I used some of this back in the mid-1990s when it was still new. Worked pretty well, but even back then I had to wash the film to get the black layer to come off before I could project the slides. I had the hand-cranked processor that also came with a film cutter and slide mounting kit.

This film was definitely a legend in it's day. It was a favorite of many fashion photographers back in the 80's and 90's as it gave a very soft pointillist image. Fantastic stuff, but you definitely had to mount it in glass slide mounts.

@tomjanowski8584

2 жыл бұрын

I have mine in plastic mounts. What would glass improve?

@Francois_L_7933

2 жыл бұрын

@@tomjanowski8584 It simply protects the surface against scratches. Glass is hard, Polapan is soft... that simple.

@therestorationofdrwho1865

2 жыл бұрын

@@Francois_L_7933 Well, compared to glass all film is soft.

Instax better try and release a new version of this at some point! I love the way it looks genuinely pretty 19th century in its image, would be fantastic for a historic style shoot.

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Polapan really does have a truly unique palette of grays to it, I’ve always thought the same!

@jochnowicz

2 жыл бұрын

@@InAnInstant You would think when the patents expire on these things they could remake them?

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

It’s not the patents that limits any of these companies at this point, it’s the limited market and tremendous cost of production.

@WatchMeSayStuff

2 жыл бұрын

@@InAnInstant modern film insistently being made from polyester as if cellulose filmbase didn't exist for damn near a century is one of the most absurd expense drivers of film production since not only is it a petroleum product that is directly effected by price of oil, but it also has to compete with digital technologies that will always win out. I'd like to see a manufacturer go back to cellulose, ideally tapping the surplus hemp supply and marketing it as "sUsTaiNABlE" and "GReEn," (mocking text not because these wouldn't be true marketing gimmicks, but because companies only use them as gimmicks and don't actually give a fuck.) Granted this isn't the only factor in the cost of film production, but it's a big one, especially in regards to the raw material competition side of it. Kodak having to choose to decide between how to utilize their raw material supply will understandably go with the option that has the most profit potential, with film production getting cut. The archival lifespan of film in the digital age is mostly irrelevant, which is the only real argument in favor of polyester film base. Most film shooters just scan the negatives and forget about them, many more who send out their film for development don't even opt to have their negatives returned. At the end of the day it's just digital with extra steps, and the archival lifespan is irrelevant.

I was a poor college student when this came out. It was something I desperately wanted to try but it was also something I couldn't spend my money on. When Covid started I got the urge to try it again. I have shot all versions of the film. I have had excellent results with the high contrast color and poor results with b&w. I've had no results with the polablue. The innovation behind this film blows my mind. I'm currently shooting another roll of polablue and should process in a day or 2. One thing I haven't experienced is the "scratches easy" issue. No scratches on my film. I shoot the film at box speed but add a minute to the processing time I bought 2 processors on eBay by mistake. Both were 99 cents plus shipping. One was brand new in a box that had never been unpacked. This one disintegrated on first use....the hand crank fractured in many pieces and several internal parts did the same. The second processor which showed signs of previous use seems much more robust.

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you’re having a great experience with it Tom, and definitely feel you on the busted processor haha. Don’t think I’ll be switching from my autoboy

@tomjanowski8584

2 жыл бұрын

@@InAnInstant My Polablue results looked almost exactly like yours.

Polachrome in general feels like something Lomography would do nowadays lol. I have several polachrome rolls expired '84 sitting in my fridge atm. If I get any decent results from my first roll I might try to save the rest for some special trips!

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

It definitely does feel that way would be astounding if they could ever engineer something like that again!

@michaeldimmitt2188

2 жыл бұрын

Do you have the development packs & machine to develop them or is there an alternative development process?

@areallyrealisticguyd4333

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaeldimmitt2188 at the moment you can only develop them using the proprietary cartridges that come with each box. The rolls on their own can't be developed any other way as far as I've heard. You can usually find the development kits really cheap but considering how rare these rolls are getting i wouldn't recommend getting into it unless you know a place with a good supply of it

I've been waiting for this video for so long!!!

Although I often have trouble trying to decide what type of your videos I like the most (because they're all so well made) I'll have to be honest, Ben, the [Instant Breakdown] videos are top top top tier. I always come away from them having learned so much

This film really really looks amazing thanks so much for sharing ❤️

Been reading a bit into how Polaroid was actually super early on in recognizing the importance of digital imaging, but effectively banked that companies would still need to go back to hard copy at some point. This definitely feels like part of that strategy for sure. Great video as always!

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

It most definitely does - seems many companies back then were pot committed to the wrong things. But, the execution was often fascinating nonetheless!

@TheDarkplace

2 жыл бұрын

Ironically, we're kinda doing that now with instax. But fuji had other stuff going on while we finally got around to it. Polaroid were ahead of their time, but they didn't foresee the decade or so before it would happen?

@chet6286

2 жыл бұрын

If Kodak took this approach at that time maybe their stock price wouldn’t be 5 dollars.

Our B&W photography instructor had us use Polapan in class 35+ years ago. With this we could focus on composition first without adding the complexity of learning how to develop film on our first few rolls. Once we got the basics of composition using this we moved on to T-Maxx. We had a hand crank Polaroid processor in those days, not powered

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

I love that, so cool. Always nice to hear stories of how this was used in its heyday!

I had some amazing results with this stuff by accident. I shot PolaPan 400 at ISO 40 by accident and overexposed it 2 (Maybe 1 and 2/3) stops on top of that. Developed it in the auto processor for 4 minutes (it calls for 2 minutes on the box). Results were surprisingly robust! Maybe even a little too bright. I also shot some PolaChrome High Contrast (ISO 40 on the box) with the same recipe and got near perfect results. Did my best to prevent scratches and had a second set of hands to help during the rinse process. This stuff is really cool and I would love for it to see a comeback.

My face always smiles when new vid is out ❤️

Back in the 90s, I used a bunch of the color stuff ... I only had the crank processor ... loved it back in the day ... so cool to see that you did this!!!

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

That’s awesome Brian, thanks so much my man!

I think the best part about all polaroid is how imperfect the photos are. weather in packs or in this film, looking at these photos make it feel like i’m looking at someone’s memories not someone’s pictures :) Great work!

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

That’s such a great way of putting it Jimi, I totally agree!

Legends as always! Can you imagine having this in 120? I’d love to have it in my Fuji gw680!!

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Wow it just occurred to me that I completely forgot to mention in the video that there was actually a 4x5 version as well. Whoops. 120 would have been amazing!!

@amaanmohamed9248

2 жыл бұрын

Is there anything like this for 35mm now? Theres zintax for 120 i use it with my Mamiya.

@15minoflame

2 жыл бұрын

❤️

Wow, love the retro look! Very artistic looking results. I have an old, all mechanical Pentax, with a lot of prime lenses, and a bunch of rolls of expired Pan-X. I've been saving it to use during an apocalyptic event of some sort. But I realize that post-apocalypse, it may be hard to find a lab.

just discovered this channel...and loving it! Keep it up!

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Andrea! Thank you for peeping the vids!

Cool video! Thanks for the review!

Great vid as usual! I have an assortment of old polapan and polachrome that I have been wanting to get out and shoot- this has inspired me!

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

So glad to hear that, thanks so much bud

Ooohhh…Amazing 😮 Didn‘t know about that. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻

Thanks for this terrific survey! I used some expired 35mm Polachrome for a studio/fashion course I took in 97 or 98. Too much fun. Wicked to scan. lottsa fun though. I recall our processor having to be hand cranked. I showed my mounted slides to the modelling agency of the model I shot. They really liked them. Wanted me to hand them over.... nope. Not those Polachromes.

I remember Polaroid coming to my photography class in 1997 to demo this. It was fantastic to watch, but yes, those curly negs were painful to lay in an enlarger, or a scanner. This the first time I've seen anyone mention this amazing invention. Thanks so much for the trip down memory lane!

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

That’s so cool! Agreed the negs can be a bit of a pain but I adore the look - thanks for sharing your experience Phil!!

Amazing as usual…. So much much goodies all up in here

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Duder!! My guy, thank you ❤️❤️

I know that feeling well of using film you can’t find anymore all for the sake of content! But thank you again for showing us the film!

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Much thanks John!!

I think I have watched this 3 times now. Nice video and super cool medium.

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Haha I love that!! Appreciate it Rn!

Great Video and love the Pan Am tee

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tony!!

I remember hearing about this in passing and assuming it was a misunderstanding from those who talked about it. Then I totally forgot about it until right now. Such a wild concept and amazing to see it working!

Great results! The chrome uses Dufaycolour principles - so B&W emulsion on a grid of colour filters. The Polaroid input was the relatively instant development and separation of the negative + chems to leave the colour positive. The patents make fascinating (tho' dense and protective) reading!

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed! I would love for someone else to get a kick in the butt toward something similar again! (Closest I guess is just using a monobath lol, but inside a contraption that automates it)

Used this to check my RLC camera installations on the streets of LA and San Diego and other fine west coast cities. Main reason for me to use it was that I needed to check my camera alignment on the spot so I shot either a 12 or 24 shot roll. That was in 2000-2004. Great practical product.

