Which film fits the old Polaroid 600 cameras and which are still being produced?
Snapped up on eBay for a few euros, dug out of the basement, or handed to you by a friend because you take photos and could surely use it. These are just a few ways to get your hands on a Polaroid 600 camera.
Once you have one, the first question that arises is: does it still work? The second is: is there even a suitable film still being produced for it? The answer is yes! Polaroid has ceased production, but in an old Polaroid factory, the company The Impossible Project is once again producing film for the old cameras.
PX 680 Color Shade
Impossible offers several color films for 600 cameras. These are the result of continuous development, as the old Polaroid recipes could not simply be adopted.
Usually, the latest film delivers the best results, though that is always a matter of personal taste. Currently, that would be the PX 680 Color Protection (Amazon). It produces quite good color images and breathes new life into old Polaroid cameras.
One of the top features is that the film, unlike previous versions, is no longer light-sensitive after being ejected from the camera. However, this comes at the cost of a longer development time of 30 to 40 minutes, though this is expected to change with the next film.
PX 600 Silver Shade
In addition to color film, Impossible also offers black and white films for Polaroid 600 cameras. Here is the PX 600 Silver Shade Cool (Amazon). With it, you can take beautiful monochrome instant photos with the 600 cameras. After a development time of about 5 to 10 minutes, you have your finished image in hand.
With the current Silver Shades, you should ensure that you protect the image from light immediately upon ejection and keep it in the dark during development (e.g., put it in the camera bag).
Old Polaroid Films
Occasionally, old Polaroid films are offered, for example on eBay or classified ad portals. There, you might easily pay 30 euros for a 600 film pack of 10 pictures. Added to that is the problem that the films are expired and are as they are. Sure, you can still get good pictures with some of them.
Depending on storage conditions, the results may no longer be adequate, and in the worst case, you might not be able to use it at all because the chemistry has dried out or the batteries have given up.
In conclusion, if you come across a pack for a few euros, you can give it a try. You should only pay more if you are 100% sure that the film still works and delivers good results.
You don't need to worry about finding suitable batteries for the 600 series, as the battery comes with the film and no additional batteries are needed.
Here isa list of which cameras can use the mentioned films.
If you are not entirely sure, you can simply check the film door (the front where the film goes in. There is a slide on the side that opens it; inside it states which film format is required.
