Instant is Back!

Remember Polaroid instant pictures? Back in the 1960’s and 70’s almost every home had at least one Polaroid camera hanging around in a closet somewhere. Well, they’re back! Actually Polaroid & Fuji are both producing instant film and cameras to shoot it with. These trippy little analog cameras make business card sized pictures (about 2” by 3 ½”, the Fuji is just a little bigger) that develop in seconds right before your very eyes.

Why would anyone want such a diminutive analog photo in this brave new digital universe? Well one customer reviewer put it best when he said he wanted to be able to hand Granny a picture of her holding the new baby at the hospital. I am sure each of us could come up with a unique situation where an instant picture would be a great thing to have, besides from all accounts the quality of these little treasures is pretty impressive.

The only complaints I have found in all the customer reviews I’ve read is that some wish the pictures were bigger and one or two complained the cost was too high. I could wish for a bigger picture too but as for the cost….

The cameras all seem to sell for $100 or less, most of them average $60 to $80 online and the film cost appears to run from $.75 to $1.00 per shot. Considering that includes the instant processing too it’s not exactly cheap but it certainly is not exorbitant.

Do I have any plans to enter the instant picture game? Probably not, but then I actually ridiculed the Holga not too long ago and have since acquired one and become a fan. I already think the little instant cameras are pretty cool so who knows what tomorrow will bring. If I did get one though it would probably be the Fuji. The pictures are a little bigger and the film gives you twice as many shots for only about 50% more than the Polaroids.