We've had a hole in our hearts ever since the original Polaroid company
stopped manufacturing instant film,
filed for Chapter 11, and
sold off its brand name, but it looks like those crazy kids at The Impossible Project are making some small moves to turn things around after
picking up the pieces last year: they'll be selling the remaining stock of cameras and film at Urban Outfitters starting tomorrow. Sadly, that's not much, as there are only 700 hand-numbered kits containing a deadstock Polaroid ONE600 Classic camera and a pack of Type 779 film available, but at least there's more film to go around if you already have a camera -- additional 779 packs will also be on sale until stock runs out. We're not sure if this plan will raise enough cash to start the factory up again -- or if anyone else even cares about Polaroid anymore -- but you know where we'll be standing in line tomorrow morning.
[Via
OhGizmo!]
posted Aug 20th 2009 11:24AM
Really is a shame. :(
You miss daguerrotypes as well? ;)
Did you mean: daguerreotypes?
I agree. People love digital photography because they can edit photos and delete the "bad ones." But what people don't remember is that photography used to take skill and knowledge (and darkrooms!). Polaroid made photography "instantaneous" and reachable to the masses, and even the "bad photos" could be used as a learning experience. We're already entering a time where our youngest generations don't know that cameras used film, and the loss of Polaroid is just another reminder of how digital our society has become (not that it's all bad, mind you).
@ Matt
I agree. Also the "bad" photographs that get instantly deleted and lost in the ether are what gave photography a soul. Now all pictures look exactly the same, predictable and perfect.
I would argue that most digital photos I see around the net are still pretty f'in' bad...
I don't think film had a monopoly on badness.
And btw, bad photos don't have soul. Great photos have soul. And great photographers make great photos; the camera has nothing to do with it.
Regardless... it's still sad to see them go.
Plus they were really handy for business use. Often times businesses would insist on polaroids because it's pretty hard to doctor them.
@ Jeff
I'm talking about photographs taken by the average person, not a professional. (the ones who generally use a Polaroid....)
You inadvertently brought up an interesting issue with digital photography. With brainless quick editing the average person can "play" professional photographer, the end result being photo albums filled with carbon copy smiles and poses without character.
"but you know where we'll standing in line tomorrow morning."
Where? In line at McDonald's to get an Egg McMuffin?
I wouldn't stand in line at McDonalds for anything less than an Egg Sausage Cheese McGriddle.
If you are still looking for film, craigslist has the best deal - $30 for 20 exposures.
Yep, the analogue age of photography is truly coming to a end, sadly. Big sigh.
You know you can still buy a film camera from any of the major manufacturers, right?
What's coming to an end is Polaroid. Which was always considered crap for image quality, but people used it for its instant-ness. Now that's no longer necessary, so people stopped using it. I don't really get the nostalgia.
Hipsters have now picked up on Polaroid because they'll pick up on anything that makes them remember when they were kids 10 years ago, regardless of how much better things are now. But that doesn't mean those of us who actually lived with and used Polaroid cameras feel much of anything about losing them.
35mm film is something different, because film resolution is very high, many film cameras were/are of very high quality and there are still many great photos to be made on 35mm film. But Polaroids were just a curiosity, and while it's interesting that this stock was found and is now being sold, there's nothing much that's "sad" about it. Not to this child of the 1970's, anyway.
Are we gonna lament the demise of the 8-track tape next?
Digital books are a better and easier way to store and consume literature, poetry and non-fiction, but that doesn't mean that I'm going to toss my library because of that fact. Just because a newer way is technically better, doesn't mean that we ought to throw out all the other steps that have come before. Especially with photography, there are many ways to make an image - there are many ways to produce art. With the discontinuation of Polaroid film, one of those ways will no longer be viable. Not everyone looks well upon the "perfection" of digital means - there's nothing real about it: no randomness, no chance. I know artists today that still use Polaroid as a means of production, and others that use pin-hole cameras as well. Would you state that the work is bad simply because the means used are not the most technologically advanced?
It is sad because inside of each film pack as a thin and light battery pack that had a lot of power even after the film was used. I used to use those packs to launch rockets and power all sorts of projects. I still have several in my possesion as I collected them so much, folks would save their used film packs for me.
@Jeff As a professional photographer and master darkroom technician, I am well aware that you can still buy a film camera. What you don't understand is that Polaroid technology played a huge and important role in the lives of professional photographers. Many photography studios used Polaroid technology to set up and check shots before committing things to film. As well, many professional photographers exclusively shot with Polaroids -- both small and large format. Indeed, if you were to look back in photographic history, you will find that some of that history was created on a Polaroid. Hence, your comment about Polaroid photography being only capable of crap image quality is invalid. I have shot with different types of film formats -- small to large format -- and -- worked with different types of film technologies including Polaroid. For me, analogue photography is/was a craft -- one that required you to understand things like light, chemistry, mathematics, visualization, etc. With the passing of each type of analogue photographic technology marks an end to this craft -- and that's what I am lamenting. I now shoot exclusively digital -- but this does not mean that I have forgotten my first love -- analogue photography. Finally, as one who has been using a camera since six years of age -- I consider photography a integral part of my life. That in itself gives me the right to lament.
