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Igor
02 December 2010
It's true that Polaroid instant film is, now as always, relatively expensive and that price-wise, it can't compete with digital (neither can ordinary 35mm roll film, for that matter), but AFAIK, it's not being positioned as a direct replacement for digital. It's a different technology with its own unique applications; it fills a niche.
Instant cameras are simple, self-contained, and, well, _instant_ -- there's no need to take your film or files to a lab for printing, to buy a seperate printer, or to mess around with a computer. Digital isn't instant, unless you're content to only view your photos on a monitor.
Since it's difficult to forge or "photoshop" Polaroids, they're useful for legal situations in which the authenticity of a photo might be put in question.
There are also some interesting things that can be done with Polaroids in fine arts applications that can't be done with other formats; one that I've read about involves removing the top layer and pressing the emulsion underneath down on a piece of paper.
It seems to me Polaroid's real competition isn't digital, but rather, Fujifilm's line of instant films and cameras.
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You are about to report a comment. Once reported, the comment will be sent to our moderation team. If the moderation team feel the comment is inappropriate, it will be removed.
Igor
02 December 2010
It's true that Polaroid instant film is, now as always, relatively expensive and that price-wise, it can't compete with digital (neither can ordinary 35mm roll film, for that matter), but AFAIK, it's not being positioned as a direct replacement for digital. It's a different technology with its own unique applications; it fills a niche. Instant cameras are simple, self-contained, and, well, _instant_ -- there's no need to take your film or files to a lab for printing, to buy a seperate printer, or to mess around with a computer. Digital isn't instant, unless you're content to only view your photos on a monitor. Since it's difficult to forge or "photoshop" Polaroids, they're useful for legal situations in which the authenticity of a photo might be put in question. There are also some interesting things that can be done with Polaroids in fine arts applications that can't be done with other formats; one that I've read about involves removing the top layer and pressing the emulsion underneath down on a piece of paper. It seems to me Polaroid's real competition isn't digital, but rather, Fujifilm's line of instant films and cameras.
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