ISO 40
Box speed
Instant
Type
?
Process
Discontinued
Status
?–c2003
Years made
Film specifications#
- Manufacturer
- Polaroid
- Film
- High Contrast PolaChrome HCP
- Type
- Instant film
- Speed
- 40
- Process
- ?
- Formats
- 135-12
- Base
- ?
- Made in
- USA
- Status
- Discontinued
Character & history#
Intended for reproduction of colored charts and graphics. Produces high contrast images. Same as PolaChrome CS, sold with developing chemicals for PolaGraph HC to produce higher contrast.
Description adapted from Wikipedia’s “List of discontinued photographic films” (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Exposure guide at ISO 40#
Sunny 16 for this film: f/16 at 1/40 s in bright sun. Negative film tolerates 2–3 stops of overexposure; slide film needs accuracy within about ⅓–½ stop.
| Light | f/2 | f/4 | f/8 | f/16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV 16 · Snow / beach, bright sun | — | 1/1600 s | 1/400 s | 1/100 s |
| EV 15 · Bright sun | 1/3200 s | 1/800 s | 1/200 s | 1/50 s |
| EV 14 · Hazy sun | 1/1600 s | 1/400 s | 1/100 s | 1/25 s |
| EV 13 · Cloudy-bright | 1/800 s | 1/200 s | 1/50 s | 1/13 s |
| EV 12 · Overcast / open shade | 1/400 s | 1/100 s | 1/25 s | 1/6 s |
| EV 10 · Sunset | 1/100 s | 1/25 s | 1/6 s | 0.6 s |
| EV 8 · Bright interior | 1/25 s | 1/6 s | 0.6 s | 2.5 s |
| EV 5 · Home interior at night | 0.3 s | 1.3 s | 5 s | 20 s |
| EV 3 · City street at night | 1.3 s | 5 s | 20 s | > 1 min |
Similar films#
Other instant film around ISO 40.
- Polaroid PolaChrome CS ISO 40 · disc.
More Polaroid films#
Frequently asked questions#
What ISO is Polaroid High Contrast PolaChrome HCP?
40 — set your meter to ISO 40 for box speed.
Is Polaroid High Contrast PolaChrome HCP still made?
No, it has been discontinued (?–c2003).
How do I develop Polaroid High Contrast PolaChrome HCP?
? process.
Is Polaroid High Contrast PolaChrome HCP available in 35mm?
Yes — formats: 135-12.
Sources & licences#
- Wikipedia: List of discontinued photographic films — CC BY-SA 4.0
Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources