Small article at NPR.org about Polaroid film

Sad, indeed. But there's always Fuji Instax. I've read before that they make a 600-type instant film, but only sell it in Japan. It wouldn't surprise me if it starts to become more widely available, or if Fuji picks up other discontinued Polaroid formats. Better buy up all those thrift store Land Cameras while the getting's good!
 
Our local (swiss) tv had a report about the end of Polaroid film, yesterday. Many artists here also complained about it. Swiss film foto specalities seller ars-imago stated they're actually buying Polaroid stocks worldwide wherever they can. They have already been the nr. 1 pitstop for Pola aficionados since years around here. The sell almost all filmbrands and types, too. A link worth tho keep:
http://www.ars-imago.ch

Didier
 
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When they stopped making SX 70 film, I called Polaroid and ordered 30 boxes. I sold some on Ebay for a huge profit after keeping some but will still miss it.
 
Let's hope someone picks up the Polaroid formulas real soon. Maybe the plant in Holland might be taken over and run independently when it closes down at the end of next year? They are the good people who had the sense to remake SX-70 film as "SX-70 Blend" by repackaging type 600 with a covering neutral density filter over the pack opening.

Fuji instant films are fine for pack film ("peel-apart") prints, but only Polaroid color can be used for the "Polaroid transfer" process. Fuji instant film remains light sensitive until completely developed, so the premature peel apart must be done in the dark.

The real tragedy is the demise of the 4"x5" color films and particularly the two P/N types 55 and 655. These are films with both a positive (for control) and a negative which has some truly fantastic shades of gray. T-55 P/N is 4x5 in quickload envelopes for use in the 545i film holder (which also takes Kodak and Fuji Quickload and Readyload b&w film). T-655 P/N is peel-apart pack film. Both 55 and 655 can be used with the Mamiya Universal type cameras for example.

- Børre
 
meltedARTS said:
Sad, indeed. But there's always Fuji Instax. I've read before that they make a 600-type instant film, but only sell it in Japan. It wouldn't surprise me if it starts to become more widely available, or if Fuji picks up other discontinued Polaroid formats. Better buy up all those thrift store Land Cameras while the getting's good!
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Wish granted.

http://fujifilmusa.com/press/news/display_news?newsID=879723

FUJIFILM BRINGS INSTAX 200 INSTANT FILM CAMERA AND INSTAX INSTANT COLOR FILM TO U.S. MARKET

Instant Photo System Delivers Quality Instant Prints for Law Enforcement, Health Care, Commercial Use

VALHALLA, N.Y., November 14, 2008 – FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. today announced it is introducing the popular Instax 200 Instant Film Camera and Instant Color Film to the U.S. market, making available an instant photo system that has enjoyed success in Asia and Europe for years. With its automatically-adjusting flash, high-resolution retracting lens and a big, clear viewfinder, the Fujifilm Instax 200 captures and delivers vivid, high-quality prints in an instant. The compatible Instax Instant Color Film is professional grade and provides superior performance.

“In recent months, as availability of instant film has dwindled, we’ve received inquiries from customers in a range of markets here in the U.S. including health care, law enforcement, insurance, real estate, and others, who really need to continue using a traditional instant film solution” said Christian Fridholm, vice president of marketing, consumables, Imaging Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A. “We believe that people familiar with instant photography, but who are new to the Fujifilm Instax brand, will be impressed with the intuitive design of the Instax 200, and will be especially pleased with the vivid colors and bright whites delivered by our Instax Instant Color Film.”

The Instax 200 and Instax Instant Color Film will begin shipping in late December and will be available for purchase through Fujifilm’s professional dealer network. MSRP for the Instax 200 is $69.99 and a 20-pack of Instax Instant Color Film is $28.99.

The Instax 200 Camera includes design features such as:

* LCD control panel displaying focal distance and film count
* Programmed electronic shutter, 1/64-1/200 sec
* Automatic flash for low-light shooting
* Two-range selectable shooting options: 0.9-3m and 3m-infinity

Instax Instant Color Film includes features such as:

* Wide Picture Format (Image size – 3.90” x 2.44”)
* Sharp, Vivid, Super Fine Grain Prints
* ISO 800
* Highly Stable Emulsion (useable from 41-104 degrees F)

The Fujifilm Instax System offers an appealing alternative to previous users of Polaroid cameras utilizing Polaroid Type 600 Films.

The Instax 200 Camera uses Fujifilm Instax Instant Color Film, which was first introduced in 1997 and has been sold successfully in other parts of the world since. Fujifilm started producing instant films in Japan in the 1980’s and began introducing branded peel apart type instant films (FP100C, FP100B, FP3000B) in the U.S. in 2003. With Instax Instant Color Film, the image develops in front of your eyes eliminating the need to peel it apart. All Fujifilm instant films imported into the US are professional grade films, and therefore are sold only to dealers and photo labs that support the professional photography market. FUJIFILM instant films may be purchased at the same locations that sell traditional FUJIFILM professional film (Color Reversal, Color Negative and B&W).
Click to expand...
 
sepiareverb said:
It seems to be a new format though?
Click to expand...

The film will not work in Polaroid cameras, that is correct. It will only work in the camera designed for it. This is not something entirely new - Fujifilm has been making pull-apart film that works much like Polaroid film in various sizes, such as 4x5, for a long time for the professional market. They have also made a mini-sized Instax that has appeared in the US as a kid's toy. This is merely a consumer-type, Polaroid-like camera that they're now going to export and sell into the US market. Good news for those who like instant Polaroid-like film; bad news for those who wanted to keep using their Polaroid Swingers.
 
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