Can the Polaroid Originals i-Type films be used in the old Polaroid cameras?
The short answer is no! The I-Type instant films, such as the Polaroid Color Film for i-Type*, cannot be used in the old Polaroid 600 or SX-70 cameras.
The long answer begins in 2008, when Polaroid ceased production of Polaroid 600 films. Although digital photography was clearly to become the future of photography, there were still many artists and photographers who loved the analog instant film format. An organization calling itself the Impossible Project began the revival of the instant film format. As we all know, this project was successful and gradually films for the old Polaroid cameras (SX-70, 600, Spectra…) were introduced.
But with new films for old cameras it should not be enough. Impossible Project wanted to build new cameras in Polaroid style. An important point in the development of the new camera was the power supply. The classic Polaroid cameras get their juice from a battery in the film pack. This has its advantages and disadvantages. One of the advantages is the simplicity and the minimal effort. New film = new battery. Disadvantage, besides the additional costs, is of course the environmental friendliness.
So it was decided to switch to an integrated rechargeable battery in the camera. Instead of being dependent on the battery of the film pack, the battery inside the camera provides the power. Since it makes little sense to continue with the 600 format (with battery in the film pack), a new variant of instant film was developed, the I-Type format. The film material of the I-Type format is identical to that of the 600 format, but the cassette comes without battery. Therefore the “I-Type” films can be sold a little cheaper.
You can use the I-Type films (color and black and white films) in the OneStep+, OneStep 2 and Impossible I-1.
You can also use the Polaroid Originals 600, Impossible Project 600 and the original Polaroid 600 films in these cameras.
However, the I-Type films cannot be used in the SX-70 and 600 retro cameras from Polaroid due to the lack of battery. These include the Polaroid Family, Polaroid 636 Close Up, Polaroid 1000 and Polaroid OneStep 600.