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Old Tech -> Nikon F with a Polaroid Back?
David Manning, Photographer
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Athens | GA | | Posted: 11:46 AM on 12.10.09 |
->> I was just cruising David Honl's blog and he makes reference to a photo of Joe McNally's that has an old Nikon F series with a Polaroid back on it. ( http://davidhonlphoto.com/blog/?p=425 )
Nevermind the fact that Polaroid is dead and gone - how the heck do i get a polaroid back on one of my old Nikon film cameras?
Technology slightly before my time but it gives me ideas..... |
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Karsten Moran, Photographer, Photo Editor
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George Bridges, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Washington | DC | USA | Posted: 11:52 AM on 12.10.09 |
->> Several companies made backs for some Nikon cameras, I bunch were made for the F3 because it being the top-of-the-line pro body for so many years.
It depends on the model as to whether there is an easy to adapt back already out there. The Marty Forscher backs were popular on the F3 and probably the F2 and original F. Those may be adaptable for other Nikon models but not sure since many of the removeable films doors on cameras have slightly different shapes. (The original F had the entire back come off so that one would not fit any other F model)
And note, while it does make an "instant" print the size is only that of a 35mm negative so it's good for checking lighting and maybe for scanning, but not for passing around to show off your work. |
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Robert Seale, Photographer
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Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 1:17 PM on 12.10.09 |
->> I had a Forscher Pro Back for the Nikon F-4.
To install it, you slid the pin holding the film back door in place, removed the original back and slid this one in. Most people had multiple cameras and dedicated one to Polaroid use. |
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David Manning, Photographer
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Athens | GA | | Posted: 1:44 PM on 12.10.09 |
| ->> Like i said, i just gave me some ideas..... I never said they were GOOD ideas. |
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Patrick Murphy-Racey, Photographer
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Powell | TN | USA | Posted: 1:44 PM on 12.10.09 |
| ->> I had one for an EOS 620 body, which was the first non-pro model to sync flash at 1/250th. If you were careful, you could shoot a frame, pull it only part way, and shoot another one and get two exposures on the same roid... way cool!!! |
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Jon Blacker, Photographer
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Toronto | ON | Canada | Posted: 2:59 PM on 12.10.09 |
->> I still have a Forscher back for the F5.
The two frames per sheet was actually a feature; you shoot the first frame & only pull the sheet out to the end of a nylon strap on the back, then shoot your second frame before pulling the sheet all the way out. |
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Chris Salata, Student/Intern, Photographer
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West Palm Beach | FL | USA | Posted: 3:53 PM on 12.10.09 |
->> With regards to film, Polaroid film is hard to find, very expensive and by now, out of date. Fortunately, Fuji has stepped up to the plate and is making some killer instant film. They have three emulsions available in the US: FP-100C (ISO 100 color), FP-100B (ISO 100 B&W) and FP-3000B (ISO 3200 B&W). All three are available in 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 pack film which should be compatible in any holder built off of a Polaroid 405 back. The FP-100C and FP-100B are also available in 4x5 (FP-100C45 and FP-100B45) which works great in a Polaroid 500 holder but won't work in any of the 35mm Polaroid backs I have seen. Thus, make sure you order the correct film for your holder. The names are really similar and confusing but the price of the 4x5 is significantly higher.
Lastly, while I am not a huge fan of most of the photography on Flickr it is great for looking at examples of various lens/camera/film/etc. combinations and there are tons of images shot on Fuji instant film. After looking at some of the nicer examples, it inspired me to order a couple of cases to run through my 4x5.
Best of luck. |
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Tom Story, Photographer
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Tempe | AZ | USA | Posted: 3:54 PM on 12.10.09 |
->> Marty Forscher/NPC Polaroid backs were made for a number of 35mm cameras. It used a slab of fiber optic to transfer the image as a contact print onto a sheet of Polaroid pack film from the film plane of the SLR.
As Jon and Patrick mentioned you could get two shots on on sheet of roid. I had one for an F2 that we converted to FM/FM2 when the highter synch cameras came out.
Like PMR I had one for a EOS 620. Sold the body and the back as a package for the price of a used film body.
There a lots of them out there for sale and not many are moving off the shelves. |
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Hassel Weems, Photographer
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Locust Grove (Atlanta) | GA | USA | Posted: 5:46 PM on 12.10.09 |
->> Contax made a Polaroid only body for various models of 35mm lenses. I have one that uses Nikon lenses and puts a 35mm frame in the center of a Polaroid/Fuji pack film print.
Mine looks similar to this one except it's all black and is branded "Contax Preview."
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/special/Nikon_PREVI... |
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Hal Smith, Photographer
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Sedalia | MO | USA | Posted: 5:51 PM on 12.10.09 |
| ->> A film camera and polaroid back is kind of like "chimping" the old school way. |
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Michael Fischer, Photographer
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Spencer | Ia | USA | Posted: 8:21 PM on 12.10.09 |
->> As a former Polaroid tech rep, let me tell you, I chimped a heck of a lot.
One correction, George. You could use 645 P/N film and produce one heck of a black and white neg is a hurry. Still only 24 x 36mm, but it would work if you had to have something. |
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Chris Salata, Student/Intern, Photographer
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West Palm Beach | FL | USA | Posted: 9:16 PM on 12.10.09 |
| ->> Michael you just reminded me that the Fuji negative can be cleared with a little bit of bleach and a lot of patience. It's not nearly as convenient as the Polaroid P/N films but I guess we have to make do with what we have for now (fingers crossed for the Impossible Project). |
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Joe McNally, Photographer
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Ridgefield | CT | United States | Posted: 9:52 PM on 12.10.09 |
->> Hi....off in the corner of that photo is actually a Nikon FM2 with a Marty Forscher back. Had it pulled out of the equipment case to photograph it, and perhaps write a little bit about it at the end of this year, sadly, the year we lost Marty. What an amazing innovator, and a decent man.
As has been noted above, you could squeeze two shots onto one sheet of Polaroid. They were tough to read, but helpful. |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 10:17 PM on 12.10.09 |
->> Tempe Camera has a couple of Old NPC Polaroid Backs for Nikon Bodies on their Discount Display case (in front of the Rental & Repair Counters!!
I can find the number if you need to contact them!!!
Y |
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Jim Colburn, Photo Editor, Photographer
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McAllen | TX | USA | Posted: 10:24 PM on 12.10.09 |
->> "...how the heck do i get a polaroid back on one of my old Nikon film cameras?"
1) Bring Marty Forscher back from the dead.
2) See #1 |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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