Polaroid obsession

  • Thread starter Thread starter ped
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So our daughter wants a polaroid, but should I buy one or an instax thingy?
Please discuss as I haven't a clue
 
winchman said:
So our daughter wants a polaroid, but should I buy one or an instax thingy?
Please discuss as I haven't a clue
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Buy her an Instax. Less hassle, less expense, simpler to use, and a well supported system. Used Instax cameras are relatively cheap and durable.

The larger Instax models are quite big though (they aren't very heavy, but they are a bit large). The Instax mini will probably suit her better, and at £11-12 for 20 shots, one of the cheapest ways to have Polaroid-style photography.
 
freecom2 said:
Buy her an Instax. Less hassle, less expense, simpler to use, and a well supported system. Used Instax cameras are relatively cheap and durable.

The larger Instax models are quite big though (they aren't very heavy, but they are a bit large). The Instax mini will probably suit her better, and at £11-12 for 20 shots, one of the cheapest ways to have Polaroid-style photography.
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Thanks I think she will like the chunkiness and the wide format but I will have a look around
 
winchman said:
Thanks I think she will like the chunkiness and the wide format but I will have a look around
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The photos are much larger, and the cost per photo is about the same. I also prefer the wider, landscape orientation of the Instax wide photos.

This should give you an idea of the size difference between the Mini (the top 4) and the Wide (bottom 2).

30.jpg
 
winchman said:
Thanks that's a good help
The big ones are they just point and shoot?
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Both the Wide and Mini are pretty much just point and shoot - there's a control for light/darken, and usually one to toggle the flash (although the one on my Instax 100 appears to offer me no real control over the flash!), but it is point and shoot. That's the beauty of them, and that's why they remain extremely popular.
 
I used to have an instax mini 50s piano black and had no control over flash on that that I could see - it fired with every shot. I didn't much enjoy the size of the photos though so never bothered to put effort into seeing if I could stop it :p I'm very, very interested in the wide though... on the hunt for a 2nd hand one before the husband wakes up and catches me :P

I really want to test my current polaroid but not sure I want to waste the film money if it's snookered!

Thinking I might just buy a new, tested one and leave my current one as an ornament - it's a good looking camera! Any suggestions?
 
eBay is flooded with Instax 100s. Most of them go for less than £15, and they are made of a pretty tough and durable plastic. They certainly feel a bit tougher than the 210.

The only thing is that the flash is directly above the lens - apparently it was moved on the later models away from the lens to reduce red eye, but I haven't found the placement of the flash to be a significant problem on the photos.

The 200/210 have their controls on the side rather than on the back, but they are all basically the same barebones camera.
 
Ah, my last comment wasn't about another instax - already on the bay looking at the wide!

I used to have a lot of polaroid cameras and the only surviving one is this, untested. Got my heart set on the 195 but can't stretch the budget quite that far, I don't think. Can only find them in America too :(
 
The Land Cameras that take the Fuji peel-apart film are probably worth a shot then. Fuji's instant film is much more mature and well-tested than the Impossible Project's, and cheaper to boot.
 
Took my 600CL abroad this past fortnight and took three frames with it. The last frame before I went was fine with regards to the film (the one of dad posted here) but the three frames I took abroad had three distinct stripes down the image of varying exposures. Could it possibly be the X-Ray machine? I took a brand new pack of film also which is still unopened. Worried now that it might be ruined if that's the case. There was a sign before the machine saying it would only affect films of ISO 800 and above but can't see any other variable.
 
Those lines are caused by storage problems, normally. Flip the Polaroid over and you'll see the tree pods at the bottom of the picture... the lines come from each pod being slightly different. Normally that's because the film hasn't been stored well, so each pod changes a little. I've heard similar reports from people buying film from eBay. I generally buy mine direct from Impossible which is fresh but it still doesn't guarantee even development.

Are they like mine, here:


Pillbox by chiscocks, on Flickr


Pobbles Beach by chiscocks, on Flickr
 
Freecom, it was the black and white 600 film from Impossible.

Ped, spot on. Mine are identicle. The only thing I can think of is it's down to the temperature/humidity change of florida. I always buy from Impossible and store cool/dry. This was the film that was in the camera. Only one shot left though then will try the new colour one.
 
Okay - just wanted to rule out ISO being the cause (Silver Shade is ISO600).
 
I don't mind too much, just hope the other, sealed film is ok. however it has gone from cold to warm a few times now. :/
 
ped said:
I've never held one, but it's probably worth spending a little bit more and getting the non plastic version. Guess it'll be lighter, though!
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Well, apparently the "metal" one is just plastic with a thin coating of chrome :shrug: Really loving the look of the model 2...

