Regarding the efficacy of petitions, I'm not sure that's worth debating- who knows? What I would recommend is that after a certain time, a few of us cc the petition to Fuji so that they get a look at how much demand there still is for these kinds of products. Indeed it's probably too late for Polaroid to respond to a petition, but it's not too late for Fuji to realize that these are beloved products with a real market.
BTW, I never ridiculed anyone.
Well then I will beg your pardon and apologize. However, please note that if you look up through the thread, there was a fair amount of implied ridicule and it is to that that I reacted, and I was quoted directly. I am sure that if this discussion were conducted intelligently over a few beers it would not lead to hurt feelings. I am generally not an unreasonable person, and neither are you. Higher up in the thread, well....
Don, regarding the cost per frame, I think our discussion got detoured. My point is this: how much would you pay to be the last person on this Earth to shoot, for example, a 20x24 polaroid portrait? I think you will agree that when it happens.... if done properly... that will be a priceless frame. That's how I feel about type 55 and some of the other polaroid products as well: I could care less how much the frames are costing me personally; I know how well the material suits my ideas of how the shot should look and that is, to me, [almost] priceless. I'm not proofing with type 55, I am shooting things that I feel match the tonality and detail of the film and deliver what I want.
N.b. I am
not saying that companies can charge arbitrary amounts for film and still remain viable. Fuji knows that, clearly. Kodak knows it all too well. What I am asking is this: how much is a vanishing product really worth? In terms of supply and demand arguments, the cost is simple inestimably high.
My question is this: how much do you think the last 20x24 polaroid frame will be worth, when it is shot? I think it is a very interesting question to ponder. Ignore the practicalties of knowing whether it's really the last frame and whether it is nicely composed shot a pretty or and ugly girl etc... just think about what supply/demand implies if there is truly only one shot left. What would
you give to take that shot? No wisecrack answers please, consider it seriously!