Polaroid 600 instant camera

Factual Questions
1
      • I need to take some photos that wouldn’t get developed at the one-hour place. I have a Polaroid 600 instant camera in my mitts right now, but I can’t figure out a couple things. As far as I know, it still works.
  • Is film for it still available? I have no idea how old it is, but it’s made of plastic -not wood. An internal label says that the camera requires Polaroid 600 film.
  • The other problem is that it has an automatic flash, but I can’t figure out where the batteries are supposed to go. You flip up a section on the front, that hinges upward and exposes the flash bulb in the top section and also uncovers the viewfinder and lens in the camera body. The only other door is low along the front edge, for loading film, as far as I can see. There’s nothing anywhere that says anything else should come open, and I’ve kinda pulled around it a bit in promising places but it doesn’t come apart. I can’t figure it out.? - MC
2

Well, I’m sitting here with a Polaroid that says it takes 600 film on the front (the only other words on the thing are “Polaroid” and “assembled in China”).

Consultation with my 13-year-old son has reminded me that this camera does not take batteries–evidently the film pack has a metal strip inside it that we think provides the electricity required. We have had this camera at least 3 years, possibly 4 years, and Bonzo says that he and Dad (whose camera it is) have never put batteries into it. He admits it took them a while to figure it out. Ah, the new “fallibility” of the 21st century male…

The film packs say “600” film on them, which AFAIK they still sell at Wal-Mart.

If there’s film in it, when you flip up the lid to take a picture, a little green light should come on, at the back of the flashbar.

3

We carry Polaroid 600 series instant cameras in South Australian ambulances. They are invaluable when treating trauma patients, especially from car crashes. Just take a pic of the wreck, include it with your notes, and the next person in the care chain has a better idea of what forces the patient has been subjected to.

Film is readily available in 10 frame cartridges. The battery to power the flash is integral to the cartridge, hence it is replaced with each new cartridge.

The best thing about polaroids (as opposed to digital cameras) for our needs is that they are simple point and shoot devices. And you get your print inside 2 minutes, without having to go to the lab, or plug the camera into a computer.

4

As has been pointed out, film is very much available for this camera. The film pack does contain the battery for the flash as well. But I must ask, how important is it to have the pictures quickly? I ask because I have always felt the Polaroid pictures are of poor quality. I am unsure of the cause of this, but it is either the film or the lens of the 600 series Polaroids. If you are in no rush then you might consider taking pictures with a regular camera using black and white film. This is relatively easy to develop yourself and with a small investment in equipment you can have far superior pictures in the end.
John

5

It’s been a long time since I’ve played with an instant.

      • Instant photos are of (relatively) poor quality. The graininess of instant film makes using high-quality lens systems a waste of time, largely.
  • nope
  • nope again
  • this much I agree with, but in many instances the convenience if instant photos outweighs the less-than-perfect quality of the results. - MC
6

This intrigues me to no end. Send me copies when you get the pictures. Cecil’s column, How can I get my, uh, hot photos developed? may be of interest to you. An independent (non-chain) processor may be your best bet. I also recall reading somewhere that Kodak’s mail-in processing will develop full frontal nudity, but they’re more squeamish about sex acts.

7

I will certainly agree that instant photos are more convenient than developing your own b&w photos. However, I was able to set up a basement darkroom for around $50 (I was lucky enough to get an enlarger for free) and spent around 20 hours total to get 100 5X7 black and white photos. I did not find it too difficult to accomplish. Anybody who can follow a recipie can do it if they have the inclination. The picture quailty was worth it for me.
But you are right about the convenience. Instant pix have the advantage of providing instant gratification, although they are quite pricey at around $1.00 a picture. And that is for the cheap 600 film. I have seen good quality Polaroid pictures, but these are from their expensive cameras with their very expensive film.

Anyway, have fun playing photographer. If you want to have b&w pix but don’t want to spend the time or money, I will be glad to develop them for you. And don’t worry about me, I will do it blind folded. Really.
John

8

I have a Polaroid around here somewhere…

Anybody read The Sun Dog by Stephen King? That was a 660, though.

My Dad did the DIY b&w darkroom thing until I was born, then stopped because he didn’t have time, and didn’t want to leave dangerous chemicals laying around where I could get them.

9

I’ve got a Polaroid One-step and can get the film easily at WalMart. My problem is that it doesn’t have a built in flash. It uses those snap-on flash bars that attach to the top of the camera. I have, so far, been unsuccessful in finding a bar for it. I mention this since racy pictures tend to be an indoor activity.

I’ve only used the camera for recording damage to my car for an insurance claim. It was clear enough, as far as my needs go, but the overall quality was dissappointing. Objects in the background were sort of “shimmery”. They weren’t exactly blurry, but they weren’t clear either. It was sort of like the camera moved when I took the picture, but all of the pictures came out the same. I was determined to hold reeeeeeealll still, yet the background was still messed up.