What is it about instant Polaroid cameras and the images they produce? For me it’s the knowledge that the picture won’t be technically perfect, that allows me to relax and just have fun. Thankfully companies like FujiFilm and The Impossible Project continue to produce film for vintage Polaroids, otherwise I’d have paperweights instead of cameras.
I currently use 4 different vintage Polaroid cameras, each has it’s own charm.
- EE100 Special
Folds closed into it’s own protective case. - Colorpack II
- BigShot
Supposedly a favorite of Andy Warhol. No batteries needed. Takes only head shots, we’ll see about that. - One Step Close-up
A variation of the traditional Polaroid camera everyone had, check your home or the neighbors, bet there is one not to far away.
The first 3 cameras listed use 100 type film. FujiFilm makes color and black & white film that replaces 100 type film for certain Polaroid Land Cameras. This is important, since there are a lot of Polaroid Land Cameras that took 80 type film, and the FujiFilm will NOT fit inside. FujiFilm can be found at Adorama and most other large camera stores. You will want film style FP-100b (iso 100, black & white film), FP-100c (iso 100, color film), or FP-3000b (iso 3000, black & white film) depending on your model.
The Impossible Project makes new 600, Image/Spectra, and SX-70 films. As well as sells some vintage film and refurbished camera. They are constantly developing new formulas and improving the quality of their film.
If you are still not sure what camera or film you might have/want. A great resource for determining which camera takes what film is: Polaroid Passion. They have put together an amazing site that helped me when I first began and didn’t know what I was doing. Their site helped make sure I didn’t buy a Polaroid off eBay that I might not be able to find film for.
Back to the pictures. I’ve created a set of my instant film images on Flickr, a portion of which can be seen below, or you can visit the entire set at: Instant Film / Polaroid / FujiFilm
Enjoy and remember you don’t need to shake your Polaroids. 
