Polaroid cameras - is it worth buying one? [Archive]

Sergey

01-05-2009, 21:04

I just got to college and I'm having a spurt of creativity. Part of this is a new appreciation for lomography and polaroid photos.

I would really like to get myself a nice Polaroid camera off Ebay and start snapping pictures, but if there will be no film available one year from now, I'm not sure I want to even make the investment.

Is there any point in starting polaroid photography if the company decided to quit producing film? Or are there going to be alternative sources to buy film from? Thanks in advance.

mh2000

01-05-2009, 21:08

I'm not sure which models you are looking at, but fuji still makes a lot of film for Polaroid cameras. My favorites are the pack film cameras... especially for b&w... very cool... we're talking $5 cameras... why not just try one and if it becomes useless in the near future... well... you lost $5... big whoop!

:)

Sergey

01-05-2009, 21:14

ClaremontPhoto

01-05-2009, 22:05

Buy an inexpensive camera and a whole ton of film.

bmattock

01-06-2009, 03:56

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking about getting an SX-70 camera for color photo. To me, it is the discoloration that is appealing about how the photos turn out.

If fujifilm still make film for an SX-70 I would be extremely pleased, but I don't want to get my hopes up. I'll read about it online.

I think you're getting some really irresponsible advice. Fuji does not make any film that is compatible with the SX-70. The SX-70 can be converted to use Polaroid 600 film, I am told, but nothing by Fuji, and Polaroid, as people appear to be unclear on, is bankrupt and has ceased operations concerning all instant film.

Steve Bellayr

01-06-2009, 04:34

The SX-70 has reached the collectible status, though its cost will be below that of one of your text books. As for film it probably will be available on the secondary market. IMHO you are probably better off with the lomo. There are several versions available and film for it is still being produced.

Steve Bellayr

01-06-2009, 04:46

Here you go FYI:
http://www.shopgoodwill.com/auctions/Polaroid-SX-70-camera-with-case---NR-4358065

bmattock

01-06-2009, 05:24

SX70 film available HERE. (http://www.polaroid.com/products/product_list.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=25343743020 28649&sc=)

They are no longer making it. I do not know how much more clear I can make that. Once the existing stock is depleted, it is gone. Fuji film does not make a replacement for it.

whickus

01-06-2009, 05:41

integral films (600, 779, sx70, time zero) are no longer made and there are no plans for anyone to start making it in polaroid's absence, so if you buy an sx70 (or any integral camera) you're gonna have to stock up on film while it's available. soon even the freshest integral film will be expired.

pack film, however, is still being made by fuji while polapremium (formerly unsaleable.com) is looking into the feasability of starting their own pack film production line. the 450, 350 and 250 packfilm models are nice because they have zeiss built rangefinders for easy focusing. check out the land list website for more info on just about every polaroid camera ever made.

venchka

01-06-2009, 05:50

iamzip

01-06-2009, 05:51

The safest bet is to buy a camera that is compatible with fuji instant film. You might want to check out www.toycamera.com (which is down at the moment). There is a member there who is very knowledgeable on Polaroids.

bmattock

01-06-2009, 06:13

What you need is...
A Polaroid 550 and/or Polaroid 405 holder. The 550 allows 4"x5" film while the 405 holder accepts 3 1/4"x4 1/4" film.
A 4x5 camera with a Graflok/International back.
Fuji Instant material. Freestyle, B&H Photo, etc. sell the Fuji products.
GOOGLE knows all of this.

Google also knows, but a new college student like the O/P might not, that a Polaroid SX-70 like he was talking about buying works with none of those things. No Fuji products will work with an SX-70. I read his post and follow up question, and that's what I was attempting to answer.

venchka

01-06-2009, 06:19

I knew that. I also know that I have all of the above ready to go at the house including a box of fresh Fuji 4x5 color print material.

