Monday, October 19, 2009

Polaroid Love



I am in love.  I found a Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera at an antique shop in Hill City, South Dakota in August.  It was buried on a shelf of old cameras and I saw it!  It was in great condition, complete with original leather carrying case and instruction booklet and I paid $7 for it all. 

I also found one of these old Polaroid One Step cameras at the same shop.   It is just like the one I received for a gift when I was 10 - my first camera. 

After finding these Polaroid treasures, I bit the bullet and bought 2 packs of 600 film from polapremium (not an easy or inexpensive task, since Polaroid stopped making the film....)  Total cost for this "test" = $50 for 20, yes 20, photos.  I popped one of the packages of film in the One Step and after that telltale hum of the film loading and the cover sheet being ejected...the camera systematically spit out one picture after the other.  It took about 5 seconds to eject all 10 photos while I panicked.  Twenty-five dollars down...the...drain.  Ouch. 

Needless to say, I was reluctant to try the second package of film in the SX-70.  It's been sitting on a shelf for 2 1/2 months, waiting for me to gather up the courage to try it.     

This morning, at the urging of a fellow Unraveller , I mustered up the courage.  I unwrapped the film from it's shiny silver packaging, popped open the film compartment of the camera, slid the precious film in ever so gently, took a deep breath and closed the compartment.  Then, there was the telltale hum, the ejection of the cover sheet and...nothing.  Quickly, I ran downstairs to the piano room where I knew there would be the best light (best of the worst at 9AM...) peered through the tiny viewfinder and "click."  Voila!  It just worked! 

I just adore the nostalgic look and feel of the photos - so dreamy.  Sometimes, you just have to leap.  Now, can I gather up the courage to use the remaining 9 shots???  I think I will likely go broke buying film for this camera, but sometimes it's just worth it when you find something you love.

4 comments:

  1. I love polaroid photos...they have this gorgeous feel and look! Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!

    Jacqueline
    http://www.jqlinesocuteithurts.typepad.com/

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  2. hey sarah I'm a fellow unraveller- I think after seeing these images you might have gotten me hooked on polaroid now! they are beautiful and I love the square format. looking forward to seeing more pictures soon!

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  3. haha , go for it , you'd never forgive yourself if you were 85 and still had those last flamin' 9!!
    What a great find!

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  4. We are in the fishbowl together, and I too do not know my intent for my blog. It's all very new to me. I think we will figure out as we blog along together. It's a whole new world to me, which seems overwhelming at times. Really it's about the journey, so let's enjoy it!

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