http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/08/polaroid-abandons-instant-photography/?hp

Wow.

I always thought Polaroid Cameras are fun... too bad each photo ends up costing about a $1.00 each.

I've played with my dad's SX-70. I have had a Polaroid 600, Spectra and a Pro Pack peel apart film camera.

Another marker of changing times.

Polaroid One-step was the first camera I bought in high school. My parents had given me one of the manual pull out instant picture cameras before that.

The film with integrated battery was an engineering marvel at the time.

-gb-

Aw, that really is kind of sad. When I did volunteer work for animal welfare several years back I wore a big furry dog suit at Christmas time and we’d take Polaroid pictures of people and their dogs to raise money. Everyone, usually even the dogs, had a great time. Maybe now people just give a donation and hand over their cell phones for a picture…

I read the article, at the end polaroid said they are willing to license someone else to make the film. there are niches that still use it, and will continue to buy it if it is available. a digital picture can easily be altered, a polaroid can not.I have a friend that drives a tow truck, he has to carry a polaroid to get pictures of damage, if the company thinks they might be liable for damages or anything. apparently a polaroid can not be altered, where all other pictures could be. at least this is what I have heard, I have no direct knowledge. I think someone will buy the rights and continue to market the instant film :)

Three years later and now I'm really sorry. My dad and I were going through some old stuff in the basement today and uncovered this relic. I would have loved to try it out to see if it still works! It even has a light reducer (ND filter) for outdoor shooting. Love this old stuff...

Oddly enough, I just read a post somewhere about a week ago that said the employees purchased the factory (or rights?) to keep it going. (I know this blog thing was 3 years ago) but the website is still up and apparently you can still get film. (even newer model cams!)