Thursday, December 30, 2010

Polaroid Spectra Cameras

Polaroid introduced the Spectra system of cameras in the early 1980s. It was an all-new line of cameras, and had a corresponding new film. Spectra film (called 'Image' outside of North America) is different from PX600  in that it has a different image format: a rectangular 9.2 x 7.3cm rather than 600 film's square format. Spectra film(PZ600) is otherwise identical to PX600 film - ISO speed, development method and operation remain identical. The Spectra range of cameras also sport better lenses on average than the 600-film range, with most of the models utilising an arc-shaped range of focusing lenses inside the body that swing across the exterior lens element to provide correct focusing, rather than adjusting the distance between internal lens elements. Spectra cameras are thought to take higher-quality pictures than a conventional 600 Polaroid camera, due to the camera's higher build quality and a proportionally larger print area.


 Polaroid Onyx Spectra Camera

Another Polaroid that is made in the same year (1987) as i'm born. Very sleek and nice. Comes with top transparent housing where you can see the electronic components of the camera. How can i not own this camera! Mine comes with the wireless remote and transmitter, various filters and lenses. Ha don't expect special lenses and wireless remote and transmitter exist in this era right! haha. 


ProCam
2248313958_9b3765fc4d_m.jpg
Sideways folding mechanism, with folding viewfinder mechanism. 90mm lens - shorter than any other Spectra model made - giving a wider field of view roughly equivalent to 33mm in 35mm film format. Time/date stamp capability, autofocus, lighten/darken control and was sold with a close-up lens attachment.
 Another cool camera that i like. It has a sideways folding mechanism! unlike other models that close straight down, cool and sleek!


Spectra 1200FF

Different folding mechanism to other Spectra models, featuring folding plastic bellows. The camera front is hinged at the bottom and opens vertically; similar in principle to a single-hinged SX-70 model though this is not an SLR camera. A black model known as the Spectra Blitz was marketed by the Lomography Society, but that model does not fold down.
  • Wider lens (100mm f/11.5, 2-element aspherical plastic).
  • Fixed-focus, but has built-in close-up lens for shots down to 60cm. A warning/reminder light appears near the viewfinder when the close-up lens has been selected.
  • Auto-flash with no ability to force on or off.
  • Built-in metal lens cover automatically slides over the lens when the camera is folded.
  • No tripod socket.
  • No Lighten/Darken control or other means of exposure compensation.
  • Shoots up to 12 exposures using the final generation of Spectra/Image 1200 film.


Quite interesting model that i would like to have too! But won't use it to shoot though, perhaps a good collector's item? =]  But no lighten/darken control? Maybe other Spectra models are better then after looking at the features. But Spectra Blitz looks sleek too! But can't fold down, quite difficult to bring around? 


Other Models





 Lol, and while searching for pictures of Spectra cameras to post in this post, i found this!!! so cool!

A Giant Polaroid Spectra! I guess it was for an exhibition! How cool if there is such thing here!


Sample Picture 

Someone uses a Polaroid Spectra Camera to capture wedding photos for the newly weds, very nice. she managed to capture the sweet, beautiful moment! How can someone not love Polaroid Cameras like me. You can't edit the pictures with Photoshop or anything, thus it is able to capture the truest, most memorable moment with such vintage feel added to the pictures!  Let me share the happy moment of this newly weds with you. :)







More blissful pictures can be found here.  http://www.mailelaniphotography.com/blog/tag/wedding-photography/ 

The photographer is another Polaroid Lover too. :) Love your pictures! 

You can do multiple exposures on Spectra Cameras with self timer function. 

Haha didn't know Polaroid Cameras can do mulitple exposures too like Holga cameras?

Here's a tutorial on how:


Sample pictures:


A Yotube video of the Polaroid Spectra Commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIfSWbbbDXw 

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Updates!

New Products from the impossible project
 
COLD/HOT CLIP
PROTECT YOUR IMPOSSIBLES FROM THE COLD
This perfect tool allows you and your Impossible picture to even survive the hardest winter storm or the hottest Australian summers. Simply put your image into the cold / hot clip, whereon 3 icons will show you how your picture feels. If it's too cold (snowman icon) simply put it close to your body, if it's too warm (right icon) cool it by leaning it onto something cold (coke can, fridge, etc). When the middle icon (the heart) lights up, your Impossible picture feels just peachy and the results will be optimal. The Cold/Hot Clip also comes with a pen for manipulation, cleverly integrated within the Cold/Hot Clip itself, packed in a beautiful soft pouch.
 
