Old Polaroid Pictures

[MrDrizz]

Just watched this cool video.

View: https://youtu.be/csqQ14YnESY


And it made me thinking, just how well have all the old Polaroid pictures stood up to time?

 

[Deleted member 21335]

And it made me thinking, just how well have all the old Polaroid pictures stood up to time?

The ones I have from 30+ years ago (of me as a child) have stood up very well indeed. If I ever manage to unpack the scanner, I will scan a couple and post them. Bright, bold reds, excellent contrast. Just as good as the day they were shot to be honest.

Don't know how I missed this thread as I love Polaroid, although I guess there isn't much love for it here on TP. I actually did a search before posting a thread myself but now I see there's no replies here, I probably won't bother. Ha.

 

[FishyFish]

I don’t have a Polaroid camera, although I have a couple of Instax cameras, a Mini and a Wide. I really like the aesthetic of Polaroid photos though and have been tempted on more than one occasion to pick one up - that or add an Instax Square to the collection.

I think the cost of the film is probably the main reason I haven’t, plus the fact that the new Polaroid organisation haven’t managed to recreate the look of the older film yet. Instax film, while limited to just single colour or black & white variants, as opposed to the range of types that Polaroid used to produce, looks great and is very reliable.

if you like Polaroid, then this book is worth picking up:

The Polaroid Book (Bibliotheca Universalis) - TASCHEN Books

The unique tones and spontaneity of Polaroids have made them a beloved photographic format for decades. Brimming with all the warmth and nostalgia of a ...

www.taschen.com

 

[Deleted member 21335]

I don’t have a Polaroid camera, although I have a couple of Instax cameras, a Mini and a Wide. I really like the aesthetic of Polaroid photos though and have been tempted on more than one occasion to pick one up - that or add an Instax Square to the collection.

I think the cost of the film is probably the main reason I haven’t, plus the fact that the new Polaroid organisation haven’t managed to recreate the look of the older film yet. Instax film, while limited to just single colour or black & white variants, as opposed to the range of types that Polaroid used to produce, looks great and is very reliable.

if you like Polaroid, then this book is worth picking up:

The Polaroid Book (Bibliotheca Universalis) - TASCHEN Books

The unique tones and spontaneity of Polaroids have made them a beloved photographic format for decades. Brimming with all the warmth and nostalgia of a ...

www.taschen.com

I have just taken delivery of 8 packs of the latest batch of SX-70 film, produced 08/20. I have done a little research in some FB groups and it looks very, very good compared to previous attempts. They are still working on the formulas, that's for sure. If you can find some of the images. it's worth looking at but it's still not as special as the original stuff, no.

I have that book on my shelf already.
Edit - this is an image pulled from a FB group showing the latest batch of film. Not my photo(S).

 

[FishyFish]

I have just taken delivery of 8 packs of the latest batch of SX-70 film, produced 08/20. I have done a littel research in some FB groups and it looks very, very good compared to previous attempts. They are still working on the formulas, that's for sure. If you can find some of the images. it's worth looking at but it's still not as special as the original stuff, no.

I have that book on my shelf already.
Edit - this is an image pulled from a FB group showing the latest batch of film. Not my photo(S).
View attachment 294125

Those look pretty nice. I’ll be interested to hear (and see ) how you find it yourself.

 

[Deleted member 21335]

Those look pretty nice. I’ll be interested to hear (and see ) how you find it yourself.

Thanks. Shame i can't go away anywhere soon to shoot it. It's also a shame there isn't much love on here for instant photography.

 

[FishyFish]

Thanks. Shame i can't go away anywhere soon to shoot it. It's also a shame there isn't much love on here for instant photography.

A photograph is a photograph. The means of it's creation aren't the important thing to me, it's the image itself and the feelings the end result evoke. Instant photography is of no lesser value than any other in this regard. I'm just as happy looking at instant images as I am anything else that appeals to me.

