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Culturegasm: Polaroid to stop making instant film

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      CommentAuthorAlexis
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2008
     (960.1)
    Polaroid film will no longer be available after 2009.

    I know it was pretty much inevitable, but there are things a digital camera just can't do. I know artists who make their living working exclusively with Polaroid film, making amazing one-of-a-kind works of art. Maybe I'm just hopelessly sentimental and nostalgic, but it makes me sad to see an art form disappear. Here are some examples of unique Polaroid artworks. (not my work.)

    polaroidpolaroid
    Polaroid transfer
    •  
      CommentAuthorGypsy
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2008
     (960.2)
    Funny, the things you take for granted will always be there...

    On the semi-up side, the report says: "It (Polaroid) plans to license the technology to third-party companies for diehard customers", but still, that means the prices are going to skyrocket and stock will be nigh on impossible to find.

    This is just crappy news.

    Interesting, though, is their inkless Zinc Integrated Digital Camera and Printer. In the spirit of the evolutionary scheme of things, I wonder what potential this has for artistic applications.
    • CommentAuthorhank
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2008
     (960.3)
    I would love to see a company pick up their format and run with it, especially the medium format stuff where you had to smear on the developer and the fixer. That was some awesome shit there.
  4.  (960.4)
    I completely heartbroken by this.
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      CommentAuthorEgon
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2008
     (960.5)
    Ouch. My Photo Friends are going to cry. :(
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      CommentAuthorwilliac
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2008
     (960.6)
    There's no replacement for Polaroid. Even if Zink gets wide release, it doesn't get anywhere near the experience.

    I'm just annoyed, because now I'm stuck with all these cameras. I could convert the really old ones to take film, but I'm no electrician, so the SX-70s are just dead in the water.

    Damn it.
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      CommentAuthorDstinct
    • CommentTimeFeb 11th 2008
     (960.7)
    This totally sucks. We use polaroids for on set continuity. It's easier than taking a digital shot and then running to a trailer to print it off on one of those stupid portable printers. We can just shoot and stick it in the binder.

    Damn.
  8.  (960.8)
    I had seen this elsewhere. It's a huge bummer. I'm probably going to have to start a stockpile, which I had hoped I wouldn't have to do. There has been speculation that Fuji might take up the license.
  9.  (960.9)
    Funny, the things you take for granted will always be there...


    Very, very true, Kim. I haven't used a Polaroid camera in ages, but you kinda always expect them to be around. Weird hearing this news.
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      CommentAuthorBexx B.S.
    • CommentTimeFeb 13th 2008
     (960.10)
    I think the company coulda made SO much money if they went and brought back the super old style cameras.. especially knowing how much vintage ones go for.. and seeing how many people use them.

    I just tossed out 2 old IZONE cameras...(they were busted) man.. those were fun
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      CommentAuthorthom_wong
    • CommentTimeFeb 14th 2008
     (960.11)
    I just bought an sx-70 and haven't even used it...

    hate digital world anger.
    • CommentAuthorShoepixie
    • CommentTimeFeb 19th 2008
     (960.12)
    I-Zone! Oh how I loved my darling wee stickercam! For a long time all the photos I took were lickle sticker ones.. *sob* And now the only place to get the film is on gorram EBay...
  13.  (960.13)
    I wonder how hard it is to get the paper and chemicals to refurbish used SX-70 cartridges....

    I haven't had an SX-70 in well over ten years so I can hardly remember what the things were like.
  14.  (960.14)
    It's a shame. I used to enjoy messing with polaroids, although I haven't done it for some time. I used to have a friend who created polaroid artworks too.
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      CommentAuthorwilliac
    • CommentTimeFeb 19th 2008
     (960.15)
    @alwayscrashing: I'd say it's practically impossible without the industrial facilities to back it up. Folks started having these discussions back when they discontinued Time Zero.
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      CommentAuthorsecretworm
    • CommentTimeFeb 20th 2008
     (960.16)
    Fuji already makes a film compatible with most older Polaroid models. It's pricier, but it works almost identically.

    Modeling agencies, which require Polaroids from would-be models to ensure no digital tampering, will be devastated. Not that we need more models.

    My prediction, for what it's worth: Polaroid will license the heck outta the film and camera technology, and it will still live on as a boutique photographic exercise, taking its rightful place between the Holga and the Lomo. People who use this stuff are simply too obsessed with it to let it die off.

    I use my vintage Polaroid *maybe* once or twice a year. That said, I stocked up on its film last week when I heard this news. Sad.

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