A Guide to Using Polaroid 4 x 5 Sheet Films For people who work in a variety of ways. Tips, techniques and inside information designed to help you get consistently good results with Polaroid 4 x 5 sheet films. What’s inside w Processing tips relating to 4x5 w Film processing: How films and proper use of 545 fast to pull...and how to get family of film holders it straight! w Polaroid 4x5 films: The big w Type 55 P/N film: 4 x 5 Sheet Films picture Positive approaches to good negative results (peeling w The inside story abut 4x5 techniques; sodium sulfite instant film solutions) w The 3 critical keys to quality w Making sure your prints images and images last a long time w Storing, handling, loading w Picture problems and processing Polaroid films and problem prevention w If it’s hotter or colder than w Toll-free help and technical 75oF (24oC)... assistance Polaroid 4x5 films: The big picture Please keep this booklet Polaroid 4x5 sheet films for within reach of your use with the Model Polaroid Model 545 545, 545i, and 545 Pro film film holder holders The information in this booklet is designed to help experienced Color and occasional users of Type 59, Polacolor ER, Polaroid 4x5 sheet films get (ISO 80/20o) good pictures... avoid some Type 64, Polacolor Pro Tungsten common picture-taking (ISO 64/19o) errors...perform a few simple, routine, preven- Type 79, Polacolor Pro 100 Polaroid 4x5 sheet films (ISO 100/21o) tive maintenance checks... and are available in two types: get expert assistance when Polacolor Pro 100 instant and wet-process needed. (International only) (E6) films. These 4x5 films (ISO 100/21o) This booklet covers in are used in the Polaroid quick reference form much Model 545 film holder. Black & White of the material contained The Model 545 film holder in the instructions originally Type 51, High Contrast is designed to fit most packed with the Polaroid Positive/Negative 4x5 field and view cameras; o Model 545 film holder. Please (ISO 640/29 Positive/Daylight; microscope and oscilloscope o consult those instructions ISO 400/27 Positive/Tungsten; cameras; the Polaroid MP-4 when first learning to use the ISO 80/20o Negative/Daylight; ISO 50/18o Negative/Tungsten) camera; and the Polaroid film holder. CU-5 4x5 camera. (See note Type 52, Fine Grain Film Data Sheets covering below.) (ISO 400/27o) most Polaroid films used for business, technical, medical Type 53, Medium Contrast and professional applications Coaterless (ISO 800/30o) are available at no charge on Type 54, PolaPan 100 the Web at www.polaroid.com. Coaterless (ISO 100/21o) Type 55, Positive/Negative (ISO 50/18o) Type 56, Sepia (ISO 400/27o) Type 57, High Speed (ISO 3000/36o) Type 72, PolaPan 400 (ISO 400/27o) If you use Polaroid instant Note pack films The image area of Polaroid A similar booklet is available 4x5 instant films used 1 1 to users of Polaroid 3 /4 x 4 /4, with the Model 545 film hold- 1 4x5 and square-format pack er is off-center about /8 in. films. To obtain a copy, call (3 mm) toward the thick end Polaroid Technical Assistance of the holder. For extreme at the toll-free number given accuracy with 4x5 cameras on page 2. making test shots is recommended so that the exact image area can be marked on the ground glass. On the Polaroid MP 4 camera this area is marked on the ground glass. 1 The inside story about 4x5 instant films Technical Assistance & Film How the system works Data Sheets Each Polaroid instant For further information 4x5 sheet film envelope about Polaroid 4x5 sheet films, contains all the elements or for information about other needed to produce an instant Polaroid films, products, and picture. Inside, there is a applications, film assembly consisting of call toll-free from within a light-sensitive negative, the U.S.A. at 800-225-1618 a positive sheet, and a pod Monday through Friday, containing the developer. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time. Or, write to: The rollers inside the Polaroid Model 545 film Technical Assistance holder are used to break the Polaroid Corporation pod and spread the devel- 201 Burlington Rd. oper between the exposed Bedford, MA 01730 negative and positive sheet. Clean rollers are important For assistance outside the in achieving a smooth, con- U.S.A., consult your nearest sistent spread; they should Polaroid Office. be inspected and cleaned reg- Film Data Sheets covering ularly to assure high quality most Polaroid films used for results. (See page 12.) business, technical, medical and professional applications are available at no charge on Exposing and processing the Web at www.polaroid.com. The positive sheet is with- drawn during exposure, then re-mated with the negative inside the envelope before processing. Pulling the envelope drags the film assembly negative, pod, and positive sheet between the rollers. The pod bursts open and the developer is spread between the positive and negative. It is important to pull the film straight and at a steady, moderate speed to cause the developer to spread evenly. (See page 3.) Development begins immediately, outside the film holder. After the proper processing time, the finished picture is peeled away from the negative. (See page 5 for important tips about handling developing pictures.) 