Zenza Bronica SQ Polaroid Backs

By M.Vettore

There are 3 kinds of Polaroid backs for SQ camera family: - Zenza Bronica Polaroid SQ - Zenza Bronica Polaroid SQ-i - NPC Polaroid MF-14

Zenza Bronica SQ

Zenza Bronica SQ-i

NPC MF-14

All use Polaroid film chamber so the main difference between various models is the film speed dial range: Bronica SQ and NPC MF-14 have only two settings: 75 or 3000 ISO Bronica SQ-i has speeds between 25 and 6400 ISO (25, 50,100,200,400,800,1600,3200,6400 with clickrd stops at 1/3 increment between them). Polaroid backs dont have any interlock with camera body, that because they work in multiple exposure mode and in this mode the camera shots in every case till with dark-slide on or without film back. The procedures to load the Polaroid backs should be the follows: 1. Better operate with the back off camera, Make sure the dark-slide is on. 2. Open the pack cutting or tear open the film wrapper along the arrows (see Pic. 1). Caution: handle film packs by their edges to avoid damaging film surfaces. 3. Open latch on the Polaroid back. 4. Open Polaroid back. 5. Insert the film pack (see Pic. 2). Caution: check to be sure that the white tabs are not tucked under the pack. 6. Close the back and the latch. 7. Pull the black tab of the safety cover all the way out (see Pic. 3). 8. A white tab marked 1 should appear. 9. Put the back on the camera. Caution: make sure it is in place, it must click when inserted and it must not swing on the camera.

Rear shell of Back

Pic. 1

Pic. 2

Pic. 3 To take pictures proceed as follows: 1. Pull out the dark-slide. 2. Set the multiple exposure lever in forward position, a black tab with a round cut-out will appear in the right front area of the focusing screen. 3. If not already done crank the advance lever. 4. Set time, aperture, etc. Depress the shutter release button. 5. Pull the white tab straight from the Polaroid back (see Pic. 4 A), the film tail should appear, pull it straight out (see Pic. 4 B), the film should be pulled out parallel to the Polaroid back and at steady and moderate speed (see Pic. 5). Polaroid recommends saying the word Polaroid to time the speed of pulling. Remember the development phase will start when the film is pulled out not when it is exposed so you have enough the time to operate quiet. Caution: film should be pulled out parallel to the Polaroid back to avoid the developer spreads unevenly damaging the picture. For the same reasons the pulling speed must be steady and moderate. 6. A new white tab should come out. 7. Wait the specified development time, it depends on temperature and is indicated on the film package/wrapper. Dont shake the film, the best way to ensure a good developed image is to simply lay the picture on a flat surface immediately after it exits the camera. Shield it from the wind and avoid bending, twisting, or otherwise disturbing it during development. 8. After the development time, peel rapidly and smoothly negative away from print. Wait until print is dry before touch it. 9. Dont forget to put back the dark-slide and the multiple exposure lever before removing the back.

Pic. 4

Pic. 5
Polaroid backs are very simple, the only wears out with use part is the roller assembly, a Polaroid part, which deteriorates for the reason that developer spilling out from film corrodes the rolling bushels and blocking them, furthermore some plastic parts are very fragile and easy to broken. Luckily the standard Polaroid part (ProFilm 90 Rollers AD90 Roller Assembly) is available for few dollars at Polaroid:

http://shopus.polaroid.com/shop/public/products/details/dsp_product_details.cfm?product=618492
The roller assembly The Polaroid instructions to clean the roller assembly are: Open the film loading door and locate the roller assembly. TIP: To save film exposures, you may want to wait until the film pack is empty before opening the film door. 1. Remove the rollers by placing your thumbs inside the silver loops on both ends of the jagged red line, then lifting the assembly off of the door. 2. Rinse the roller assembly under warm water. Never use chemicals or alcohol to clean the rollers! 3. Wipe the rollers with a clean dry cloth. Spin the rollers frequently to ensure that both roller surfaces are cleaned. 4. Check the film exit door. Clean off any dried developer and remove any debris. 5. Replace the rollers by lining up the assembly with the jagged red line and snapping it back into place. Instructions could be find at:
http://www.polaroid.com/global/movie.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441761893&FOL DER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574488338441&bmUID=1175077375601&bmLocale=en_US
A very good booklet full of information on use and care of instant films and Polaroid backs is available at Polaroid: http://www.polaroid.com/service/userguides/photographic/packfilms_guide.pdf When the Polaroid back is in place it could interfere with the tripod head, to avoid it Zenza Bronica (and other producers) has developed a tripod adapter (ETR/SQ/GS1 Tripod adapter for Polaroid film back). It raises the large film back above the tripod head face.
Polaroid backs use 3 x 4 film pack, the supported film types (still available) are: MFG Model In production Type ISO Notes Polaroid 664 COL 100 Intended for exposures of 1/10 second or faster Polaroid 665 B/W 80 Positive/Negative Polaroid 667 B/W 3000 Polaroid 669 COL or 10 exposures per pack Polaroid 672 B/W 400 Polaroid 679 COL 100 Replaced by Polaroid 690 Polaroid 690 COL 100 Fujifilm FP-100B B/W 100 Fujifilm FP-100C COL 100 Available Glossy or Silk Fujifilm FP-3000B B/W 3000 Film characteristics and data sheets are available at manufacturer web sites. Links: Polaroid http://www.polaroid.com Fujifilm http://www.fujifilm.com NPC http://www.npcphoto.com Zenza Bronica http://www.tamron.com Disclaimer Im not responsible for any error, omission and/or inaccuracy in this document. Im not associated with any company or site mentioned on this document. Im not associated with any service center. Im not a service professional nor perform any service activity so dont ask me to do any kind of service. Afterwords Youre welcome to submit comments or information if youd like to share ideas with other people. This document could be copied and published but citing the source. Feel free to link this document. My email address is max@buonaluce.com

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