Instant camera

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Image:Polaroid Land Camera Model J66.jpg

An instant camera is a type of camera with self-developing film. The most famous are those made by the Polaroid Corporation. The invention of modern instant cameras is generally credited to American scientist Edwin Land, who unveiled the first commercial instant camera, the Land Camera, in 1947, 10 years after founding the Polaroid Corporation.

1 Types of Polaroid instant cameras
- 1.1 Instant movie cameras
2 Types of non-Polaroid instant cameras
3 Usage
4 Taking an instant photograph
5 See also
6 External links
- 6.1 Patents

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Types of Polaroid instant cameras

Some of the earliest Polaroids used instant roll film, which has since been discontinued. Later cameras utilize "pack film," which requires the photographer to peel apart the film at a certain point in the developing process. More modern Polaroids, like the popular SX-70, use integral film, in which 10 exposures were packed together into a single enclosure. Each exposure develops automatically once the shot is taken. The Polaroid One Step, which is still widely available in retail stores, uses 600 (or the more difficult to find 779) film. Polaroid Spectra film utilizes a rectangular format, instead of the traditional medium (square) format prints. The newest form of Polaroid instant camera is the I-Zone, which produces miniature instant prints that are marketed as a novelty toy.

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Instant movie cameras

Not only did Polaroid make instant still-image cameras, but they also manufactured a type of instant movie camera. The unit was called Polavision. The kit included a camera, film, and a movie viewer. When the movie was shot, it would be taken out of the camera and then inserted into the viewer, and could be viewed instantly. This format was closer to Super 8mm film than any other type of movie camera. Its disadvantages were its high price, and the fact that movies would not retain their colour very long. Polaroid ceased manufacture of the system after a drop in sales. Polavison cameras and viewers are now highly sought after by collectors.

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Types of non-Polaroid instant cameras

Some of the earliest instant cameras were brought to market before Edwin Land's invention of the instant camera. These cameras are, however, more portable darkrooms than "instant" camera. After Land's patent was brought to market, many imitators surfaced, some using Polaroid-compatible film and equipment, such as cameras by Keystone, Konica, and Minolta. Others were incompatible with Polaroid cameras and film, the most notable of these being made by Kodak, such as the Kodamatic. These cameras accepted a Kodak-branded integral instant film, similar to Polaroid's SX-70 film. Polaroid brought a patent-infringement lawsuit against Kodak, and eventually Kodak was forced to stop manufacture of both the camera and film. Kodak was also left to pay a settlement to some customers who were left without a way to use their now-defunct cameras.

In more recent years, Fujifilm has introduced a line of instant cameras and film. This includes film compatible with certain Polaroid models. None are sold officially in the United States, although the Polaroid-compatible film is available through some larger photographic suppliers.

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Usage

Polaroid film is traditionally much more expensive than 35mm film, with prices as much as 10 times as high per exposure. Still, Polaroid cameras are routinely used by professionals such as dentists and police officers in their work because of the instant exposure capability. These cameras also enjoy a following amongst amateur photographers, who prize the instant gratification and romantic but somewhat low-quality tone that instant film provides. In this way, the Polaroid photographer has a similar mindset to Holga and Lomo camera users. The instant film also has been used in ways that are similar to folk art, including the transfer of the images and image manipulation. With the advent of digital photography, much of the Polaroid instant camera's appeal has been transferred to the digital cameras. Even the Polaroid Corporation itself produces digital cameras. As such, instant film and cameras have become something of a niche product.

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Taking an instant photograph

Polaroid instant cameras, because they use instant film, require different shooting techniques than 35mm cameras. The instant film only develops properly between the temperatures of 55°F to 95°F (13°-35°C). Pack film should be refrigerated while unopened to prolong its useful life. When taking a picture, many amateurs are not used to many of the Polaroid cameras' medium format, meaning that each picture is square instead of rectangular. As such, many beginning Polaroid photographers do not utilize the top half of the frame. Once the picture has been taken, it is best not to fan or bend the developing picture, as this can disturb the developing process. Development can take from 2 minutes to 24 hours.

An example of the visual development process of a polaroid can be found in this music video directed by Burning Vision Entertainment.

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