Polaroid 'Instant' Film Could Be Back, Thanks to Retro-Loving Chemists

We're a seller of vintage and classic cameras (http://TheCollectorDetector.net), and I can tell you that every model of Polaroid we have sells right out the door as soon as we get them in. It seems that they are only gaining in popularity as an art medium, and a whole new generation is interested in them.

We are constantly being asked where our customers can obtain the film, and I have been following Florian Kaps' efforts for the past six months and rooting for him! We'll all be so thrilled to have a steady supplier of films with the original Polaroid recipes (or as close as possible).

Fuji does make some instant films to fit the pack film Polaroid cameras, but they aren't very good for manipulation, which is an art form that has been popular with artists for the last decade or so, but which has been gaining more popularity with each passing year.

Thanks for this article!

I prefer instant and Digital pictures. I like digital, because you get clear pics of big sizes. You snap the pic, transfer them to your computer, edit, and you're done.

We used to use this stuff a lot. But it was usually referred to as the 60 second disappointment.

Personally, it is all my Polaroid pictures that have faded over the years turing into lost memories. Regular Kodak processed photos and digital phtots have lasted much, much longer. It is Retro becuase it was not reliable - Retro does not always mean better! As for Dawn L, she is obviously just slipping in a free advertisement for her business ... Right ... keep selling cameras you can't get film for, under the heading of RETRO!

I do like digital but would like to see Polaroid come back, that would be great, always liked that, and have a real instant image, not a copy. Hope it comes back.

The first Polaroid Land Camera caused pandemonium when it went on sale at Jordan Marsh in Boston on November 26, 1948. What is this discussion about in 1972? Color?

I think it's great that someone wants to keep this film going. Maybe a lot of people like the newer formats, but as a teacher, I have always loved Polaroids. The company even used to have a program for providing reconditioned cameras at a very low cost for classroom use. You would be surprised at how excited kids (of any age and socioeconomic status) get at the process-- taking a picture, watching it go from "nothing," to seeing themselves in a very short time. Digital cameras don't provide the same effect -- you still have to look at the tiny image first, or take the time to download onto a computer. I've also used my Polaroid while working with inner-city kids in a summer program and on a mission trip to Panama. The niche may be small, but from my experience, the rewards are priceless.

I think it's great that someone wants to keep this film going. Maybe a lot of people like the newer formats, but as a teacher, I have always loved Polaroids. The company even used to have a program for providing reconditioned cameras at a very low cost for classroom use. You would be surprised at how excited kids (of any age and socioeconomic status) get at the process-- taking a picture, watching it go from "nothing," to seeing themselves in a very short time. Digital cameras don't provide the same effect -- you still have to look at the tiny image first, or take the time to download onto a computer. I've also used my Polaroid while working with inner-city kids in a summer program and on a mission trip to Panama. The niche may be small, but from my experience, the rewards are priceless.

I have 2 polaroid IZONE camera (the ones that make the tiney photos/and photo stickers. One is also a digital that came out when digital cameras were first coming out. It didn't work the greatest, but was cool to have the 2 in one.

I'm still not ready for alot of new devices, yet I have a blackberry, but polaroid that rocks!! I like having pictures that wern't alterted after, I like the suprise and family and friends having their real emotions. Not being altered after to get rid of red eye etc, photos are supposed to be spontanios and real feelings so this article is great and I would love to have a polaroid camera again. Even just real film cameras, you never knew what you got until developing the pictures and even blurry who cares they were memories of a good time.

Hooray! I adore polaroid cameras and have taken some phenomenal pictures with them over the years. I was so sad when I heard they weren't making film for them anymore and I reluctantly added my camera to the collection I have of old Argus and 4X4 box cameras on a display shelf. The author of the article is so right; there is nothing like a printed picture. I have great memories of kids parties and sending each child home with a polaroid from the party. If they are doing a head count of who will buy polaroid film again- count me in!

AOL- how about doing a survey and asking your reads how many of them would by the film if it were made available??

I had a polaroid, a hemroid and a Rolls Royd, and they were all a pain in the ass.

I LOVE polaroid cams!! The pix may not be as great as taking digital pix but its the art of it that i love!

Digital cams are fun for partys and holidays but if you want to make something look artistic i've always found polariod was my fav!

WOW I WOULD LOVE IT IF THEY BROUGHT THE INSTANT CAMERA BACK. I HAD 2 GROWING UP!!!! IT BEATS HAVING TO DOWNLOAD, EDIT AND PRINT A PIC FROM A DIGITAL CAMERA ESPECIALLY IF U WANT TO RIGHT AWAY!! I LIKE DIGITAL PICS TOO BUT THIS IS ALOT FASTER!!! AND WITH TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY, THE PIC WILL NO DOUBT BE AS CLEAR AS A DIGITAL PICTURE IS!! CAN'T WAIT!!!!! YAY!!!!!

I agree with you AwakeAware!! They were great for taking pictures and sending kids home with a picture. I used them at my kids birthday parties. My sons birthday is around Christmas and we would have "Santa" there to take pictures with the kids. When my daughter turend 13 we took pictures of her and her friends (like a picture booth for the kids) so that they could have the memories with them instantly. I like Polaroid and would buy a new camera and film. I got rid of my Polaroid once I heard they wouldn't be making film anymore but I would get a new one if they were to come back "in style"!!

I think you should bring back the polaroid camera but with the ability to choose which pictures you wanted to develop. That way there would be no 60 second disappointment.

I have used Polaroid for years. It is great to take pictures of kids and send a picture home with them that day !!!
This grandma is counting on film being available.

Norton, I believe you may be correct. I know that I had a Polaroid Camera with black and white film back in the 1960's. And my neighbor had one in the 1950's. So it is incorrect that Polaroid film made it's debut in 1972. More likely that they meant to say that Polaroid COLOR film came out in '72.