Polaroid 4X5 Land Film Holder #545 User manual

The Polaroid Land film holder allows you    Gaution: The Polaroid Land photographic
to use the Polaroid Land photographic   process uses a  caustic  jelly  which  is
processin most standard 4 x 5 press or view     safely packed inside sealed containers with-
cameras,without making any alteration of     in  the  film  packet.  If  accidentally you
the camera or focusing system. The holder    should get some of this jelly on your skin,
will   fit press and view cameras equipped    wipe it off immediately. To avoid an alkali
with Graflok, Graphic, and similar backs.    burn, wash the area with plenty of water
 It  will also fit instruments. and aerial and   as soon as possible. lt  is particularly im-
microscope cameras equipped with similar    portant to keep the jelly away from eyes
4 x 5 backs.                            and mouth. Keep discarded materials out
                                                  of the reach of children and animals, and
lmportant: When the holder is not in use,    out of contact with clothing and furniture,
leave the control arm at P (seepage 7, top    as discarded materials  still  contain some
photo).                                                 jelly.

                                           Note: Two kinds of Polaroid 4 x 5 film
Pofaroid4 x5 Landfilms            packets are currently on the market. The                                           handling of both kinds of packets is es-
As  of December 1, 1968, five types of     sentially the same. The most significant
Polaroid 4 x 5 Land films are available for    difference is the method of removing the
use with the#545 holder. They are:              print from the packet. Only one kind  of
                                          packet is shown in this book, except in the
Type 5L      high contrast film for line    section How  ro  REMovE THE PIcruRE
              reproduction and for mak-    where both  removal methods are de-
               ing halftone positive prints.     scribed. Be sure to  follow  the eomect
                                       method  for the kind  of packets you are
Type 52     panchromatic  black  and    using.
              white film for general pur-
            pose photography.
Type 55PlN  panchromatic  black  and
               white  film  that  produces
              both a positive and a re-
              coverable negative.
Type 57      high  speed panchromatic
              black and white film.
Type 58      color film.

  For more information on Polaroid 4 x 5
films, see your  industrial  photographic
dealer or write  to  Industrial  Marketing
Department,  Polaroid  Corporation, 549
Technology Square, Cambridge, Massa-
chusetts 02139.
  The actual image area of the films used
with the #545 holder measuresabout 3rl  x
4rlin.  and is off center about tl  in. toward
the thick end of the film holder. For ex-
treme accuracy in composition, it is desir-
able to make test shots and mark the exact
area on the ground glass.




                                                                                                                 "     *Li

Howto loadfilm
 1. Insert holder: Slide the holder into the
back of the camera just as you would a
standard film holder.





2. Engage slide locks: If your camerahas
slide locks, use them  in addition  to the
spring back to prevent light leaks and drop-
ping of the holder. The locks move into
slots on the sidesof the holder as shown.





3. Move control arm  to  L: This  is the
loading position. The rollers are apart and
the film packet may be inserted easily.





4. Insert film packet: Hold the packet as
shown and insert the cap end into  the
holder. Do not press on the area marked
Do Nor PRESSHERE, where the pod of
developer chemicals is located.

lmportant: The film packet must always
be inserted so that the side marked rnrs
SIDETOWARDLENSfaces the lens.



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Do not hold the packet by the end while
 firgt inserting it into the holder. If you do
 this, you will buckle the packet and your
 picture will not develop properly.





 5. Push  packet  in  halfway:  Without
 bending the packet, gently push  it  past
 the rubber light seal roller, and feed it in
 about halfway.





6. Shift your grip: Now hold the packet
by the extreme right-hand edge and push
it in the rest of the way, until  it stops. Do
not bend or creasethe packet.





  When  completely  inserted, the  right
edge of the packet will be just visible in the
holder recess.

Howto take the picture
1, Withdraw envelope: The envelopeacts
as a protective cover (dark slide) for the
film. Just before you take the  picture,
gently withdraw  the envelope from  the
holder until  it comes to a firm stop. Don't
worry about pulling too far.  It  will come
out almost 6 inches, then stop automat-
ically. The negative will remain inside the
holder, uncovered and ready for exposure.
  To avoid the danger of a light leak, the
protective envelopeshould not be removed
for longer than absolutely necessary.Also
guard the envelope against bending and
whipping in the wind.
2. Check for pod: Before making the ex-
posure, Iightly run your thumb and fore-
finger over the pod area, marked lo  Not
pREss HERE. It  should be perfectly  flat
and smooth. If you can feel the pod, the
negative was withdrawn accidentally with
the envelope; push the envelope in again,
withdraw  it, and check for the Pod.

3. Make exposure: Do this just as you
would with wet processfilms. The recom-
mended exposure meter setting is printed
on the film packet, and there are more
instructions in the film box.





4. Reinsert envelope:  After  exposure,
reinsert the envelopeall the way, until  it is
once more just visible in the holder reeess.
Use moderate pressure,but don't force it;
otherwise you may creasethe paper. If the
envelope will  not  slide in  all the way,
withdraw  it slightly and try again.
  The picture you have just taken is now
ready to be developed. If you would like
to remove  it  from  the  holder without
developing it, see the section on LATER
DEVELOPMENI,page 9.

