I just received a polaroid back for my xl. There is no dark slide in the film holder. I have looked at some old catalog photos of the Polaroid film back and their appears to be a dark slide in the picture. I am not familiar with the pack film set up, but it seems like this would be necessary. Questions: 1. Should this back have the Darkslide? 2. Can I get one anywhere? 3. Should I just try to get my money back? (the film back is really very clean otherwise). As always, thanks

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On 2003-04-14 03:20, rchouser wrote: I just received a polaroid back for my xl. There is no dark slide in the film holder. I have looked at some old catalog photos of the Polaroid film back and their appears to be a dark slide in the picture. I am not familiar with the pack film set up, but it seems like this would be necessary. Questions: 1. Should this back have the Darkslide? 2. Can I get one anywhere? 3. Should I just try to get my money back? (the film back is really very clean otherwise). As always, thanks

1. Yes
2. No, but you can probably find one somewhere.
3. That's only for you to decide.

You'll have to determine the size of the darkslide, then search for one. Pacific Rim has a lot. Thompson Photo has some too. Doubt if many places will know they have one for this, but if you have the measurements, they can check theirs.

You can cut one from a 4x5 dark slide. I did this and it works fine. The 4x5 slide is a little too wide (I forget how much, but maybe about 1/8 inch?), so just 'trim' it with a sharp knife and straight edge. Once you get the width to fit it will still be too long, but it can be used that way, or simply cut it off to a more appropriate length. A little sanding might be needed to smooth the cut edges.

Sometimes the simplest answers are the hardest to see. Thanks for replies. I'm keeping the back and cutting the darkslide. I may still call around to see if someone has an old "proper" darkslide to "match the set". This is a great site for us "new guys". Again, thanks...