frickin' ARGH! No more SX-70 film

ARGH! No more manipulations... and we can't stick the film in the
freezer so we can't have a lifetime supply of the film.

http://www.polaroid.com/sx70/

Please be advised that Polaroid will be discontinuing the manufacture
of its SX-70 / Time-Zero film within the first 3 months of 2006 due to
the phasing out of components used in the production of this film.

We realise that this is disappointing news for our loyal SX-70 users
and we would like to underline that, although the circumstances made it
inevitable, it was not an easy decision.

We are very sorry for the inconvenience.

For customers who would like to continue using their SX-70 camera, we
can offer some film alternatives below. However, we do appreciate that
these films do not offer the same characteristics as SX-70 / Time-Zero
film.

On 10 Feb 2006 12:41:51 -0800, "nathantw"
wrote:

ARGH! No more manipulations... and we can't stick the film in the
freezer so we can't have a lifetime supply of the film.

http://www.polaroid.com/sx70/

Please be advised that Polaroid will be discontinuing the manufacture
of its SX-70 / Time-Zero film within the first 3 months of 2006 due to
the phasing out of components used in the production of this film.

We realise that this is disappointing news for our loyal SX-70 users
and we would like to underline that, although the circumstances made it
inevitable, it was not an easy decision.

We are very sorry for the inconvenience.

For customers who would like to continue using their SX-70 camera, we
can offer some film alternatives below. However, we do appreciate that
these films do not offer the same characteristics as SX-70 / Time-Zero
film.

Try Fujifilm.

They make polaroid instant film.


--
Colyn Goodson

http://www.colyngoodson.com

"nathantw" wrote in message
ups.com...
ARGH! No more manipulations... and we can't stick the film in the
freezer so we can't have a lifetime supply of the film.

http://www.polaroid.com/sx70/

They're discontinuing a lot of films this year.

--
Mark

Photos, Ideas & Opinions
http://www.marklauter.com/gallery

"nathantw" wrote:

ARGH! No more manipulations... and we can't stick the film in the
freezer so we can't have a lifetime supply of the film.

http://www.polaroid.com/sx70/


Your post is slightly misleading. SX-70 film is being discontinued,
but Polaroid will continue to offer two types of film that are
compatible with Polaroid cameras that take SX-70 film.

Polaroid film was always a niche market. Now film is itself a niche
market, and Polaroid SX-70 has a very small specialist niche within
that niche. Given that situation, you should perhaps be celebrating
the fact that Polaroid still offers a choice of two films for your
camera.

Tony Polson wrote:
"nathantw" wrote:


ARGH! No more manipulations... and we can't stick the film in the
freezer so we can't have a lifetime supply of the film.

http://www.polaroid.com/sx70/



Your post is slightly misleading. SX-70 film is being discontinued,
but Polaroid will continue to offer two types of film that are
compatible with Polaroid cameras that take SX-70 film.


Except the compatibility requires modifying the camera. You can place an
ND filter material over the exposure sensor in the camera, then you the
higher ISO films they make for their other instant cameras.


Polaroid film was always a niche market. Now film is itself a niche
market, and Polaroid SX-70 has a very small specialist niche within
that niche. Given that situation, you should perhaps be celebrating
the fact that Polaroid still offers a choice of two films for your
camera.



It was mostly going to the art community in recent years. They nearly
warned people on SX-70 films about a year ago when they changed
formulation of a batch, and many found that it could not be manipulated.
Then the bad batch seemed to sell out, and now we have the
discontinuation notice.

Oh well . . . I mostly do the other forms of Polaroid manipulation, so
not a big deal. I do have an SX-70 camera, which happens to be the only
autofocus camera I use. Still not sure if I will ever modify it.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio
http://www.allgstudio.com

Are Polaroid basicly killing of an art for?

I am new to photography and I had thought about trying it, so I am sad
to see it go, I would have thought that sales of SX-70 would have
remaind strong as I see so many people going on about it.

As for polaroid in general, It is in decline, but Polaroids are instand
print cameras, there will probably always be people who need prints
there and then, no?

Gordon Moat wrote:


Except the compatibility requires modifying the camera.


That is a trivially small price to pay for being able to continue
using the camera.

The alternative is not to make the trivial modification, then the
camera is useful only as an ornament.

Actually you have to *remove* the ND filter over the meter, and still
crank the exposure comp. There are some instructions out there for
changing a few capacitors to permanently change the metering if you're
willing to disassemble your camera.

wrote:
Are Polaroid basicly killing of an art for?


I guess killing off an art form is one way to look at it. There is a
process called water graphs possible with there 600 instant films,
though that is very different than SX-70 film manipulation.

I am new to photography and I had thought about trying it, so I am sad
to see it go, I would have thought that sales of SX-70 would have
remaind strong as I see so many people going on about it.



These are very popular, or were, on EBAY. The cameras can still work
with 600 instant film, but require a modification to alter the light
meter reading. Just a guess, but they probably sell a ton more of the
other instant films, especially to law enforcement, insurance, and
construction organizations.

As for polaroid in general, It is in decline, but Polaroids are instand
print cameras, there will probably always be people who need prints
there and then, no?


I still see an appeal to using Polaroid instant films. They are just so
simple, and probably a very cool basic fun system. Push a button and get
a print, even at a somewhat reasonable cost.

The other Polaroid realm has actually seen a recent expansion of sales
from Fuji, that being the peel apart films. I think those will
consolidate a little, with probably just one or two colour choices, and
a few B/W choices. Some professionals still use these for proofing, or
checking lighting, or in fashion photography. There are some more
interesting manipulations and fine art approaches with peel apart films;
this is most of the Polaroid stuff I do and exhibit.

You can see more Polaroid creative work at:

http://www.polaroid.com/creative/index.jsp?PRDREG=null

I should mention that while I have tried some of this with the Fuji peel
apart films, I have yet to find good and consistent methods. Part of
that I think is down to subtle differences in the way the Fuji instant
films are produced.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio
http://www.allgstudio.com

Tony Polson wrote:
Gordon Moat wrote:


Except the compatibility requires modifying the camera.



That is a trivially small price to pay for being able to continue
using the camera.

The alternative is not to make the trivial modification, then the
camera is useful only as an ornament.



I am still thinking about it. I have only used my SX-70 for creative
work, or for fun at events. At the point when I can no longer buy SX-70
film anywhere, then I will make a decision.

Ciao!

Gordon Moat
A G Studio
http://www.allgstudio.com