Reviving Polaroid--Harman and The Impossible Project
-
A
- Thread starter david b
- Start date
Recent Classifieds
-
For Sale Black Nikkor 2.8cm 3.5 (s mount) with finder
- Started by Gram Nylén
-
Sold Nikon Fe10
- Started by Gram Nylén
-
For Sale M-Mount Lenses (Leica/Zeiss/Voigtlander)
- Started by Steinberg2010
-
For Sale Deardorff 5x7 (V5) Camera
- Started by Barlow
-
For Sale NEW UNUSED FIDELITY 13x18cm boxed, 4 pieces.
- Started by Philippe-Georges
Forum statistics
I feel the need to clarify this in every thread: Urban Outfitters has nothing to do with the "Impossible Film", they are only selling old stock of Polaroid cameras and film at a rip-off price to urban hipsters. I would expect the first packs "Impossible Film" to be sold via the closely related polapremium.com.
The cameras are next to worthless. I have 4. Actually I need a spectra...speaking of which off to flea bay!
When I read that they "produced their first stable image" I decided that it was no longer a hoax.
When I read that they "produced their first stable image" I decided that it was no longer a hoax.
- Joined
- May 8, 2009
- Messages
- 321
- Format
- 8x10 Format
Impossible project
They have also as of August acquired the machinery and materials for the 8x10 films. They predict being in production in 2010.
bjp interview here: http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=867790
They have also as of August acquired the machinery and materials for the 8x10 films. They predict being in production in 2010.
bjp interview here: http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=867790
Good news keeps trickling in: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/6316829/Polaroid-cameras-to-be-produced-once-again.html
(Read "State of Affairs") Dead Link Removed
Marc
(Read "State of Affairs") Dead Link Removed
Marc
Last edited by a moderator:
I really hope this all works out. Polaroid was so magical.
I just got an email to say THE IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT INSPIRES POLAROID® TO RELAUNCH INSTANT CAMERAS
After hearing this I quickly snapped up a Hasselblad V Polaroid back on ebay. Get them while they are hot? 
I just got the email too. This is good news but the current Polaroid owners are bullshit artists if you ask me.
David A. Goldfarb
Moderator
Threads merged.
Some of us may laugh at the Urban Outfitter angle, but hey, if it keeps the film in production, finds new a new market, and gets young people into analogue photography, it's not necessarily a bad thing.
Some of us may laugh at the Urban Outfitter angle, but hey, if it keeps the film in production, finds new a new market, and gets young people into analogue photography, it's not necessarily a bad thing.
From 'impossible project' mailing list email, received on 13th Oct - great news! 
:
14.10.2009 / Vienna
THE IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT
INSPIRES POLAROID® TO
RELAUNCH INSTANT CAMERAS
Dear Polapremium Customer,
we can not wait another day to proudly bring you some very important news which was presented by Polaroid itself at a press conference on October 13th in Hongkong.
THE IMPOSSIBLE POLAROID
After all the difficulties and changes of ownership during the last years, the new management of Polaroid now understands the source of the brand's attraction - which is surprisingly not based in digital cameras but in Dr. Edwin Land's groundbreaking 1948 invention of Instant Photography, which he ingeniously devised and passionately developed with a lot of care and devotion.
We have understood this since 2005, when it was our honour and pleasure to celebrate and evoke the sensational and almost mysterious power of Instant Photography in memoriam of Dr. Land. Doing everything in our power to keep this beloved and unique photographic medium alive, we grabbed the chance to take over the last factory producing Instant films from the old Polaroid management and to start The Impossible Project in 2008. Re-inventing a new analog integral film, we are now preparing, supporting and managing the comeback of Instant Photography.
Accomplishing this mission and proudly owning the former Polaroid plant in Enschede (NL), as well as already holding the first working hand-coated samples in our trembling hands, we are pleased to herewith announce a history-making cooperation between The Impossible Project and Polaroid:
Polaroid will re-launch the legendary Polaroid One Step Camera and is therefore commissioning The Impossible Project to develop and produce a limited edition of Polaroid® branded Instant Films in the middle of 2010.
We feel proud and excited that our ambitions and all the relentless work we have already invested are now becoming the foundation for Polaroid's comeback as a producer of Instant Cameras.
Large-scale production and worldwide sale of The Impossible Project's new integral film materials under its own brand will already start in the beginning of 2010 - with a brand new and astonishing black and white Instant Film and the first colour films to follow in the course of the year.
Cheers,
Gavin
:14.10.2009 / Vienna
THE IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT
INSPIRES POLAROID® TO
RELAUNCH INSTANT CAMERAS
Dear Polapremium Customer,
we can not wait another day to proudly bring you some very important news which was presented by Polaroid itself at a press conference on October 13th in Hongkong.