I mourn the loss of Polaroid Type 55 P/N film. Corporate raiders, GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!! Hanging would be too good for them.

bmattock

01-06-2009, 06:21

sweathog

01-06-2009, 06:30

Polaroid aren't making SX70 film any more, true, but these guys are: http://www.sx70blend.com/

I recommend getting something that takes the Fuji peel-apart film.
I recently bought an EE100, which is loads of fun to use.

bmattock

01-06-2009, 06:44

Polaroid aren't making SX70 film any more, true, but these guys are: http://www.sx70blend.com/

No, they are not. Did you follow the link and read it?

charjohncarter

01-06-2009, 06:47

I recently bought an Automatic 100, $20, it is RF, glass lens, but big. I got it to compliment my ColorPack II which I paid $29.95 for in 1970. I wanted the RF feature. I use only Fuji pack film these days (still being made) and really enjoy it. I also got the Portrait attachment which is linked to the RF and works great (I guess to answer your question; yes for me it is more than worth it):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/3076276778_cb4270f403.jpg?v=0

whickus

01-06-2009, 06:47

Polaroid aren't making SX70 film any more, true, but these guys are: http://www.sx70blend.com/

no, they're not. the sx70 blend was basically 600 film with a 2 stop nd filter on top of the film. it was made by polaroid and distributed by unsaleable.com.

bottom line - no one is making film for 600/sx70 cameras. the only film you can buy for these cameras is either expired or last time production runs, that's it. no more 600 or sx70 film.

kuzano

01-06-2009, 07:25

Artistic persons wanted the SX70 for the Time Zero film which left some time in the developing process for manipulating the image. This made the SX70 very popular.

I believe the Time Zero film ceased production quite a long time ago and the later SX70 films and Blend were not in the same artistic camp (did not allow the image manipulation for some time after the shutter click).

I'd be surprised if you could find any of the film that made the SX70 so popular, regardless of "Old Stock" or whatever Fuji is still making that will fit the camera.

Therefore, other than compact size folded down, the SX70 seems to have no real advantage over other pack film cameras.

FA Limited

01-06-2009, 07:29

what's a good camera for the current fuji pack film?
preferably something small

sweathog

01-06-2009, 07:42

No, they are not. Did you follow the link and read it?
My apologies.
I thought that the SX70 Blend was made by a different company (a group of Danish, I believe, gents) who had bought the manufacturing rights. My memory must be a bit hazy.

whickus

01-06-2009, 07:57

what's a good camera for the current fuji pack film?
preferably something small

there are no "small" pack film cameras, but a lot of them have collapsible bellows and a built in hard cover, which helps make them a little more discrete. since the print is so large (in comparison with most film formats) the lens needs to be so far from the film, which kinda limits how small the cameras can be. when collapsed, they're a little smaller than a lunchbox. there were numerous folding pack film cameras made and the land list describes their features.

OldNick

01-06-2009, 08:03

Here is a link to an SX-70 photo from 1978, scanned recently. Good shots held up well. Lousy shots, well, were just lousy.

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/OldNick/Gulf+Shores+AL+1978.jpg.html

Jim N.

venchka

01-06-2009, 08:18

what's a good camera for the current fuji pack film?
preferably something small

I use my Polaroid holders: 545, 550 & 405, in a Speed Graphic. The combination works well for me. The Speed Graphic can also use sheet film and roll film (120/220) holders. A very verstile system.

historicist

01-06-2009, 08:20

Link to the land list:

http://www.rwhirled.com/landlist/landhome.htm

Pack film cameras are incredibly good fun, there are a lot of models, some of them cheap and plastic, but some with nice good rangefinders and good glass lenses. I had a Polaroid 180, and enjoyed it a lot. The only negative is that the film is very expensive (about 1 euro per exposure) and obviously not every picture turns out great so it isn't very economical. I guess film is probably a lot cheaper in the US, though, and they are worth trying out at least.

I have also had a SX-70 in the past, and although in the long term it won't be possible to get film for it, I think it might be worth getting one just to run a pack or two through it. They have good lenses, focus very close, and fold up incredibly elegantly for what is effectively a medium format camera. It's a design masterpiece and I think it is worth using one while you still can.

Most other polaroid cameras are not worth buying for photography, the same goes for the Fuji Instax series (for which film is still available at least in Europe, they are similar to the cheaper, newer polaroid cameras). They are fun at parties, but nothing special as cameras.

venchka

01-06-2009, 10:20

Maybe, and it's a big maybe, the Polaroid 110A and/or 110B cameras will accept the Fujifilm 3 1/4x41/4 film packs. you have to do your homework and research the Fujifilm question.

