Author Topic: FP-100c deconstruction  (Read 1737 times)

jharr

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,923
  • Humble Hobbyist
    • Through A Glass, Darkly
FP-100c deconstruction
« on: September 23, 2015, 05:02:51 PM »
I have an old Polaroid Land 800 that takes discontinued 2-part film. I have had success putting 4x5 negative film in it and using it that way, but I have been wondering whether I could somehow load some FP-100c in there and use that. I know there is no room for a full pack, but I wonder if there might be room for say 3 shots. The first question for those of you who have more knowledge about the assembly of the instant packs is, is there any way to get a single shot out of a pack and load it into a camera individually? Is this just a dumb idea doomed to failure? I'm okay if it is. I have a lot of those and impending unquestionable inescapable failure usually doesn't stop me from moving forward.
"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera"   -- Dorothea Lange
Flickr
Blogger

Bryan

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,336
    • Flickr
Re: FP-100c deconstruction
« Reply #1 on: September 23, 2015, 05:38:52 PM »
Go for it.  I would try one sheet at a time.  will it fit through the rollers of the 800 or will you run it through a pack film camera?  I would like to know if you get this to work, I have an old roll film camera that I would like to try it on if I can get the film to fit.  My camera takes 30 series film which is smaller than the 40 series film that yours takes so it probably won't fit.  I may have to just cut down some 4x5 sheet film if I want to use it. 

Kai-san

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,562
Re: FP-100c deconstruction
« Reply #2 on: September 23, 2015, 06:39:38 PM »
I'm rather sceptical about this scheme. I tried to find a schematic for the construction of the film pack, the best I could find was this: http://polaroids.theskeltons.org/img/filmpack.jpg
Now this shows only the process of pulling out one sheet, but all the sheets in one pack are linked together in a chain. First you pull the white tab to get the first sheet in between the rollers, and when you have pulled that sheet out, that again pushes out the next white tab on so on. There are some pictures as well on this site: http://polaroids.theskeltons.org/film2.htm
Kai


If you want to change your photographs, you need to change cameras.

-- Nobuyoshi Araki


http://www.kaispage.net/

jharr

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,923
  • Humble Hobbyist
    • Through A Glass, Darkly
Re: FP-100c deconstruction
« Reply #3 on: September 23, 2015, 07:31:01 PM »
Yes, it is nothing if not complicated. I am certain to destroy a pack to figure it out. Even if I can't get it to work, it might be fun. I have also thought of using x-ray film to make a film pack. The film itself is very thin, so one point in favor. But the emulsion is on both sides and is also thin and soft, so one point against. If one side gets scratched, you can bleach it off (losing density, but not contrast), so another point in favor.

But first things first. Let's hack a Fuji pack!
"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera"   -- Dorothea Lange
Flickr
Blogger

Chalky

  • Sheet Film
  • ****
  • Posts: 663
    • Instant surf
Re: FP-100c deconstruction
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2015, 07:35:55 PM »
Yea you could do it but will possibly waste a pic or two. In A dark room or changing bag, load the film into a Packfilm camera to hold it steady, but dont shut the back. Very carefully separate the first white tab from the second, then gently pull it, you should end up with the tab pulling out the pos and neg, joined at one end, but not used as it is dark (so no exposure) and pods ok as not through the rollers. Hard to explain but if you have ever had a packfilm shot get stuck and not come through the rollers, shd had to open the back to remove it, you'll know what I mean! Sounds interesting, good luck!

Francois

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 15,769
Re: FP-100c deconstruction
« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2015, 09:05:27 PM »
Wish you luck but personally, I wouldn't attempt it...
Francois

Film is the vinyl record of photography.

jharr

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,923
  • Humble Hobbyist
    • Through A Glass, Darkly
Re: FP-100c deconstruction
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2015, 10:28:42 PM »
No guts, no glory!!  ::)

Really, though... it's just a pack of film that has been aging in the closet for a year. I don't shoot enough instant to make this anything more than an adventure in satisfying my own curiosity and maybe getting a little more use out of an obsolete camera.
"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera"   -- Dorothea Lange
Flickr
Blogger

Chalky

  • Sheet Film
  • ****
  • Posts: 663
    • Instant surf
Re: FP-100c deconstruction
« Reply #7 on: September 24, 2015, 07:19:46 AM »
Getting it into and processed through the 800 may be tricky, but give it a go, and report back!

Chalky

  • Sheet Film
  • ****
  • Posts: 663
    • Instant surf
Re: FP-100c deconstruction
« Reply #8 on: September 24, 2015, 07:21:13 AM »
Or its not too hard to convert it to packfilm permanently...

Ed Wenn

  • Global Moderator
  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,300
  • Slowly getting back into it. Sometimes.
Re: FP-100c deconstruction
« Reply #9 on: September 25, 2015, 02:37:40 PM »
I get where you're coming from re the adventure aspect of it, but unless you have a particular desire to have that particular camera take pictures for you, then you might be better off just using a compatible format instant camera  (or an MF/LF camera with an instant back) to use the film up with.

Kai-san

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,562
Re: FP-100c deconstruction
« Reply #10 on: September 25, 2015, 05:54:02 PM »
The 800 should be excellent for converting to 120 film. You could build a 6x12 pano camera!  :)
I'm pondering it myself..........
Kai


If you want to change your photographs, you need to change cameras.

-- Nobuyoshi Araki


http://www.kaispage.net/

jharr

  • Self-Coat
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,923
  • Humble Hobbyist
    • Through A Glass, Darkly
Re: FP-100c deconstruction
« Reply #11 on: September 25, 2015, 08:05:42 PM »
The 800 should be excellent for converting to 120 film. You could build a 6x12 pano camera!  :)
I'm pondering it myself..........

Hmmmm...
<wheels begin to turn>
"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera"   -- Dorothea Lange
Flickr
Blogger

Chalky

  • Sheet Film
  • ****
  • Posts: 663
    • Instant surf
Re: FP-100c deconstruction
« Reply #12 on: September 25, 2015, 09:02:46 PM »
Think ezzie has done that?