3 replies to this topic

[MJL]

I am all in for The Impossible Project and Lomography still supporting films, but sometime when I look at some of their gadgetries, the word “Why-Tech” pops up in my mind.  Being a long time Polaroid user, I pick up a “Why-Tech” accessory for Nikon film camera from a Pro last year and would like to share with you why I think some “inventions” are Why-Tech.

 

The NPC ProPack is a modified Polaroid Instant Film Back that uses a fiber optic block to transmit the image from the film camera film plane onto an instant film.  There is a small pull tab that will move the film into another position to allow a second 35mm image to be made on the same sheet.  This is really handy for determining exposure & lighting ratio in flash photography before digital age, and was very popular with Medium Format users.  I have attached a few photos below to explain.

 

Well, the problem is – unlike the 6X6 counterpart, the film inside a 35mm film camera cannot be remove once it is loaded – so if you want to recheck exposure in the middle of a roll, tough luck.  Likewise, there is no blind slide to protect the unexposed instant film when the ProPack is removed from the 35mm camera.  Oouch…   Why have not they thought of this no-no?

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[Merco_61]

We had one permanently mounted to an old, battered F2 that we used to check overall lighting, balance between the light sources and shadows for product shots. Using it for proofs was never easy, because the Fuji filmpacks we used were about ISO 80 if I remember correctly. That "about" was the problem, they were never quite consistent and drifted in sensitivity as they aged. We tried to buy stock so that we were always at 6 months before expiry date.

Neither I, nor my boss felt any kind of loss when we got the first Leaf back for the Hasselblad and could scrap the proofing camera.

[MJL]

Interesting.  The Fuji instant film must have improved because those I used for last couple years are very consistent around ISO 100.  I am very thankful that Fuji is still making color pack film for my Polaroid 110A & 600SE, although they are going to stop the B&W.

[Merco_61]

I think I read something in the late nineties about Land's patents running out, perhaps Fuji did something to improve their chemistry then?

/Peter