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November 2012

1
No. 630

Inside 101 Ways

Marlene Kelnreiter | 201 days ago
  • "Greeting Cards" by Ever Dundas

Today we want to call those people before the curtain who have created the Impossible 101 Ways book. Featuring 101 creative, funny, astonishing, romantic, crazy and beautiful ideas what to do with an Impossible photo, developed by worldwide photographers and artists.

Thank you for contributing your idea and photos, dear Alan Marcheselli, Alfredo Prado, Andreas Schimanski, Andrew Kua, Ave Heidelberger, Barbara Werth, Ben Innocent, Bernd F. Oehmen, Britta Hershman, Candice Morato, Carmen Palermo, Carsten Woywood, Cécile de Vries, Chiharu Hoshida, Christian Dylong, Clareese Hill, Claudia Meng, Daniel Döring, Daniel Gonzalez Fuster, Deborah Yun, Doreen Stahr, Dorota Wagner, Dwayne Lutchna, Elin Jones, Eliza Agosta, Emilie Lefellic, Erik Sosso, Eugen Noujaev, Evan M. Cerda, Ever Dundas, Federico Corpieri, Ferdinand Vykoukal, Fernanda Montoro, Fieni Enrico, Florian Kaps, Frank Brouwer, Franticham, Gabriele Pagani, Genevieve Neal, Gian Guido Zurli, Giovanna Chemi, Guillaume Pollino, Hannah Doucet, Ignas Kutavicius, Ikem Nzeribe, Impossible Factory Team, Ina Echternach, James Matthew Carroll, JL Pictures, Jonathan Campolo, Jonathan Thomas, Joost Verburg & Karen Glandrup, Josean Molina Gil, Josie Keefe, Katie Sykes, Kim Oberski, Lawrence Chiam, Lena Burggraef, Lia Sáile, Manfred von Koreander, Mariadonata Villa, Marianna Battocchio, Marion Lanciaux, Martin Cartwright, Massimiliano Muner, Massimo Battista, Max Schneider, Melanie J. Alexandrou, Michaela Scagnetti, Mik Boitier, Miriam van Hoven, Niki, Nuno Tudela, Paolo Mori, Remo Camerota, Rosanna Barson, Roxanne Daner, RRR Diaz, Rudy Force, Sarah Crookston, Sebastian Gulak, Susanna Gaunt, Taylor Shurte, Thomas Hofman, Tom Gallagher and Ulrike Kobler!

2
No. 629

8 Exposures...with Leanne Surfleet

Patrick Tobin, | 201 days ago

Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our ongoing instant film Q&A series. This week, we are pleased to bring you UK photographer Leanne Surfleet…

1) What kind of Polaroid camera(s) do you use?

I have a few different Polaroid cameras but the main 3 I use are my Spectra, 450 Land and non-folding SX-70.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

Well, I never thought of myself as an impatient person but when it comes to photography I like to see the results instantly! Then I feel that I can move on with my shoot and change things up. I just find it exciting and feel that it’s a great skill to master, to have a certain control over your instant photographs. I’ve been shooting instant film for around 6 years now and I’m still completely amazed and confused by the whole process! Only having a certain amount of exposures makes me think about each one carefully before pressing the shutter, I’ve learnt over the years to not get too excited about a fresh pack of film and waste them. I cherish each and every one of my instant photographs.

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4
No. 633

Impossible's Sunday Brunch - Issue 27

Patrick Tobin, | 199 days ago

Photo by Sarah Kirkham

Greetings from the land of Impossible, and welcome back to Sunday Brunch. Each Sunday, we share with you some Impossible photos that have caught our eye over the course of the week. Please enjoy these wonderful instant captures…

Photos in this issue come to us from Sarah Kirkham, Dustin Yager, Deirdre Malfatto, Penny Felts, and Maiga Doocy. Photos were taken using the following film types: PX 70 Color Protection and PX 70 Cool.

Keep shooting, friends, and be sure to submit to the Impossible Gallery and the Impossible Flickr Group! Your Impossible moment may end up in a future edition of Sunday Brunch!

5
No. 634

8 Exposures...with Giacomo Inches

Patrick Tobin, | 198 days ago

Hello everyone, and welcome back to 8 Exposures, our instant film Q&A series. This week, we are happy to present to you Italian photographer Giacomo Inches…

1) What kind of Polaroid camera(s) do you use?

