Polaroid Woes
by Amanda on February 10, 2010
And just like that, the Polaroid film is gone. I knew embarking on a Polaroid a day project would end in disaster. If you haven’t already heard my cries of woe all over Flickr and Twitter, be thankful that you don’t have to live with me to hear me whine all the more about my lack of Polaroid film.
My usual supplier who has always stocked dozens and dozens of packs since I arrived back in September, suddenly was all sold out yesterday. It was only 2 weeks ago that they seemed to have an abundance of film and now all of a sudden, it’s just all gone? What gives?
I do feel for the poor guy who was trying to explain to me how that many boxes could have been snapped up, when for months nobody seemed to touch the stuff. For I kept firing questions at him in disbelief to which he kept saying “I don’t know.” I think the real kicker was when tears started welling up in my eyes.
You see, this has happened to me before but I’ve always managed to find it elsewhere. Some beautiful souls have offered to help me out and I’ve got a couple of packs on the way from across the lands. One gorgeous lady even offered to give me some of her rapidly depleting stock. You see, it’s moments like those that make me realise how important this little art is. I knew I loved Polaroid but it wasn’t until yesterday when it seemed so final that I realised what it will be like if the impossible can’t be done.
My daily Polaroids will be back…later.
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Is it even a possibility that Fuji Wide format instant film would work in any way? I have a box full that I mispurchased but procrastinated in returning, I would be happy to send it …. for the cause and for the inspiration the daily polaroids give me.
anna
Oh sad day. I’d be happy to share some of mine with you. I have 600 and some sx-70. I think polapremium.com is going to have some again soon in a week or so too. I love the little polaroid “community” I’ve found.
It’s so sad! I miss it a lot too. :(
I had the same problem, the sudden disappearance of polaroid from our local camera shop broke my heart. I’ve gotten so tired of finding the odd pack of film on-line, that I’ve gone to using Fuji FP100 C color film in my polaroid land camera. We all have to make changes. By the way I love your work.
*hugs*
I haven’t quite hit that stage yet, since I still have few packs left. But I am starting to get anxious and wring my hands and bite my finger nails about it… My one hope is that the Impossible Project, though having a set back, will emerge victorious.
Either that or aliens will come and beam up all the digital cameras one night forcing the world to go back to film and to again produce it.
:)
I thought it was coming back though?
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/smile-polaroid-is-saved-1418929.html
Something’s happening in Feb 2010?
http://www.the-impossible-project.com/
Heartbreaking news … Time to shoot film :-/
Oh Anna, you are a doll. Thank you so much but it’s boring old 600 (or 779) that I need. Thank you so much for offering. I do have a Polaroid land camera that that type of film works in but it’s back in Australia.
Vanessa, yes, PolaPremium are totally out at the moment but fabulous “Polaroid girl”/Anne has stated that will have more in stock very soon.
K Nelson, I think I might have to get my mumma to send my land camera over!
Thanks for the kind words. :)
Ashley, haha so true! What’s so stupid is that if someone stole my $1800 DSLR I wouldn’t be anywhere near as upset.
Yes, it is Lynn but they’ve hit a few problems. The release date has been pushed back to March and it just makes me really nervous that there are problems.
Catherine, yes, I think my developing and processing bill may go up.
Thanks for all the wonderful comments and kind offers everyone. It fills me up with happiness.
oh amanda, this is sad news! hope you’ll find some more, you deserve to have polaroid film! i haven’t got a polaroid camera myself so i’m not personally afflicted by the lack of film, but i’m still very curious about the project of making new film. do you know if this is working out?
i keep on having “small world moments” with your blog!
i’m not sure who your vancity supplier is, but i think its likely the same place (urban outfitters) i’ve been going to get my 779 film…..which i went to yesterday and almost cried when the lady told me that someone had bought the entire stock! i actually said “i hate them” aloud and then said “well, not if it it was one of my friends…then i’d just be jealous” and i thought of you too and concluded that if it was you, i wouldn’t hate on you either, just be jealous (and maybe beg you to sell me a few packs)!
they did say they should be getting more in though. maybe today even!!! crossing my fingers its soon! and i promise i won’t buy the entire stock they have (i couldn’t even if i wanted to)!
Vivienne, I’m sending you email hehe
I have nine precious shots left….NINE! …and then they’re gone. They’re like gold to me…..oh what to shoot?
Sigh. I feel your fear.
I bought half a dozen packs from UO on Granville Street this past Saturday. They had three or four packs of 779 left, in a basket by the front counter.
Good Luck!
oh gosh! what a sad moment for the polaroid community :(
i hope something turns up for you!
Pearl xo
Amanda, I may have a line on some and I live here in North Vancouver. I am going to find out on the weekend, I will let you know!
I nearly passed out when I ‘thought’ that polapremium was all out of 600 stock the other day, I feel your pain. I bought a few boxes of TZ Artistic instead and I’ve completely fallen in love with it. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the impossible project are distributing in March.
What beautiful souls your friends were to help you out with a few packs :-)
Amanda, email me with your address….I will send you what I have left of 600. I’d rather look at your fabulous 600 creativeness then what I end up taking, and honestly.. I haven’t taken much Polaroid in quite some time… so what packs I have are yours, maybe 3-4? j.white0112@gmail.com … xo
Hi Amanda,
I am a little slow. It only just hit me today, when I went to order some film. 600 film is out of stock. My heart sank to my stomache.
Then I was reading your blog and found the woes are everywhere.
I hope you get your hands on some more film. I think your photos and blog are amazing!