@Jeff 8 track technology may have failed consumer wise -- but it was heavily used in professional audio applications -- such as radio stations. Many of those commercials that your radio station played, were most likely on 8 track, for instance.
If it was popular in the 80's, we want it.
I don't remember Polaroid's being that popular in the 80's--that was really the first decade it went downhill due to PaS cameras getting cheaper and other gimmicky things like the Kodak Disk camera (remember those?). Polaroid's heyday was more the 50's-70's.
michael
(Who passes by the old 'roid building every work day during my jogging loop on the Charles...)
How much will this camera cost? Anyone have an idea??
Way too much....this is Urban Outfitters we're talking about.
PRICE: $189.00 for the camera and $24.00 for the packs of film.
i just call my local Urban Outfitters and they say they won't have any untill the 28th. can't say i trust them tho so i will drop by tomorrow just in case
I'd buy one if priced reasonably.
I thought 779 was the pull apart film though, not the instant stuff pictured. That'd actually be better cause the Fuji instant films are still around. And the camera would last longer then the 10 shots.
I have a Polaroid. Not had film for it for years though.
Shame, really. I loved the novelty.
I care! I use my SX-70 all the time! I'm going to go buy some film!
the instant film looks like its sold by the New Windows
remember the good old days when we used to make drawings on cave walls? Seriously - the means for making art has always been changing. And that's a good thing as it keeps it all fresh. So what if kids don't remember film cameras - do you remember early technology? I'd gladly forget my audo tapes if I had the nerve to toss them in the trash.
There are "only 700" available. Riiight.
What a great way to get the trendy to drop a few hundred bucks on a package of instant-hipster-cred (limited edition, of course, to make it Even More Hip) that was probably originally sourced from some dusty warehouse for ten bucks a package. Free advertising from Engadget, even...
@Jeff As a professional photographer and master darkroom technician, I am well aware that you can still buy a film camera. What you don't understand is that Polaroid technology played a huge and important role in the lives of professional photographers. Many photography studios used Polaroid technology to set up and check shots before committing things to film. As well, many professional photographers exclusively shot with Polaroids -- both small and large format. Indeed, if you were to look back in photographic history, you will find that some of that history was created on a Polaroid. Hence, your comment about Polaroid photography being only capable of crap image quality is invalid. I have shot with different types of film formats -- small to large format -- and -- worked with different types of film technologies including Polaroid. For me, analogue photography is was a craft -- one that required you to understand things like light, chemistry, mathematics, visualization, etc. With the passing of each type of analogue photographic technology marks an end to this craft -- and that's what I am lamenting. I now shoot exclusively digital -- but this does not mean that I have forgotten my first love -- analogue photography. Finally, as one who has been using a camera since six years of age -- I consider photography a integral part of my life. That in it self gives me the right to lament.
I called my local UO also ... and the manager said they don't get it until the 28th. No word on price though.
farewell sweet prince.
It's probably going to be super priced like their clothing.
Uhmm... these aren't going to be sold until the 28th. That's NEXT Friday. Has anyone heard otherwise?
Holy schneikees! I just got the pricing from Urban Outfitters:
PRICE: $189.00 for the camera and $24.00 for the packs of film.
Is it *really* worth it for an obsolete camera?
Gees, I'm glad my grandma got me one about 5 years ago for Christmas. I can officially put it up on my sold-at-Urban-Outfitters-once shelf.
Price in the UK is £120 and goes on sale tomorrow.
Goodbye. I hope you don't come back.
Buried for not mentioning the price. Oh wait, this isn't ...
Please check out and support the Impossible Project. It's a group trying to redevelop a new polaroid process using the original factory in the Netherlands.
http://www.the-impossible-project.com/index.php
pretty cool stuff.
I normally don't rag on other peoples' endeavors, but "The Impossible Project" seems like an ungodly waste of time. The web site is very nicely done BTW, but the most important question is never even asked, let alone answered....WHY? This may be an interesting art project, buts it is not even close to a business. Poloroid pulled the plug for a good reason.
@lens42 Why did Polaroid pull the plug for a good reason? What was the reason?
Was it like they said, sales were dwindling OR was it to do with the value of the factory for real estate?
As for asking questions about why re-make instant film on the impossible project, surely the answer to that is obvious.
Crying shame...
I loved polaroid, and now all i have is 4 packs of film i got off amazon that i'm saving for my grandson...
Lens42,
a major component of the impossible project is to not only make it less damaging to the environment, but also to make the film more economical to produce.
I'm not saying it's the best business plan, but as a fan of polaroid film/cameras and also being a professional photographer, I can't help but be excited.
Some see it as being a hipster fad but there are lots of photographers who love Polaroid.
Some people are into collecting coins, I'm into older cameras.
The machine that made the paper backing for Polaroid film was removed and shipped to Pryor, OK. It now resides at GAP Roofing where it makes roofing felt (tar paper).
Polaroid has now gone the way of B&W photography, since Kodak announced the end of B&W paper production back in 2007. Many a picture my family has taken over the years on Polaroid film. May it fondly remain in our memories from a time that has since gone by.
has anyone bought one today? or seen one available for sale at the store?
bought it. 180 bucks.
bought on at the SF location today - they only had four in stock - three were sold earlier in the morning, i was able to snag the one that was part of a window display later in the afternoon.