I feel very comfortable with the SX-70 and Image cameras. If I have enough space, I definitely put them both in my bag. But I like to test and experiment with different cameras as well. I recently acquired an SLR 680 and I also like a Land Camera 340 that was given to me as a present. I also turned an Image camera with broken shutter into an Image pinhole camera that returns wonderful b/w images. Sometimes I play with a 630 LightMixer or a 1000 camera. At the end of the day, my wife is always complaining about all the cameras I have around (too many).

2) Why do you like instant photography?

I love photography in general because it can capture a particular moment (that is already gone, due to the impossibility of stopping time) into a particular frame. Instant photography, however, is one step further: a second after you shot, that moment you fixed through the camera becomes ‘tangible’ in your hands. You can observe the picture becoming reality and finally seeing and remembering and feeling that moment you just lived & shot. Moreover, compared to the modern digital photography, the instant returns a unique picture: even if you scan it, it will never be the same as the single original one. I still find people getting surprised by the self-developmment of the picture and its appearing ‘like magic’

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6
No. 635

Viewfinder: Christine Zona - Save the Jersey Shore

Patrick Tobin, | 196 days ago

Welcome back to Viewfinder, our ongoing series in which we chronicle interesting projects that incorporate instant film. This week, in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, we have a very special post to share with you from New Jersey native Christine Zona…

The Jersey Shore is a very special place to me. My summers as a kid were spent with my grandparents and cousins at the boardwalk in Pt. Pleasant. I would eat orange vanilla swirl ice-cream until my brain froze and I played boardwalk games until my fingers cramped. As a teenager my friends and I would cruise down to Seaside Heights were we would get into all sorts of crazy shenanigans. In my older years I would spend time with my parents in Atlantic City playing penny slots and enjoying strolls along the water. Not to mention those awesome buffets.

A couple of years ago I started a photography project about the Jersey Shore. I did it to restore the innocence of it to the masses. I wanted people to view it as I did as a kid. I thought this project would go on for years. So much so that I bought an entire case of expired Polaroid film to dedicate to this project. Little did I know that the shore would be taken from me.

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7
No. 636

NEW! IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT SPACE WARSAW

Marlene Kelnreiter | 195 days ago

Impossible is looking forward to being close to Chopin in Warsaw soon!

We are excited to set foot in Poland by opening an Impossible Project Space in Warsaw – A bustling city between the spirit of Eastern and Western Europe where incredible history meets a unique and vibrant young generation. We are now proud to share the magic of analog instant photography in this up and coming city.

The Grand Opening Party will take place on
Saturday, December 1, 2012, 7pm, feat. an analog instant photography exhibition, DJ and refreshments

Located at the new Mysia 3 concept mall directly in the center of Warsaw, the Impossible Project Space Warsaw will present analog instant film materials, refurbished classic Polaroid cameras, accessories, books, magazines, workshops and exhibitions. Discover the first Polish hub for analog instant aficionados.

Befriend Impossible Polska on Facebook

8
No. 637

Bathtub

Marlene Kelnreiter | 194 days ago

German photographer Katja Sonnewend latest work has been published in the 4th issue of the beautiful 1814 Magazine

“Bathtub” is a self-portrait series shot in natural light in the bathroom of her apartment in Berlin.

„In my mind polaroid photography is a sort of ritual. I think that our society celebrates the moment less and less.”, says Katja in an interview with C-Heads. Click here to read the whole interview on photography, art and life.

No. 638

20x24 Workshop at Impossible NYC

Josie Keefe, | 194 days ago

November 30th + December 8th 2012
Impossible Project NYC Space + 20x24 Studio
map
By John Reuter

Offered for the first time in Impossible history, we are pleased to announce that John Reuter and Nafis Azad of the 20×24 studio will be conducting an Impossible 20×24 workshop. The 20×24 camera is a large format legend, and has been used to capture iconic photos by photographic greats, including Chuck Close, Andy Warhol, and Mary Ellen Mark. This is the first time we have offered this workshop. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to operate and shoot with this amazing camera.

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No. 639

Tretorn X Impossible Instagram Contest Winners!

