Polaroid..... Which one?

[MiniMoke]

I'm seriously tempted to try some Polaroid (well, I shot some already way back longtime ago).

Which camera do you recommend? Which format?

I'd like to balance cost and availability of film.

New Fuji, used Pola? Please tell me...

 

[Phantomas]

There's also this, but you certainly ain't gonna be balancing the cost part of it. Fuji is probably the best bet cost-wise, or looking around local classifieds for old obscure pola stocks.

edit: I assumed you were asking about film. No idea about cameras, not a polaroid shooter. But SX-70 always looked kinda cool.

 

[Fixcinater]

Instax (I prefer wide for image size) for best long-term viability, worst camera and cheapest per frame. If you go for Polaroid/Impossible, be prepared to cough up $20-25 per pack of 8-10 shots.

As for peel-apart, if Fuji just killed 3000B, I can't imagine that 100C is too far away. Stock up now and prepare for prices to go up if you jump in at this point.

I have an SX70, a Spectra, had a bunch of 600s and Polaroid pack film cams, an Instax 210 but now shoot the Instax in the 210, any Impossible and random expired Polaroid I find in an original silver and brown leather SX70.

Instax and any random Fuji pack film I find get shot in a Speed Graphic as I have good large format lenses that work with the rangefinder and people love that camera. f/4.5 lenses with 800ASA Instax or 600ASA Polaroid stock is pretty flexible without a flash.

 

[Black]

Certainly don't agree with the rationale of shooting Instax for long term viability. Fuji have proven time and time again that they are phasing out the majority of the film lines.
If you wanted to shoot a wider instant format, you could do worse than pick up a used Polaroid Spectra camera. There are loads out there for relative peanuts. Spectra film (and Impossible's variant) is wider than the traditional square Polaroid format.
I would suggest a used Polaroid 680 SLR - just like the SX-70, but with flash and compatible with the far more useful 600 integral films.

You can pick up said film from the aforementioned Impossible Project, who, in my opinion, are the only choice for instant photography these days and who have a real passion for it and a very healthy customer base.

You can also pick up expired Polaroid integral films on the 'Bay.

Worth bearing in mind that Impossible are bring out a couple of new cameras (as opposed to their Lab) this year. The word "Rangefinder" was mentioned.

 

[GarageBoy]

Fp100c in a pack camera is the least expensive and most fun method for me

 

[Pete B]

Give Impossible your support. They want to improve their products, and can only do so with continued investment. They are the only hope for the future. The more people buy, the more likely prices will drop. Let's not be short sighted; support Impossible.
Pete

 

[kiss-o-matic]

I've recently messed around w/ Polaroid. A few notes.

1) I had a "tested and true" SX-70 and it's not really working that well
2) Impossible film is light sensitive. You have to hide it from light when the photo comes out.
3) I got a 600 for $35 and it clearly works the best. Going to stick w/ that, I'm sure, but I do need to get one more pack of SX-70 film to make sure the camera is indeed junk.

 

[Godfrey]

Polaroid Spectra and 600 are both darn great. SX-70s are way cool. I like 'em all. 🙂

G

 

[valdas]

I have recently bought converted Polaroid Pathfinder 110b (to use with pack film). I really enjoy the quality of FP100 and FP3000B, but it comes at a steep price...

 

[MiniMoke]

Thanks for your input!

I settled for a Fuji Instax Wide 210 for the moment..... the price of Impossible Project film put me off, but if this really strikes a spark for me, I'll certainly get a Spectra and use their film.

I like the dedication they show for this medium, and I think the pictures are much nicer than the Fuji ones. Technically less good, for sure, but they got that beautiful artsy look.

Looking forward to getting my Instax from Amazon in one or two days....

 

[MiniMoke]

Tried my Fuji Instax Wide this weekend, and the pictures came out very well, nothing too amazing though, but good colors. They are a bit on the small side though.

Anyways, it's fun.

I got a real Polaroid Image System E from the 'bay too and some Impossible Project film yesterday. The first 2 test shots came out nearly black.... I guess the camera is dead and will go back to the seller. Just opened a Service request with Impossible and was amazed at their fast reaction.

Expensive products, but good service, and of course, their dedication to rescuing those wonderful cameras needs our support.

 

[Godfrey]

Pulled out my Polaroid 350 Land Camera today and loaded it up with a pack of Fuji FP-3000b. Stuck a spare pack in my bag.

Ah, twenty precious exposures...

I'll be sad when I use up all my stock of this film.

G

 

[MiniMoke]

No Pola Land camera, alas, only a humble 636 and a Spectra, but I like the results..... as low-fi as they are.

Guess I'll end up being a hipster at my age 😱

140501 - Polaroid - 001 by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr

140501 - Polaroid - 003 by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr

140501 - Polaroid - 004 by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr

 

[Godfrey]

No Pola Land camera, alas, only a humble 636 and a Spectra, but I like the results..... as low-fi as they are.

Guess I'll end up being a hipster at my age 😱

140501 - Polaroid - 001 by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr

140501 - Polaroid - 003 by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr

140501 - Polaroid - 004 by Frank Lehnen / MiniMoke, on Flickr

Very nice!

I mostly shoot with one of the SX-70s or a Spectra Pro—they're less fuss with the integral film—but I have to say the Polaroid 350 Land Camera produces some spectacular photographs. Both the Fuji color and B&W are excellent films.

G