Polaroid cameras and film

[theboyfold]

For my upcoming wedding we are looking at leaving a Polaroid camera by our guest book so people can pop in a snap as well as writing something down (I know the risks of giving drunks a Polaroid before anybody asks!!)

I've had a look in ebay and the cameras look 'cheap' enough, but what amazes me is the cost of the film. Am I right in thinking it's not being made any more which is the reason for the high cost?

Is there a company who makes the film for the cameras rather than looking through ebay and paying through the nose?

If there is a more modern solution that doesn't involve one of those god awful photo printers I'd be interested in hearing what you can suggest.

[Dogsey]

No idea about the film ... but what's so bad about photo printers?

[Don]

The reason it costs a lot is because it's complicated stuff (it was ALWAYS pricey) and, of course, is now made in much lower volume.

Why not buy a couple of cheapie digicams. Even old-tech outdated 2MP cameras that cost peanuts will take a decent snap...or did you want the paper right away for some reason?

[GetCarter]

A wedding I went to had a disposable camera on each table (which people used and left). Great idea.

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 7th September 08:48

[Deluded]

disposable cameras are the better option. Polaroids have always been stupidly expensive. usualy around £1 a photo.

[Simpo Two]

Yes, I think you may be confusing Polaroid with disposable 35mm cameras, which are quite a good idea I think.

First hit on Google: www.disposablecamerashop.co.uk/products.asp?cid=17...

Edited by Simpo Two on Monday 7th September 10:03

[nick_bbb]

Don said:

... of course, is now made in much lower volume...

Yes, zero. Polariod went bust, thier collection of Art Photography is even going to be auctioned off to pay the receivers.

The factory has been bought by a syndicate and with the help of some ex employees there are trying to reinvent the process. Most of the machinery was left unoperational, some has not been used for years. They hope to have black and white film back on the market by the end of 2010.

[Don]

nick_bbb said:

Don said:

... of course, is now made in much lower volume...

Yes, zero. Polariod went bust, thier collection of Art Photography is even going to be auctioned off to pay the receivers.

The factory has been bought by a syndicate and with the help of some ex employees there are trying to reinvent the process. Most of the machinery was left unoperational, some has not been used for years. They hope to have black and white film back on the market by the end of 2010.

Very interesting! Still - it's a technology whose time has passed.

[Don]

I didn't realise that the stuff you can buy is old stock and that none was in production any more!

How the mighty fall!

[Fordo]

nick_bbb said:

Don said:

... of course, is now made in much lower volume...

Yes, zero. Polariod went bust, thier collection of Art Photography is even going to be auctioned off to pay the receivers.

The factory has been bought by a syndicate and with the help of some ex employees there are trying to reinvent the process. Most of the machinery was left unoperational, some has not been used for years. They hope to have black and white film back on the market by the end of 2010.

you sure they went bust? http://www.polaroid.com/

maybe the names been boought up.


I heard recently there was a special edition polaroid camera, bundled with film- the last batch of film made. Destined to be collectors items im sure. Id love to buy one, and go out and just have fun taking some snaps with it though!

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/last-polaroid-c...

[nick_bbb]

Fordo said:

nick_bbb said:

Don said:

... of course, is now made in much lower volume...

Yes, zero. Polariod went bust, thier collection of Art Photography is even going to be auctioned off to pay the receivers.

The factory has been bought by a syndicate and with the help of some ex employees there are trying to reinvent the process. Most of the machinery was left unoperational, some has not been used for years. They hope to have black and white film back on the market by the end of 2010.

you sure they went bust? http://www.polaroid.com/

maybe the names been boought up.


I heard recently there was a special edition polaroid camera, bundled with film- the last batch of film made. Destined to be collectors items im sure. Id love to buy one, and go out and just have fun taking some snaps with it though!

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/last-polaroid-c...

All but dead I think...

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view/...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7791150.stm

Here are the new guys...

http://www.topnews.in/hey-presto-instant-polaroid-...

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-an...

http://polanoid.net/

[nick_bbb]

Fordo said:

maybe the names been boought up.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/last-polaroid-c...

In your link... "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..."

[Fordo]

nick_bbb said:

Fordo said:

maybe the names been boought up.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/last-polaroid-c...

In your link... "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..."

i should read more- im always scim reading things

i only read 1 out of 4 words!

[nick_bbb]

I think we're all guilty of that. Photographers are interested in pictures not words!

I can't remeber what programme it was, but I saw the new guys on TV discussing how they were having to "reinvent" everything as the factory was in such a bad way. There are only about 10 of them running the whole place. I thought it stange that they would buy something that had failed finacially and put it back up and running but they said that even in the last year the film sold 10 million packs so I guess if they can get cost down there may be a market for all the millions of polariod camera owners.

Edited by nick_bbb on Monday 7th September 13:23

[JonRB]

At our wedding we had disposable cameras on the tables and our photographers ran a session where you got the equivalent of a Polaroid taken, stuck in the guestbook, and then you wrote your guestbook message next to it, which was a nice idea.

[JonRB]

Oh, I heard a rumour that someone is developing a digital camera with a built-in printer to fill the gap of that "instant photo" fix that Polaroid has left behind.

[nick_bbb]

JonRB said:

Oh, I heard a rumour that someone is developing a digital camera with a built-in printer to fill the gap of that "instant photo" fix that Polaroid has left behind.

Polaroid, funny enough! Must be whoever bought the name...

http://www.polaroid.com/pogo/

[JonRB]

nick_bbb said:

Polaroid, funny enough! Must be whoever bought the name...
http://www.polaroid.com/pogo/

That would make a lot of sense. The Polaroid brand name will carry real weight with a product like that.

[ALawson]

When is your wedding, ours was 4 weeks ago, I have a polaroid camera and about 50 photos still boxed with another film still in the camera.

If you are interested let me know or it going back on fleabay.

Cheers

Alex

[theboyfold]

ALawson said:

When is your wedding, ours was 4 weeks ago, I have a polaroid camera and about 50 photos still boxed with another film still in the camera.

If you are interested let me know or it going back on fleabay.

Cheers

Alex

posting on phone. Wedding October 3rd. Will PM

Thanks for all other replies!