With the amount of expired Polaroid Film out there, follow Polaroid photographer Ellen Jo Roberts tipped me off to a group (started by daser) that unites users of expired film via a group on FLICKR called POLAROID FAIL!
Failed exposures from the "oddball" Polaroid 500 format. The Polaroid 500 format was introduced in 1993 and never caught the imagination (or sales) of the picture-taking public. non-image by me, Michael Raso
"Jammed film. Roller failure. Half exposures." It's all in this fab, new Flickr group!
photo by EllenJo Expired, defunct and forgotten - The Polaroid Joycam and 500 film format
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Fresher, fun days! Canadian TV spot for the Polaroid Joycam. Folks in this commercial using Polaroid 500 film.
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I've been experimenting with expired Polaroid films over the last 6 months and have found that most packs pre-2004 will...FAIL. :(
Me after discovering that a $30. pack of film (purchased on e-bay) just jammed my new Polaroid Captiva camera (spilling caustic chemicals inside)
In 1993 Polaroid hired comedian Sinbad to star in a series of commercials for the new Polaroid Captiva / Polaroid 500 film
Michael Raso
In 2009, I launched The Film Photography Podcast, an hour-long, bi-monthly Internet radio program exploring my passion for film photography and covering a wide range of topics relevant to the experienced / aspiring photographer using film as a medium.
http://filmphotographypodcast.com/
Friday, September 24, 2010
Ukulele performer and Film Photography Podcast pal Henrique Couto rolled into town today and would you believe….he was wearing Polaroid Shorts!!!
“Where did you get those shorts?” I said.
“My Mom made them.” Henrique replied.
The famous multi-color Polaroid packaging was designed by Paul Giambara. Mr Giambara also designed packaging for Tonka Toys, Gillette and others.
************************* In 2009, I launched The Film Photography Podcast, an hour-long, bi-monthly Internet radio program exploring my passion for film photography and covering a wide range of topics relevant to the experienced / aspiring photographer using film as a medium. http://filmphotographypodcast.com/
In a world electronics market that predominately offers only digital cameras to consumers via “Big Box stores” like Best Buy or Walmart, it was amazingly refreshing to hear that retail giant Target (here in the US) would be offering the new Polaroid 300 camera and 300 film.
Polaroid 300 camera and film in-stock at the Target Store, State Rt 23, Riverdale, NJ USA
I’ve covered the Polaroid 300 camera on previous blogs, spoke about it on the Film Photography Podcast and even shot a YouTube video. I’ve been singing the praises of this new instant camera because at the heart of the matter - I believe that shooting your photos on film is a better, more rewarding experience. Instant film photography gives you something that digital currently can not...an awesome instant print to share with plenty of smiles.
Polaroid 300 print of Nicole. I noticed her because she was wearing a “roasted turkey” plush hat at the Pizza Hut inside the Target store. Upon asking her if wearing the turkey was “required uniform” at Pizza Hut, she laughed and said “no, just wearin’ it for fun!”
- Michael Raso
In 2009, I launched The Film Photography Podcast, an hour-long, bi-monthly Internet radio program exploring my passion for film photography and covering a wide range of topics relevant to the experienced / aspiring photographer using film as a medium. http://filmphotographypodcast.com/
"The Oscar Goldman doll was one of several large-size action figures relased by Kenner Toys in the late 1970s to tie-in with both The Six Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman. The doll came packaged with a briefcase containing several items; if the briefcase was opened incorrectly, however, the briefcase self-destructed, bouncing into the air and the interior changing to appear as if it had been destroyed (though it could easily be reset). "
Are you committed to shooting and processing Kodachrome before it disappears? Email Michael and he'll send you a roll. (while supplies last) Tell him a little about yourself and why you’d like to shoot Kodachrome. Is your photography on Flickr? If so, give Michael a link to your page. FilmPhotographyPodcast AT Gmail.com
Support (and join!) John Meadows Kodachrome Photowalk in Ontario, Canada. (Oct 16th).
Remember on Oct 1st we're giving away the Olympus Stylus Epic and the Revere Eyematic EE 127. Please email filmphotographypodcast AT gmail.com with a bit about yourself, and which camera you'd like in the subject line.
After discovering the defunct Polaroid Type 500 Instant Film format (along with the awesome Polaroid JoyCam & Captiva SLR camera), I tried to acquire Type 500 film, only to find it almost impossible to find.
Impossible…that’s it! If anyone could re-manufacture 500 film, it would be The Impossible Project! After all, these guys have the Polaroid JoyCam on their site. It won’t be long before they make their PX film for Polaroid 500 cameras, right? Right?? Right?!?!?
Sadly, no.
****************************** Michael Raso, Aug 24 21:16 (CEST): Hello Impossible, With the thousands of Polaroid Captiva SLR and Joycam cameras in the world combined with the growing cult around Polaroid 500, will Impossible produce new Type 500 film? -- Best to everyone at TIP, Michael Raso producer / host Film Photography Podcast http://filmphotographypodcast.com/
***** Impossible Customer Service, Aug 25 11:13 (CEST):
hello michael,
Thank you for your email. The type 500 film is an original Polaroid film and will not be reproduced. Sorry, I have no better information for you. kind regards, Andreas Impossible Customer Service
You’re out on the field, and for whatever reason, you decide that you need to develop some film. It’s time to enter the darkroom and fumble about with some chemicals – that is, unless you’ve got a changing bag handy. Google ‘changing bag’ and you’ll probably be invited to test out the latest in diaper changing technology. Search for ‘film changing bag’ and prepare to be amazed by the most useful recent invention for the film developing process.
A changing bag allows a budding film developer to transfer film from canister to developing tank without exposing the film to light. However, the darkroom performs the same function, but with more ‘room to maneuver’, as there is no bag to restrict movement. So, why should you invest in a changing bag when a darkroom is all that is required?
Firstly, changing bags do not require the same level of preparation as a darkroom. A darkroom requires the use of blackout material, ventilation equipment and other expensive items, whilst a small changing bag may be purchased for as little as $13.
Secondly, changing bags allow photographers to develop film ‘on the go’, as well as change over jammed or partially-exposed film without searching for a darkroom or exposing the film to light. Darkrooms are not common in the middle of the Sahara or on the steppes of Mongolia, so photographers inclined to remote expeditions should always have a changing bag on hand.
Finally, I like changing bags because of their portability. I know this sounds suspiciously similar to point number two, but a darkroom can be impractical even in your own house. If you’ve only got one or two sinks, setting up a darkroom with foul-smelling chemicals in your kitchen might not be a good idea. A changing bag is the perfect way around this.
So, next time you’re at your favourite photography store, see if a film changing bag is in stock. If you haven’t already got one, pick one up! You’ll wonder how you ever managed without one.
Julie Spaulding is the owner of How to Develop Film, what she likes to consider the web’s premier source on film developing.
Welcome to the Film Photography Podcast. The podcast about having fun shooting still film photography, learning about vintage film cameras, equipment and techniques!
Kodak discontinued Kodachrome film in 2009. Dwayne's Photo will continue to process til 12/30/2010. Film is still available via e-bay. This is your last chance to shoot this wonderful film.
Filmdev.org - a great site about film-developing recipes.
Digital Work flow discussed
Negs are the best archiving material! Mike takes all his stuff,boxes it once a quarter, and stores it. Mike always digitally stores at least three copies of his work. Keep an off-site copy for ultimate safety.
