Private Group Reviving Polaroid Film

sooner

sooner

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Not sure if this has been posted yet, but according to the NY Times a private group is reviving Polaroid film for the NX-70 and 600 type. See link below.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/03/22/business/AP-US-TEC-TechBit-Polaroid-Film.html?_r=1

We often have little good news in the "film is dead" discussion, but this news contradicts Bill Mattock's gloomy assessment of the commercial viability of film even as a niche. Many of us have predicted just such a move as the big boys (Kodak, Fuji) satisfy Wall Street by shutting down their factories. No doubt Bill and others will say this new venture will fail eventually, but for now let's savor the good news, eh?

--John/Sooner
 
I'm not entirely happy with their decision to go with 8 shots instead of 10 per pack, but very very happy, at least for now, I'll have access to 600 (and EI100 version) films regularly.

SX-70 and Polaroid photography have been my guilty pleasure as I strictly stick with B/W film photography otherwise.

4453589912_99a79d4a39.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guruguru/4453589912/
 
There is also an announcement on the AP site today.

"New black & white films for use in traditional Polaroid cameras will go on sale this week - the first in a series designed to 'save instant photography from extinction'.
 
I agree, Dan. Kodak and other big companies have to satisfy the Wall Street investors that they are growing margins, not pursuing shrinking margins in a contracting market. Doesn't mean you can't make money. I know lots of people who would be happy making a million a year in profit running a small film company, say--including me--but obviously that wouldn't make Kodak shareholders or mutual fund managers go all in.
 
I just picked up a $15 SX-70 One Step, just in case. I want to try pushing around some pictures. Don't know how black andwhite will work though. I was gathering material to do this when they killed the film.

I just found a pack of ten SX70 film, dated 5/06. I will at least be able to try the pig in a poke that I just bought.

Thanks for this news. I like fooling around with offbeat things.
 
I secured my second SX-70 first model a bit ago because I figured the prices of the cameras would go up crazy on ebay after the release of the impossible project films.

They still have older, but tested 600 films (color, 10 shot pack) on their website if you need some for this spring.
 
A small private business can do great things with a product like this that a large corporation wouldn't bother with. This is great news and I wish them luck!
 
Excellent news.

A short story. My daughter's Bday party was the Sunday before last. We had bought some 600 film just before Polaroid folded and planned to use it one day to show kids. We forgot the last two years but remembered this year.

WOW was the reaction.

These kids, who are 100% blase about digital photos and have no interest in seeing the photos their parents take on their dime-a-dozen various diticams, were lining up and awe-struck about Polaroids. They were beside themselves with excitement to see the images "magically" appear from nothing. And they weren't just excited about their own photo, but each one that came noisily out of the front of the camera.

It appeared that it was the combination of a little bit of waiting plus the magic of the image slowly emerging that had them hooked.

I tell you, they left the party each TREASURING their one-of-a-kind Polaroid.
 
Great story Julian.

It was a MAGIC when Dr. Land first created this self developing shoot film you don't even need to peel apart several decades ago. It's still a magic today.

A couple more shots to celebrate the return.

3318285812_8f012d41a5.jpg


2827564822_8655cca8d4.jpg
 
I read about "The Impossible Project" when they started up and I am really impressed that they have achieved their goal. Kudos to all those involved.

I will definitely try some of their product as I have a couple of Polaroid cameras here somewhere. Should be fun!!

Kent
 
There is something about holding an image in your hand seconds after you took it that is amazing. I love using my old land cameras but it looks like this new instant film is going to run $2.3 a shot and I just can't justify that cost. Hopefully, when polaroid markets their version of it, it will be cheaper.
 
I'm hoping that they will bring down the price below $20 line per pack over time, but I've got to admire their passion to bring this wonderful format of photography back to the people who still love it so much.

4455475017_048b4b34a1.jpg
 
patois said:
There is something about holding an image in your hand seconds after you took it that is amazing. I love using my old land cameras but it looks like this new instant film is going to run $2.3 a shot and I just can't justify that cost. Hopefully, when polaroid markets their version of it, it will be cheaper.
Click to expand...

I don't think Polaroid are going to market it. They sold all of the production equipment to the new company, Impossible Project.
 
ernstk said:
I don't think Polaroid are going to market it. They sold all of the production equipment to the new company, Impossible Project.
Click to expand...

I, too, doubt Polaroid will do anything about reproducing the film. They'll just sell re-bumped cheap Polaroid bodies at best. They are under new management and ownership, and the old Polaroid is already long gone. Polaroid and also many artists tried to make other manufactures like Kodak, Ilford and Fujifilm purchase the facility and remake the film, but none took it.

To be honest I was truly surprised that the impossible project actually pulled this off.
 
I almost ordered one pack of SX70 new stuff. When I clicked through to the final cost, $11 was the shipping cost. So almost $4 a shot for me now. I assume that when they crank up and get some film on this side of the pond, shipping will go down.

I was going to try it just as a donation to give support. I will wait for others that think they need some to grease the skids.
 
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