Impossible / Polaroid Original Reviews?

[zian]

Hi All,

I've got a small stash of expired impossible 600 from 2013. They've been stored in room temperature for the past 1-2 years.

I recently went through 2 packs on my Impossible Lab to try and make some prints, and every one was just crap (terrible color development, faded and pinkish). I've had good results from my Impossible Lab before using expired film so I'm thinking maybe this stash is finally caput.

I was thinking of getting an actual polaroid camera, either the new OneStep or an old SX-70, but am wondering if anyone has used the current generation of impossible/polaroid original film.

Any reviews or thoughts appreciated.

 

[davidnewtonguitars]

My son uses a lot of this film. It sounds like you were using the fresh stuff!

every one was just crap (terrible color development, faded and pinkish)

 

[lonemantis]

Having shot IP/PO film for the past year now (mostly SX-70 colour), I've noticed a massive improvement in the transition from IP to PO. My IP frames tended to shift towards red after just a few weeks, or even days, and were generally inconsistent at best. However, all the new PO film I've shot since last November has remained exactly the same as the day it was taken. General colour and contrast seem greatly improved as well. It's just a shame it's been too cold here in Canada to use it outside!

I don't think there's been a better time to get back into Polaroid, especially given the lower price! A recently-serviced SX-70 would be my recommendation to start.

 

[wjlapier]

I shot a box this past week with a SX70 II. The new Polaroid Color film. Aside from a slight over exposure colors look OK--I need to remember this and adjust exposure. I think I still prefer the Fujifilm color pack film better--for color.

I have a box of the Polaroid B&W coming tomorrow and some fresh Impossible color when ever it gets here. I'll check those and see if I still want to use this camera and film. Camera was cheap enough to put it on the shelf if I don't like it.

A couple of years ago I took a Polaroid Land 440 on vacation and really enjoyed the results from the B&W and color film I had.

 

[Prest_400]

As you mention expired, a local store does sales every once in a while or during the generation upgrades, so I often take advantage.

PO only shot a single 9/15 mfg pack and it was quite good. Non optimal shooting conditions as it was colder when I went through it and haven't tested the color response with strong colors. Mine still retained some quirks but overall much better than IP. Seen almost perfect frames online.

Color 3.0 I shot a 5/16 pack when it came out. Did a portrait with a colored background as a first frame which had nice color. I went uninspired over the summer and let the film stay in camera for far too long for the rest of the pack. Curiously, the last frame shot 9 months later was much better than some of the middle in the pack.

IP 8/15 Mfg color frame which I bought fresh in May 16 and kept on refrigerator until last fall. I thought it'd be a fail... The colors were really nice, and the first frame (if it weren't a bad selfie) had perfect color but there were some expected defects (slight splotches and some "flaming" on the last couple frames). Shot and developed in good conditions, it was quite a great pack and surpassed some newer film I shot fresh...
A early '16 color pack I bought fresh (maybe it was unrefrigerated for a while), had a warm yellow overtone.

As I said about the sales... Last december this store had a sale of "found stock" without storage guarantee, at 10€/pk, and got myself 2 packs of 600 9/16 color frame and 11/16 gold frame. The latter being loaded in my camera and halfway shot.

I can guess these weren't cold stored because the colors and contrast are weaker, with a blue overtone and cast. First 3 frames had strong "flaming" streaks.
It's great for a more experimental approach, taking into account it was cheaper film.

B&W I only shot 2.0 late '15 batches. Really nice as it developed much faster than color BUT 2 years on the y turned seppia beginning from the top trap. I have one frame which this process happened in patches and splotches.
With PO color being much faster and better, I haven't shot B&W. Still have one of these 2.0 packs in the refrigerator...

 

[skucera]

I bought some Polaroid film for my Spectra before Christmas, and the exposures have held their color very nicely. The older IP film had contrast and hue shifting problems, but this newer Polaroid film is much better. It's still not anywhere as good as the old Polaroid film that I could buy new in the Nineties, but there's potential for improvement.

The problems with the new film have to do with my memories of how good the original Spectra film was back in the day. I could watch it develop in bright sunlight in only 2-3 minutes, but this newer film has to be hidden away from the light and takes 10-15 minutes to develop. It just isn't the same magical experience that delighted everyone of every age.

Scott