Polaroid Film

[FlapperQuack]

I bought a Polaroid Camera from a car boot last year for �3. I dont know any technical terminology but its one that you flip the front up and the photo prints out in a couple of mins. I also bought a film cartridge thing from Jessops for �6 which was due to go out of date in a couple of months.

My query is, are all polaroid cameras/film compatiable? and does the expiry date make a great deal of difference to the way the photos come out or how well they're taken?

Any help or advice would be appreciated!

[faith77]

your picture wouldnt be as clear if its out of date say by 2 months, and I'm sure you should get the same cartridge for the camera mine is a fugi and says to only use fugi instax film only

[gary baldy]

There are a couple of different formats (but only a couple mind) and only a couple of firms still bother to make Polaroid film anymore so there isnt exactly a bewildering array of formats.
Polaroid film is a bit more 'date sensitive' than normal and it is best to expose it on or around the use by date.
Polaroid prints do fade over time aswell if left exposed to light.
I suspect jessops were getting rid of stock because hardly anyone uses it anymore.
Polaroids have a certain charm and quality though, can be good fun and some professionals still use them to do tests.

[FlapperQuack]

cheers. are the formats blatantly different? I bought one that seemed to fit, but i dont know if it was the ight type. i presume if its the wrong type it wont fit properly in the camera?

[gary baldy]

As far as you are concerned with your snappy little camera there is only one type of Polaroid format (600 i'm guessing)
It is by far the most popular format and as far as i know only Polaroid actually make that film in that format.
They do the 500 and proffesional formats and Fuji do similar.
To be honest you wont have much choice in the shop to choose from and im guessing you will only be offered a choice of one!
To answer your question yes the formats are different but if it said polaroid on the film you bought and it fitted then bob's your uncle and you you have nothing to worry about.

[FlapperQuack]

Great, thanks for your help!