THE IMPOSSIBLE POLAROID
After all the difficulties and changes of ownership during the last years, the new management of Polaroid now understands the source of the brand's attraction - which is surprisingly not based in digital cameras but in Dr. Edwin Land's groundbreaking 1948 invention of Instant Photography, which he ingeniously devised and passionately developed with a lot of care and devotion.
We have understood this since 2005, when it was our honour and pleasure to celebrate and evoke the sensational and almost mysterious power of Instant Photography in memoriam of Dr. Land. Doing everything in our power to keep this beloved and unique photographic medium alive, we grabbed the chance to take over the last factory producing Instant films from the old Polaroid management and to start The Impossible Project in 2008. Re-inventing a new analog integral film, we are now preparing, supporting and managing the comeback of Instant Photography.
Accomplishing this mission and proudly owning the former Polaroid plant in Enschede (NL), as well as already holding the first working hand-coated samples in our trembling hands, we are pleased to herewith announce a history-making cooperation between The Impossible Project and Polaroid:
Polaroid will re-launch the legendary Polaroid One Step Camera and is therefore commissioning The Impossible Project to develop and produce a limited edition of Polaroid® branded Instant Films in the middle of 2010.
We feel proud and excited that our ambitions and all the relentless work we have already invested are now becoming the foundation for Polaroid's comeback as a producer of Instant Cameras.
Large-scale production and worldwide sale of The Impossible Project's new integral film materials under its own brand will already start in the beginning of 2010 - with a brand new and astonishing black and white Instant Film and the first colour films to follow in the course of the year.
Cheers,
Gavin
I can't seem to find what types of film they will be producing. I know they'll be producing 600 film but what about SX-70 and Spectra equivalent?
I've been following this as well and my understanding is this. 600 and SX-70 films will be made (not positive on image/spectra size). The 4x5 machines are all gone, be it peel apart or sheet. This is not because the IP people didn't want them, it's because Petters in his infinite wisdom in his ponzi scheme had decreed ALL film cease production, and then, upon the closing of the plants, all the machines were to be destroyed and sold for scrap. The IP people were a weekend away from losing the Holland plant with all the integral films and even then it took a lot of pushing to keep the machines. They were also some how able to save the 8x10 machine which was in MA I believe. They have stated that they their primary goal is getting the integral films back out there, which is what they're concentrating on, they've got the B&W at a point where they're saying they'll have it ready beginning next year, since integral B&W is only 4 layers of materials as opposed to the 13 for color. That is why the color film(s) will be coming out roughly mid year.
Now, in the next stage of their plan I've been told they are developing their own integral camera as well, and that hopefully based off this, they will be able to get the 8x10 back up and running as well. They are also opening actual retail locations in places. They are already in Berlin, have been for a while, and I know they're working on one here in NYC. So from what I can summize, 500, type 80, izone, and 4x5 sheet are all dead at this moment, meaning whatever is out there is what's out there. I didn't mention 100 or 4x5 pack because Fuji makes those, but as for Polaroid brand, they are.
The only other format I haven't mentioned is the 20x24 cameras. Now those were run in house, but Polaroid sold off all the remaining supplies so that now 20x24 Studios here in NYC claim what they say is 3-4 years of supply in the negatives, positives, and have the means of making reagent pods as to not expire. This operation is still getting up and running though the studio is fully functional and you can go in and shoot anytime. Now those cameras aren't for sale, but it's still a Polaroid format. The people at 20x24 have expressed that they are going to further investigate a possible future manufacturer once they are more setup in their own operations with the reagent and pods etc. Likely candidates being Fuji and Harman of course.
So in the end, integral films are safe. Also remember these are NOT Polaroid films nor formulations, these will be new films set up by The IP in a way that they can keep functioning since Polaroid made so much of their own materials. The Polaroid announcement is more for news and saying that they will be making a camera again, but they aren't making the films.
As to all the other formats....8x10 seems to be safe to return hopefully in the next year, 20x24 has at least a little time left if not longer, but the real loss is all the 4x5 and type 100 films. Now there is still a fair bit out there which you can go buy up, but unless Polaroid puts in the money, or perhaps if IP has enough success and go for it, or on a really long shot they get Fuji to start producing more of these films under either IP or Polaroid branding, one if not both of them will have to rebuild new machines to make those films again.
Personally I'm getting as much as I can, I already have most formats covered (sx-70, 600, 100, 4x5 sheet and pack), I just need a 405 back to use 100 on my 4x5 converted 110, and I'm trying to get the 8x10 gear even though I don't even have an 8x10 camera yet, I actually just bought the processor for $2.75 off eBay the other day. I haven't gotten it yet, hopefully it works fine, and I can get my hands on a film holder or two, then I'll just need the camera and some film. Either way I'm buying a fridge full of 100 and 4x5 sheet and gonna try to get what I can of 8x10....best of luck to everyone else...unless you're bidding against me.