Patrick Tobin, | 194 days ago

Announcing the winners of the Tretorn X Impossible Instagram Contest!

We asked you to post photos of places you like to walk on Instagram and include the tag #tretorntip. There were SO many great photos posted and you made us want to visit these amazing locations!

It was a hard decision but the Tretorn and Impossible team selected photos submitted by phraim, anthonyphilipfesta and jorydayne. They’ll each receive an Impossible 600 camera kit and a pair of Tretorn shoes.

Thanks to everyone who entered!

12
No. 640

8 Exposures...with Gregory Geiger

Patrick Tobin, | 191 days ago

Hello, friends, and welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series. This week, we are happy to bring you Rhode Island artist and photographer Gregory Geiger…

1) What kind of Polaroid camera(s) do you use?

Other than a few button pushes when I was very young, I started my own instant film aventure with a Polaroid Joy Cam. I got frustrated with the strange form-factor, even though I loved the ease of multiple exposures. After that my constant companion, for about two years, was an i-Zone camera. I loved the ease of use and the size of the camera, but when I got frustrated with the ultra tiny images, I transitioned to a Polaroid One. I used that grey box cam until I ran out of the original Polaroid film. I finally gave that camera away, which was a sad day indeed.

When Impossible Project started making film, I was a little bit hesitant. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be the real thing or how long it was going to last, so I picked up a Green One Step Express from the NYC store. I fell in love with the First Flush film, fell in love with the Impossible Project itself, and three months later got the SX-70 Alpha One that I am madly in love with and literally carry with me everywhere.

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14
No. 641

Viewfinder: Bryant Eslava at New York Fashion Week

Patrick Tobin, | 189 days ago

Hello friends, and welcome back to Viewfinder, our ongoing series chronicling interesting projects that incorporate Impossible film. This week we’re happy to bring you a look back at New York Fashion Week through the beautiful photos of Bryant Eslava…

New York Fashion Week is filled with glamour, celebrities, expensive clothing and much more. This season (Spring 2013) I decided to add to my digital/film gear by using Impossible Project film.

It was an interesting experience because when I’d approach anyone they would automatically give me their full attention and say “Woah, I haven’t seen one of those cameras in a long time” (I was shooting with a Polaroid SLR 680) and then I would ask them for a portrait.

It was also very competitive backstage…it’s filled with over 30 photographers whose lives depend on getting “that shot”. A couple times I would get yelled at or pushed out of the way by these photographers because they didn’t see me with a giant SLR and wouldn’t take me seriously but at least it got the attention of designers, celebrities and models when I brought out the camera.
Most of the time I would get asked “They still make Polaroid film?” and my response would be, “No, it’s Impossible Project film” then I would describe to them how the film worked and gave them a little bio of Impossible Project. Overall it was a great experience, I loved the analog feel instead of constantly looking at a screen and re-shooting an...Read All

No. 642

BRING BACK THE BOARDWALKS FUNDRAISER

Patrick Tobin, | 188 days ago

Saturday, November 17th, 2012
2pm-9pm
Trais Gallery
76 Wooster Street
2nd Floor
New York
NY
10012

We are pleased to announce BRING BACK THE BOARDWALKS, an art auction to benefit Far Rockaway and Coney Island’s shoreline which has been wrecked by Hurricane Sandy. A team of united professionals from varied backgrounds has assembled to rebuild our New York community through art, and want to do it with your help.

Artists have donated work which will be available at a silent auction on Saturday, November 17th from 2pm – 9pm at Trais Gallery in Soho. 100% of the proceeds of the silent auction will go to the recovery and rebuilding of the communities of the Rockaways and Coney Island. As passionate lovers of Coney Island and the Rockaways, we have to help the communities to recover, rebuild and come back from this disaster.

Friend of Impossible and photographer Kisha Bari has donated one of her photos taken with Impossible film!

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15
No. 643

Impossible TV Evening

Marlene Kelnreiter | 187 days ago

During the last year many things have happened on the Impossible road, and we had the pleasure to grace the TV screen in various broadcasts.

