Polaroid prices justifyable over Instax?

EdSawyer said:

Or, just get old-stock FP100c, the latest stuff will still be good for at least another 5+ years if not longer.

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The newest packs I saw listed on eBay were dated 2019. Many other listings showed 2013 expiration. These latter are going on 6 years old. All are around $45-$50 per pack of 10. Are there really customers these prices?

Kodachromeguy said:

The newest packs I saw listed on eBay were dated 2019. Many other listings showed 2013 expiration. These latter are going on 6 years old. All are around $45-$50 per pack of 10. Are there really customers these prices?

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Not me. I bought about 18 packs each of FP-100C and FP-3000B when they first got discontinued. I stopped buying as the price went near $30.

So, when my supply is gone, that's the sad end. My packs have 2017 and 2018 expiration dates at the latest.

I love the look of the film and it's fun to use. I enjoy the process of pulling the tabs and separating the film.

Pack film is complex to package due to the tabs and sheet overlays. Fuji could not make a profit at $8/box selling to a what had become a niche market, but they may have been able to sell it for $20 and make a profit or they could've sold it to Impossible. Sadly, Fuji just killed it and destroyed the manufacturing line before announcing they'd discontinued the film.

belichten said:

hi odot
i did have a similar problem years ago and been shoting instax ever since.
the convenience(price and availability) was a big factor and since 2 years there is a bw option too

if you want to shoot wide or square in a better way look at what option8 is doing with conbersions or try the instakon from mont camera. for instax square there is a lovely system form ninmlab https://www.ninmlab.com/ , i have the back for a nikon fm2 but they have it for a variety of brands

hope this helps

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THanks, this is truly amazing but so out of my price range haha! Just give me some advice on the best affordable square format camera.

Cholentpot said:

I've pondered this before. It comes out to about $500 before you buy the lens and helical.

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Have you gotten a quote? Mine was less than that.

Cholentpot said:

And there's no telling how long it will work for...

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Yes, that is a concern. If and when the camera body breaks, the helical and lens can be transplanted to another body or re-sold, so it's not as if the entire investment is at stake. But there will certainly be some hassle and cost involved, and for sure I'd be happier if there were a more robust Instax camera available.

Oren Grad said:

Have you gotten a quote? Mine was less than that.



Yes, that is a concern. If and when the camera body breaks, the helical and lens can be transplanted to another body or re-sold, so it's not as if the entire investment is at stake. But there will certainly be some hassle and cost involved, and for sure I'd be happier if there were a more robust Instax camera available.

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I've not looked too deep into it. I use the instax for work and the customers seem happy. If they're happy I'm happy. For personal work I'd maybe get a custom job someday. And yes, i'd be happier if Fuji put something a little less childlike out.