 

[excalibur2]

A photograph is a photograph. The means of it's creation aren't the important thing to me, it's the image itself and the feelings the end result evoke. Instant photography is of no lesser value than any other in this regard. I'm just as happy looking at instant images as I am anything else that appeals to me.

Well I agree...and unless you want to have a print straight away can't see the point in using an instant camera e.g. a lovely landscape, building, portraiture etc why use one when you can get better quality results from 35mm, MF or LF film cameras and have a choice of lenses to suit.

 

[Deleted member 21335]

A photograph is a photograph. The means of it's creation aren't the important thing to me, it's the image itself and the feelings the end result evoke. Instant photography is of no lesser value than any other in this regard. I'm just as happy looking at instant images as I am anything else that appeals to me.

Same for me and I am sure a lot of people. Unfortunately there's not much love for it on here which is why I an in a couple of Facebook groups. Some lovely stuff getting posted over there.

Well I agree...and unless you want to have a print straight away can't see the point in using an instant camera e.g. a lovely landscape, building, portraiture etc why use one when you can get better quality results from 35mm, MF or LF film cameras and have a choice of lenses to suit.

You say you agree, but then clearly don't.
You don't see the point, which is fine. Same as what went on the the Holga thread. It's a different thing altogether. A different way of shooting, a different aesthetic, hardly comparable at all really, is it?

 

[excalibur2]

You say you agree, but then clearly don't.
You don't see the point, which is fine. Same as what went on the the Holga thread. It's a different thing altogether. A different way of shooting, a different aesthetic, hardly comparable at all really, is it?

Welll I'm thinking of Polaroid etc shots that are irreplaceable like shots in the past, but today why take an instant camera for lovely scenery etc (as mentioned)...to me it doesn't make sense and is expensive for inferior shots....anyway it's just me as I wouldn't use a Holga, brownie etc either

 

[Deleted member 21335]

anyway it's just me as I wouldn't use a Holga, brownie etc either

Exaclty. Same as I wouldnt use a digital camera for anythign except work related stuff (yes, I now own two digital bodies again). It's each to their own and I know you don't get things like that Brian which is fine. Me? I love a Polaroid.

but today why take an instant camera for lovely scenery etc (as mentioned)

Because as I said, it's a different look, a different aesthtic, a different feeling. It's an instant 3x3 inch print, much bigger film than 35mm or 120 and with a glass lens camera can look excellent. I am not trying to convince anyone here as I learned long ago that that's a fruitless exercise but then you also don't see the point of taking anything of any value to a beach, or by the sea, or to anywhere where you MIGHT get robbed (everywhere) or anywhere remotely dangerous. So it's each to their own for all things in life.

 

[StephenM]

Well I agree...and unless you want to have a print straight away can't see the point in using an instant camera e.g. a lovely landscape, building, portraiture etc why use one when you can get better quality results from 35mm, MF or LF film cameras and have a choice of lenses to suit.

It isn't necessary to use an "instant camera" to produce an instant photograph. You can certainly use medium or large format cameras, and I have a vague recollection of a Polaroid back for a 35mm camera.

Sometimes a small print is the best size for the purpose. I prefer larger prints yes, and that's why I don't use 35mm. But I would rather carry a small Polaroid print around in my wallet than an A3 print.

 

[StephenM]

P.S. I do have an SX70 camera somewhere.... And prints from same, including one of the few photos of our first cat.

 

[excalibur2]

also don't see the point of taking anything of any value to a beach, or by the sea

erm your kids kicking up sand everywhere, and where do you store your camera on a sandy beach with the wind blowing sand everywhere, and some idiot in the water throwing a ball to someone near me.....splashed salt water over my Om10 and lens that was around my neck, and in the apartment very fine sand dust covers everything and not forgetting little midges that sometime invade and could get into the lens etc
I'm glad I didn't have a Leica (or expensive MF) to these sandy places, on holiday, when I can get OK results from a throwaway Canon T70 bought for peanuts.
"So it's each to their own for all things in life", but you have to use some common sense for where you are going and try to forsee what could go wrong.
Just to end my rant:- there was a guy here that used to post many shots of the not so nice areas of Los Angeles (or somewhere) but got mugged and his camera stolen...it was only a cheap 35mm but still it was his camera he was using and his posts dried up and never knew if he bought another camera.

