Alright, let’s talk about this here Polaroid film for the Land Camera, you know, the kind that spits out them pictures right away. Folks call it instant film, I reckon.
What kind of film you need?
Well, first off, you gotta figure out what kinda camera you got. There’s a whole bunch of ’em, see? Some old, some newer. The film ain’t all the same, so you gotta pay attention. You wouldn’t put diesel in a gas car, would ya? Same thing here. This here talk is mostly ’bout them older cameras, the ones they call “Land Cameras”. They use them pack films.
Where to find this film stuff?
Now, finding this film, that’s the tricky part. It ain’t like going to the Piggly Wiggly and grabbing a loaf of bread. These days, they don’t make this film much anymore. Too fancy for folks now, I guess. Everybody’s got their phones. But you can still find it, you just gotta look harder. Sometimes online, them internet stores, you know. But be careful, some folks try to charge you an arm and a leg for it. Like they say, “buyer beware,” or somethin’ like that.
- Check online stores like… Well, I ain’t gonna name names, you go figure it out.
- Sometimes them camera shops in the city might have some, but they’re gettin’ rare, like hen’s teeth.
- Flea markets and yard sales, sometimes you get lucky. But most of the time it’s just junk.
Loading the film, easy as pie (almost)
Alright, so you got your film, now what? Gotta get it in the camera, right? Don’t go breakin’ nothin’ now. It ain’t rocket science, but you gotta be careful.
First thing, open up the back of that camera. There’s usually a little latch or somethin’ you gotta push or slide. Then, you take that film pack. It comes in a little box, and inside that’s a foil pack. Don’t open that foil pack till you’re ready, or the film will get all messed up. It’s like them biscuits, they go stale if you leave them out.
Now, see that little pink paper sticking out of the film pack? That’s your pull tab. Gently pull that thing out, not too hard, not too soft. Just right. Like Goldilocks and the porridge, you know? Then, you gotta line up that film pack with the inside of the camera. There’s usually some kinda marks or somethin’ to show you where it goes. Push it in there nice and snug, then close up the camera back. You should hear a little click or somethin’ when it’s closed right.
Setting the camera, this part’s important
Now, before you start snappin’ pictures, you gotta set the camera right. There’s this thing called the film speed, and you gotta match it to the film you’re usin’. Most of the color film, it’s like 75 or somethin’. The black and white stuff, that’s usually higher, like 3000. There’s a little dial or somethin’ on the camera, you gotta turn it to the right number. If you don’t, your pictures gonna look all wonky, too light or too dark.
Taking the picture and waitin’ a bit
Alright, now you’re ready to take a picture. Look through that little window thingy, aim the camera at what you wanna take a picture of, and push the button. The camera will make a whirring sound, and then, pop! Out comes the picture. But hold your horses, it ain’t done yet.
That picture’s gonna be all wet and gooey. You gotta let it develop. Sometimes you gotta peel the picture away from the backing paper, sometimes you don’t. Depends on the film. Just follow the instructions on the box, they know what they’re talkin’ about. And don’t go shakin’ the picture, like them crazy folks in the movies do. Just lay it down flat somewhere and wait. It takes a few minutes, maybe ten, maybe fifteen. Just be patient.
Looking after them pictures, so they last
Now you got your picture, and it looks real nice, I bet. But you gotta take care of it, or it’ll fade away like an old memory. Don’t leave it out in the sun, or it’ll get all bleached out. Don’t get it wet, or it’ll get all wrinkly and messed up. Best thing to do is put it in a photo album or somethin’, where it’ll be safe and sound. That way, you can look at it years from now and remember the good ol’ days.
Some extra things to keep in mind, you know, just in case
A few more things afore I let you go. This film, it don’t last forever. It has an expiration date, just like them milk cartons. If the film’s too old, the pictures might not come out right, or they might be all faded or somethin’. So try to get fresh film, if you can. And don’t go buyin’ too much film at once, unless you plan on usin’ it up quick. It’s like them bananas, they go bad if you let ’em sit around too long.
Also, these cameras, they ain’t always perfect. Sometimes they break down, or the batteries die, or somethin’ goes wrong. If that happens, you might need to get it fixed, or maybe get a new camera. It is what it is.
Final words, go on and have some fun
Well, that’s about all I know ’bout this here Polaroid film and them Land Cameras. It ain’t rocket science, like I said, but it takes a little bit of learnin’ and a little bit of patience. But it’s worth it, I reckon. There’s somethin’ special ’bout seein’ that picture develop right afore your eyes. It’s like magic, almost. So go on, get yourself some film, load up that camera, and start takin’ some pictures. You might just surprise yourself.
