I can't believe this...

DougK

DougK

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I thought I had all the cameras I could possibly need.

I was wrong.

Being incredibly bored, I was surfing the web looking up all the old cameras my family has owned through the years and I ran across on old, old friend... the folding Polaroid Land Camera Model 101. This was the first camera my dad ever showed me how to use at the tender age of, oh, five I suppose.

I stopped. I looked. I looked again. And said, "Wow... but I bet they don't make film for them anymore."

More Googling ensued. I found that they do still make pack film which will work with these cameras as well as the alkaline batteries for the electronic shutter. I did my best Keanu Reeves impression and said, "Whoah. Dude."

More Googling. I found a like-new 101 in box, with case, flash unit (M3 bulbs, anyone?), manual, original box, everything. The photos looked good, lens looked clean and clear, price looked good. I plunked down the plastic.

I haven't received an email confirming that the seller still has it in stock, but I'm playing the odds here and guessing there hasn't been a rush on this particular item.

The best part of the whole thing? It may not be trendy, it may only have a three-element lens, but it's unit focusing with a coupled rangefinder 🙂

Somehow, in some weird way, this just totally makes up for a really crappy day.
 
Sorry about the bad day-

Now for a bit of good. I remember the smell of the developing Polaroid and waving them about waiting for them to dry. An early form of photgraphic immediacy, one more thing digital killed.

I'll bet it will be a lot less "fidgety" than one of the digital wonders
 
I have to admit, I'm really excited about this. There must be some serendipity involved here, as a friend of mine who is thinking about modeling asked me if I'd be willing to take a few pictures of her. I was planning on doing the shoot with digital, but the Polaroid might be just the ticket to get some old-fashioned looking portraits easily and maybe make the shoot a little more fun and relaxed for both of us.
 
I'm also excited about the availability of a much larger negative which should be loads easier to scan on my flatbed. To paraphrase Gordon, the sheer terror inspired by the flashgun could add to the fun factor as well.
 
Wow! You made me feel nolstalgic. I still have a Polaroid Land Camera (I don't have it handy so I can't tell you the model #). It is in its original, worn out vinyl case/kit including flashbulbs. I didn't know that film is still available for this camera. I think the battery compartment is corroded. I wonder if I can revive it. Oh, and mine is also the one with rangefinder focusing.

--Warren
 
Doug, it sounds like good clean fun! The B&W with negative is pretty cool; I believe that's Type 55PN. Something like that. I have a lesser model, I think it's a 230 or 250, that I haven't used in years. Should drag it out...
 
I have a model 101. The 3-element all-glass lens is plenty sharp as you essentially get a contact print. Film is readily available. I have shot film out-of-date by 1-year with great results and 3-year out-of-date for "practice shots".

I prefer shooting with a model 250 for the Zeiss finder and "indoor without flash" setting for ASA3000 B&W.

But I have the original model 104 that my Dad taught me to use in the '60s. It still works.

> One more thing that Digital Killed.

I took my Polaroid SLR680 to a Birthday party for one of Nikki's little friends this past Saturday. One ten-year old girl saw it and announced "Those cameras are so Cool!" Polaroid should drop the price of its film, increase the quality of its cameras, and aim them at new parents and kids.
 
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I have had about 4 of these models too. Its easy to convert them to use a couple AA batteries instead of the hard to find battery. Everyone of them worked too. That positive/negative stuff is neat. The print looks terrible but the negative is very good and large. A local store is dumping their 3000 speed B&W film so I am going to try some this weekend in my $5 propack(ee100special). Who came up with these names for Polaroid? Names like Pronto, Clincher, etc...I have tried their color film and it was pretty bad. I have seen that Fuji makes color and b&w film for polaroids with better color.
 
Several years ago, my son in-law brought me a Model 160 Polaroid in absolutetly pristeen condition. His friend was cleaning house and was about to put it into the trash can.

This was identical to one I had used at work years ago and I knew it would take great pictures. In my exitement I tried to find film for it but was told by Polaroid in Canada that it was no longer available.

Now I find out that film is available and would love to get some. This particular model takes Type 47 (3000 ASA) or Type 42 (200 ASA)

Perhaps dkirchge can direct me to a source of film.

By the way, this camera is a "Rangefinder" and is built like a tank.

Regards to all

Bill K.
 
Shake it... Shake it... Shake it .... Like a Polaroid picture...
🙂

Never tried one, but I'd loooove to!!!!

Denis
 
Bill K.....you sure about type 47 film being produced now? It was discontinued in 1992. I dont see it on polaroids website. Last I heard they were not going to produce anymore roll film. Maybe you have it confused with "pack" film that they still make?
 
Hi Rob,

You are right. Type 47 was discontinued some time ago.

I mis-understood dkirchge's post. He did mention pack film which will not work in my Model 160.

It's too bad. I would have loved to try this beast out again. For now, it sits poudly on the bookshelf in my office. (along with other folders and at least one RF, an ANSCO SUPER MEMAR with an f2.0 lens)

Regards,

Bill K.
 
Doug K.

You have brought back some fond memories. I still have a couple of B&W Polaroid pictures from the 60's and they look OK. It's a good thing I coated them with the "special coating gizmo" supplied with each roll.

Regards,

Bill K.
 
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