Polaroid Eulogy

I thought that if there was demand for it, there would be supply? Somebody kept insisting that. Hmmm. Wonder what that means.
 
Polaroid now has a small pocket printer to print 2x3 (?) photos for about $75. So now with a small digital camera, cord, paper, batteries and the new printer you can duplicate the film polaroid cameras. Technology is great.
 
Polaroid specifically, yes. Instant film, no.

The real news is in [Fuji's] peel-apart instant picture materials... they are also talking seriously about increasing production and conceivably even introducing/reintroducing other films. -Shutterbug, Jan. 09, pg. 163
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Perhaps the next step should be for an all in one Polaroid digital land camera with a built in printer taking common 4x6 ink jet papers as an option for instant material as well as digital media ability.

Eli
 
I have two pack film cameras, and have FujiFilm; color and B&W in two speeds. If Fuji hangs in there I will be very happy. Both taken this year:

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I do have a Polaroid 110-B with a 127mm Wollensack lens converted to use pack film but I don't think I've used it in ten years. I've toyed with the idea of converting it again to take sheet film but I probably still won't use it. I sold my Polaroid back for the Hasselblad several years ago. I probably shoiuld just sell the lens to some student looking for an inexpensive lens for their 4x5 view camera.
 
Al, I'd be interested in your conversion as I still have a bit of Polaroid and will try the fuji at some point. I love this stuff and the cameras with adjustable setting that shoot it. Shoot me a PM when you have the chance.

Eli
 
"We put the past onto Fuji
Then we erase it totally."

(Big Audio Dynamite, referring to videotape in that like)

Not too long ago, I commented on coming across the scene of a two-car accident here in Brooklyn, and how the NYPD relied on Polaroids to capture images for evidence. Not a single digital camera of any sort was in sight. Barring a vast, deep-frozen stash of Polaroid film somewhere here in Gotham, I suppose the guys in blue will have to source the stuff from Fuji.


- Barrett
 
eli griggs said:
Perhaps the next step should be for an all in one Polaroid digital land camera with a built in printer taking common 4x6 ink jet papers as an option for instant material as well as digital media ability.

Eli
Click to expand...

Olympus and Polaroid did that waaay back (in digital terms) eight years ago with the Olympus Camedia C-211. A 2MP digital camera that also took Polaroid 500 pack film. You take a digital shot and have the option to print it right out of the camera on Polaroid film. You could zoom and crop too. I had one and it was fun to use and gave good images at only 2MP.
 
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amateriat said:
"
Not too long ago, I commented on coming across the scene of a two-car accident here in Brooklyn, and how the NYPD relied on Polaroids to capture images for evidence. Not a single digital camera of any sort was in sight. Barring a vast, deep-frozen stash of Polaroid film somewhere here in Gotham, I suppose the guys in blue will have to source the stuff from Fuji.

- Barrett
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Digital is too easy to manipulate, thus an instant photo is more "proof positive" in court.
 
That's what I originally thought too. I had been in charge of my P.D.'s film cameras and darkroom and oversaw the changeover to digital. The digital photo evidence is no different than any other evidence. The digital files are are kept on a secure server in a limited access area and there is a paper trail where those in charge document who has or had access and attest to the fact that the files are an accurate representation of the original crime scene, accident scene, etc.

I think NYPD probably uses the instant film for ease of use and low cost, not because of a bias against digital. It's just easier to do keep doing it that way rather than buy a digital system for the entire city. Just my guess.
 
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Fuji's instant films are often said to be better than Polaroid's in many ways... Of course this is useful only for those, who get instant film in the same size and shape from Fuji that they used to get from Polaroid... I used to shoot SX-70 so Fuji doesn't help me but I guess my Polaroid days are over anyway. At least for some time.
 
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