Giddy over Polaroid 300

I have to admit, electronics and hardware don’t excite me but I’d be lying if I told you that I wasn’t just a little giddy when United Parcel delivered a package from Polaroid today.


That’s me! Shot today by Joe Kolbek on Polaroid 300 film


Polaroid 300 Instant Film Camera

Polaroid decided to abandon film cameras and instant film in 2007 in favor of an all-digital line-up of products. With Holga, Lomography and The Impossible Project keeping film alive for the new generation of college-aged kids (and professionals too), I can’t help but think that Polaroid felt left out! (I’m sure their re-evaluation of film and its market share had some to do with their re-entry as well.)


On March 22, 2010 The Impossible Project announced the release of their new film for Polaroid SX-70 and 600 film cameras.

Well, earlier this month Polaroid Corporation, with the approval of their spokesperson Lady Ga-Ga, released the pic-300 camera. It takes 10 pictures per roll on business card-sized paper (the film is similar to the old 600 and SX-70 type film.)



Speaking of old-style Polaroid film, in January of this year, Polaroid announced that they will be updating their old-fashioned Polaroid One Step camera (The pic-1000 to be released later this year). The Impossible Project also announced the introduction of a new color film that will fit all Polaroid 600 cameras. No word yet if Polaroid film partner Fuji Film will also release 600 type film.



All-in-all it is quite a year for instant film photography. Just think…this would be possible without YOU! So, pick up some film and start shooting!

Polaroid 300 cameras and film
http://www.polaroid.com/

Polaroid SX-70 and 600 film for existing Polaroid cameras
http://www.the-impossible-project.com/

Pick up a used Polaroid camera!
http://www.ebay.com/

Polaroid Pack Cameras (pull & peel film)
http://www.instantoptions.com/



Here are some additional shots with my first roll of Polaroid 300 film




“UKE OR DIE” Henrique Couto
http://ukeordie.com/


Actress Raine Brown
http://www.rainebrown.com/

Additional Polaroid 300 images on my Flickr site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelraso/sets/72157624084225128/

All Images © 2010 Michael Raso

FILM PHOTOGRAPHY PODCAST Episode 8 - May 15, 2010

Adrenaline is pumped in non-stop discussions that include Polaroid Instant Cameras, Impossible Project Instant Film, Cokin Filters, Vintage Film Camera Manuals On-Line, Holgapalooza 2010, The Three-Camera-Giveaway and much more!!! Hosted by Michael Raso and Duane Polcou and special guest John Fedele.

Powered by Podbean.com

PX 600 is here!


It's me, Michael Raso (Sad self-portrait on PX 600)!


Duane Polcou (also on PX 100 film)


featuring music by PINK DELICATES (shot on Kodachrome 200)

The GREAT CAMERA GIVE-AWAY!

LUBITEL 2 (donated by FFP Super Friend Alex Luyckx! Comes with FREE Nikon Digital Camera Strap Ha Haa)


PRAKTICA super TL (also donated by FFP Super Friend Alex Luyckx!)


MAMIYA 135 Rangefinder (donated by FFP Super Friend Urban Hafner!)

Take a chance to WIN these great classic cameras!
Listen to the show.

Episode 8 – May 15, 2010 available on or before 5/15/2010 !
http://filmphotographypodcast.com/

Images © 2010 Michael Raso

Film Photography Podcast Flickr Group
http://www.flickr.com/groups/filmphotographypodcast/

Glorious Days with Impossible PX Film

I can’t remember a new film stock being invented in my lifetime as unique and extraordinary as the new line of PX films (for Polaroid SX-70 and 600 cameras). The film was introduced earlier this year by an Indie company called “The Impossible Project.”

What's The Impossible Project?
“A group of engineers and enthusiasts who leased an old Polaroid film factory in the Netherlands announced Monday 3/22/2010 that they had successfully reinvented instant film.


above: The men behind The Impossible Project in NYC this past March. Marwan Saba, Andre Bosman and Florian Kaps

The news gives new life to some old Polaroid cameras. The Impossible Project, will sell film for SX-70 cameras made in the '70s as well as more recent cameras that take 600-series film.”
- AP News

The film has certainly given new life to my Polaroid cameras. A few cameras were hidden away in my studio, namely a Polaroid One Step and a 1977 One Step 1000 camera.