2 The 3 critical keys to quality instant images 1 2 3 Keep the processing Note the temperature... Pull the film straight rollers in the and time development Always pull the film film holder clean accurately envelope straight out of the Make it a habit to inspect You can take Polaroid film holder. The film and clean the roller surfaces pictures at any temperature. should be pulled parallel to regularly, and especially But, processing time and the film holder. If the before each picture-taking the temperature of the film camera is positioned so that session. at the time of processing affect it is difficult to pull straight, picture quality. Ideally, remove the film holder, Cleaning the rollers is easy. Polaroid films should if possible, for film pulling. Use a soft, non-abrasive be processed at about 75oF cloth, moistened with water Pull at a steady, moderate (24oC). If the temperature if necessary. Dry the is much higher or lower, speed. Saying the word rollers thoroughly before you may need to adjust pro- Polaroid is a good way to use. Do not use alcohol cessing times and/or time the speed of the pull. or other cleaning fluids, and exposure settings for best never scrape the rollers results. Make it a habit withone a hard object or with to checktwo the Film Data Sheets your fingernails. located on the Web at The Model 545 film holder www.polaroid.com for more instruction book contains information. details on locating and clean- ing the rollers. If you need further information, please call us at the toll-free number on page 2. three 3 Storing, handling, loading and processing Polaroid films Note the film When loading film expiration date w Keep the film sealed in its Always use Polaroid film tray until you are ready before the expiration to use. Tear open the tray date stamped on the package. along the printed arrow. Outdated film may not produce satisfactory results, w Lift the film envelopes and is not covered by out of the film tray carefully the Polaroid film warranty. so the metal end caps dont catch on other envelopes. If you accidentally pull off an end cap, discard that film sheet. (See page 12.) w Always hold film envelopes by their edges to avoid damaging film surfaces or the pod of developer inside. w Set the control arm on the film holder to L before attempting to insert the film envelope. w Avoid loading the film back- Storage recommendations wards (note the printing & cautions on the film envelope). Be sure the envelope side marked w Store Polaroid film in a cool, This side toward lens faces dry place. Unopened film may the lens. If the film is loaded be refrigerated in its sealed backwards, the envelope will wrapper. Do not freeze film. come all the way out of the w Before opening film that film holder when withdrawn has been refrigerated, allow it to make an exposure. (If this to reach room temperature. happens, turn to page 13 This will take about 2 hours. for instructions.) w Avoid leaving film or a w Insert the film envelope loaded film holder in direct straight into the film holder, sunlight, or in a hot, humid being careful not to buckle place, such as the trunk the envelope. Then, slowly or glove compartment withdraw the envelope until of a car. High temperatures it stops. and humidity can affect picture quality. w Store unused Polaroid 4x5 sheet film flat in a dry, cool place. 4 Storing, handling, loading and processing Polaroid films Before making an exposure w Make it a habit to test to be Important sure the film has engaged If you have repeated trouble properly in the film holder. engaging film envelopes, your film holder may need After inserting the film enve- adjustment. If your holder is When processing film lope, and withdrawing it several years old or has been subjected to heavy use, you prior to making the exposure, Instant films gently run your finger and may want to consider replac- thumb over the area marked ing it with an updated model. w After making the exposure, Call us for further informa- Do Not Press Here, push the envelope all the way tion, toll-free: 800-225-1618, as shown.