Polaroid alternatives.

First of all, let me say, nothing quite beats Polaroid, the 'magic' in that film is undeniable, and the process revolutionary.

On that note though, and following my last post on how  readily available legacy Polaroid equipment is and its needed film and batteries are around as well. I also wanted to highlight many of the modern day alternatives.

First, there is the infamous app POLADROID that is great to use on your actual computer (for all of you non iPhone owners) The quality is pretty great, and you can save at various stages of the development to get different effects of exposures.

Here is their pool on Flickr...




The next alternative is for the iPhone owners, and future iTouch 4 owners, ShakeitPhoto, is one of the earliest Polaroid apps. Imho it has the best quality in color, saturation, and exposure of all the faux Polaroid apps.(side note, there are LOTS of apps called shake it, this one has a rainbow on the icon). Definitely an Essential iPhone App.

Here is the website for it..

Next, is the app Camera Bag. It is a bit more at $1.99, but includes many other effects, so it is well worth it. The Polaroid effect is good, not the best, but nice to use on any of your existing pictures, plus the waiting and shaking thing can get old sometimes.

There are a few more (actually lots more) 'Fauxlaroid' apps in the store, but with these two you can definitely fulfill your mobile Polaroid needs.

For real world, physical media replacements, you really need to look no further than Fuji, as I have mentioned before, they have the instant film thing down with various models to choose from as seen below.







Instant joy.

Polaroid isn't impossible. You could be using one right now! For less than $50.

You could be taking Polaroids RIGHT NOW, tons of the Land Camera series -model numbers usually in 100, 200 or 300 range- are around and CHEAP.

Here is one on eBay right now!

VINTAGE POLAROID LAND CAMERA MODEL 210 AUTOMATIC

For $21.22 it could be yours. I don't know if it works, but generally they just need a bit of cleaning and cleaning of the battery contacts, your mileage may vary.


BUT wait, what about film? and batteries? That is the real issue right? Wrong.

Though the Impossible Project, as awesome as it is, is making Polaroid film they no longer make, that doesnt mean you can't get film, new unexpired film. The Impossible Project is making film for the much coveted SX-70 and 600 models. Not for the Land Cameras, which use a pull apart emulsion film, not the self enclosed type.

Step in FUJI. Fuji has been making instant film cameras in Japan for ages, and you can still get a new one and film for it now, here. They have also been making film that the Land Cameras can use, and it is readily available, costs about the same, and is considered by some to be even better film (not by all though). Film comes in 10's and is roughly $1 per photo cost.

For this Land Camera above, assuming it functions with a fresh battery, you can get either the 667 b/w type film which in Fuji land is known as the 3000b, or you can get the similar 669 color film FP100. Note that the b/w film is 3000 speed (yes really fas and good in lower light (not in dark though) and the color is 100 speed, so it needs a good sunny day!

Okay so that solves that part, now for the batteries...

These Land Cameras use a battery called px-24, not the easiest to find, but they are out there (and have been for years), here is one for $15.99.

SO there you have it, for approx $22 + $16 + $10 = $48, you could take 10 Polaroid pictures now. And of course, after this initial cost, the film is your only cost moving forward.


If you try it, good luck!