The energy and enthusiasm behind the Impossible staff and other photographers using the new PX film has also influenced me to purchase additional Polaroid Instant cameras. Film Photography Podcast co-host Duane Polcou called me “fanatical!” Absolutely!

I’d like to share some images taken on the new PX 600 film stock.


above: Self portrait with the Polaroid One600 Classic Camera and PX 600 Silver Shade Film. A Cokin +2 filter handheld over the lens gave crispness to this dreamy film.




above: My parents were kind enough to let me shoot surreal portraits using the PX 600 film

The film stock will yield a different “look” based on temperature and distance from hot lights or flash.




Two portraits above are “that Inner Anthlete guy” and pal, James Jankiewicz
http://innerathletetraining.com/ Polaroid One600 Classic Camera and PX 600 Silver Shade Film


above: Filmmaker Joe Kolbek
Polaroid One600 Classic Camera and PX 600 Silver Shade Film


above: Photographer and Film Photography Podcast co-host Duane Polcou
http://www.modelmayhem.com/160195
Polaroid One600 Classic Camera and PX 600 Silver Shade Film

I’d call the unpredictable nature of the film remarkable. In a society filled with “stamped out” corporate packaged goods, its nice to play with something really, really different.

Read Sarah Gilbert’s Daily Finance on The Impossible Project here:
http://www.dailyfinance.com/story/company-news/picture-this-the-impossible-project-that-kept-polaroid-film-ali/19314730/

Listen to The Film Photography Podcast
http://filmphotographypodcast.com/

Blog / All Images © 2010 Michael Raso

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Ansco B2 Speedex Junior

I purchased this beautiful vintage Ansco camera for $0.99us on e-bay. It’s fast becoming one of my favorite 120 cameras. Not a great deal of information on the web but I was able to find the following:

- Made in (or around) 1945 in the US
- Uses 120 film
- 1/30th sec shutter
- f-stops 11 through32
- Has "time" mode for long exposures
- Camera boasts a "deep" area to load the film - meaning that a 35mm canister fits perfectly should you want to shoot 35mm "sprocket" photography

Strangely enough, I shot the image above of the Ansco B2 Speedex Junior with 31 year old Kodak Ektachrome film using my Canon FP camera and 50mm FL lens. I purchased the film on e-bay. Seller claimed frozen since 1978! I've mentioned it many times and I'll say it again...storage is the KEY in film. I've purchased expired film from 2006 and have had miserable results. Storage is the key.

Here are a few images I took in the last few weeks using the Ansco B2 Speedex Junior


Stream off of Hamburg Turnpike, Butler, NJ USA 4/21/2010 - Kodak Ektachrome E100sw (film expired 7/2004)


One of the many buildings in the Butler Center industrial complex. Home of my studio and The Film Photography Podcast 4/21/2010 - Kodak Ektachrome E100sw (film expired 7/2004)


The Ansco B2 Speedex Jr loaded with 35mm Kodachrome 64. Oops, I forgot to tape the red window on the back of the camera (when using 35mm film)

By using 35mm film in the Asco 120 film camera, you will be able to shoot your image on the entire piece of film. This is also known as “Sprocket Photography” or “Sprocket Revolution.” Fun stuff.


Flip Side Records in Pompton Lakes, NJ USA
A real joy to have an indie vinyl shop near by. Flip Side has been around since the 1980s. One peek inside and you’d think it was still 1984!




William Hellfire and Erin Russ record shopping at Flip Side Records. Open shutter and hand-held flash created the “trippy” effect.


Spontaneous laughter from Erin Russ when I took out the Ansco B2 Speedex Junior folding camera and snapped a quick picture.


I used the “T” time fuction to keep the shutter open about 30 seconds. Shot of me sitting in my studio.

What can I say…I love The Ansco B2 Speedex Junior!

Ansco links
http://www.camerapedia.org/wiki/Ansco

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ansco

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/cam-coll/histories/history-ansco.html

Sprocket Hole Photography!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprocket_hole_photography

The Film Photography Internet Radio Show
http://www.filmphotographypodcast.com/

My Film Photography Flickr Page
http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelraso/

Images © 2010 Michael Raso