Has anybody noticed lack of Polaroid materials?

[Gene McCluney]

On browsing the Polaroid shop web site I notice that there are NO 4x5 or 8x10 color materials offered anymore. No Type 79, 59. Only one b/w film available in 8x10. I tried to order some type 79 from Unique photo back in November, and when it didn't arrive by January, I switched my order to Fuji 100fpc (think that is the name) 4x5 pack film. Fortunately I have both pack and sheet backs for instant film. I am getting nervous, as I use instant film as testing for my professional 4x5 transparency photography.

[lenser]

Gene, I switched to the Fuji for testing on my 4x5 and roll film work over a year ago and haven't looked back. I miss the Polapan 100 black and white, but feel that the color on the Fuji is far superior to anything I ever achieved with any of Polaroid's color materials.

I'm glad that Fuji entered that market since I can now show a client or art director a pretty accurate "instant" color test image without having to apologize or explain away the dreadful off color P'roid. I don't miss that dance for one second.

Tim

[Robert Ley]

Just checked B&H in NYC and they seem to have quite a few Polaroid sheet film in stock. I have noticed that Unique has cut back on the film and papers that they offer. I used to use Unique allot for film and chemistry and they have stopped carrying some of what I had ordered in the past. I think they have changed to carrying more digital and consumer products (recently bought a Canon G9 from them at a very good price). Check out this link to B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/352/Polaroid_Instant_Film_Instant_Sheet_Film.html

[Gene McCluney]

I'm sure that some film is still out in the hands of dealers, so it will show up on some dealers webpages, but the fact that it is NOT on Polaroids OWN webpage is not a good sign.

[darr]

On browsing the Polaroid shop web site I notice that there are NO 4x5 or 8x10 color materials offered anymore. No Type 79, 59. Only one b/w film available in 8x10. I tried to order some type 79 from Unique photo back in November, and when it didn't arrive by January, I switched my order to Fuji 100fpc (think that is the name) 4x5 pack film. Fortunately I have both pack and sheet backs for instant film. I am getting nervous, as I use instant film as testing for my professional 4x5 transparency photography.

Gene,

I just checked, there is lots of 4x5" in stock (http://shopus.polaroid.com/shop/public/search/dsp_quick_search_results.cfm?category_code_id=626&subcategory=B04) in the US shop.

Best,
Darr

[bsimison]

There seems to be plenty of BW, but no color. Even selecting the "All Products" dropdown menu on the Polaroid online store only lists BW 4x5 films. Usually, this listing will show how long until out-of-stock items will be available again.

[Gene McCluney]

Gene,

I just checked, there is lots of 4x5" in stock (http://shopus.polaroid.com/shop/public/search/dsp_quick_search_results.cfm?category_code_id=626&subcategory=B04) in the US shop.

Best,
Darr

Yes, but NO COLOR stocks. And...if you will check individual items by clicking on them, you will see that some of these are discontinued..such as T51 and T53.

And, if there is no color 4x5 sheets available from Polaroid, that means there are no 4x5 sheet format color instant films available anywhere (except for existing stocks), as Fuji only makes 4x5 Pack film.

[Gordon Moat]

No trouble getting anything I want in Polaroid or Fujifilm Instant. I only use various pack films, so maybe that is a different situation. I do wish Polaroid still made films for their 550 back, since Fujifilm Instant for that is a bit expensive.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat Photography (http://www.gordonmoat.com)

[J Peterson]

59, 79 and 809 have been discontinued. 664, 54, 804, 51, 53, and 56 are next. Film boxes with the dreaded yellow discontinued stickers are turning up.

I feel ill. Personally I think it's criminal.

:mad:

[Gene McCluney]

59, 79 and 809 have been discontinued. 664, 54, 804, 51, 53, and 56 are next. Film boxes with the dreaded yellow discontinued stickers are turning up.

I feel ill. Personally I think it's criminal.

:mad:

So, there is no more color Polaroid film in a format that is suitable for testing on 4x5 cameras. That leaves only Fuji with a color pack film in 4x5. Type 51 and 53 are also being discontinued..says so on Polaroid store website under individual listings for these films.

[Jerry Flynn]

Polaroid was purchased a while back by a Minneapolis-based company, The Petters Group. Petters' main interest in buying Polaroid was to be able to use an established, well-respected brand name on the lower-end electronics they import into the US.

One would assume that as long as photography was viable, they would maintain that business. But they do not have a primary interest in photography, so any product line that does not meet corporate standards of revenue and profitability will most likely be dropped.

I thought the buyout was bad news at the time even though it rescued Polaroid from bankruptcy.

[Kirk Gittings]

Shortly after the purchase of Polaroid by the Petters group, we started to notice a decline in the quality of the manufacturing of the asa 100 664 b&w pack film we use. Routinely we would lose the last few of a pack. It was not the back as we have 3 (one brand new) and the problem was common to all. There was no Fuji equivalent that was worth a damn. Seeing the handwriting on the wall, this was a major factor in switching to digital for my commercial work.

