I will never use Polaroid-brand film again!!!

I went up to the local pro shop to get some more Polaroid 690 film for my RZ and it ends up they were out. I really needed some so the clerk suggested I try some Fuji 100C. Well I was a little skeptical, I use Fuji film all the time but I had never tried the instant pack film before. I had always used Polaroid pack film and I was really hesitant to try anything new, especially before an important shoot. The clerk assured me that it not only was as good as Polaroid but that it was FAR superior and that once I tried it I'd never go back. Having been duped by counter clerks before I was even more skeptical. Seeing the HUGE pile of the film sitting next to the HUGE empty spot where 690 film was, I was even MORE skeptical. But I had no choice so I bought some.

WOW!! can I say that again... WOW!! If I had only known about this stuff I would have been using it right from the start... WOW!!!...

I know what you're thinking. It's instant pack film. What is there to "wow" about? Well I assume that if you are asking that its because you use Polaroid film. But I get ahead of myself...

General:

Here's the info from the Fuji site


Fujifilm FP-100C is a "peel-apart-type" instant color daylight film that performs extremely well under varied lighting, composition, and depth of focus conditions.
Its fine grain and rich tonal gradation make it ideal for commercial test shots, presentations, ID photos, medical diagnoses, and direct printing.

Enhanced resistance to light-induced discoloration.


Rivals transparency products for image quality.


Expanded applicable temperature range.


Superb tonal gradation from highlights through shaded portions.


Exceptional image quality and color reproduction.


Available in 3.25 x 4.25 and 4 x 5 formats 10 sheet packs.

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Use: The only obvious difference between Polaroid 690 and Fuji 100c is that Polaroid comes packaged 20 sheets (2 packs) per container while Fuji is only 10 sheets (1 pack) per container. They both go into the film back in the same way. They both have the same basic pack design. They both use the same basic paper leader and the same basic continuous paper-pull feed. You will be hard pressed to know the difference until you actually pull out a frame for development. Both the 690 and Fuji 100c films are 90-second development at room temp. The Fuji system uses a slightly different grey backing for its film. The "look" of the film packet is slightly different and I think that the Fuji film is slightly more difficult to separate. BUT its not that tough, and the results are what make it worth the effort.

The Fuji packet seems a lot less messy. The developer seems to stay contained to the waste part of the packet. With the Polaroid system it seems that developer gets all over the print and the waste side. I find the Fuji system slightly cleaner and the actual print itself to have a more stiff backing that resists bending more easily. I also have yet to have a Fuji frame that was partially developed from lack of proper developer spreading by the rollers. The Fuji print always seems show no signs of improper developer spreading...no streaks, no light or dark spots. I get a lousy print from Polaroid at least one per pack. I admit I just yank out the picture and time it. But the Fuji film works better with my more careless and quick method.

The real difference is in the print itself. In comparison to a Polaroid print the Fuji print is like looking at a fine transparency. The colors are as good as ANY slide film. The resolution is AMAZING.... the print is usually better then the Provia 100 I normally shoot. More importantly I think that the accuracy of the print vs. the slides is EXTREMELY high. I often take several shots with 1/2 or 1/4 stop variances and I can always see a subtle difference in the print.....as you would with a slide. The Polaroid is not always so accurate and I feel is sometimes as much as half a stop off vs. slide film.

The bottom line is that the print is so good that it is actually worth keeping. The sharpness is so good that it's accurate for critical focus checks and extremely accurate depth of field. These things were guesses at best with my Polaroid film. Also....the colors are so accurate, but more importantly true to the FUJI color I am used to that I can almost eyeball color temperature. That is something I could never accurately do with Polaroid. To be honest...I am sometimes STUNNED by the quality of the instant prints. My clients also agree. Before they just looked at them and went...."yup..that's me"... now they look at them and comment on subtle details like the colors or the sharpness.... even the untrained eye can tell the difference...I would think that the added sharpness, color and detail would also make this the clear choice for emulsion transfers....for those artists who prefer that type of thing.

the bottom line... the film is slightly more expensive, but I feel the added versatility of the film vs. the Polaroid version makes it a clear winner. I will never shoot Polaroid 690 again.