quote:

Originally posted by SigSAC:
I know you like the film aspect, but is there anything keeping you from using a digital back for the preview? While some cost to obtain, it would probably save money in the long run over a Polaroid back.

https://petapixel.com/2019/07/...dium-format-cameras/

<<snip>>

This first one looks like a winner for what I want to do! Wasn't aware of it, but will look into ordering one as soon as I get home from my vacation! Thanks!!!

There is no more 3x4" Pack Film unfortunately.
There have been rumors that it may someday be manufactured again similarly to the integral films now being reproduced.
I think this is unlikely, as the the startup cost would be astronomical, and apparently, Fuji, the last manufacturer, reportedly won't sell the machinery or process.
The integral films were made possible because the machinery was purchased from the closed
Polaroid factory in Enschede. I think some of the ex employees assisted.
The chemistry had to be redesigned as well.

In another life we were a Polaroid OEM, converting the classic Polaroid roll film cameras to pack film. We converted many hundreds of model 110A,110B, and industrial film backs.

Digital photography killed this off.

Bill, you really don't need a darkroom to process your film. All you need is a developing tank for your chosen film size and a Changing Bag. I recently had to get a new changing bag due to the zipper on my old one starting to disintegrate and IIRC the cost was around 24 bucks from B&H. Procedure is simple, put the tank, cap, reel, and film into the changing bag and zip up the double zippers. Then reach in through the arm holes, unspool the film while feeding it into the reel. Then put the reel in the tank, cap it, and your are ready to develope that roll in normal room light.

Notes. First, plan on wasting a roll or two of film to practice loading the reel, it takes a bit of skill to do this by feel so practicing in full room light will allow you to see what happens when you don't "cup" the film properly to slide it into the slots on the reel. Second, tanks can still be found on ebay. Third, Epson still makes a pretty good flatbed film scanner in the V600 Photo that will handle medium format for around 230 bucks. They also have the V800 Photo for 800 bucks that will scan up to 8 x 10 inch film. BTW, I have the V800 and it works well but at full resolution (6400 dpi) it's about 15-20 minutes to scan one 4 x 5 negative. A tip here, do a bit of testing to determine the point where increasing the resolution doesn't yield any increase in detail. Because I don't have one single lens for my 4 X 5 that is sharp enough to see any benefit to scanning at 6400 dpi, most of my scans are done at 2500 dpi.

PS; my Medium Format cameras are a Mamiya C220 and a C330. Also have the 65, 80, and 135mm lens sets. While not as fast shooting as an SLR the advantage to a TLR is no mirror slap and Mamiya's lenses are extremely good.