To relive the greatest moments, cuddle up on your couch, get some hot chocolate or tea and enjoy these clips:

Reuters: Tech Tonic, 2012

Discovery Channel: How It’s Made – Instant Film, 2011

arte / ZDF / ORF: Polaroid – Magische Momente, 2010

Monocle TV, 2010

Pro Sieben: Galileo, 2010

ARTE: tracks, 2010

Nouvo, France, 2009

16
No. 643

8 Exposures...with Carla Triolo

Patrick Tobin, | 187 days ago

Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our ever-popular instant film Q&A series. This week, we’re very happy to bring you the photography of Carla Triolo…

1) What kind of Polaroid camera(s) do you use?

My favorite camera is my folding SX-70 Sonar. I take it with me everywhere. If not for the fear that I would roll over and crush it, rendering it useless and reducing me to a blubbering incoherent heap on the floor…I would snuggle with it in bed every night. It was the first Polaroid camera I was truly successful with. Out of all the cameras I have, I find it the most portable and it has always yielded great results. I also use a Spectra SE, a Polaroid Land Model 250 and my grandfather’s Polaroid Land Model 350.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

I love the unpredictability of instant photography. No matter how I picture an image turning out I am never 100% on point. You never know exactly what will happen. Also, I appreciate the fact that unlike digital photography, I can’t just delete and retake as I please. This makes me focus a lot more on what I want to photograph and how. I think the extra care and thought really shows through in the pictures. You can tell how much love was put into it.

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No. 645

EJ Camp Artist Talk

Josie Keefe, | 186 days ago

Thursday November 29th, 7-9pm
Impossible Project NYC Space
map
By Linda Fargo

EJ Camp is an established photographer who has been shooting instant film for decades. Well known for her work in film and music photography, EJ has shot iconic portraits of Billy Idol, Debbie Harry, Tom Hanks and many more. Her exhibition is on view in the NYC project space until December 4th. At her opening, EJ shot portraits of attendees, showcasing her distinct style and skill as a portrait specialist. Check out these images and get inspired to hear EJ discuss her special techniques during her artist talk, Thursday, November 29th.

In this intimate talk, she will discuss her technical tips and tricks gained from years of professional experience. EJ will explain her techniques for lighting portraits, scanning, correcting, and printing – all will a focus on using instant film. EJ will give a live demonstation of the techniques, shooting portraits of select attendees. Come learn from a master instant film artist.

18
No. 645

Impossible's Sunday Brunch with Guest Chef Chloe Aftel

Patrick Tobin, | 185 days ago

Photo by Anthony De Lucci

Welcome back to Sunday Brunch, our series in which we share lovely photos taken with Impossible film. This week, we have a special treat for you. From now until the end of the year, we will be mixing up the brunch menu by inviting Impossible friends and photographers to guest curate our Sunday Brunch selections.

Our good friend and spectacular photographer Chloe Aftel came up with the menu for our first “Guest Chef” entry. Please enjoy these savory photos selected by Chloe!

Photos come to us from Antonio De Lucci, Bernard Arce, Carine Wallauer, Marcin Jastrzebski and Samuel Blenkin and were taken using the following film types: PX 70 Color Protection, PX 680 Color Protection, PX 100 UV+, PX 70 Cool and PX 680 Cool.

Thanks so much to Chloe for taking time to assemble this tasty bunch! Keep shooting, and be sure to submit to the Impossible Gallery and the Impossible Flickr Group! Your Impossible moment may end up in a future edition of Sunday Brunch!

21
No. 647

Viewfinder: Caleb Jenkins' "Growth"

Patrick Tobin, | 182 days ago

Welcome back to Viewfinder, our ongoing series in which we chronicle interesting projects people are working on that incorporate Impossible film. This week, we are happy to bring you “Growth,” a series by Caleb Jenkins…

Last spring on April 1st I set out on a journey to document the process of growing a garden through a project titled “Growth.” That journey evolved into something much more special, something that taught me an abundance of skills dealing with both gardening and photography alike. When I began I had a plan, but quickly abandoned it when I realized that in order to document something so raw and unpredictable I had to go into the project as if I had no idea of the desired content, but only the outcome and meaning of the project.

I decided to document this particular garden because it is the garden my parents have had since I was a child. I felt it was something the Impossible community hadn’t exactly seen before, and I wanted to expose everyone to the art of gardening and how important it may be for families in the current economic struggles.

