Polaroid

[Ben Jennings]

Hi everyone,

Got a question about polaroid cameras. My wife has decided she wants one for Christmas this year and it's an area of photography I don't really know much about.

Are there any recommendations for the best model to get/places to get film?

Thanks

Ben

 

[Brian Moore]

I think I would have to clarify what your wife means by "Polaroid."

I assume that she wants a film camera that make instant prints, and not a Polaroid digital camera.

Polaroid doesn't actually make film cameras anymore. I do not think so anyway. Polaroid branded film cameras are made by Fuji, I believe.

Fuji Instax cameras look quite good to me. There is one type of Instax that produces instant photos roughly the size of a business card. There is another, larger camera by Fuji that produces instant photos about 3x4 in size I think. I've seen some photos from both formats and I like them. Film is plentiful, at least here in the US.

If you're wife is talking about a real Polaroid film camera for instant prints there are two varieties (roughly speaking): "peel-apart" or pack film cameras (the "Land camera" series), and "integral" cameras (SX-70, for example). Of course, they're old now.

Fuji makes film for the older peel-apart cameras. "The Impossible Project" is making film for the integral cameras. The Fuji peel-apart film is very good. The Impossible Project film is a work in progress.

What is you're wife actually looking for Ben?

 

[Ben Jennings]

Hi,

Sorry, just to clarify she wants a film camera that does instant prints.

Thanks

 

[Brian Moore]

The old Land Cameras are the old ones with bellows that you pull the film out of after exposure and then peel the film apart. You can get them on E-bay all day long. Below is a link to a link I posted some time ago here on RPF. It will take you to an article I wrote about my Polaroid 210. It will give you an idea of what the Land Cameras are about. Fuji make color and B&W film for these cameras.

Integral cameras are the ones that push the film out automatically and the film develops before your eyes. No peeling apart necessary. However, only The Impossible Project (based in Holland) makes film for these and from what I've read they don't have the emulsions dialed in for complete stability or in some cases color rendition yet. However, many people like it. (But it's expensive.)

Instax would probably be my choice because you can buy them new and the film is easily obtainable. However, the old Land Cameras are a lot of fun and certainly a talking point when you use it.

http://www.realphotographersforum.com/blogs/brian-moore/7-polaroid-210-automatic-land-camera.html

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Ben, if you have an Urban Outfitters store near to you, they had a nice selection of the Fuji's and film when I last went into my local store.

Urban Outfitters

UK STORES

LONDON

Covent Garden
42-56 Earlham Street
London WC2H 9LJ
UK
0207-759-6390
M, Tu, W, Sa 10-7
Su 12-6, Th, F 10-8

Oxford Street
200 Oxford Street
London W1D 1NU
UK
0207-907-0800
M, Tu, W, F, Sa 10-8
Th 10-9, Su 12-6

Kensington High Street
36-38 Kensington High Street
London W8 4PF
UK
0207-761-1001
M, Tu, W, F, Sa 10-7
Th 10-8, Su 12-6

Spitalfields
Unit 6, 132 Commercial Street
London E1 6AZ
UK
0207-392-1900
M, Tu, W, F, Sa 10-7
Th 10-8, Su 12-6
BATH

SouthGate Shopping Centre
10 SouthGate Place
Bath BA1 1AQ
UK
0122-578-7480
M, Tu, W, F, Sa 9-7
Th 9-8, Su 11-5
BELFAST

43-55 Ann Street
Victoria Square
Belfast BT1 4ED
Northern Ireland
0289-043-6780
M, Tu 9.30-7, W, F 9.30-9
Sa 9-6, Su 1-6
BIRMINGHAM

Corporation Street
5-7 Corporation Street
Birmingham B2 4LP
UK
0121-633-2920
M, Tu, W, F, Sa 10-7
Th 11-8, Su 11-5
BRIGHTON

Churchill Square
Unit MS6 Churchill Square
Brighton BN1 2RG
UK
0127-371-0013
M, Tu, W 9-6, Th 9-8
F, Sa 9-7, Su 11-5
BRISTOL

Cabot Circus
SU38 Cabot Circus, Concorde Street
Bristol BS1 3BF
UK
0117-929-3221
M-Sa 10-8
Su 11-5
CARDIFF

14 The Hayes
Cardiff CF1 1AH
Wales
0292-036-7770
M-Sat 10-7
Su 11-5
EDINBURGH

Princes Street
124 Princes Street
Edinburgh EH2 4AD
Scotland
0131-226-4188
M, Tu, W, Sa 10-7
Th, F 10-8, Su 11-6
GLASGOW

Buchanan Street
157 Buchanan Street
Glasgow G1 2JX
Scotland
0141-248-9203
M, Tu, W, F, Sa 9.30-6.30
Th 9.30-7.30, Su 12-6
KENT

Blue Water
Upper Mall, Guildhall
Unit 105
Bluewater DA9 9SS
UK
0132-262-4097
M - F, 10-9, Sa 9-9
Su 11-5
LEEDS

63–65 Albion Street
Leeds LS1 5AA
0113-245-4766
M-W 10-6, Th-Sa 10-7, Su 11-5
LIVERPOOL

41 Paradise Street
Liverpool L1 3EU
UK
0151-707-2017
M-F 9.30-8
Sa 9-7, Su 11-5
MANCHESTER

41-43 Market Street
Manchester M1 1WR
UK
0161-817-6640
M, Tu, W, F, Sa 10-7
Th 10-8, Su 12-6

 

[Hamish Gill]

I'll show you mine on the weekend matey

 

[Dunga Gin]

I'll show you mine on the weekend matey

Is it like this one ?

 

[Hamish Gill]

A little ... although it is more plasticy than that one