 

[Deleted member 21335]

It isn't necessary to use an "instant camera" to produce an instant photograph. You can certainly use medium or large format cameras, and I have a vague recollection of a Polaroid back for a 35mm camera.

Sometimes a small print is the best size for the purpose. I prefer larger prints yes, and that's why I don't use 35mm. But I would rather carry a small Polaroid print around in my wallet than an A3 print.

You can still buy 8x10 Polaroid film.

erm your kids kicking up sand everywhere, and where do you store your camera on a sandy beach with the wind blowing sand everywhere, and some idiot in the water throwing a ball to someone near me.....splashed salt water over my Om10 and lens that was around my neck, and in the apartment very fine sand dust covers everything and not forgetting little midges that sometime invade and could get into the lens etc
I'm glad I didn't have a Leica (or expensive MF) to these sandy places, on holiday, when I can get OK results from a throwaway Canon T70 bought for peanuts.
"So it's each to their own for all things in life", but you have to use some common sense for where you are going and try to forsee what could go wrong.
Just to end my rant:- there was a guy here that used to post many shots of the not so nice areas of Los Angeles (or somewhere) but got mugged and his camera stolen...it was only a cheap 35mm but still it was his camera he was using and his posts dried up and never knew if he bought another camera.

You know what though, Brian? At the end of this I am going to die. It might be this week, it might be in 40 years but ultimately, it's coming, which is why I refuse to be scared of doing the things I love and want to do. I have taken Leica, Hasselblad, Pentax 67, Polaroid, Xpan (probably the most expensive) to Bulgaria, Vietnam, U.S.A., Iceland, Scotland, Portugal, Morocco and many, many towns and cities in the UK. What on Earth is the point of owning these beautiful things for them to sit on a shelf? Baffles me. Anyway, we've been here before.

 

[excalibur2]

It isn't necessary to use an "instant camera" to produce an instant photograph. You can certainly use medium or large format cameras, and I have a vague recollection of a Polaroid back for a 35mm camera.

Sometimes a small print is the best size for the purpose. I prefer larger prints yes, and that's why I don't use 35mm. But I would rather carry a small Polaroid print around in my wallet than an A3 print.

Well I used to have a Polaroid back for my RB67 and thought it would be a good idea to see if I had got the exposure right for portraiture, but found the results disappointing (probably unfair compared to print results from film), anyway as I got more experienced could get the exposure right without using the polaroid back..so sold it.

 

[excalibur2]

What on Earth is the point of owning these beautiful things for them to sit on a shelf?

Well I didn't mind taking my SL66 and later Etrs to nice villages in Northern France but wouldn't take them to no go areas anywhere else in the world.

 

[FishyFish]

Can we just keep this on topic about old Polaroid photographs?

 

[Deleted member 21335]

Can we just keep this on topic about old Polaroid photographs?

Sorry. I tried. Got sidetracked.

when I found this thread I actually did a search before I started a dedicated Polaroid thread of my own but then I knew it would go this way of have little interest.

 

[FishyFish]

Sorry. I tried. Got sidetracked.

when I found this thread I actually did a search before I started a dedicated Polaroid thread of my own but then I knew it would go this way of have little interest.

I think having a general Instant Photography thread is a good idea. It doesn't have to be bustling with traffic, just a place for sharing appropriate stuff as it comes up, whether that be photos, links to other sites, videos, or whatever. I guess the title of this thead is pretty specific, so a more general thread would be good. It's not like anyone is going to be forced to look at it against their will or anything, it would just be a place for those who do to share stuff.