As I began to see the project truly take wind, I noticed major similarities between shooting my entire project with Impossible film and the art of gardening. Both mediums can be very unpredictable, and much like I found with instant photography, there were times I had no control of either the garden or the outcome of my photos. A photo could contain a divot in a crucial part of the subject or the weather could leave the garden in ruin. However, I embraced the unpredictability of using Impossible film. I found that I truly love the realness of shooting instant film. There’s no editing or photoshopping, so everyone knows that the image they see is exactly what the photographer captured.

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22
No. 648

Black Friday Specials at the NYC Project Space

Josie Keefe, | 180 days ago

By Azuree Wiitalia

The NYC Project Space will have extended hours, from 9am to 9pm on Black Friday to help you start your holiday season with a flash. Grab gifts for every analog film lover on your list, or stock up on film and supplies to capture precious holiday memories.
These are the best deals we will offer all year, so don’t miss out! Come early to get the best goodies, with extra special doorbuster deals from 9-11am.

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23
No. 650

8 Exposures...with Ashley Jae Fly

Patrick Tobin, | 180 days ago

Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series. This week, we bring you Tennessee photographer and new mom Ashley Jae Fly…

1) What kind of Polaroid camera(s) do you use?

I use several different Polaroid cameras, but the three I use the most are a Spectra System, an SX-70 Sonar & a Sun 660 I’ve pretty much retired the rest of them.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

I’m in love with instant photography because of its permanence, magic, and the nostalgia I feel when I shoot with it. It’s imperfect, which in my eyes makes it that much cooler. I love the static of it, and the fact that what you see is what you get. We don’t scan our instant photographs and then edit them in photoshop. It is what it is.

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25
No. 650

Imposible's Sunday Brunch with Guest Chef Jessica Reinhardt

Patrick Tobin, | 178 days ago

Photo by Ben Innocent

Welcome back to Sunday Brunch, our series in which we share lovely photos taken with Impossible film. From now until the end of the year, we will be mixing up the brunch menu by inviting Impossible friends and photographers to guest curate our Sunday Brunch selections.

Our good friend and spectacular photographer Jessica Reinhardt came up with the menu for this week’s “Guest Chef” entry. Please enjoy these savory photos selected by Jessica!

Photos come to us from Ben Innocent, Mazzy Chi, David Gugushvili, Stephanie Lakos and Ghee Dondlinger, and were taken using the following film types: PX 70 Color Protection, PX 680 Color Protection and PX 600 Cool.

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26
No. 651

Ace X Impossible Present: One Year In

Josie Keefe, | 176 days ago

By Erik Gustafsson

We are proud to present One Year In an exhibition celebrating our long running collaboration with Ace hotel NYC. The show will feature images shot on Impossible film, curated from our online gallery. This show was curated by the artists in our 24 hours at Ace exhibition who picked out their favorite images from this impressive group of instant photographers.

Many of our favorite photographers will be represented in the show, including: Patrick Winfield, Andrea Buia, Fredrick Holmer, Melissa Huffsmith-Roth, Nazaret Escobedo, Scott Meivogel, Johny Romanek, Chris Tiddei, Eugenia Choi, Kimi Selfridge, Jessica Reinhardt, Weronika Gajda, Stephanie Najor, Dylan Boyd, Nick Leonard, Stefan Georgiou, and Erik Gustafsson.

We hope you can make it out to the exhibition!

27
No. 652

Impossible's Analog Travelog - Ashley Moore in Rome

Patrick Tobin, | 176 days ago

Welcome to our newest addition to the Impossible Blog: Impossible’s Analog Travelogue! In this series, we’ll be showcasing fantastic Impossible photos taken on voyages the world over. Our first entry comes from Ashley Moore, who just visited Rome and brought along some Impossible film…

The first time I visited Rome was in 2008 as part of a month long trip to Italy. At that time I was just starting to rediscover photography and I hadn’t yet delved into the wonderful world of film, specifically instant photography. Since I started shooting instant film and Impossible Project film, I’ve often wished I could go back and re-shoot Rome. This past October of 2012 I was very lucky to be able to do just that.

