On 60th Anniversary, Polaroid Discontinues All Instant Film
Sat Feb 23, 2008 5:22PM EST
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That's one more product that technology has killed off completely: On the eve of the product's 60th anniversary, Polaroid is announcing that its namesake instant film is being discontinued. None of Polaroid's two dozen auto-developing products will be produced after 2008.
Depending on the type of film, Polaroid says you can expect to find it on store shelves until the first quarter of 2009, but most of its films will be gone well before then. And don't get too excited about "stocking up" on Polaroid film, either: It will all expire before the end of 2009, after which it will begin to degrade considerably.
Polaroid is of course being made obsolete due to the rampant popularity of digital cameras, which make it easy to see what you just shot thanks to their built-in LCDs, without having to wait at all, unlike Polaroids, and without any additional cost. The next target for digital to make irrelevant will naturally be all chemical film. Digital camera revenue overtook film camera revenue way back in 2000 and digicams have all but eliminated film in the market today, even with professional photographers.
Of course, Polaroid may be down, but it's not out entirely. Its ZINK "zero ink" technology looks like it's coming to market soon, with a mobile photo printer that lets users print 2" by 3" pictures on special paper, without any ink at all. Production is planned to begin sometime this spring. Stay tuned.
Comments on On 60th Anniversary, Polaroid Discontinues All Instant Film
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2 Posted by lewinjon on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:49PM EDT Report Abuse
Truly a wonder of its age. I had an original model Polaroid Land Camera back in the fifties that my father gave me. It was expensive to use and low in quality and rather unwieldy but sure beat my old Kodak Brownie when it came to waiting a week to get my prints and hoping I didn't fog the film removing it from the camera. I can still smell the ascetic acid of the preservative I had to coat each black and white print with.
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3 Posted by kalu71@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:46PM EDT Report Abuse
I remember the first Polaroid Instant Camera I received for Christmas. I still have one I got for a gift about ten years ago, though we haven't used it in 8. I remember running around "waving" the pictures to make them develop faster. They brought some great memories.
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4 Posted by mocabbageinc07 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:24PM EDT Report Abuse
It will be a sad day when one can no longer get instantaneous pictures. I also enjoyed the privilge some 40 odd years ago of having a "Polaroid". I still enjoy having a couple of Polaroid cameras around the house today.
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5 Posted by leebittome on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:48PM EDT Report Abuse
I still get great shots from my polaroid ... i saw some zinc printers on x-vision.net !? i think thats the site.. not sure
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6 Posted by agustin2489 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:47PM EDT Report Abuse
Polaroid cameras are definitely iconic, I'll miss them but then again, it's natural. Nostalgia is still there though.
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7 Posted by sorr928 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:33PM EDT Report Abuse
It's a shame. I don't like digital cameras. I don't think digital has the same quality as the old Polaroids and film produce.
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8 Posted by jtfochtxp on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:43PM EDT Report Abuse
It sounds like he is implying that Poleroid is down because they do not make digital cameras. This is not true, I have one and it takes great pictures. They are also responsible for a line of other technologies too.
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9 Posted by muscogeekid on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:30PM EDT Report Abuse
Ok, enough nostalgia. Polaroids were a nice product in their day, back when developing film was counted in days, not hours. But let's not forget the messiness, the poor quality, the short lifespan and the price we paid for those quick pics. Fewer products have had the honor of being replaced by something so universally and completely superior. I'm talking about digital photography, of course. In no way was polaroid even close. I have plenty of memories of them myself, but I'm happy to say that my children can look forward to a lifetime of viewing the digital photos of their life without worrying about picture degradtion or a slim slection of photos because of the high cost of each picture. I say good riddance, Polaroid. You were fun once, but we don't nee ya anymore.
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10 Posted by bruceclarkemexico on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:14PM EDT Report Abuse
"I don't think digital has the same quality as the old Polaroids and film produce." 35mm film, maybe, but do you honestly think digital cameras don't measure up to grainy, blurry Polaroid snapshots?? C'mon....
1 Posted by rogueist on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse
The ZINK printers are not unique. There are several out already by other manufacturers. I saw them in stores in January already.