Are there any resons why it wouldn't be a good idea to take exposed but unprocessed Polaroid Type 55 film home for processing after extended travel? This would avoid the difficulty of clearing, washing and drying Type 55 in places like India, Laos and Thailand, but the film would not be refrigerated.

-- Scambug (Arthurwg@aol.com), September 08, 2001

Answers

If you're going to do that, might as well shoot on convential film for a lot lower cost, and perhaps better reliability.

-- Wilhelm (bmitch@home.com), September 08, 2001.

it is a great idea, infact, most people do it! If you process on site the chance that dust particles or hair will glue to the emulsion is relatively high. I disagree with the previous contributor because the Polaroid film qualities (its special feel and general appearence) cannot be compared to normal film, moreover if you have some problems with having a darkroom this system gives you the opportunity to shoot and develop without messing around mith chemicals and so on. Refrigerating the film is not too much of a problem, actually drying out of the film (or rather its paper envelope) is more of a problem because in my experience generates edges which aren't clear cut, but hey! Polaroid is all about wear things isn't it? I assume you are experienced with the removing of the film after the exposure, practice it if not, it can be tricky at first.

-- Andrea Milano (milandro@multiweb.nl), September 09, 2001.

it was" weird" things instead of wear I meant

-- Andrea Milano (milandro@multiweb.nl), September 09, 2001.

Hi Scambug, I'm well experienced with T-55 film, and have on occasion delayed processing until I got home. Problem you would have is the packet will separate on its own in the tray. take a roll of masking tape with you and place over the cap to keep the packet intact, until processing. Process only one for the 20 seconds, and see if you like that image, if not increase the development time by 10 seconds, and try another. the recomended temp for this is 72 deg. or room temp. Save all the negs, even if it looks thin, it will still print. Good luck Bill

-- Bill Jefferson (jefferw@together.net), September 09, 2001.

BTW, I believe that Type 55 can be "intensified" with selenium after clearing. Is that correct? Arthur

-- Arthur Gottschalk (Arthurwg@aol.com), September 09, 2001.