So as some of you may know I collect everything 80's. Yesterday one of my employees brought me an old Polaroid camera to add to my collection of 80's stuff. When I returned home I tried to find film only to figure out they have stopped making all film for Polaroid cameras. It was that moment I felt like part of my childhood was gone. I remember so many trips and other events when people would pull out a Polaroid camera and capture the memory. Its funny how it seems like this stuff will always be around and then one day it just gone.
Film can still be acquired one of two ways. Number one, you can go on eBay and buy expired film that may or may not work. And its EXPENSIVE sometimes well into the hundreds of dollars for film. The other way is from the-impossible-project.com they are reproducing film in limited quantities and its not prefect yet, and not yet being made in color for the 600 series.
I ended up picking up two other Polaroid cameras today at a thrift shop. Just to keep as a reminder of what once was.
RIP Polaroid.
Anyone have any thoughts on this? Other camera collectors?
I saw a site where a guy had redone his with a newer digital camera, but that doesn't help.
I have got film for clients from E-Bay. Polaroid insta-film has a certain quality that has not been reproduced.
Brad
Polaroid were great party cameras, and great for kids. There is just something awesome about the pressing the button and hearing that noise as a photo pops out.
[This message has been edited by DeLorean00 (edited 01-23-2011).]
When I was younger, I bought a Polaroid SX-70 camera for my mom and dad for a Christmas gift. They had two versions of it...I got the more expensive metal and leather case model. When my dad passed away, my mom gave me the camera. I still have it up in a closet somewhere....it still looks brand new.
When I was younger, I bought a Polaroid SX-70 camera for my mom and dad for a Christmas gift. They had two versions of it...I got the more expensive metal and leather case model. When my dad passed away, my mom gave me the camera. I still have it up in a closet somewhere....it still looks brand new.
Those were amazing cameras, and pretty pricey. I would love to own one. Real work of art.
Here is a great video about a SX-70. If you a have a few minutes you probably will enjoy it.
I have one similar to the one in the center and it still has film in it and the batteries in the film pack are still good. How much you offer?
I will be completely honest with you. Is probably not even worth the money to ship it. Currently these cameras don't have any value. I paid $5 a piece for the cameras. Your probably better off keeping it, and maybe someday in the future it will be worth some money.
Your the second person that sent me that link to Office depot. That film has been out of production since 2008/9. So it probably just office depot didn't update their website. But I will check it out. And amazon wants big money for the film.
Your the second person that sent me that link to Office depot. That film has been out of production since 2008/9. So it probably just office depot didn't update their website. But I will check it out. And amazon wants big money for the film.
Sorry, I used my Google search powers. LOL! Everyone that has it probably went out and bought all of Wal-Mart's stock when they stocked them a few years ago. I don't know why Polaroid stopped making the film, its still a popular thing today. I know alot of people my age that use a Polaroid to take pictures because it is just a cool thing.
Sorry, I used my Google search powers. LOL! Everyone that has it probably went out and bought all of Wal-Mart's stock when they stocked them a few years ago. I don't know why Polaroid stopped making the film, its still a popular thing today. I know alot of people my age that use a Polaroid to take pictures because it is just a cool thing.
Don't be sorry, thanks for looking for me!
It seems they should have just really scaled back production, but kept making film, even if they stopped producing cameras.
And your right Polaroid were great, they were just so simple and easy to use. Then just like magic the photo appears.
[This message has been edited by DeLorean00 (edited 01-23-2011).]
Sorry, I used my Google search powers. LOL! Everyone that has it probably went out and bought all of Wal-Mart's stock when they stocked them a few years ago. I don't know why Polaroid stopped making the film, its still a popular thing today. I know alot of people my age that use a Polaroid to take pictures because it is just a cool thing.
People were buying the film by the pallet when they announced they were going to stop making it. It actually caused problems in the stores with supplies. Crazy stuff, but I figure Polaroid would have been hit with some chemical they used causing cancer or something in the next few years.
People were buying the film by the pallet when they announced they were going to stop making it. It actually caused problems in the stores with supplies. Crazy stuff, but I figure Polaroid would have been hit with some chemical they used causing cancer or something in the next few years.
Brad
Do you work with cameras? Forgive me I can't remember what you do for a living. If so how much did the film sell for when it was still in production?
Polaroid were great party cameras, and great for kids. There is just something awesome about the pressing the button and hearing that noise as a photo pops out.
Unless you are standing behind the white house in the early 80's, wanting to take a picture for memories and it gets stuck, blowing thru the entire ( expensive ) pack at once, including rapid flashing of the light bar.. Don't ask how i know this
Yes, i agree its sad that we have lost yet another piece of the past.
i went and dug ours out its a impulse, i remember many photos being taken with taht camera and i took a picture of my monitor just now with it. i will post it up later tonight for ya. oh the memories that brings back, i wish they were still alive and kicking with these, its been forever since anyone used it till today!
Somewhere around here, I have a Kodak instant camera. For a brief period of time, Kodak made a Polaroid-like camera. They were quickly sued by Polaroid and required to cease.
Somewhere around here, I have a Kodak instant camera. For a brief period of time, Kodak made a Polaroid-like camera. They were quickly sued by Polaroid and required to cease.