Now, in the next stage of their plan I've been told they are developing their own integral camera as well, and that hopefully based off this, they will be able to get the 8x10 back up and running as well. They are also opening actual retail locations in places. They are already in Berlin, have been for a while, and I know they're working on one here in NYC. So from what I can summize, 500, type 80, izone, and 4x5 sheet are all dead at this moment, meaning whatever is out there is what's out there. I didn't mention 100 or 4x5 pack because Fuji makes those, but as for Polaroid brand, they are.
The only other format I haven't mentioned is the 20x24 cameras. Now those were run in house, but Polaroid sold off all the remaining supplies so that now 20x24 Studios here in NYC claim what they say is 3-4 years of supply in the negatives, positives, and have the means of making reagent pods as to not expire. This operation is still getting up and running though the studio is fully functional and you can go in and shoot anytime. Now those cameras aren't for sale, but it's still a Polaroid format. The people at 20x24 have expressed that they are going to further investigate a possible future manufacturer once they are more setup in their own operations with the reagent and pods etc. Likely candidates being Fuji and Harman of course.
So in the end, integral films are safe. Also remember these are NOT Polaroid films nor formulations, these will be new films set up by The IP in a way that they can keep functioning since Polaroid made so much of their own materials. The Polaroid announcement is more for news and saying that they will be making a camera again, but they aren't making the films.
As to all the other formats....8x10 seems to be safe to return hopefully in the next year, 20x24 has at least a little time left if not longer, but the real loss is all the 4x5 and type 100 films. Now there is still a fair bit out there which you can go buy up, but unless Polaroid puts in the money, or perhaps if IP has enough success and go for it, or on a really long shot they get Fuji to start producing more of these films under either IP or Polaroid branding, one if not both of them will have to rebuild new machines to make those films again.
Personally I'm getting as much as I can, I already have most formats covered (sx-70, 600, 100, 4x5 sheet and pack), I just need a 405 back to use 100 on my 4x5 converted 110, and I'm trying to get the 8x10 gear even though I don't even have an 8x10 camera yet, I actually just bought the processor for $2.75 off eBay the other day. I haven't gotten it yet, hopefully it works fine, and I can get my hands on a film holder or two, then I'll just need the camera and some film. Either way I'm buying a fridge full of 100 and 4x5 sheet and gonna try to get what I can of 8x10....best of luck to everyone else...unless you're bidding against me.
I believe the izone was/is a Fuji produced format that Polaroid imported and rebranded, and so it is possible it is still around in its Fuji brand.
I really do hope they will bring back a black and white sheet film (has to be 8x10 from what I hear, but 8x10 is better than 4x5 anyway). Some of us never got to use real Polaroid film. Apparently the Fuji isn't the same; the negatives fade within minutes, right?
Bring on the sheet film! That's what serious photographers want...not so much the integral films.
Bring on the sheet film! That's what serious photographers want...not so much the integral films.
Ooh, I do hope 8x10 comes back, I have really enjoyed the few sheets I've shot and I wish that I didn't have to horde my last few sheets!
I wrote to Fuji-san some years ago informing them that 8x10 peel apart instant film would be a bombshell. They didn't buy it, but... I still think it.
I wrote to Fuji-san some years ago informing them that 8x10 peel apart instant film would be a bombshell. They didn't buy it, but... I still think it.
I would love to do some 8x10 polaroids as well. I do have a filmholder just not the processing unit. I saw one the other day for 20 euro's on ebay. Hmm I should have bought it anyway. Despite the lack of space.
The Imposssible Project's website says that they are working on 8X10 and 20X24
If the other product sell well. Otherwise not.
The Imposssible Project's website says that they are working on 8X10 and 20X24
I was hoping for 4x5 sheet film, but I understand that Polaroid scrapped the equipment.
Another thing the I.P. really should consider, in my opinion: instant film without the positive image.
So you'd just get a negative and that's it. This would set aside the whole dye transfer business, perhaps push the cost down, while still delivering an enlargeable neg that you can inspect only a minute after shooting.
(Those of us who sho(o)t 55/665 'roids typically tossed the positives anyway.)
If this could be done with colour, ooh... imagine instant colour negs. No C41 processing.
So you'd just get a negative and that's it. This would set aside the whole dye transfer business, perhaps push the cost down, while still delivering an enlargeable neg that you can inspect only a minute after shooting.
(Those of us who sho(o)t 55/665 'roids typically tossed the positives anyway.)
If this could be done with colour, ooh... imagine instant colour negs. No C41 processing.
| Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here. |
PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:  |