Thanks to my friend-cum-colleague Humaira for lending her Polaroid LAND camera model 104 to me.

First of all, it’s really such a shame Fujifilm decided to stop the production of fp-100c films. Is there any company who want to take over the production? Impossible Project?

Anyway, fp-100c is a peel-apart film where you need to peel the paper off the print (as the name suggests) after you pull the film out from the camera. The image quality is superb if you expose the shot correctly.

In the past, this instant fp-100c films were also used to check exposure setting in the studio. For example, a photographer who uses a film back system camera, such as Hasselblad/Mamiya, can change the film back to Polaroid back, which can hold the fp-100c film.

If they think the exposure is okay, they then proceed to shoot with the actual film.

If Fujifilm didn’t ceased production of this film, I might consider getting the polaroid film back for my Hasselblad 500C/M.

Anyway, luckily I have a friend who’s willing to lend me her Polaroid camera so I get to enjoy the last batch of fp-100c film.

Fp-100c

As these are the last few batches of their production, the price of this film has skyrocketed insanely. One box of film (10 shots) is about SGD 30-35. Some shops will take the advantage and rip you by selling it at SGD 50.

User’s Experience

For this particular camera, I find it quite difficult to secure a shot.

What do I mean?

For example, if you ever use Fujifilm Instax camera, you know that every click is a photo guaranteed. Be it under or overexposed, there will be something and you will know it!

However, for this Polaroid LAND, every shot is really like a betting game.

At first, I had 2-3 black shots. I thought it might be due to the exposure. After experiment 1 box (10 shots) of fp-100c, I realised it’s the battery problem. Apparently, the modified adaptor for three AAA batteries is not functioning 100%.

They cannot support and supply the energy to the camera consecutively. This means the batteries work for shot Number 1. If you continue to shoot shot Number 2, the photo will be blank.

You gotta let the battery rest a bit. For how long? This also depends on luck. There’s no consistency.

Pain in the ass.

Out of 30 films, I only managed to get 17 photos! That’s like 57% success rate! OMG

Anyway, I truly think it’s the camera’s cable problem, probably due to ‘age’. Did anyone else have the same problem as me?

Conclusion

Fp-100c film is AMAZING! I swear the physical photo is 100 times prettier than the scanned version in this blog post.

The ‘peeling’ feature is so cool. The suspense is what makes this film super exciting, too!

Furthermore, the colour is so pretty and accurate. The image quality is superb. If only Fujifilm doesn’t ceased production, I will surely be itchy to buy the camera or polaroid film back.

Otherwise, I also have another Polaroid camera SX-70 and the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90.

 

Start Here

Or go Film Look to see samples of each film.

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