Which polaroid camera?

[Csaba]

Hey Guys,

first of all I want to say hi as it's my first post here at Apug, I've just recently discovered the site. I've already read a lot of really interesting topics here and happy that this site is existing!!!
I'm shooting with 35mm and medium format. But now I came to a point that i want to give a real try to polaroid cameras. And would like to hear your opinions.
I'm fairly inexperienced about polaroid cameras. Some years ago bought an SX70 camera for a really low price i couldnt leave there, bought an Impossible film for it, but the pictures were just crap. Didn't know it's the camera or the film. The guy at the wholesale shop i buy the films insisted on the fact that Impossible films have a lot of quality issues. That's all of my history with polaroids.

For me the film price is an issue, impossible films are way too expensive for me to shoot regularly. Land cameras could be an option, but i don't have really any knowledge about them. But as far as i know Fuji FP 100C films are good for them and they are not that expensive. Just today i was recommended Fuji Instax 210, but it's similar to a toy camera. Don't know. Searched for some pictures at flickr and they're not that bad.

I'd be happy to hear any useful tips which to buy.

Thanks

Csaba

 

[SkipA]

Welcome to APUG.

Impossible has just come out with a new version of their Color Shade film, called Color Protection, that they say is crisp and has much improved colors. It's not as sensitive to light when ejected. It still takes about 30 minutes to fully develop. I bought some, but haven't tried it yet.

Impossible film is expensive, by any reckoning. I believe you are right in considering a Land camera that can take Fuji film. Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with any of them and can't recommend one, but I wanted to mention the new Impossible film, even though it might not be a useful option at the current price.

 

[Chrismat]

I have the Polaroid 250. I uses a specialty battery which can be ordered online but it also can be converted to use AAA batteries. Another good land camera is a Polaroid Super Shooter, which is a fixed plastic non bellows camera, but uses a glass lens. That was the first camera I ever bought. Both can take the Fuji peel apart films. Make sure the battery compartment is clean! This website has some good information:http://www.instantoptions.com.

Chris

 

[Csaba]

Thanks for the help and replies. I want to find a camera locally, i'm afraid of buying one from e-bay. But this way it's quite rare to find a good one, is there any type of Land camera it's better to avoid if i find one?

 

[Chrismat]

I would suggest using the website I linked for you to study up on the models so you will be more informed when you finally see one locally. They are all pretty good, some have plastic lenses and some glass, it depends what you are looking for. No matter what model, make sure the battery compartment is clean. I'm not much of a fan of Impossible film but I know they are getting better, so for right now, I prefer the peel apart Polaroids, so the best ones are from the mid 1960s to the mid 1970s.

Chris

 

[one90guy]

I have had several 100's and they worked great for me. I have never used any of the higher end 250's-450's and the pro 185-195's. They are to expensive for my for my allowence.

 

[Gadfly_71]

I picked up a Polaroid 320 last year for peanuts. Absolutely clean, included the instruction pamphlet and the cold weather widget (two aluminum plates hinged together). The rangefinder took a little getting used to, but it works great with Fuji FP-100C.