 

[Andysnap]

@gazmorton2000 It is a mistake to allow yourself to be dragged into Brian's web of madness, there is no escape.....;-)
Back on track though, I think a dedicated instant thread is a good idea. There a good few of us who own one type or another and although mine gets used sparingly I do enjoy it. We've taken many a shot with them at f and c meets in the past and some of them are ok, others should be burned.

 

[Mr Badger]

anyway it's just me as I wouldn't use a Holga, brownie etc either

Are you trying to say there's something wrong with my 1924 Kodak Brownie? Put it this way, Brian, it takes much better photos than that bloody Nikon F4 of yours currently does!




Anyway, back to Polaroid, I picked up a 'The Button' camera for £18 from a charity shop in February this year and tried a pack of the re-issued film in it. Once I'd got the exposure setting sorted (which took virtually the whole 8 shots!) I was getting the sort of results I remembered from Christmas 1978 with the original stuff. The fly in the ointment is that Polaroid instant film loves sunlight (think California in summer type levels), and the less it gets the more washed out it tends to look. How often do we get a great day for shooting Polaroid film in the UK... and how many of those days coincide with when we have the time and the camera (and film) with us?

Still, if you can cope with that, or have a good flash unit to use it with (those original single-use disposable flash strips were pretty useless and are no longer made), then you're in with a chance, but other than that, it can be a rather expensive trip down memory misery lane. But then again, it's often more about the journey than the destination with film photography, so why not have a bit of fun!?

 

[auntiemaryscanary]

I think having a general Instant Photography thread is a good idea. It doesn't have to be bustling with traffic, just a place for sharing appropriate stuff as it comes up, whether that be photos, links to other sites, videos, or whatever. I guess the title of this thead is pretty specific, so a more general thread would be good. It's not like anyone is going to be forced to look at it against their will or anything, it would just be a place for those who do to share stuff.

Another vote for a dedicated instant thread please.

 

[excalibur2]

Well Mr Badger that's a good shot from a brownie....I could probably join in this thread if I looked through our suitcase of everybody's family photos as my father (about 40 years ago) played with a few instant cameras for a while and think one was a Kodak? but can't remember any pics that were wow shots, his photography definately improved when I persuaded him to use a AE1 and later a Nikon EM.

 

[Deleted member 21335]

I think having a general Instant Photography thread is a good idea. It doesn't have to be bustling with traffic, just a place for sharing appropriate stuff as it comes up, whether that be photos, links to other sites, videos, or whatever.

Excellent.

@gazmorton2000 It is a mistake to allow yourself to be dragged into Brian's web of madness, there is no escape.....;-)
Back on track though, I think a dedicated instant thread is a good idea. There a good few of us who own one type or another and although mine gets used sparingly I do enjoy it. We've taken many a shot with them at f and c meets in the past and some of them are ok, others should be burned.

You're right. I think I just struggle with the concept of people coming onto a thread about a specific idea and panning it because they perceive it as inferior to another way of doing things. Just baffles me. It isn't exclusive to this thread. BRB. Just going to the beach with my leica where there is sand and salt water.

Anyway, back to Polaroid, I picked up a 'The Button' camera for £18 from a charity shop in February this year and tried a pack of the re-issued film in it. Once I'd got the exposure setting sorted (which took virtually the whole 8 shots!) I was getting the sort of results I remembered from Christmas 1978 with the original stuff. The fly in the ointment is that Polaroid instant film loves sunlight (think California in summer type levels), and the less it gets the more washed out it tends to look. How often do we get a great day for shooting Polaroid film in the UK... and how many of those days coincide with when we have the time and the camera (and film) with us?