CREATIVE KIT
ALL IN ONE FOR YOUR EMULSION LIFT FUN
Following the big success and in addition to our Lift It kit, here comes a new set of tools for emulsion lifts, setting your Impossibles free, developed with love in Korea. The Creative Kit is optimized for emulsion lifts applied to Impossible pictures that have been taken about 10 minutes before starting with the manipulation technique. Applying the latter allows your creativity to expand endlessly and to create unique and fantastic artworks. The Creative Kit provides you with everything you need for beautiful lifts: two trays, a lift clip, a thermometer, a fountain pen filler, wood clips and paper sheets to receive the emulsion lifts. Start the fun now!
 So cool right? See the wonders of Polaroid already? 

Haha, anyway Polaroid lovers like me please do join this group on facebook that i have created. May organize outings to have shooting with our Polaroids together!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Polaroid One 600 Camera

Haha. the reason i chose to blog about this model is since my 1st post is about the 1st Polaroid Camera, 2nd post on 50th Anniversary Polaroid Camera and so i jokingly mentioned to my business partner(aka Mich) that i should post on the last Polaroid Camera in my next post. And so i did.

Polaroid One 600 Camera is the last Polaroid Camera to be produced and sold in 2004.

There are several variations too.


































Last but not least, the very rare and nice Polaroid One600 Rossa,Nero, Panna and Poison Frog! they are such a beauty! But way way too expensive for me to be an owner of them! =(

Haiz, i must work hard to earn money to at least get one of this beauty!!!! 



Shall post on other models soon! =)

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Polaroid Sun 600 and Sun 660

Well, i choose to talk about this 2 cameras because they were “born” in the same year as me. They were made to commemorate Polaroid 50th’s anniversary in 1987.

They looked almost the same with their gold body and sharp edges. Ha at first i didn’t know there were 2 models for their 50th’s anniversary.

Anyway did i mention my favourite colour is gold? So hard to say no to this 2 models right? Can't wait to lay my hands on them. Hope any of my friend will get to see this and buy me as X'mas present? haha. And thanks to Impossible Project buying over the factory of film-making for Polaroid, did many still manage to snap with these Darlings .

sun600 sun 660
Long Live Polaroids! Haha to make this post less boring. i’m going to share Polaroid Muppets Ad.

www.youtube.com/watch

A link to the manual if you need help on how to operate this camera.

http://www.cameramanuals.org/polaroid_pdf/polaroid_600.pdf

Shall post on other models soon. =]

Polaroid 95

Actually i do not know what has sparked my interest in Polaroid Cameras, perhaps it is due to the rich history behind it and also there are several interesting models of Polaroid Cameras that i do not see as much variety in other products. If you are someone who is funky and prefer more vibrant colours, there are certain models that suits you, or if you are someone that prefers simpler models, there is something that suits you as well. In short, no matter what kind of a person you are, there is definitely a model of Polaroid Camera that suits you.

A little about its history, Dr Edwin Land is the founder and creator of Polaroid Cameras. He was inspired by his daughter, who asked him why can’t i see the pictures instantly? And that set him in the creation of Polaroid Camera. I respect him as i sees him as the “father” of instant cameras, instant photography. He is a physicist that i believed helped in his creation. =]

The first Polaroid model that surfaced was Polaroid 95. It came out in 1948. So it is 62 years old now. haha. and believe it or not, the one i have is still in immaculate condition. wow! haha. and there is several modifications done to it and later models were Polaroid 95A and Polaroid 95B and they were also called the “Speedliner”



Looks bulky ya? haha. i was given the honour to hold it because i own one myself. Haha. However, sadly these films are not available anymore. But it is quite inconvenient to carry it around, isn’t it? It is really quite heavy as it is made of steel.

Video of the first Polaroid camera
videos.howstuffworks.com/discovery/29594-invention-the-first-polaroid-camera-video.htm

Timeline of Polaroid
www.savepolaroid.com/history/

Manual for this camera
http://www.cameramanuals.org/polaroid_pdf/polaroid_95a_95b_700.pdf

Shall share more about other Polaroid models soon. =]