Polaroid: more than a glimmer of hope!

[kraker]

Wow, just... *wow*: Dead Link Removed

quote:

The Impossible mission is NOT to re-build Polaroid Integral film but (with the help of strategic partners) to develop a new product with new characteristics, consisting of new optimised components, produced with a streamlined modern setup. An innovative and fresh analog material, sold under a new brand name that perfectly will match the global re-positioning of Integral Films.

(Apparently, as shown on the site, supported by HARMAN.)

 

[removed account4]

does mr litmann have anything to do with this ??

 

[Stephanie Brim]

Glimmer of hope, maybe. It'll be a site to watch.

 

[Dennis S]

With backing from Ilford you never know whats going to happen. All the years I still love their products. Anaolg photography coming back ?? There goes the neighbourhood !

 

[wildbill]

Integral films only? Sounds like one type, for 600 series cameras, right?

 

[Christopher Walrath]

I fired off an email mentioning how I would like to see P/N 55 4x5 sheet films brought back. Perhaps if there was enough mention made of that it might be considered.

 

[vdonovan]

Let's not forget that Fuji has a new line of integral film: Instax. It's not Polaroid compatible, but it's new and it's real. My Instax mini just arrived today and it's a lot of fun.

 

[mwdake]

Yes it says supported by Ilford Photo Harman Thechnology Ltd, but the link on the Impossible Project web site takes you to Ilford.com, not the same company anymore?

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

Wow, indeed! I am imagining a B&W integral 600-compatible film...

 

[Christopher Walrath]

That's the idea there, mhv.

 

[mabman]

Interesting, but even in bankruptcy there may be issues with patents Polaroid holds. I think Fuji licensed some of these for their own instant products, so if Fuji doesn't consider it worthwhile (or possibly cost-effective) to try and work around Polaroid's patents, I don't have a lot of hope for an independent project, even one backed by Harman/Ilford.

But I will be pleasantly surprised if this comes to fruition

 

[AgX]

That all is brand new news. And the role of Harman Technologies is not clear yet. Just the supplier of the negative film?

 

[Alex Bishop-Thorpe]

I'd expect Ilford/Harman are the ones supplying the coated product. More cost effective to contract out that stage than to try and get a whole coating line up and running, for such a relatively small operation. Doesn't matter how you look at it, this is good news for the analogue world. Polaroid developed something of a lomography following in the last few years, so if they can get this up and running they would have a ready market. Keeping an eager eye on this...

 

[brofkand]

Does Polaroid even hold any more patents? If I'm not mistaken, patents are only good for 8 years. Thus, anything Polaroid patented back in the 70's would long be in the public domain.

I just looked on a few sites and it appears that utility patents (which Polaroid would have filed back in the 70s) are good for 20 years. I am no lawyer, but it appears if the new investors have the tools and materials required, they shouldn't get any pushback from Polaroid. Not that they have any pushback left.

 

[sidearm613]

How 'bout some type 55? JBrunner will be happy if they do that

 

[Matt5791]

Interesting it states support from Ilford Harman Technology - shame the link on the site takes you to the other and incorrect Ilford website!

 

[Ian Grant]

I'd noticed that too, hardly a confidence builder if they aren't aware of the two different Ilford companies.

Ian

 

[Romary]

Wow, indeed! I am imagining a B&W integral 600-compatible film...

I would love that

 

[Akki14]

Yes integral means 600 type as in for sx-70 cameras. I'd happily switch to instax if Fuji stopped producing incredibly crap instax cameras and produced a more professional, manual focus SLR camera for their instax film. I've really not been impressed with the instax 100 and 200 cameras so far, especially the utterly simple option of turning off the automatic flash is not on these cameras!
Rant over, I will miss my sx-70 if i can't get the 600 type film to go in it anymore (but for now, it's still easily available at the local chemist for cheaper than lots of photo places have hiked the price up to).

 

[AgX]

I'd noticed that too, hardly a confidence builder if they aren't aware of the two different Ilford companies.

Ian

Have a look at the site again. They did some changes.

Though `the other company´ would not have been a bad choice either.

 

[Ian Grant]

Have a look at the site again. They did some changes.

Though `the other company´ would not have been a bad choice either.

Fair comment, they rectified the mistake quite rapidly

Having had time now to read the site more carefully they do appear to have the skills & know-ho to resurrect something from the ashes of Polaroid.

It's going to be something to watch and look out for.

Ian

 

[JRJacobs]

Polaroid Integral Film will be produced again!

Big news:

Dead Link Removed

 

[Ian Grant]

Bit late though (there was a url link here which no longer exists)

Ian

 

[Travis Nunn]

...

 

[Pinholemaster]

Rather have Polaroid material for my 4x5 and 8x10 gear.