My husband and I decided to stay in Rome for the whole 2 weeks of our vacation. Even though we had been before, it felt as though we had only scratched the surface and there were so many places still to see. Besides, this time we didn’t want to spend every day run off our feet, this time we wanted to sit and really soak up the city. But Rome is a city of so many layers. With 2500 or so years of history, numerous forms of government, modern urban conveniences, and daily life (past and present) jumbled up into one glorious mess through which it is difficult for someone there for only a short period to truly absorb.

I found that shooting with my SX-70 made me slow down, and look longer at things while I focused, adjusted the composition, re-focused, etc. Something about that square viewfinder view shows me things in such a different way than how my eyes see.

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29
No. 653

Shut X Impossible Exhibition

Josie Keefe, | 173 days ago

Thursday December 6th
6-9pm
Impossible Project NYC Space
map
By Scott Caan

Shut Skates was the first NYC skate company and set the tone for east coast skate culture for decades. Since 1986 Shut has produced their own high-quality boards, and now we’ve worked with them to create limited edition Shut skate boards featuring Impossible photos shot by some of the most exciting names in skateboarding.

Zered Bassett, Scott Caan, Eli Morgan Gesner, Chris Nieratko,
Alex Olson, and Scott Oster have captured unique photos of their lives on our film. These images have been made into a limited edition series of six
skateboard graphics by SHUT. The boards and original photos will be on display in a
stunning large scale exhibition at Impossible Project Space NYC from December 6th to January 7th.

Hope you can join us for the opening!

30
No. 654

Dr. Love's Tips - 100 Speed Film in a 600 Camera

Patrick Tobin, | 173 days ago

Greetings, friends, and welcome back to Dr. Love’s Tips, where Impossible USA’s Camera Resource Manager Frank Love provides you with advice and insight on how to get the best out of your Polaroid cameras and Impossible film. This entry: Push it! Push it Real Good…

Taking some cues from our Flickr thread, we’ve had some people write in asking about how to shoot SX-70 or 100 speed film in their 600 cameras. Whatever your reasons, be it you’re in a pinch and SX-70 is what’s available, or you want to bring one less camera with you, or you’re going for a different look than your SX-70 gets you, there is always something you can do to trick your camera to think how you want it to…or at least close to it.

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No. 655

Win a Gold & Ivory SX-70 Alpha!

Patrick Tobin, | 172 days ago

We’re putting a golden spin on the holiday season this year!

We’ll be giving away this limited edition gold & ivory Alpha SX 70 camera to one lucky fan.

Leave a comment below telling us why you deserve to win! What golden moment will you capture with this camera?

We’ll pick our favorite comment on December 14th. Contest is open to worldwide participants.

Don’t miss this GOLDEN opportunity!

No. 674

The Camera Museum: Polaroid SX-70 OneStep

Patrick Tobin, | 161 days ago

With its rigid white and black plastic body and its iconic rainbow stripe, the classic SX-70 OneStep is one of the most recognizable cameras Polaroid ever produced. It was first released in 1977 as a more affordable alternative to the folding SX-70s and has been a fan favorite ever since.

The SX-70 OneStep has a single-element plastic lens with fixed aperture (103mm, f14.6), 4 ft minimum focus distance, an exposure dial and a socket for flashbars. The OneStep can be used with the Impossible Flashbar by Mint or disposable flash bars, and works with any of our film for SX-70s, which can be found HERE.

Just in time for the holidays, we have a very limited quantity of SX-70 OneSteps available in our special White Christmas Rainbow SX-70 Kit. Act now and make your holiday merry and bright!

No. 592

The Camera Museum: Polaroid Business Edition

Patrick Tobin, | 235 days ago

The Polaroid Business Edition camera was first released in the early 1990s. It was similar in body style to Polaroid’s Sun 600 series but has a more advanced flash system with automatic charging, and a built-in sliding close-up lens.

It was a sister camera to the Polaroid Job Pro camera, but aimed toward a different market, “Designed for extra durability and ruggedness.”

The Business Edition has a single-element 116mm plastic lens, fixed focus with a standard minimum focal length of 4 feet (2 feet when close-up lens is in place), electronic shutter, programmed auto-exposure system and a built-in flash.