Still, if you can cope with that, or have a good flash unit to use it with (those original single-use disposable flash strips were pretty useless and are no longer made), then you're in with a chance, but other than that, it can be a rather expensive trip down memory misery lane. But then again, it's often more about the journey than the destination with film photography, so why not have a bit of fun!?

The Polatronic flash, if you can find one takes AA batteries and is very good indeed. Alternatively, 600 box cameras can be picked up really cheaply and the Polaroid 600 film is really good and of course, requires less light than the SX-70 100 ISO stuff (most 600 cameras if not all have a flash bult in, too).

Another vote for a dedicated instant thread please.

Excellent!

BTW, whilst thinking about this thread my mind went to the Taylor Swift album cover as well as the pages of the booklet inside which were shot on Polaroids. Loads of them. I'm sure both she and that photogrpaher are home now kicking themselves that they didn't use 35mm or medium format.

 

[Carl Hall]

I have a Polaroid 635 which doesn't get used nearly as much as it should, mainly because the packs of film are quite expensive, but also because the last film I used was Impossible Project stuff that wasn't particularly great.

I love instant photos though. Sure they might be a bit out of focus and lacking in detail most of the time, but they're usually taken on a whim and can depict a snapshot in time much more than a properly thought out and composed image on a "proper" camera (fewer posed images and more real candids of smiling people!) The main reason that I love instant photos though, is that they're unique. I have some in a box that I haven't scanned or digitised in any way, and those little squares are the only existing copy of that photo. When they're gone, they're gone, and somehow that makes them more special.

 

[excalibur2]

About 35 years ago was given something like this:-


Never used it and eventually gave it to someone else. Whether this had a better lens or more veratile etc compared to Joe public's type......I have no idea.

 

[Deleted member 21335]

About 35 years ago was given something like this:-
View attachment 294230

Never used it and eventually gave it to someone else. Whether this had a better lens or more veratile etc compared to Joe public's type......I have no idea.

There are many versions like that one, Brian. These are what you would call 'Joe Public Type'. Plastic lens, simple controls. They take the now discontinued peel apart film (you can see some in the photo I posted above). There was also one called the 195 which was the high end model with glass lens, F3.5 and full manual controls.

 

[excalibur2]

Wow Gareth you are well informed, I should have remembered more about the era of the popularity of instant cameras (esp my Father using them)., but................

 

[Mr Badger]

Talking of memories, I remember the old days of North West Auto Mart, which later became Auto Trader 'magazine/paper' and now internet site. If you wanted to sell a vehicle you phoned up and booked an appointment and your local agent would turn up, collect the payment and the advert wording from you, then take a photo of your vehicle... using a folding Polaroid type camera with peel apart instant film. The publisher obviously had some sort of photocopy/scanning system to transfer the photo to newsprint, and the following Thursday your advert and black and white photo would appear in the publication. So instant film had its place in business, as well as in 'novelty' family photos and as a quick test shot for pro photographers.

 

[Peter B]

Talking of memories, I remember the old days of North West Auto Mart, which later became Auto Trader 'magazine/paper' and now internet site. If you wanted to sell a vehicle you phoned up and booked an appointment and your local agent would turn up, collect payment and the advert wording from you, then take a photo of your vehicle... using a folding Polaroid type camera with peel apart instant film. The publisher obviously had some sort of photocopy/scanning system to transfer the photo to newsprint, and the following Thursday your advert and black and white photo would appear in the publication. So instant film had its place in business, as well as in 'novelty' family photos and as a quick test shot for pro photographers.

We used to use the SX70 for accident investigation at work, since you could take a photo and then get the witness to sign and date it in the small white paper(?) section on the rear of the photo. The secret to good colour was to keep the film warm before shooting, so a handy inside jacket pocket was a benefit for the film pack.

Edit: I should also say that I tried b&w in 5x4 some years ago, but never felt it was worth the expense for my type of photos. If anyone ever wants a genuine Polaroid 5x4 film holder freebie, let me know and I'll post it in the Freebie section.