Polaroid To Abandon Instant Film Products
Polaroid Corp., which introduced its first instant camera in 1948, is officially getting out of the instant film business, announcing today that once it produced enough film to last through 2009 it would shutter its last facility that makes the iconic develop-as-you-watch prints.
Like other companies long successful and entrenched in the film-making business, Polaroid has had its ups and downs in the digital age. It filed for Chapter 11 protection in 2001 as it tried to pursue a digital imaging future and was acquired by a private investment firm called the Petters Group in 2005. They stopped making instant film cameras for consumers a year ago.
As a result of this latest decision, the company is closing two production facilities in Massachusetts and laying off about 150 workers.
Now the company's name and famous logo appears on digital cameras, photo printers, and even LCD TVs. Its inkless digital photo printer introduced at CES has captured some early praise, although the market for home photo printers is uncertain.
From Bloomberg and The Boston Globe.
Related links:
Like other companies long successful and entrenched in the film-making business, Polaroid has had its ups and downs in the digital age. It filed for Chapter 11 protection in 2001 as it tried to pursue a digital imaging future and was acquired by a private investment firm called the Petters Group in 2005. They stopped making instant film cameras for consumers a year ago.As a result of this latest decision, the company is closing two production facilities in Massachusetts and laying off about 150 workers.
Now the company's name and famous logo appears on digital cameras, photo printers, and even LCD TVs. Its inkless digital photo printer introduced at CES has captured some early praise, although the market for home photo printers is uncertain.
From Bloomberg and The Boston Globe.
Gallery: Polaroid Through The Ages
Related links:
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 6)
sunshine said 9:55AM on 2-11-2008
There is a special creative technique one can only do with a specific type of Polaroid film! It is not as artistic in a computer! NOW WHAT? What a big mistake they are making.
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Glen said 9:56AM on 2-11-2008
I wouldn't go putting that film in the fridge or freezer!!! One of the key features of that film is that the battery for the camera is in the film pack. You will kill it by storing it cold! Unless you can figure a way to charge it later it would not be smart!
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Jimbo said 9:58AM on 2-11-2008
Some overseas company (Fuji etc.) will manufacture the Polaroid discontinued products. There are too many Polaroid cameras and photographers ($$$) out there to discontinue their products .
Don't panic!
Jim
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agthigpen said 10:00AM on 2-11-2008
Some Polaroid film will be ruined if frozen. conventional film is best kept frozen, but Polaroid warns against the practice. Check before doing that.
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anthony said 10:14AM on 2-11-2008
I have a Polaroid Land Model J 66...it took me 3 years to find one pack of film for it...and it still takes decent pics.Sad to see Polaroid discontinue film production, but its a sign of the times.My Swinger still works great, too.
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LONGTIME GT FAN said 10:15AM on 2-11-2008
I still have my parents Polaroid instant camera from the early 1960s. I wonder if it's now worth something???
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BIGTANDEM said 10:15AM on 2-11-2008
ANYONE WANT TO BUY A VINTEGE POLAROID?
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Hypermilling said 10:16AM on 2-11-2008
Do not do away with instant photo. Do not do digital and you make it after 11, 2009.
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Debi Marcano said 10:17AM on 2-11-2008
I agree with Marlin d. I had one of those Kodak cameras in the late 70's and liked it better then the Polaroid I had. I was very upset when Polaroid won the lawsuit against Kodak. Hoping that Kodak re-introduces that great camera!!
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WILDCATT said 10:18AM on 2-11-2008
TIME MARCHES ON AN SO DOES TECHNOLOGY.TO BAD ABOUT POLAROID,I PASSED THE WALTHAM PLANT MANY TIMES.
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Vi said 10:18AM on 2-11-2008
This makes me very sad. I loved and still do love the Polaroid technology. I have a Polaroid 690 and the Polaroid Spectra 1200. What am I going to do now with these gems?
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bnbncb said 10:18AM on 2-11-2008
This brings up a need for a camera that will take digital and film pics at the same time...film always better but digital easy corrections and back up...
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darius37 said 10:19AM on 2-11-2008
Polaroid Digital 3.2 Mega
My second - 1st was replaced because at times would not focus.
Present one - shutter & Flash not in sync. Cannot use inside or w/ low light.
Not worth the price or trouble, try another brand
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Cheryl said 10:23AM on 2-11-2008
What's new? Ever noticed when you would buy one of their cameras in about four years, you can't buy the FILM anymore. You have to buy another camera from them ... I have a Captiva ... and one I used last night .. forgot ..They are a sham .. and know what? Won't EVER buy another camera from them again.
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ccrider said 10:27AM on 2-11-2008
Dont worry.The chinese will make knockoffs like they do with everything else
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albert ottaviani said 10:32AM on 2-11-2008
Stop your crying. This is all part of a capitalist plot of planned obsolesence of everything. I still have a million 8-tracks tapes but no player to run them on. What do I doThe only way to beat the system is to not buy anything.
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G said 10:35AM on 2-11-2008
if we can get "jericho" back on the air, perhaps enough voices screaming "NO!" will help. my daughter LOVES the poloroid her grandmother gave her so many years ago...what a shame to put it in the attic with other childhood memories. perhaps my grandchildren will rumage around up there years from now and i can tell them about the magic of poloroid...pressing photos onto rice paper (an old but very cool technique done with the peel & fix film that digital tries to imitate but never really can) and 'squishing' the background around on pictures before they're 'fixed' on the ones w/the white borders...so many films, so much fun, so sad to say 'good-bye' to another piece of history.
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joe said 10:36AM on 2-11-2008
WATCH WHAT YOU SAY ON HERE BIG(AOL)BROTHER AM LISTING!
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Hypermilling said 10:40AM on 2-11-2008
Polaroid do not do away instance camera. The 6000 shoot and pull.
Thank You
Unknown AD.
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owensvisuals said 10:41AM on 2-11-2008
POLAROID film was always too expensive. I think you got like eight or ten prints for $12. Not a bargain. Charging for convenience is wrong and bad business. The reason that HD television will never survive is because of the same problem TOO EXPENSIVE! When are companies going to learn, we Americans want the best for as little as possible.
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