Another one bites the dust!

Polaroid has announced that they will discontinue its 665 instant film within the first six months of 2006, due to production limitations. This is a high quality, 3 ¼ x 4 ¼ inch, black and white, peel apart film that produces a usable negative along with positive print. I’ve used this film with Polaroid 340 and 360 Automatic Land cameras, achieving pleasant results. Recently the fate of Time-Zero film was sealed with a similar announcement. No more emulsion manipulation using the classic SX-70 instant cameras, and now no more Polaroid negatives, as 665 will be sharing the same fate. For the time being 55 film has dodged the bullet; this is used for 4x5 inch instant usage.

Don’t shelve those old land cameras just yet, 664 and 672, two great, peel apart, black and white instant films are also still available. Hopefully 669, color print peel apart film won’t be on the chopping block in the near future. I’ve had some 665 waiting patiently in my fridge for several months, this news gives me the inclination to slap some in the 360 Automatic Land camera and do some shooting. I quite enjoy the looks I get from passers-by when I’ve got this huge photographic throw-back held up to my eye. Plus these classic instant cameras are very common finds at yard sales and swap meets for next to nothing. While the film still exists, I highly recommend picking up any old Polaroid that accepts this peel apart film and experiment. In fact the cameras themselves are cheaper than the film used in them, as well as the batteries often needed. The 340, which has a glass lens, many of these cameras have plastic lenses, requires a 4.5v battery (hard to find) which will set you back up to 7-14 dollars. These aren’t the most practical cameras to use but they sure are fun. Check out The Land List site for more information regarding most instant cameras from Polaroid.