A cheaper alternative than the type 50 series is the 660 series. The cost is
substantially cheaper. It is usually possible to buy up older polaroid
cameras (pre SX70) at garage sales, and so on, quite cheap (under $20).
These cameras use the type 660 series that is used with medium format cameras.
You will not quite get the quality you would get by shooting type 5* with a
polaroid back in a 4x5. You would be able to generate images for a much lower
cost, which would be ideal for fiddling around trying to get your technique
down. The 660 series comes in packs of 8.
For those without big negatives or darkrooms who are desperate to start
fiddling around with alternative processes, shooting 665 positive/negative
film is likely the quickest alternative. The image size is a bit smaller
(about 21/2 by 31/4 inches) than the type 50 series, but it is just large
enough to work with and make acceptable prints.
For those who don't know, Polaroid makes a series of films that give you
both a negative and a postive. Very handy stuff.
Has anyone tried doing Polaroid transfer with Postive/Negative film? Can
you do a transfer and still end up with a good negative? If so it should
be possible to make a multiple media print. Make a postive by transfering
the image onto paper. Use the negative to print in another process in
registration to the original transfer.
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Gord Holtslander Department of Biology
HOLTSLANDER@SKYFOX.USASK.CA University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Tel (306)966-4433 S7N 0W0
Fax (306)966-4462 Canada
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