[Gene McCluney]

I have found that the Fuji 4x5 color pack film (ISO 100) produces vastly superior results to the last few boxes of Type 79 4x5 sheet film I have used. I am just concerned about the continued availability of any color stock in a format suitable for 4x5 testing. Perhaps Fuji will expand its market offerings as Polaroid winds down.

[Terence McDonagh]

Any guesses on the future of 54 and 55?

[Gene McCluney]

Any guesses on the future of 54 and 55?

Probably available until supplies exhausted.

[J Peterson]

I've heard that 55 will remain for some time. But who knows, it probably means 6 months to a year at the rate it's going.

I really think this is a real tragedy. Someone buys the name to flood the market with shit electrical goods that no one wants and a piece of history is lost for ever. And one that so many people love and rely on for their art. It's criminal. Edwin Land will be turning in his grave.

[Turner Reich]

Polaroid has taken a Kodak on us.

[Gene McCluney]

I think we might see more Fuji instant film materials in the USA if Polaroid abandons the market.

[Gene McCluney]

One of my vendors, Unique Photo and I were having a discussion about this availability issue with instant film materials...and HE said they are seeing an upswing in sales of instant film...because of the new law requiring US citizens to have passports to re-enter the country when traveling to Canada or Mexico. A lot of camera shops and Photo ID places have the Polaroid style passport photo cameras and still want to use them as long as they are working ok, hence because they are selling more ID and Passport type photos, they require more film than they did a couple years ago.

[J Peterson]

I think that's why 59 and 809 have been slashed but 669 remains. It's purely the passport photo market apparently.

Whoop-de-bloody-doo.

[timbo10ca]

So is there any way for long-term storage that won't ruin the color film (and keep it accurate for judging exposure)? I was thinking of buying a couple boxes for the rare transparency I shoot, but I don't know if it would last.

Tim

[Terence McDonagh]

Interesting. B&H's website shows a note under the Type 59 sheet film that reads: Discontinued: replaced by Polaroid 617833 , but the link takes you back to Type 59.

[Gene McCluney]

So is there any way for long-term storage that won't ruin the color film (and keep it accurate for judging exposure)? I was thinking of buying a couple boxes for the rare transparency I shoot, but I don't know if it would last.

Tim

Unfortunately, there is no "good" way to long-term store Polaroid materials. Here is why: The film and the developer "pod" gel would require different techniques. The film component of Polaroid would benefit from cold storage. The developer pod does not like cold storage, and regardless of temperature evaporates over time, to the point where you get incompletely developed films and prints. I don't see any solution. The pod of developer gel will not completely cover the face of the film, thus rendering a partial print when you peel apart.

[timbo10ca]

Unfortunately, there is no "good" way to long-term store Polaroid materials. Here is why: The film and the developer "pod" gel would require different techniques. The film component of Polaroid would benefit from cold storage. The developer pod does not like cold storage, and regardless of temperature evaporates over time, to the point where you get incompletely developed films and prints. I don't see any solution. The pod of developer gel will not completely cover the face of the film, thus rendering a partial print when you peel apart.

I found a Polaroid spec sheet that sais the film can be refridgerated (if not expired only though?)- Is this not recommended then? Should it be kept in as cool and dry an area you can find for it, outside the fridge? I saw a thread somewhere recommending a person should not buy the film if it isn't stored in a fridge at the photo store. I'm just wondering if refridgeration is good, bad, makes no difference, or may extend it a bit. What would you do in the heat of the summer if it's not in the fridge?

Tim

[Gene McCluney]

I found a Polaroid spec sheet that sais the film can be refridgerated (if not expired only though?)- Is this not recommended then? Should it be kept in as cool and dry an area you can find for it, outside the fridge? I saw a thread somewhere recommending a person should not buy the film if it isn't stored in a fridge at the photo store. I'm just wondering if refridgeration is good, bad, makes no difference, or may extend it a bit. What would you do in the heat of the summer if it's not in the fridge?

Tim

Frost Free refrigerators (most if not all modern refrigerators) draw moisture out of the air in them (that's how they can be frost-free). This would tend to dry out the developer "pods". And...Polaroid film is not sealed up (in 4x5 individual sheet form) in extremely air tight wraps. The box wrap is metal foil that is glued. Your best storage for Polaroid materials is in comfortable climate control inside temps, as you would have in your house. Under no circumstance freeze Polaroid, as this could cause the developer pods to freeze and burst, thus ruining all the film you have frozen.

[J Peterson]

No it can't be kept at all. Which is why I think you should give it ALL to me. :)

Don't freeze the film, just refrigerate it. It lasts years past it's expiry date. I throw away the outer box for space saving and leave it in its gas sealed inner package and then pack 4 of the inner boxes inside large tupperware type of containers I found. You don't want the sheets getting any moisture on them as it can ruin them as well. In time colours and density do fade. It can be a bit hit and miss...I have some stuff which is 6 years old that doesn't look much different...slight colour shift and d max out a little out but then I have some stuff, 2 years old which is really affected. It depends on what the film has been treated like to begin with.

I still think you're better off giving it all to me though ;)