The Business Edition works with all of Impossible’s 600 film, which can be found HERE

To purchase your own Business Edition Camera Kit, click HERE

No. 548

The Camera Museum: Polaroid's See-Through Sun 660

Patrick Tobin, | 270 days ago

The Polaroid Sun 660 Autofocus camera was first released in 1981. It is similar in style to the earlier 600 cameras, with a rigid plastic body, but the Sun 660 utilizes Polaroid’s patented Sonar Autofocus technology. The distance to the subject is calculated by firing a high-frequency sound wave that bounces back to a gold-colored receiver beside the lens. The minimum focal length for the Sun 660 is 3 feet.

The see-through Sun 660 was actually a dealer model. It was given to camera shops so that they could demonstrate the functions and inner workings of Polaroid 600 cameras to customers.

The Sun 660 features a single-element 116mm, f/11 plastic lens, electronic shutter, built-in flash and Polaroid’s Light Management System, allowing the user to make exposure adjustments via a lighten/darken switch under the lens.

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No. 539

The Camera Museum: Polaroid's Neon Cool Cam

Patrick Tobin, | 277 days ago

In 1988, Polaroid released its Cool Cam, which was essentially the Sun 600 with flashy colors and branded with the “Cool Cam” moniker. It came in several color combinations, including Pink & Grey and the Red & Black. More rare is the Neon version, pictured here! The Cool Cam also came with a matching carrying case and a sheet of word bubble stickers that could be adhered to your photos to add some COOLNESS!

The Cool Cam features a single-element 116mm plastic lens, fixed focus, with minimum focal length of 4 feet, electronic shutter, programmed auto-exposure system and a built-in electronic flash.

The Cool Cam works with all of Impossible’s 600 films. For a complete list of compatible films, click HERE

You can also click HERE for a Polaroid 600 camera manual

No. 532

The Camera Museum: Polaroid Supercolor 635

Patrick Tobin, | 284 days ago

The Supercolor 635 was one of many variations in the simple plastic-bodied 600 camera line featuring the Light Management System.

A basic 600-series camera, the Supercolor 635 features a 116mm single-element plastic lens, fixed focus with a minimal focal length of 4 feet, electronic shutter and a built-in electronic flash. It is similar to the Sun 600 series in design, except for the beloved rainbow stripe which would be a characteristic true of the later Supercolor 635 CL edition as well.

To see a user manual for Polaroid 600 cameras like the Supercolor 635, click HERE.

The Supercolor 635 works with any of Impossible’s 600-speed film. For a complete selection of compatible films, click HERE

No. 525

The Camera Museum: Polaroid Amigo 620

Patrick Tobin, | 291 days ago

The Amigo 620 was introduced in the early 1980s for Polaroid’s 600-series integral film. The Amigo is a strange model because, although it lacks a built-in flash (a socket on its flip-up hood requires special “Flash 600” flashbars), it does include the added sliding close-up lens, allowing for photos as close as 2 feet.

The Amigo has a single-element 116mm plastic lens, fixed focus of 4 feet (2 feet with close-up lens), electronic shutter, and exposure correction dial and a creamy tan plastic body.

When shooting in low light or indoors, you’ll need “Flash 600” flash bars, which can be found on Ebay or Craigslist from time to time (Sorry, the Impossible Flash Bar by Mint has a very different contact and will not work on 600 flashless cameras like the Amigo!)

The Amigo 620 works with any of Impossible’s 600 film, which can be purchased HERE

No. 518

The Camera Museum: Polaroid SX-70 Time Zero AF Model 2

Patrick Tobin, | 297 days ago

As many consumers had difficulty with the manual focus on their original SX-70s, Polaroid began producing autofocus models in 1978. The Time Zero Autofocus Model 2, introduced in the early 1980s, differed from the 1978 version only in that the body is plastic instead of chrome-plated. It utilized the same advanced sonar technology.
When the shutter button is pressed halfway, a series of ultrasonic chirps is emitted from an electrostatic transducer located under a plate over the lens. These chirps travel to the subject and bounce back to the camera’s receiver, alerting the camera to the subject’s distance, and the lens is turned on a motor to focus accordingly.

The Polaroid Time Zero Autofocus Model 2 features a 4-element 116mm glass lens, manual or autofocus capabilities, with a minimum focal length of 10.4 inches, electronic shutter, programmed automatic exposure and a socket for flashbars or electronic flashes. Another nice feature is a socket for an electrically-actuated remote shutter release.

