The Polaroid instant cameras were great. They had (some of) the immediacy of digital cameras, as well as the "artifact" character...each print was one of a kind and cannot be reproduced. Like many film stocks, there is also something unique to the "format" of the print as well, possessing a white frame of thick-ish plastic paper:


(from IMPOSSIBLE Project website)

Take a picture and "click-vwhirrr" out pops a print. Now these take time to develop. There was a ritual of flapping the picture around, but that wasn't necessary with post-1970s models and stock. In fact, the best thing to do is put it in your pocket right away, and wait about four minutes.

About a year ago, I picked up a model 600 camera in a thrift store for $5. The kind that flips open. I really like the design:

This is an older model in the line. I'm not sure about technical differences, but I sure like how this one looks! It's black with a little rainbow accent, and lots of corners. My girlfriend said I shouldn't buy it since I wouldn't be able to get the film any more. Polaroid ceased production in 2008, and made what they projected to be enough to last through 2009. (I learned that recently. I thought they had stopped around 2002!)

But I held fast, and sure enough, someone has taken over Polaroid's original factory, licensed their tech, and is making new stock. I just ordered one film pack the other day to test. I haven't used it yet, as it cost $27 and contains only eight exposures. Quite precious! I must use them carefully! But I look forward to it, it will be fun.

Is polaroid making stock again for Kodachrome? Or just the instant cameras? Either way, it's great to here they're started manufacturing it again!

Even with post 70's models I flapped the hell out of the picture. It somehow developed in me an automatic spanking wich my girl-friend appreciates.

Omg, I bought a Polaroid SX-70 back in 1974. It had a brushed chrome case with real leather accent panels.
It was well over $100 back in the day, and heavy too.

I believe Polaroid is only making "film" for their own cameras now. (most are digital cameras with a miniature printer inside) The film for the old cameras is made by a different company named Impossible, who bought one of their old factories.
Do you still have it? Impossible is making film for that model too.

Y'know,I have never been a fan of polaroids. I think I got that because when I was about 7 my father show me how to reveal pictures. The whole process with the red bulb and the developer liquids was like learning alchemy to my young mind. We even made a rudimentary camera using a a metal cracker box. Polaroid pictures always seemed like "cheating" to me...

It's irrelevant nowadays when even toasters come with a camera,but back then in my youth it was...magic.

I bought a Polaroid one 600 a few months back from a thrift store. It had several packs of film. I was surprised to find out that the film catches a hefty price now days.

I've always wanted to own one of those Polaroid instant cameras.

We had one when I was a kid. It sat on the top shelf in the kitchen cabinet for years. Not sure when ever happened to it. I posted this one before, but here is a pic of me taken with it in the early 80s (1981 I think). I scanned this a couple of years ago and the quality is still good, better than many 35 mm during that time.

I still have my old Polaroid camera that I got from my Grandparents. I took a lot of pictures with it in high school back in the 80's.

Naw, I gave it to my favorite cousin when I moved to Arizona in 1977.

Transformers will return after this messages..