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Howto developthe picture
           1. Move control arm to P: The two steel
            rollers  inside  the  film  holder  are now
          together. When the paeket is pulled out of
          the holder, these rollers will crush the pod
        and spread the developer chemieals over
          the picture area.




           2. Pull packet out of holder:  Pull  it  all
          the way out  in one smooth,  fairly  rapid
          motion. You  will  feel a slight  resistance                                                          4         toward  the end as the cap reaches the
           rollers, but keep right on pulling without
           hesitating. The rollers will separate auto-
          matically to allow the cap to pass through.





          3. Wait recommended development time:
        The instructions packed with the film give
        complete information on how to develop
          pictures. Temperature affects development
          time. In cool weather, the action of the
         developer chemicals slows down,  and
        development  time  must  be  extended.
         Special instructions on how  to  develop
        4 x 5 prints in cool weather are included
           in the film instruction sheet.

o

Howto removethe picture
lmportant: There are currently two kindg
of  Polaroid  4  x 5  film  packets on  the
market.
If your packets are completely rectangular
and tightly  sealed at both ends, remove
the print according to Method A.  If your
packets have  cut-outs and  flaps  at one
end,  remove  the   print   according   to
Method B.
  Avoid  contact with  the chemicals that
remain on the negative. Be sure to read the
cAUTIONnotice on page 3 and in the film
instruction sheet.

Method A
1. Remove protective  envelope:  Grasp
the film packet at the two extreme ends,
hooking your fingernails under the edge of
the cap; then give the envelope a moderate
tug. The cap will remain attached to the
inside sheets, and the envelope will slip off.
  Do not bend, squeeze,or pty the cap;
you  will  only  have more  diffieulty   in
removing the envelope.

2. Separate inside  sheets:  Take  the
negative tab (A) and thin paper mask (B)
in one hand, the positive print sheet (C)
in the other; then quickly  peel off the
finished print  without  letting   it  fall back
on the negative.
  With Type 55 P/N, the thin paper mask
should be removed with the positive sheet.
For   details,  see the  instruction  sheet
paeked with the film.



Method B
Do not try to pull off the cap.
 1. Grip both flaps: Hold the packet as
 shown and  roll both  flaps back  slightly.





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2. Open the envelope: Using moderate
             pressure,tear the envelopeopen all the way.


I            3. Remove the  print:  With  your  left
           thumb hold down the negative and thin
            paper mask, and with  your  right hand
             quickly  lift off the print.  It  will come right
             out of the envelope.





       How to remove a packet for later
        development
            Occasionallyyou may wish to take several
             pictures in successionwithout developing
           each one right away. To remove a packet
               for later development, follow these steps.
              1. Expose negative and  reinsert  en-
            velope: Do this as you usually would. After
             reinserting the protective envelope, do not
          move the control arm to P. Leave it at L.
              2. Depress film release lever (R): Using
            your left thumb, push it in as far as it will
           go and hold  it there. Now carefully with-
           draw the entire packet from the holder. Do
             not remove your thumb from the release
             lever until the packet is completely out of
             the holder.
              3. ldentify  exposed  but  unprocessed
             packet: You ean do this by crimping a
            corner of the envelope, or by marking the
           edge lightly with a peneil or pen.
            To  develop the  picture,  reinsert the
           exposed packet  into  the  film  holder as
          when first loading. Then processthe packet
               in the usual manner.

Gareof prints
 Goat black and white prints: Black and
 white  prints must be coated as soon ag
 possible (within  two  hours)  to  protect
 them from  scratehes, fingerprints, and
 fading, and to prevent changes in tone.
 Lay the print face up on a elean, smooth
 surface, such as the film box or sheets of
 paper mounted on a clipboard.
  Hold the coater by the plastic handle
and run the liquid-soaked side down the
 length of the picture, away from you. Use
6 to 8 overlapping strokes and moderate
pressure.Cover the entire print, including
the borders. Be careful not to scratch the
print with the edge of the coater.
  One coater contains sufficient liquid for
four 4 x 5 prints. To get more liquid from
a partly used coater, press it down on the
tab end  of the  print,  then spread the
squeezed-out liquid  across the  picture.
When the coater is not being used, keep it
tightly sealedin the plastic vial to prevent
evaporation of the fluid.
   After  coating, allow the  print  to dry
thoroughly. This normally takes only a
minute or two, but  in conditions of high
humidity,  it may take longer. Keep freshly
coated prints away from each other, or
they will stiek together.
  Never write on the back of the picture
area; you may damage the print surfaee;
write only on the borders of the  print,
either on the back or on the front.





Mount color prints:  All  Polacolor prints    Storage: Do not use corner mounts, paste,
should be mounted to protect them from    glue or rubber cement to mount  prints.
curling or from being bent and cracked   Many  adhesives contain impurities that
due to rough handling. The print mounts     discolor pictures. Never put  pictures in
are packed in the film box, under the tray    albums with black paper leaves.The safest
containing the  film  packets. Be sure the    way to handle and store Polaroid 4 x 5
print is thoroughly dry before mounting it.     prints  is in the  thin, transparent acetate
Detailed instructions appear on the print     sleeves that are sold for protecting 4 x 5
mounts. Never coat color prints.             negatives and color transparencies.
10
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Pictureproblems
      No exposure: A completely black picture
        indicates that no light reached the nega-
          tive. This can be caused by  (a) failure to
         insert the film packet all the way into the
        holder when  first loading; (b) failure to
       withdraw  the protective envelope before
       exposing; or (c) failure of the cap to catch
        properly when the  film packet was in-
        serted. Check for proper insertion of the
         film packet by gently running your thumb
      and forefinger over the part of the with-
       drawn envelope marked Do Nor PREss
      HERE. If you can feel the pod, the nega-
         tive was withdrawn accidentally with the
       envelope; reinsert the envelopeall the way,
       withdraw  it again, and check for the pod.
             If this trouble occurs frequently, check the
        holder for possible malfunction.

       Missing corners: With black and white
         film, this problem is caused by pulling too
         fast; with color film  it is causedby pulling
        too slow. Pull moderately fast, without
        hesitation.

        Spots: Deposits of dirt or foreign matter
       on the steel rollers will causeevenly spaced
        spots or marks across the length  of the
         picture. Inspect and clean the rollers regu-
          larly. (Seeinstructions on page 13.)





        Streaks:  If your pulling motion is uneven
        or jerky when removing the film packet,
        the rollers will leave impressionsacrossthe
        picture  in  the form  of  vertical streaks.
       Always pull smoothly, without hesitation.
o



                                                                 11

Black edge: Failure to reinsert the pro-
tective envelope all the way into the holder
after exposure will produce an uneven black
strip along the picture edge. Always push
the envelopein until  it is just visible in the
holder recess.
    If  film  packets are subjeeted to  long
periods of high humidity  before use, the
proteetive envelope may soften and bend,
preventing   full  re-entry  into  the  holder
after the exposure is made. Detailed infor-
mation  on  protecting  the  film  against
humidity  is included in the instructions
packed with the film.





Mechanicalproblems
Detached  envelope:   If  the  packet  is
loaded backwards (see illustration),  the
proteetive envelope will detach completely
when withdrawn  for  exposure. To  gain
access to the negative (which remains in-
side the holder), open the hinged cover and
disengagethe rollers just as you would for
cleaning. Move the control arm to P and
withdraw  the  negative by  pulling  the
negative tab.

Detached cap: The cap may occasionally
loosen and remain trapped in the holder
when the packet is removed. To dislodge
it, load an empty envelope, then depress
the film release lever (R) and carefully
withdraw the envelope and cap, as if re-
moving an exposedpacket for later devel-
opment (seepage 9, photo 4 ).




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Howto cleanthe rollers
The two steel processing rollers are vital
parts of the instant picture system. Dirt on
the rollers can cause repeated spots on the
print and poor colors. Check regularly to
see that the rollers are clean and free of
foreign matter.

1. Move control arm to L:

2. Open cover: Slide the cover latch (C)
down and raise the hinged roller cover.

3. Release roller assembly: Disengage
the hooks (A) at the ends of the rollers.
The top roller will now swing out to permit
easy cleaning of the entire assembly.





4. Clean rollers: Turn and inspect the
rollers, especially at the ends. Rub off any
deposits with a damp cloth. Also clean the
rubber light seal roller. Never scrape the
rollers with  anything  metallic, nor with
your fingernail.

5. Replace roller assembly: Replace the
top  roller, engage the hooks, then close
and latch the eover.





                                                             13

Howthe holderworks



                  5
 1. Loading film; With control arm (1) at    tive envelope, non-light sensitive positive
L, rollers (2) are apart so film packet (3)    print sheet, light sensitive negative secured
can pass through freely. Cap (4) is held by    to cap  (4), protective envelope. Pod of
spring loaded retainer (5). Layers of film    developer (6) is attached to negative, and
packet are, from bottom to top: protec-    lies between it and positive sheet.





2, Making exposure: Control arm (1) is   Cap (4), held in place by retainer (5), is
 still at L and rollers (2) arc apart. Envelope    tightly crimped to negative (7) which stays
 (3) which is only lightly held by cap (4) is    in holder for exposure.
withdrawn along with positive print sheet.





 3. After exposure: Envelope (3) is pushed   against film packet (3). Moving arm to P
back into holder; again it is held by cap (4).   also retracts retainer (5 in drawings above)
 Control arm (1) is moved to P. This brings   so cap (4) and negative attached to  it are
 rollers (2) together and pressesthem tightly    withdrawn with rest of film packet.





 4. To develop: With control arm (1) at    evenly between positive and negative. This
 P, packet is drawn through steel rollers (2)    starts development  of picture.
 which crush pod and spread developer (6)

 1 A
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