Polaroid 4X5, 4X5 SHEET FILM User Manual
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.
4 x 5 Sheet Films
What’s inside
w Processing tips relating to 4x5
films and proper use of 545
family of film holders
w Polaroid 4x5 films: The big
picture
w The inside story abut 4x5
instant film
w The 3 critical keys to quality
images
w Storing, handling, loading
and processing Polaroid films
w If it’s hotter or colder than
o
F (24oC)...
75
w Film processing: How
fast to pull...and how to get
it straight!
w Type 55 P/N film:
Positive approaches to good
negative results (peeling
techniques; sodium sulfite
solutions)
w Making sure your prints
and images last a long time
w Picture problems
and problem prevention
w Toll-free help and technical
assistance
Polaroid 4x5 films:
The big picture
Please keep this booklet
within reach of your
Polaroid Model 545
film holder
The information in this booklet
is designed to help experienced
and occasional users of
Polaroid 4x5 sheet films get
good pictures... avoid some
common picture-taking
errors...perform a
few simple, routine, preventive maintenance checks... and
get expert assistance when
needed.
This booklet covers in
quick reference form much
of the material contained
in the instructions originally
packed with the Polaroid
Model 545 film holder. Please
consult those instructions
when first learning to use the
film holder.
Film Data Sheets covering
most Polaroid films used for
business, technical, medical
and professional applications
are available at no charge on
the Web at www.polaroid.com.
Polaroid 4x5 sheet films for
use with the Model
545, 545i, and 545 Pro film
holders
Color
Type 59, Polacolor ER,
(ISO 80/20
Type 64, Polacolor Pro T ungsten
(ISO 64/19
Type 79, Polacolor Pro 100
(ISO 100/21
Polacolor Pro 100
(International only)
(ISO 100/21
o
)
o
)
o
)
o
)
Black & White
Type 51, High Contrast
Positive/Negative
(ISO 640/29
ISO 400/27
ISO 80/20
ISO 50/18
Type 52, Fine Grain
(ISO 400/27
Type 53, Medium Contrast
Coaterless (ISO 800/30
Type 54, PolaPan 100
Coaterless (ISO 100/21
Type 55, Positive/Negative
(ISO 50/18
Type 56, Sepia (ISO 400/27
Type 57, High Speed
(ISO 3000/36
Type 72, PolaPan 400
(ISO 400/27
o
Positive/Daylight;
o
Positive/Tungsten;
o
Negative/Daylight;
o
Negative/Tungsten)
o
)
o
)
o
)
o
)
o
)
o
)
o
)
Polaroid 4x5 sheet films
are available in two types:
instant and wet-process
(E6) films. These 4x5 films
are used in the Polaroid
Model 545 film holder.
The Model 545 film holder
is designed to fit most
4x5 field and view cameras;
microscope and oscilloscope
cameras; the Polaroid MP-4
camera; and the Polaroid
CU-5 4x5 camera. (See note
below.)
If you use Polaroid instant
pack films
A similar booklet is available
to users of Polaroid 3
4x5 and square-format pack
films. To obtain a copy, call
Polaroid T echnical Assistance
at the toll-free number given
on page 2.
1/4 x 4
1
1/4,
Note
The image area of Polaroid
4x5 instant films used
with the Model 545 film holder is off-center about 1/8 in.
(3 mm) toward the thick end
of the holder. For extreme
accuracy with 4x5 cameras
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.
The inside story about 4x5 instant films
Technical Assistance & Film
Data Sheets
For further information
about Polaroid 4x5 sheet films,
or for information about other
Polaroid films, products, and
applications,
call toll-free from within
the U.S.A. at 800-225-1618
Monday through Friday,
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time.
Or, write to:
Technical Assistance
Polaroid Corporation
201 Burlington Rd.
Bedford, MA 01730
For assistance outside the
U.S.A., consult your nearest
Polaroid Office.
Film Data Sheets covering
most Polaroid films used for
business, technical, medical
and professional applications
are available at no charge on
the Web at www.polaroid.com.
How the system works
Each Polaroid instant
4x5 sheet film envelope
contains all the elements
needed to produce an instant
picture. Inside, there is a
film assembly consisting of
a light-sensitive negative,
a positive sheet, and a pod
containing the developer.
The rollers inside the
Polaroid Model 545 film
holder are used to break the
pod and spread the developer between the exposed
negative and positive sheet.
