Posts Tagged ‘Polaroid’

Sick of these overcast days!, originally uploaded by norbography.

There is just something about Polaroid shots. I love the look of them. Luckily, because it turns out to cost about $2.40 each shot.

Time magazines look at the Impossible project. The most exciting part of the article says.

The trial monochrome version of the film will go into production at the end of October and, if all goes according to plan, should be available to the masses in time for Christmas, “before people start to throw away their old Polaroid cameras,” says Kaps. In 2010, when the color version should hit the shelves, Impossible hopes to sell 1 million new films, with prices likely to range from $23 to $28 for a 10-shot cassette. The company predicts worldwide demand will eventually reach up to 10 million films a year.

Oh boy, for the Polaroid fans, this is a god send.

Two American-made Polaroid SX-70 instant Land Cameras (circa 1970s) with original boxes
George Rose / Getty Images

After Polaroid, Keeping Instant Photography Alive – TIME.

3/52, originally uploaded by norbography.

This shot won out in the vote from the last 2 days.

In the past 12 months I have turned into a collector of old cameras. Well, up until a couple of weeks ago when I offloaded about 13 of them.

I kept 6. This old Polaroid OneStep Plus is amongst the group I kept. The right film (SX-70) is bloody expensive, and even the cheaper 600 film still costs about $25 for a 10 pack, but I love the results. Every photo I take makes me fell like I have been transported back in time. Back to a time when I had unlimited energy, no worries and blonde hair.

Well, have you????, originally uploaded by norbography.

Finally, after trying for months, I have acquired a Polaroid camera. It is a Polaroid OneStep Plus, which actually uses SX-70 film, but you can do a bit of fiddling to get it to accept the easier to get 600 film. Given the cost of the film, I don’t expect to have this camera for long. Anywhere from $20-$30 for a 10 pack!

It does produce some fantastic images though. I have some fiddling to do to get it to stop over exposing the shots. The 600 film is a lot more sensitive than the SX-70 film, and a lot of people who do use 600 film in SX-70 cameras use a ND filter over their lens. Time to have a play on the weekend.

There was a time when I didn’t understand the passion people had with retro photography gear. Since I bought my first film camera, I have understood. I have banged on time and time again on this blog about film and its seductive ways. But what about Polaroids? The instant film and cameras that have been around for decades. Everyone would have seen the terrific looking instant photos that these cameras produce. Sadly, In February 2008, Polaroid announced it would discontinue production of film, shut down three factories and lay off 450 workers. So now, film is fetching some ridiculous prices on eBay.

Late last year, I heard about The Impossible Project. A group of enthusiasts is trying to resurrect the old film. This is fantastic news. Maybe I should start looking for that SX-70 I have been lusting over for a year or two.