Right now there is one of each, 110A and 110B, for sale at the Large Format Photography Forum.

venchka

01-06-2009, 10:22

...Most other polaroid cameras are not worth buying for photography, the same goes for the Fuji Instax series (for which film is still available at least in Europe, they are similar to the cheaper, newer polaroid cameras). They are fun at parties, but nothing special as cameras.

...an instant film Holga. :D

charjohncarter

01-06-2009, 10:55

FA Limited, the color pack cameras are cheap and use pack film. Here is a site with the specs on most of the Polaroid cameras:

http://www.rwhirled.com/landlist/landdcam.htm

Just click on packfilm cameras.
I just saw somebody else put this site up, anyway check the Automatic 100, not small but it has everything.

FPjohn

01-06-2009, 12:22

The Full Instant film aesthetic may be had with Instax 200 cameras and film.

yours
FPJ

FPjohn

01-06-2009, 12:25

It appears that that Instax has been noted by others.

shadowfox

01-06-2009, 12:52

Polaroid cameras to get?

Why... this one of course :D

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/3111511582_6d182ef331.jpg

this below was taken by my toddler daughter:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/3137001993_79a3764b16.jpg

she loves that thing... :D

But seriously, find one of these:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/3103440227_8a38449557.jpg

You'll love it, no batteries needed, Tomioka lens, all good RF fun, and it takes Fuji packfilm as well.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/3137001875_a1d7a38de4.jpg

historicist

01-06-2009, 12:59

I can second buying the Polaroid 180/190/195 cameras. Expensive, but much faster lenses, full manual control and if you don't like it you'll almost certainly get the purchase price back when you sell it. I used my 180 a lot and made quite a big profit when I sold it on.

Or, as a cheaper option, a Polaroid back on a MF camera, if you have access to one?

amoebahydra

01-07-2009, 09:49

I use Polaroid 405, 550, 545i backs, Linhof Rollax Polaroid, Hasselblad 100.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm100/amoebahydra/Photo%20Equipment/MasterTechnika6x9polaroid.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm100/amoebahydra/Photo%20Equipment/Polaroidbacks.jpg

bmattock

01-07-2009, 09:58

Which Fuji instant film fits in your Polaroid 545i?

venchka

01-07-2009, 10:01

Sweet. I have the same general setup. However, the Linhof and Heliar makes my Speed Graphic and 127mm Ektar seem somehow inferior.

amoebahydra

01-07-2009, 10:01

Which Fuji instant film fits in your Polaroid 545i?

I cannot find one, I am using remaining Polaroid stock...sad ah!

venchka

01-07-2009, 10:01

Which Fuji instant film fits in your Polaroid 545i?

None, actually. But it does accept Quickloads and Readyloads.

amoebahydra

01-07-2009, 10:03

Sweet. I have the same general setup. However, the Linhof and Heliar makes my Speed Graphic and 127mm Ektar seem somehow inferior.

Nop, it is an Apo-Lanthar 150/4.5...not a Heliar

venchka

01-07-2009, 10:06

Yep. My fingers couldn't keep up with my brain.

bmattock

01-07-2009, 10:08

None, actually. But it does accept Quickloads and Readyloads.

Yep, I was aware of that. For a moment, I had a brief glimmer of hope that someone had figured out a way to use Fuji instant film in the 545 back, and my investment in a 545 a few years ago would not be wasted. I know I can use the non-instant film in it, but I have holders for non-instant film that work better than the clunky 545 back. I wanted instant...sad is the world...

Gumby

01-07-2009, 10:23

None, actually. But it does accept Quickloads and Readyloads.

... and one of those has been recently discontinued.

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/products/films/readyload/readyloadMain.jhtml

shadowfox

01-08-2009, 11:44

I use Polaroid 405, 550, 545i backs, Linhof Rollax Polaroid, Hasselblad 100.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm100/amoebahydra/Photo%20Equipment/MasterTechnika6x9polaroid.jpg

Would love to see a scan of those Polas shot through the Apo-Lanthar :D