Clean rollers are important
in achieving a smooth, consistent spread; they should
be inspected and cleaned regularly to assure high quality
results. (See page 12.)
Exposing and processing
The positive sheet is withdrawn 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
Keep the processing
rollers in the
film holder clean
Make it a habit to inspect
and clean the roller surfaces
regularly, and especially
before each picture-taking
session.
Cleaning the rollers is easy.
Use a soft, non-abrasive
cloth, moistened with water
if necessary. Dry the
rollers thoroughly before
use. Do not use alcohol
or other cleaning fluids, and
never scrape the rollers
one
with a hard object or with
your fingernails.
The Model 545 film holder
instruction book contains
details on locating and cleaning the rollers. If you need
further information, please
call us at the toll-free number
on page 2.
2
Note the temperature...
and time development
accurately
You can take Polaroid
pictures at any temperature.
But, processing time and
the temperature of the film
at the time of processing affect
picture quality. Ideally,
Polaroid films should
be processed at about 75
o
C). If the temperature
(24
is much higher or lower,
you may need to adjust processing times and/or
exposure settings for best
results. Make it a habit
two
to check the Film Data Sheets
located on the Web at
www.polaroid.com for more
information.
o
F
3
Pull the film straight
Always pull the film
envelope straight out of the
film holder. The film
should be pulled parallel to
the film holder. If the
camera is positioned so that
it is difficult to pull straight,
remove the film holder,
if possible, for film pulling.
Pull at a steady, moderate
speed. Saying the word
Polaroid is a good way to
time the speed of the pull.
three
3
Storing, handling, loading and processing Polaroid films
Note the film
expiration date
Always use Polaroid film
before the expiration
date stamped on the package.
Outdated film may not
produce satisfactory results,
and is not covered by
the Polaroid film warranty.
Storage recommendations
& cautions
w Store Polaroid film in a cool,
dry place. Unopened film may
be refrigerated in its sealed
wrapper. Do not freeze film.
w Before opening film that
has been refrigerated, allow it
to reach room temperature.
This will take about 2 hours.
w Avoid leaving film or a
loaded film holder in direct
sunlight, or in a hot, humid
place, such as the trunk
or glove compartment
of a car. High temperatures
and humidity can affect
picture quality.
w Store unused Polaroid
4x5 sheet film flat in a dry,
cool place.
When loading film
w Keep the film sealed in its
tray until you are ready
to use. Tear open the tray
along the printed arrow.
w Lift the film envelopes
out of the film tray carefully
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-
wards (note the printing
on the film envelope). Be sure
the envelope side marked
This side toward lens faces
the lens. If the film is loaded
backwards, the envelope will
come all the way out of the
film holder when withdrawn
to make an exposure. (If this
happens, turn to page 13
for instructions.)
w Insert the film envelope
straight into the film holder,
being careful not to buckle
the envelope. Then, slowly
withdraw the envelope until
it stops.
4
Storing, handling, loading
and processing Polaroid films
Before making an
exposure
w Make it a habit to test to be
sure the film has engaged
properly in the film holder.
After inserting the film envelope, and withdrawing it
prior to making the exposure,
gently run your finger and
thumb over the area marked
Do Not Press Here,
as shown. It should be flat.
If you can feel the pod
of dev elope r, the film i s not
engaged properly. Reinsert
the envelope and test again.
If the film does not engage
in the holder properly, an allblack picture (no exposure)
may result.
Important
If you have repeated trouble
engaging film envelopes,
your film holder may need
adjustment. If your holder is
several years old or has been
subjected to heavy use, you
may want to consider replacing it with an updated model.
Call us for further information, toll-free: 800-225-1618,
Monday through Friday,
8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Eastern time.
When processing film
Instant films
w After making the exposure,
push the envelope all the way
in until the tabs are aligned
with the edge of the film
holder. Use moderate pressure, but dont force it. If
the envelope does not slide all
the way in, withdraw it a
little, and try again.
w Move the film holder control
arm to P before pulling the
envelope out to start instant
film processing.
w Remember that you
can remove an exposed sheet
of film without processing
it, if temperature or other
conditions make it desirable
to process the film later.
(See page 8.)
w Handle developing pictures
with care. Hold them only
at the tab end or lay them flat
on a table. Never wave or
bend the film while it is developing, and never touch the
image area, otherwise image
quality may be affected.
5
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