More general MF Qs (Polaroid, 120 film handling).

[ras...@home.net]

(I have a Kiev 88 camera):

Being a complete novice in the MF field, here's few more
rather general Qs:

- about Polaroid proofing back: how long should one spend pulling the
print out of the casette ? Should it be very slow so that the developer
spreads out evenly, or should it be one quick move ?

- should the Polaroid prints be pulled out in darkness or is it OK do
it in the bright light ? I would imagine it has to be dark so that the
print is not exposed to any light while it is still light-sensitive -
or is it light sensitive by the time it is pulled out ?

- what is the developing time for the Polaroid prints ? There's some
kind of a picture on the prints and I thinks it is the time scale and
it shows about 60secs in 70-90F temperature - is it correct ?

- when loading the 120 film backs: in the manual it says that after the
film is loaded into the back, one should open this little lid in center
of the back and rotate the handle on the right side till it shows "1" in
the center opening . I was only able to get "RT" or something like it
showing there and then it started showing long horizontal lines - so I
assume RT is the exposure "1" ? Funny, I got 2 identical 120 slide films
(from B&H, just to make sure there're no light leaks and exposure is
right) and one film didn't have the ones and I was only able to see "RT"
(yes, I had it put in with the black side facing the shutter), while
the second one does have it: there're 3 dots then a number, 3 dots
and a number and so forth, showing under the lid.

- after all 12 frames (6x6) are shot, till when should one rotate
the handle on the back - in other words, what should be showing
under the lid when it is over ?

So far I have to say I really like the MF (I have some 35mm equipment).
I would imagine owning a Hassy would be much more of a thrill :),
but I'm only an amateur .

I bought the camera for $325 + $74 for the Polaroid back, on Ebay,
from a very pleasant young guy from LA. The camera is new, made
in 1995 (!), weights a ton, feels like a tank :) There's a 10day
warranty, but having spoken to the seller, I'm rather confident
I have at least a few weeks :). A 1 year warranty would be much
more comforting, but these few weeks of warranty are sure better than no
warranty at all. BTW, in the Russian manual it says that the camera
has 2Y factory warranty. It doesn't mean anything these days (not
only in the US).

I've also spent $4 for 2 3/8->1/4 bushings and $5 for a used
release cable. A 150mm lense is next on my list.

One funny thing: in the Russian version of the manual it says something
like this:

"There might be air bubbles, dust and little imperfections visible
inside of the lens. Worry not comrades :), they do not affect the quality of the
pictures" .

If there's enough demand, I can translate the Russian manual and
post it on my WWW site - hopefully it will have cleaner English
compared to original and the version on Dedal's(?) WWW site.

Operating the camera is rather straightforward, I was able to
learn it in a couple of hours. I certainly haven't mastered
it yet :) - this posting is a proof of that ...

Thank you.

Rashid.