Polaroid still used in science

[Tim Gray]

Funny anecdote. I was just talking to the postdoc in my group. I noticed a sheet of Polaroid packfilm on his desk with funny looking circles. Turns out he was using it to align the ruby laser system we have. I asked him if he was just using scraps lying around (we have a LOT of old stuff lying around) and he said no. He actually likes using Polaroid film more than burn paper because you can see more of the structure of the laser pattern. In fact, one of the researchers on another project at the lab just put in an order for more film for this express purpose.

I doubt they use *that* much of it though.

 

[Alex Hawley]

Every little bit helps!

 

[ann]

on movie sets they use the 600 to take snaps of sets , place a hole in the border and place them on large rings and then they have them ready to check the placement for the next shot.

 

[tim elder]

on movie sets they use the 600 to take snaps of sets , place a hole in the border and place them on large rings and then they have them ready to check the placement for the next shot.

True, wardrobe and script supervisors still use Polaroid films for when they want a hard copy for quick reference. They used to be even more common on set, before digital.

Tim

 

[Photo Engineer]

They used hundreds of SX-70 shots and flash bars in the movie "The Martian Child", but it was shot about 2 - 3 years ago from what I understand.

They have several SX-70 shots going off in just about every scene.

PE

 

[Tim Gray]

Oh, I'm sure Polaroid is still used as film. I thought it was interesting that in this case, it's essentially being burned up by a 15 joule laser...

 

[Brac]

It's still used in my local photo shop for passport photos too. When I moved house I needed a photo to get my driving licence changed. The shop used one of those Polaroid cameras that take 4 pictures at once on one sheet of film.

 

[aldevo]

You still see film used here and there in academia.

I suspect the most widely-used form of film may well now be holography film. You can still find Slavich holography film products all over the place at MIT.

 

[Tim Gray]

I'll try to get a scan of one of the 'photos'. You guys might get a kick out of it.