Here’s a table of projected availability of films from Polaroid. Given that people are stockpiling like crazy and that a lot of retailers won’t be re-stocking (e.g. Costco), I think this is probably very optimistic, but there it is. It also lists the latest expiration dates you’ll find for each type.
I just modified a friend’s Polaroid Automatic 100 Land camera to take normal AAA batteries. I followed the battery conversion instructions from option-8’s excellent Converting Vintage Polaroids, and it went really smoothly.
I did end up having to shave a few mm off of the two plastic supports that held up the original battery holder to get the battery compartment door to close, but a Dremel made quick work of that.
It’s shooting dark, but apparently that’s pretty common with these.
Normal (exposure dial set to middle)
+1 stop (exposure dial at plus 1 full notch toward Lighter)
+2 stops (exposure dial all the way toward Lighter)
It’s still a bit dark at maximum brightness, but that’s kind of where I like it.
Note: despite the mind-bendingly tragic demise of Polaroid, Fuji makes a nice pack film. I like the FP-100C better than Polaroid’s 690 (yuck) and 669, anyway.
CBS Sunday Morning segment
Video Killed The Polaroid Star: cute arty short
It looks like the sky really as fallen: Polaroid are getting out of the film business.
This article on Boston.com says:
The Norwood and Waltham plants make large-format films used by professional photographers and artists. Polaroid also makes professional-grade films in Mexico, and its consumer film packs come from a factory in the Netherlands. All these plants are slated for closure this year. Polaroid chief operating officer Tom Beaudoin said the company is interested in licensing its technology to an outside firm that could manufacture film for faithful Polaroid customers. If that doesn’t happen, Polaroid users would have to find an alternative photo technology, as the company plans to make only enough film to last into next year.
Fuji makes nice pack/peel-apart films (that I actually like better than Polaroid’s). But where does that leave us for Spectra and 600? Fucked!
Oh, did I mention? FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!
Two more Polaroid films are on the chopping block… this times it’s the super-contrasty Type 51 and the sepia Type 56, both 4×5.
The pages linked above say:
NOTICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS: Please be advised that Polaroid will be discontinuing the manufacture of its T51 [/T56] film within the next several months.
We realize that this is disappointing news for our loyal T51 users and we would like to emphasize that, although the circumstances made it inevitable, it was not an easy decision. We are very sorry for the inconvenience. We continue to manufacture and sell T52, T53, T54, T55, T57, T72 and T79 film.
Ugh. Stop the carnage!
665 - An Exhibition of Polaroid Photographs by skorj. The show runs 3–15 March, 2008 at nagune in Shinjuku’s Goldengai, JP. Time and location details at the gallery site here (JP).
Dealing with Polaroid peel-apart film in the field is a bit of a pain, because once you peel it, you need to think of something to do with the print, and protect it from dust, bugs, and dirt, whilst it dries. Some of them are pretty fast, but some, like 669, seem to take ages. This is why I seldom shoot pack film out and about, it’s just too cumbersome.
As you can see above, David D solved this problem elegantly and cheaply. Sweet, I can’t wait to try this!
Following the story of one of Polaroid’s coating plants closing reported by South Coast Today, several message boards have been alight with rumours that Type 55 positive/negative sheet film is discontinued.
Bill Schwab (who BTW makes fantastic pictures) actually bothered to call Polaroid, and said:
Just got off the phone with Polaroid (easy) where I was told that Type 55 is FAR from dead. In fact I am told sales are quite strong and consistant. I was told there are several coating facilities. I am now forwarding the article David linked to because they did not know of these rumours and want to read them before commenting further.
Check them facts, y’all. Picking up the phone before feeding the fire isn’t hard, it’s responsible. Of course the company may lie to you, but at least you’ve done some due diligence.
Polaroid Week Fall 2007 is in full swing over on Flickr, and the pictures are looking good! Here are some highlights so far (posted with the kind permission of the photographers):
Untitled, Cate
Belly, Jinnie
Ferry Terminal, Laura A. Watt
Untitled, Tony Sokolowski
Untitled, gardengal
Rivulet, Roamin
Polaroid Week continues through 7 October, so there’s plenty of time left to join in! Grab a camera and get shooting!
Chris Keeney talks to pinhole/Holga/Polaroid experimental photographer Therese Brown as part of his excellent ongoing series of interviews with fine art photographers.
You can see Brown’s work at her Web site, ThisIsWhatISee.com as well as on Flickr.
This one’s a must-read, so do it at ChrisKeeney.com.
