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.
Month: February 2008
Video tutorials: loading 120 film on metal and plastic reels
Check out these how-to videos by Luke Healey on loading 120 film onto reels for at-home DIY film processing.
Loading metal reels:
Loading Paterson plastic reels:
Polaroid Automatic 100 battery conversion
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.
Videos on the end of Polaroid
CBS Sunday Morning segment
Video Killed The Polaroid Star: cute arty short
Insanely covoluted process yields amazing print
Matt Callow made this print with a truly convoluted paper negative/internegative printing process, which you can read about here. Looks like a pain in the ass, but the result speaks for itself.
We are fucked: Polaroid stops making film, for real
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!!!
f295 Symposium workshops now available
Tom Persinger of f295 writes:
I’m pleased to announce that registration for ALL of the the symposium workshops is now available! We have a number of exciting offerings this year -some are being presented in the United States for the first time! The quality of instruction available is amazing. You will not be disappointed!
Here are the workshops, instructors and cost of what we’re offering this year:
An Artistic Approach to Digital Negatives, w/ Jill Enfield, $125.00
Bookmaking for Artists & Photographers, w/ Laura Blacklow, $125.00
Calotype Paper Negatives (Dry Process), w/ Alan Greene, $200.00 (+ $35 materials fee)
Developed-Out Salt-Printing, w/ Alan Greene, $200.00 (+ $35 materials fee)
Combined Calotype and Developed Out Salt Printing Weekend $350 (+ $50 materials fee)
Chrysotype and Cyanotype Rex Workshop, w/ Terry King, $270.00
Collodion and Albumen Platinum Prints, w/ Terry King, $260.00
Daguerreotype Workshop -SATURDAY, w/ Mike Robinson, $500.00 (+ $50 material fee)
Daguerreotype Workshop -SUNDAY, w/ Mike Robinson, $500.00(+ $50 material fee)
Gum Bichromate Printing, w/ Scott McMahon, $200.00 (+ $35 materials fee)
Planning, Organizing, and Staging a Successful Exhibition, w/ Jesseca Ferguson, $25.00
The Magic of the Photogram & Camera Obscura Techniques, w/ Ilan Wolff, $275.00
Wet Plate Collodion: An Introduction, w/ Patricia Katchur, $350.00
Wet Plate Collodion Field Trip, w/ Patricia Katchur, $350.00
Wet Plate Weekend (combines Intro and Field Trip at a discount) $600
You may register for the workshops and the symposium here: www.f295.org/symposium2008/?page_id=111.
Space is limited and we’ve already had a few sign-ups for some of these workshops. If you have interest in taking one consider signing up right away.
REMINDER: workshops are currently only available to those registered for the symposium (workshops are not included in symposium registration). Symposium registration is now available at an ‘early registration discount’ for $135 – only $75 for students! These prices last until March 1 when the rate increases to $150.
**Cancellation Policy: Symposium and/or Workshop reservations may be canceled for a full refund up to midnight April 17, 2008. Reservations canceled between April 18 and midnight May 15 will receive a 50% refund and cancellations after May 15 will receive no refund.
Complete Symposium Information:
http://www.f295.org/symposium2008PS: We’ve just received word that in addition to B&H Photo and Pinhole Blender, Lensbabies and Fujifilm will be joining us in Pittsburgh! We’re poised to make several more exciting exhibitor announcements over the next few days. Stay tuned!