07:22:40 PM »

Nice Ed, yeah Polapan is quite neglected by the Pola crowd but mighty fine by moi in terms of contrast...

Phil Bebbington · « **Reply #7 on:** July 26, 2011, 08:32:44 PM »

Fine work, Ed. I particularly like the first two.

Have fun and don't forget the sunblock

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2011, 08:45:02 PM »

Hey, thanks for the comments, everyone. This wasn't supposed to be a 'look at me' thread, rather a "Bl**dy hell, how come I have never used this awesome film before?" thread. Interesting what Lord High Miller Time says about the Pola crowd not using it that much. Fits in 100% with my experience. Wonder why this is?

Quote from: Francois on July 26, 2011, 03:12:48 PM

I'm quite surprised by the "texture" of the images... especially since it's on glossy paper. Makes them look like some older process...

My reaction precisely; 'old school' straight out of the pack. I love it. Maybe it's because it's very expired and one of the packs was a little dry, but I've found it hard to get black blacks. The good news on that front though is that I've let a couple of them develop for about 4 hours and they came out just fine. No over development.

Erin: I just have packs, not boxes and all they say on the outside is 'Polapan'. They're ASA100. Miller can probably tell us more.

Becky: The boots! I didn't even see it when I took the shot, but they make me smile every time I look at the print.

Miller · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2011, 10:35:43 PM »

Old skool is where it's at in comparison to 100b and though you canna neg' reclaim it has other advantages I'm digging...

664 Polapan Pro is what you have I'm sure...

Cheap in bulk from our trans-atlantic cousins so I'll drop you a pm Ed ole chap, maybe we can share the booty... Wink

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #10 on:** July 27, 2011, 12:22:35 AM »

Sounds good to me.

Skorj · « **Reply #11 on:** July 27, 2011, 09:13:31 AM »

Just wait until you try some 667 then! You'll wet your battery compartment...

Skj.

Miller · « **Reply #12 on:** July 27, 2011, 10:00:24 AM »

Picked up a stash of 667 at Photographica... Fun times ahead methinks...

Mlr

Skorj · « **Reply #13 on:** July 27, 2011, 11:10:20 AM »

Quote from: Miller on July 27, 2011, 10:00:24 AM

Picked up a stash of 667 at Photographica... Fun times ahead methinks...

Secret - over-expose 1 to perhaps 1.5 stops and then pull back in Photoshop by resetting the Levels - Black Point to a dark gray, and some glorious grain will pop. Have fun!

moominsean · « **Reply #14 on:** July 28, 2011, 12:56:05 AM »

Yeah I love 664. It's also one of the more readily available types, along with 690. Lots on eBay.

Mojave · « **Reply #15 on:** July 28, 2011, 04:56:27 PM »

Skorj, that is just beautiful! I will have to try that technique.

Diane Peterson · « **Reply #16 on:** July 30, 2011, 04:00:54 PM »

Ed....these are all wonderful shots but I must confess I love the first one very much..Hope your holiday was/is terrific!

gregor · « **Reply #17 on:** July 30, 2011, 05:52:27 PM »

Quote from: ed.wenn on July 26, 2011, 08:45:02 PM

Erin: I just have packs, not boxes and all they say on the outside is 'Polapan'. The're ASA100. Miller can probably tell us more.

The original packaging had the number tucked up on the top right corner of the box. The foil wrapper didn't state the type number until they repackaged into the two pack boxes during the last few years of production.

Some sleazebayers assume unboxed polapan pro 100 is a p/n film and I've seen a few examples where starting bids were 75.00 USD.

Crazy?!

There's plenty of 664 to be found and sometimes even on store shelves that didn't pull it when it was discontinued. sleazebay prices are OK but it can be found cheaper in other online outlets.

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #18 on:** July 30, 2011, 09:51:30 PM »

Useful feedback, everyone. Thanks. Thanks to the prompts here I've done some investigating and 664 is indeed to be found in a variety of places including evilBay and seems to be readily available in Norf Amerika in particular at reasonable prices....but don't tell anyone.

It takes a coffee stain reasonably well, but in a much more subtle fashion than the Polacolor 125i and most of you will know how much I love my coffee stained Polaroids. There's nothing like a bit of style to make up for lack of substance

In the one test I did, the print ended up with a subtle sepia cast just before it completely fell apart. Will explorer other possibilities/processes and get back at you.

gregor · « **Reply #19 on:** July 31, 2011, 09:05:54 AM »

it also tales quite nicely to spot toners and overpainting with standard photo dyes, watercolors, etc.

Nigel · « **Reply #20 on:** July 31, 2011, 03:14:44 PM »

Being a bit new to the instant film game I've only ever used the Fuji products. I'd quite like to dip my toe into the Polaroid film before it's just too expensive. I've got a 320 Land Camera, which would be the best film type to look for on the bay, is it 664, or would any suitable type do?

I found a handy list here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instant_film

Ed Wenn · « **Reply #21 on:** August 01, 2011, 12:59:14 AM »

Gregor: Thanks for that. Lots there to keep me busy

Nigel: Get stuck into any of it. It's all good. As and when you land anything, just give me a call and I'll pass on what I know about how best to use it...but really, you can't go wrong.

Chalky · « **Reply #22 on:** August 01, 2011, 07:01:17 PM »

nice shots.

and wow, there is a load of that stuff on ebay USA. wonder if we could do some kind of UK purchase? not so easy to get through customs free any more though...

and hope you enjoyed cornwall, you were just up the road from me...

Francois · « **Reply #23 on:** August 01, 2011, 09:04:54 PM »

I don't know about the UK but around here, a low price on the packing slip or the word "gift" on the customs declaration usually sends the package clean thru.

Chalky · « **Reply #24 on:** August 01, 2011, 09:55:51 PM »

Yes I usually use,the low price/gift method, but I've been stung the last two times... maybe just bad luck!,

Author Topic: Polapan (Read 4746 times)

astrobeck