... which is just as well as I've just been informed my mum's won an auction for towards my Christmas :lol:
 
toadstool said:
Well, apparently the "metal" one is just plastic with a thin coating of chrome :shrug: Really loving the look of the model 2...

... which is just as well as I've just been informed my mum's won an auction for towards my Christmas :lol:
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Yes you're right - it's quite an unusual material, a glass-filled polysulfone according to Wikipedia. You'd never be able to distinguish it from chrome in real life, though. Pretty cool. Really tempted with one of these kits

http://vetpan.co/shop/products/wood-kit

Excellent news RE the auction win!! You'll love the SX70, there's nothing else like it!
 
Yeah, I like the look of the chrome too... Possibly after Christmas ;) The model 2 will be getting a bit of a face lift anyway!

Can you confirm the correct film, ped? Looking to buy from TIP site... not too sure I trust such expensive film to be looked after proper from ebay. You keep yours in the fridge until it's put to use?

Struggling to find too much about its operation! It comes with the original case, instructions and receipt from '73 apparently :lol:

Been looking about for the close up kit too but they seem to be few and far between!
 
Thanks :) I'd rather use PX70. Lusting over black frames though!
 
toadstool said:
Thanks :) I'd rather use PX70. Lusting over black frames though!
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That's why I mainly use the PX600, because it comes in special editions. Also using an ND you can leave the light/dark wheel in the centre. WIth PX70 you have to put it 1/3 into dark, and remember to do it every time as it resets when you close the camera. I also find PX600 more stable, but that could just be my mind playing tricks.
 
Still getting to grips with my SX70 mk1...wasted first few frames but got it right now I think.

Impossible film is frighteningly expensive though....which model polaroids take the Fuji film? I love the SX70 as a thing, but would happily use a less attractive model sometimes with better films :)

Shop here sells the original Eveready cases returned, think I will crack this week and get one!
 
ped said:
That's the same as the one I currently have on my sx70.
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Thanks ped, will get that ordered on payday! I found a store on ebay and sent them a message asking how they stored it - this was the reply:
"Thanks for your interest. I store my stock in a humidity and temperature controlled room.

I buy direct from the factory and have a high turnover of stock, so never have stock hanging around for longer than a couple of weeks, so all is as fresh as can be. "

Their film is £18.70, including delivery.
 
toadstool said:
Thanks ped, will get that ordered on payday! I found a store on ebay and sent them a message asking how they stored it - this was the reply:
"Thanks for your interest. I store my stock in a humidity and temperature controlled room.

I buy direct from the factory and have a high turnover of stock, so never have stock hanging around for longer than a couple of weeks, so all is as fresh as can be. "

Their film is £18.70, including delivery.
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Sounds OK then... I'm fairly sure some of the stuff from Impossible has given me lines in the past.

The Fuji stuff is really safe; I've had some in the fridge, some stored on a shelf for over a year, some in a wardrobe... it really doesn't seem to be fussed how it's stored.

I have some expired Sepia and Blue shaded film in the fridge which should be fun to try.
 
Special Edition Colour 600 film with colour frames coming some time this month :D
 
None yet ped, waiting for payday in about 10 days! Got PX600 UV+ black frame and PX70 colour protect in my basket.. not sure which to go for first! My last post was just me repeating TIP's recent fb status :p

The only impossible film I've tried in the past was from a camera shop local to me.. it was stored on a shelf in the shop window.. not a single shot was salvageable! So I'm super anxious :P I also never fully trust ebay sellers when they say the camera is working haha. So I'll be buying film when I get paid, putting it in the camera, firing off one shot then, if all is well, my mum shall have to rip it out my hands to be put away for Christmas :lol: I assume the film will be fine in the camera for a bit over a month?
 
Yeah should be fine, I've had film in some of mine for several months in all weather (inside a hot camera bag, out in the cold) and they are always OK. The main thing to think about is what happens AFTER you press the shutter. Always try and shade the picture as it comes out (even with the new Color Protect) and put it somewhere cool. Not always easy when out and about, but I normally tuck them into a book or something.

My SX70 box type cameras have 'frog tongues' installed... they now make one for the folding SX70 but it's not quite as elegant so I just flip the camera over after pressing the shutter. With the newer film it isn't really too much of an issue, though.

Also be careful with the silver shade film; they can develop strange artefacts when left after developing. They have this 'dry age' kit to stop the process which I have tried but I think I'll give B+W a miss until they sort it.
 
Where are you getting the coloured frames from? I was after some in the shop in Manchester but they had none. Need to get some more ordered soon and also try this 1000 Land Camera. I haven't used it yet.
 
ped said:
Don't bother with the 'Nigo' edition, wait a few days and IP are bringing out colour frames in the colour protect formula.
'
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Cool. I shall keep an eye out. Thanks for the heads up.
 
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