The Time Zero AF Model 2 works with all of Impossible’s SX-70 films, which can be purchased HERE

To see a user manual for the SX-70 Sonar models, click HERE.

No. 511

The Camera Museum: Polaroid One 600

Patrick Tobin, | 305 days ago

In the early 2000s, Polaroid released one last line of instant cameras, including the One 600. Though similar in function and capabilities, these cameras are sleeker in design, opening and closing in a clamshell fashion.

The One 600 features a 100mm lens with minimum focus distance of 3 feet and a built-in electronic flash. Some models in this line omitted exposure control while others had the addition of a self-timer.

Please note that while it is possible to install the Impossible Frog Tongue in this camera type, it is not as simple as installing in the earlier 600 cameras. You will need small jewelers’ screwdrivers to access the factory frog tongue to remove it. We do not recommend attempting this unless you feel 100% comfortable with taking apart your camera.

To see a user manual for the One 600, please click HERE

The Polaroid One 600 camera works with any of the Impossible 600 films available HERE

No. 486

The Camera Museum: Polaroid Sun 650 SE

Patrick Tobin, | 311 days ago

The Sun 650 SE was one of many variations in the simple plastic-bodied 600 camera line.

A basic 600-series camera, the Sun 650 SE features a 116mm single-element plastic lens, fixed focus with a minimal focal length of 4 feet, plus a sliding close-up lens, allowing for photos as close as 2 feet, electronic shutter and a built-in electronic flash. It is similar to the Sun 600 series in design, except for the blue accents on the nameplate and the sliding close-up lens, and the blue button, which often signified a Polaroid special edition.

The Sun 650 SE works with any of Impossible’s 600-speed film. For a complete selection of compatible films, click HERE

To see a user manual for Polaroid 600 cameras like the Sun 650 SE, click HERE

No. 475

The Camera Museum: Polaroid SX-70 Sonar Blue Button Special Edition

Patrick Tobin, | 332 days ago

As many consumers had difficulty focusing with their original SX-70s, Polaroid released an autofocus model of their folding SX-70 in 1978. The SX-70 Time Zero Auto-Focus utilized a new and very advanced sonar technology. When the shutter button is pressed halfway, a series of ultrasonic chirps is emitted from an electrostatic transducer located under a plate over the lens. These chirps travel to the subject and bounce back to the camera’s receiver, alerting the camera to the subject’s distance, and the lens is turned on a motor to focus accordingly.

The Polaroid SX-70 Time Zero Auto-Focus features a 4-element 116mm glass lens, manual or autofocus capabilities, with a minimum focal length of 10.4 inches, electronic shutter…

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No. 468

The Camera Museum: Polaroid Supercolor 635

Patrick Tobin, | 339 days ago

The Supercolor 635 was one of many variations in the simple plastic-bodied 600 camera line featuring the Light Management System. Polaroid released so many slightly different iterations in this line of cameras. This particular model has a silver face in place of the more common black face of Supercolors, and contains no sliding close-up lens.

A basic 600-series camera, the Supercolor 635 features a 116mm single-element plastic lens, fixed focus with a minimal focal length of 4 feet, electronic shutter and a built-in electronic flash. It is similar to the Sun 600 series in design, except for the beloved rainbow stripe which would be a characteristic true of the later Supercolor 635 CL edition as well.

The Supercolor 635 works with any of Impossible’s 600-speed film. For a complete selection of compatible films, click HERE

No. 431

The Camera Museum: Polaroid 1200si

Patrick Tobin, | 367 days ago

The Polaroid 1200si camera was first released in 2000, with an updated rounded body, as opposed to the square body of the earlier Spectra System cameras. Additionally, it differs from earlier Spectra models in that the film counter counts upward rather than downward and it was designed for compatibility with the foreign-market 12-exposure “1200” film pack.

The Polaroid 1200si features a 3-element 125mm “Quintic” plastic lens, electronic shutter, programmed automatic exposure automatic focus using Polaroid’s Sonar AF system, focus distance indicator in viewfinder which can be set for feet or meters, built-in electronic flash, a built-in self timer and a socket for electronic remote control. The Polaroid 1200si is silver in color, with navy blue trim.

The Polaroid 1200si works with all of Impossible’s PZ films. For a complete selection of compatible films, please click HERE