Re:Polaroid film.

[Mike Kennedy]

Which cameras should I look for? Love to give it a go.

 

[BrianShaw]

For what purpose: using or collecting?

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Shooting!

 

[PeteZ8]

Get a Polaroid made by Fuji. They are the only ones left making instant film. Polaroid is done.

 

[BrianShaw]

Have you seen the prices of film? The only film still available can be found at www.polapremium.com and fuji web site. Please make sure your sitting so you won't get hurt (too bad) when you faint at the prices! When you look for a camera, especially an old Polaroid pack film camera, also check that the battery is available - many of them used fairly obscure batteries. Basically, though, you will be looking for a pack film camera. The SX-70 type film might be available again soon, though.

 

[Mike Kennedy]

Holy sticker shock batman!

 

[Anscojohn]

Polaroid pack cameras can be bought for next to nothing at yard sales. Anything from the Model 100 on. Problem for real photographers, though, is that most have no manual exposure controls. I ha ve a Polaroid 110B that has been converted; and a 110A that I can only use now as a single-shot taking 4x5 sheet film. I also have a 330 I bought for five bucks. In my experience, even the cheapest Polaroid pack camera is virtually indestructible. Batteries for them are no problem with a bit of ingenuity and duct tape.Some of the better pack models had a lot of metal in the bodies and Zeiss-made parallax correcting viewfinders.
The spit-out-the front Polaroids I have always considered strictly amateur stuff; although some Arteestes take the picture-pack and manipulate it while it is developing outside the camera. Allons a son gout! My understanding is that some fuji films work in them; also, that an independent company shall soon be making film for some of them.
My two cents.
A

 

[keithwms]

I'd say, if you want to do 4x5 instant film, buy a crown graphic with a lens and a fuji pa45 back, used. Total $400 or so.

 

[nickrapak]

I would recommend an older packfilm camera in the x50 or higher model numbers. The prices for Fuji versions of the film is very reasonable, around $11 for a 10-pack.

 

[JBrunner]

Get a Polaroid made by Fuji. They are the only ones left making instant film. Polaroid is done.

Fuji peel apart packs work quite well in Polaroid cameras, so choose a camera you like, it doesn't care who's film you put in it.. You can find all sorts of Polaroid cameras at garage sales, etc for dirt. The batteries can still be gotten, or with very little investment in time and effort, and a $5 trip to Radio Shack you can modify them to take "normal batteries".

Fuji FP-100C makes quite nice emulsion transfers. The secret is that the transfer must be made in darkness, and it is done with a dry receptor. Arches 88 is a good paper for it, if you can find it.

With luck we will have an SX-70 Polaroid like product out from the Impossible Project very soon.

 

[dwdmguy]

Today, in the darkroom, complete darkness I placed a 4x5 sheet in the back of the Polaroid 150. Sure it's a one at a time deal, but I can't wait to develop and see what comes out and then leverage it to more suitable subjects from the minds eye.

I also use the Fuji FP-100c in my Mamiza RZ67 back. You MUST get the 3 1/4 size as the 4x5 will not fit.
I have a Instax for kicks. I'm super surprised of how good the images are. I do a few tricks, i.e., place the instax on "light" use the flash and shoot almost directly into the sun for max Saturation.

I too am looking forward to seeing what the project et. al. produces not only tomorrow but over the next several years.

 

[dwdmguy]

One of the best sites: Dead Link Removed

A good discussion thread over at: http://photo.net/alternative-cameras-forum/00CpsA

 

[amuderick]

Also the Flickr Polaroid forum is active and has an extensive archive: http://www.flickr.com/groups/polaroid_
(the underscore at the end of the URL is on purpose!)

I agree that a *50 model is best. I use a 360 which is like the 350 except it has an electronic flash attachment. Solid as a rock.

Fuji packfilms are the way to go. About $10 for 10 shots at the moment. The Impossible Project will be bringing out new stuff soon.