sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

I think that Polaroid never really caught on, not simply because the images were not all that good, but because they underestimated the amount of enjoyment the challenge of setting up the perfect shot and the anticipation of waiting to see your images provided.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

"Polaroid never caught on" REALLY?! It was a major industry in and of itself for decades. It was extremely popular amongst family snapshooters. Professionals used it for testing by the ton! I used it as a kid at parties, and during the film era, I used it professionally and frequently, in my studio for lighting and exposure checks when using transparency films. I had the adapter backs for all my gear- medium format, 4x5 and 8x10 including the special processor.

The image quality was surprisingly good. In the 1950s they had a model that resembled a press camera will a full array of f/stop and shutter speed and well as a decent lens. When used in a medium or large format camera with good glass, the image quality was amazing. The 8x10 material incorporated AZO dies- I still have test prints from the 1980s that have rich colours that did not fade.

I used, over the years all their films; the original roll film that yielded deckled edged prints, all the 4x5 types including the PN55 that supplied a great fine gran negative, the colour material and, the high contrast in ultra-fast black and white versions. The SX-70 was fun but not my favourite material. Back in the day, I used it for urgently needed headshots and ID photographs for customers in a hurry.

Marketing-wise, they sold the consumer cameras at a relatively low price and killed you on the film!

Dianne Arbus created much of her fine art work on Polaroid and started a trend of messing around with the chemistry pods for very unique one-of-a-kind results.

Of course, nowadays, whatever is left of it is a niche market, but it was big in its time for a long time. Dr. Land was a genius but he faltered at the end of his run. He insisted on promoting Polaroid movies when the video was emerging as a consumer thing- bad idea!. He got himself kicked upstairs but the company still prospered for several more years. I wonder if he ever thought, "I should have stuck to sunglasses"!?

PS- at one point Kodak came out with an instant camera and films and got sued by Polaroid. Fuji made instant films- I don't know if they still do that. And... old stuff becomes new again. It seems that large format film buffs are clamouring for a newfangled kinda instant film back. SOOTC anyone?

BebuLamar

Also Polaroid is about the only film that you can actually call revival.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Polaroid was very popular as a niche thing.
My father got one when they came out and later I had one I used at school.
Lots of pros used Polaroid to take test shots of their lighting etc. One of the professors who taught photography when I took classes did that. He owned 2 or 3 Polaroids. He was teaching at the university because he liked it, he was a commercial product photographer for money - including Ford Motors among his clients.

The coming of digital though pretty much ended the need for Polaroid for testing and everywhere else except as a novelty for most people.
I once read about Nat Geo photographers who still carry a Polaroid to take instant prints to give out to people they are photographing on assignment. The article said they were a great "Ice Breaker" with people.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Until digital technology evolved, a Polaroid camera was the efficient way to record signals on an oscilloscope. Much faster and more accurate than a sketch. The print would be taped to an engineering notebook with notes below it.

The camera had a Goodman like mount that wound fit over and attrach to the oscilloscope display. Every electronic lab had one or more of them and spare rolls of film in the refrigerator.

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

Same here. Nikon Digital camera and ipad.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

I think its a fabulous age now were we have multiple choices to enjoy different technologies and we can pick and choose the ones we like.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm still enjoying digital. Maybe when I "grow up," I'll go back to film.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

Good for you....different strokes for different folks! Enjoy the ride!

I'd have fun either way, retired and shoot for fun and own satisfaction....don't care if digital or film, I have and can do both, grew up on film.....

BebuLamar

It would be too late then.

TreborLow

My older brother taught me how to use those Tri Chem Pack in our bathroom with towels over the window! I too, started with a Brownie and during the film era when from 1/2 frame through full frame (Spotmatic was my favorite) through 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 to finally 2 1/4 x 2 3/4. Developed, printed, hot mounted and finally learned to cut mats along the way. Now in digital, using a Pentax K3 and many of my old lenses, extension tubes, bellows and more, but only develop on the computer. My favorite techniques are still burn and dodge! But learning a few more tricks with PS. I had hoped to keep some film equipment, but downsizing ended that dream. Just as well! Happy to have the challenges of digital and not the expense of film!! Every click was about 25 cents then....now only the cost of recharging the battery!
Stay safe,
Bob

Cyberkinesis70 Loc: Northern Colorado

Yeah, I get you there, it is all about the medium. That is why I still have an eight track in my car. Do you know where I can find one of those vinyl disk players from the fifties? I have original recordings I'd love to ruin. Digital recordings don't sound the same, because by observation, it isn't HDR. It is scratchy, crackly, skips with the slightest dust and doesn't have the fidelity of digital. But who cares? It is more fun to screw with the past.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

There's only you and your camera, guess you forgot the film again?

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Polaroid did catch on, in that point and time! Polaroid made a lot of money. Problem is...with technology constantly changing, what seems fantastic today, becomes old tomorrow.

Chicago312 Loc: Western suburb, Chicago

I say good for you. It’s been been decades since I’ve processed and developed film. Certainly would be great to set up a darkroom, but that’s a big project in itself.