so..whats the deal with poloroid instant film?

[TZK]

it all depends on what you are looking for or want to achieve. Basically, there are 2 types of Polaroid: the peel-apart ones, and the integral ones (those that get ejected automatically from the camera). I use Polaroids for their vintage-like feel. I agree that the Impossible Project offer poor(er) quality of (integral) film, which is expensive too, but they still carry old Polaroid peel-apart film (expired). Film being expired means you will get lots of surprises, which can be good if you like surprises. They sell Chocolate film, Blue, and Sepia, and maybe still have some B&W film. I, personally, love the Chocolate one (type 100) for their color (well, browns) and texture. This example found online: http://www.vancouverphotoworkshops.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/4.jpg
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_0zbLj5rzJdU/SaGn52ReQ2I/AAAAAAAABDw/QTzeyvcFuV0/img145.jpg
Fuji ones are fine, but I prefer the Polaroid ones, the colors are much more beautiful. The Polaroid B&W are also better, in my opinion.
So, basically, Polaroid is loved for its unique (vintage) feel and unusual colors. But nowadays it's very hard and costly to get hold of the films. After 1 year of shooting mostly Polaroids, I felt the need to move on and try something different: darkroom and film.

 

[one90guy]

Fuji cost about 90 cents per picture. Last year I converted a 110A to pack film and the 100 b/w was no longer available. Sold the camera and built a cheaper one. The 3000 b/w is not bad, I do not care much for the 100 color. When I saw the Impossible film costs it made the Fuji look better.

 

[TZK]

but the Impossible is not really comparable to Fuji, as the former is integral film, while the latter is peel-apart. I'm not impressed by Fuji's efforts at instant photography to be honest. The peel apart film, while it provides us with film to feed such cameras, it doesn't offer anything more than that. No charm.
Also the Instax camera are a real waste of money. I advice others to stay away from the Instax 210. I took 3 shots with it and then it refused to eject the film, and is now collecting dust somewhere here. I discovered later on, upon googling this problem and how to fix it, that I was not alone. MANY people were asking the very same question online "what's wrong with my new Instax??"

 

[Helen B]

but the Impossible is not really comparable to Fuji, as the former is integral film, while the latter is peel-apart. I'm not impressed by Fuji's efforts at instant photography to be honest. The peel apart film, while it provides us with film to feed such cameras, it doesn't offer anything more than that. No charm.

I guess that you have to ask yourself what you want from instant film. I actually want colour and exposure accuracy - I have all the charm necessary in the studio. In the respect of colour accuracy and reversal-film-like saturation Fuji is better than Polaroid ever was. The biggest difference is in the EI 3000 B&W material - the Fuji has more dynamic range and a better density range than the Polaroid. Instant film is still widely used for proofing before shooting large format - we use about 30 sheets of 4x5 Fuji colour a day, plus what I shoot for myself - and if it wasn't as good as it is, it wouldn't be as attractive for proofing.

If you do want funky colours and 'charm' from Fuji instant, use the negative. Let it dry and scan it, or go the messy route and remove the opaque backing from the neg.

 

[TZK]

Helen,
When I started exploring the world of instant photography, I was seeking something 'special', ghostly and otherworldly. The fact that Polaroid was something of the past made the idea very interesting. Fuji gives me 'regular' photos. Or as you said: accurate exposure and colors. You also don't have much options with Fuji: it's either B&W or color. While Polaroid offered different types of color and monochrome films. But as you said, it depends on what you want from instant film. The negatives are great, yes. Usually hard to scan, so I take digital macro shots of the negatives.