Instant Film

If you have an instant camera, you will certainly need to purchase instant film with which to make use of it. While it is still available in many camera stores, instant film can be a lot more difficult to find than it was before the days of digital. What film is still available for instant cameras, and where can it be found?

Instant film was extremely popular for a long time; especially after the first instant color film in history was introduced by Polaroid in 1963. Having a camera that produced a picture immediately was excellent for individuals who lived in an era where instant gratification was the drive behind all actions and such expectations could be fulfilled with an instant film camera. While this was acceptable with black and white film, it was exciting with instant color film, creating a wave of infatuation with the invention.

Today, there is much less demand for it, though you can still find some uses for color instant film in today’s world. For instance, when you are at a circus, amusement park, or other venue where there are special photo opportunities, such as the chance to meet someone famous, instant film cameras are often used to take a picture and allow for an immediate autograph of the print. This is often done for a price and is one of the top uses for such a device. Some crime scenes are also photographed with an instant film camera for quick examination of the prints in areas where traffic is not appreciated for fear of disrupting evidence. You’ll also find that photo booths in malls and other locations that spit out prints taken for a few dollars are also developed on instant film.

While most uses for instant film today are for pleasure rather than work, one thing remains constant, and that is the dominance of Polaroid instant film in the market. Few other brands have ever been major competitors, and Polaroid has cornered what little of this specialized area is left. Though not found in many typical photo departments of supermarkets, you can easily come across instant film in specialty camera shops and some electronics stores.

Instant film is a bit of a novelty today but hasn’t disappeared or gone up in price. It is as it always has been, and for certain applications, this film will continue to be the product of choice, especially when immediate results are required.