I think that was about the same time Kodak had the 'disc' cameras?
EDIT: Was out looking for my 2 Polaroids and cant find either.
One was a white 'auto eject' that used the replaceable light bar, and the other was a black hard body 'manual eject'. ( like a solid accordion style ). I had a accordion style from my grandmother when a kid but the accordion ripped and back then it wasn't a big deal so it got tossed ( doh! ).
Several things from back when i was a kid "went away" without a second thought, never dreamed we would care about them 30+ years later. ( like an old dictation machine i had found at a garage sale when i was bout 10.. it looked a lot like a tricorder, but was a greenish blue color... )
[This message has been edited by User00013170 (edited 01-23-2011).]
Somewhere around here, I have a Kodak instant camera. For a brief period of time, Kodak made a Polaroid-like camera. They were quickly sued by Polaroid and required to cease.
Yep amazingly there are still quite a few of those out there. I saw two at a thrift store yesterday. Kodak offered to replaced your instant camera with a disc style after the suit. But its seems most people didn't take them up on that offer.
I have one of the ones like in the middle too. Havent used it for years. I had one of the first ones too that you had to wipe a clear protectant on after it dried. Loved watching the people that held them out and waved them around like it did something.
I was scanning in some old photos last week and noticed one had what looked like horizontal scratches on the scan that apparently weren’t there on the original. Closer look at the original and it was an old B/W Polaroid. The scratches were the marks left by the coating swab that was used after the picture was taken. They are only apparent when light reflects off the surface. The photo also had serrated edges. Was that common then?
I also have a Minolta mini-16 camera. It uses regular 16 mm film that is wound into a small cartridge.
Do you work with cameras? Forgive me I can't remember what you do for a living. If so how much did the film sell for when it was still in production?
No, I just dabbled, most of what I learned was from a client who was/is really into Polaroid cameras. He uses them to take nudes of ladies, there is something about the film that just makes it "right"
It used to cost 10 bucks or so for a pack of 10-12 film. Right before they announced they were stopping production it was around 15-20 for a pack of 10 film.
I'm not sure what it is on E-Bay right now The last time I got it I believe I spent 30 bucks plus shipping or so.
I had one of the first ones too that you had to wipe a clear protectant on after it dried. Loved watching the people that held them out and waved them around like it did something.
Oh yeah I remember those! My dad had one; the camera itself had a bellows that had to be unfolded before you could take the pictures. Then before you'd see the picture, you had to wait a while to peel off the backing. I'd forgotten the wipe-on protectant though.
I also just bought a old Polaroid Square Shooter 2 off eBay. Still in the original box. Shipped to my door total cost of $18.00. These things have no value. But I dig them. I would really like to own a chrome and leather SX-70.
This one was my uncle's, and used the SX-70 film. Since that was discontinued, a slightly modified pack of 600 worked just as well. For awhile I was using it as a display prop in the Fiero at shows, but I actually used up the last of the film at Fierorama last year. Maybe I'll scan the pics that turned out decent.
The other one belonged to my grandparents. It was only produced from 68-70 and takes 3000 speed black and white film, which Fuji still makes (Fuji FP-3000B). It uses AG-1 flashbulbs, and originally retailed for around $25. I'm going to take it down to Dixie Square sometime in the spring, along with a Super 8mm camera from the same era I recently picked up. I recently found the original commercial for it, which is at 1:02.
I also have a little radio Polaroid made, which is powered by the empty 600 film packs, using up the remaining 6-volt battery. I don't have a pic of it, though.
[This message has been edited by ShockWave (edited 01-25-2011).]
Awesome Shockwave!! You always seem to share the same interests as me.
I AM SUPER EXCITED!! I bought a Polaroid SX-70 Camera on eBay and got a great deal. Only $49!! Working and tested!! These can sell for as high as $400-500 and a average one at about $200-250, non-working sell for around $40-100. So I got really lucky. I cant wait to get it.
I personally think its beautiful. The design is just amazing. And it was very expensive new, and really state of the art being a folding instant SLR.
A video of it in action.
[This message has been edited by DeLorean00 (edited 01-27-2011).]
When I was in Hong Kong, I bought a Polaroid Talking camera.
You could put a message on it that every time you took a picture it would say it. And you could change the message. Tho I'm sure there were sold other place, never saw one exept in HK.
Here's one of the pix:
By the way, I'm told that Man Fuk means "Good luck" in Chinese.
I stayed here--at the YWCA on Man Fuk Rd.
------------------ John
[This message has been edited by THE REAL Fieronut (edited 02-01-2011).]
Here are a few I've picked up at local thrift stores. A very cheap source for sonar modules for robotics projects. What I find amazing is that they essentially snap together- almost no screws, rivets or glue.
[This message has been edited by cone shark (edited 01-28-2011).]
Currently these cameras don't have any value. I paid $5 a piece for the cameras. Your probably better off keeping it, and maybe someday in the future it will be worth some money. 
LOL! Everyone that has it probably went out and bought all of Wal-Mart's stock when they stocked them a few years ago. I don't know why Polaroid stopped making the film, its still a popular thing today. I know alot of people my age that use a Polaroid to take pictures because it is just a cool thing.
