Monday, February 08, 2010

Polaroid Studio Express

Another toy I recently got my hands on is the Polaroid Studio Express (model 485b) this shoots square format passport photos and after a little bit of fiddling I was able make it take Fuji FP-100B instant film - on which it will produce four images. Depending on the sequence you take the lens caps off you can have one image repeated four times or indeed four separate images and everything in between. The camera really needs to be linked to a flash via is PC jack or hotshoe so that you can create enough light for the f/8 aperture on the camera. My favourite feature is the in-built tape measure on the front of the lens.

10 comments:

David Azia said...

Really awesome result.

Joe Harrison said...

love it how you got a 5D M2 but your using crappy old film cameras these days, keep it coming.

Greg Funnell said...

I know it's odd! I think I'm regressing somehow - I think it's partly do with rebelling against the perfection and sanitized way digital can sometimes feel - I've been yearning for that tactile and occasionally random result you get with film!

Soon to come hopefully on the blog will be results from my two Olympus XA series compacts...

Rafi said...

Hi Greg, great pictures btw and great blog. i was wondering how did u do to fit the fuji fp-100 catridge into the camera? i do have this same model but i went to get the fuji cartridges and they are about 1 cm longer.
please help me.
thank you very much

Rafa

Greg Funnell said...

Hi Rafael - I had to remove a piece of plastic inside - it was glued in and I needed to force it out by pushing a blade under it. I'm not recommending you do this unless you are willing to possibly ruin the camera! Afraid I don't have any photos of the piece you need to remove but I seem to remember it being fairly obvious. Hope that's of some help!

eye-on-flo said...

Hi Greg , i just put my hands on a same camera, i wondering how to focusing and how to use that tape measure in the front...ok gotta go to fit the fuji fp film..wish me good luck..

STAFF said...

Ciao!
Ho anche io questa macchina, mi sai dire se ha bisogno di batterie?
Grazie
MIlano24@gmail.com

STAFF said...

Ciao!
Ho anche io questa macchina, mi sai dire se ha bisogno di batterie?
Grazie
MIlano24@gmail.com

Studioexpress said...

I've just found one of these cameras myself, with original Polaroid Polacolor film, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to use it. I've wasted a pack of film already. Is there any chance you'd be able to give any hints?

Any hell greatly appreciated!

Greg Funnell said...

You need to make sure you have the correct exposure which if shooting inside with 100 speed film usually means using flash. Test first with a light meter or digital camera if you can and then try with the Polaroid. Also remember to take the lens caps off!