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

That is awesome Gabriel!

Wow this is so dope! Had no idea this instant film existed

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Ariel!! Welcome to the cult!

a friend at art school used the film in the early 90's, she was a freshman and maybe the only person in the entire photo department that used it, even the professors we had never used it, wish The Impossible Project would make it again.

I still have two rolls and developer packs in my refrigerator. That film was so cool.

Such a cool technology

I saw someone mention a cool idea on a different video - getting together with some friends shooting this stuff, then developing it and setting up a slide projector to go through everyone’s shots from the day that evening; I’ve wanted a roll of this ever since!

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

That sounds extremely wholesome! Not too dissimilar to what we did with that Polachrome, but without the necessary projector 📽

I had used one roll in 1985 and I did not like the colors so I went back to traditional film. I also had a Polaroid 600 camera, I used that one for instant photos instead of the instant slide film. My photos were indoors with a flash, they may have turned out better if I was outside. Back then we took pictures to remember events for our family.

That is amazing!!! I never knew this had existed

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

It’s truly a special slice of history!!

The Negatives look so cool! Like fancy Ben ;)

Yay new videeeooo c:

Used tons of this film back in the 90's....mostly the black and white....they also sold boxes of slide frames that snapped together....akso found that projecting the slide on a sheet of 16x20 kodalith made a nice silkscreen.....as much as I loved bthis film, type 55 4x5 was still my fav....

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Wow that’s really cool! Love that Bob.

Great vid. Never heard of this film before

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Raj!

Wow I never heard of this film, very interesting

When it was fresh, it worked well (not so artistic looking). I used to it in the 1990's at a college instructional media center to help professors make presentations. This was pre-powerpoint and digital projector. We made illustrations in Coreldraw or photostyler/photoshop (sometimes scanning polaroid 4x5's from their electron microscopes or o-scopes), output the images on a LVT film recorder to the Polarchrome 35. Then we'd run it through the handheld processor and have film that was dry within minutes and ready to mount. The professors would then have nice slides for their lectures.

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Unbelievable flashback to Coreldraw; and that’s so wild to hear Jason!

I loved this film. I would make image transfers from b&w polapan slides. I thought they were amazing

I have 3 packs in my fridge and another crossing the Atlantic. I’m so looking forward to using this when I find the right subject.

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

I’m sure you’ll love it Stephen!

Ironically, the the hurdles we'd have to jump to recreate this film are very different to the ones Impossible had to deal with, because it's a 35mm film! Whereas Polaroid 600 and SX-70 film was partly a problem because all of the cutting/ construction equipment that was lost (as well as reinventing the formula) 35mm is a standard format that's easy to cut etc. I'm guessing the main issues are the formula and the processors? Although, the joy's of 3D printing could result in an alternative processor. I'd love to see someone try. It's a fascinating process.

Interesting film with an unique look but scratches very easily.

I didn’t know this was a thing. The negatives have a lovely tonality, slightly flat but the highlight tones are wonderful to my eyes.

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

I love the tones on PolaPan so much! They very much transport you to a different time and another world.

I’ve been on this planet for over 56 years and shot a lot of film, instant and 35mm and what have you. But, I never knew that existed, had no idea. Where was I ?? I would’ve been all over that for sure, but probably a good thing in the end I suppose…. Excellent as usual and thanks again for the education. Every day is a school day….

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

It is indeed Strat! Glad we've still got new tricks up the sleeve

This could make me interested in film again

very interesting

I wish they still had it. I never saw it or knew it existed where I lived.

Awesome that you use such a plasticky camera as the Mamiya ZM. I really love that model. The other Quartz too, although they feel like they break when you touch them.

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Haha man mine is busted as we speak!! Used the FM2 and AV-1 for a bunch of shots in this one too.

I have been shooting 35mm for 30 years and I have never heard of this. how bizarre! I love it.

@Poppaneedsanap

2 жыл бұрын

Rest in Polaroid!

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

RIP P in P!!

About four years ago, I stumbled upon this film, and then obsessively procured as much as I could get, and so now have about 200 rolls of a mix of all four ‘main’ types! It’s been refrigerated since I got it all (no idea how it might have been stored before me), and then procrastinated due to the possible likelihood that it would turn out like your PolaBlue in this video. That said, I have no idea why I hadn’t discovered In An Instant and particularly this video until very recently, but I guess I should at least shoot one of each?! I thought about selling it recently, and a friend coincidentally suggested Brooklyn Film Company is sometimes interested in larger collections of weird films… 😂

@DesertPunks

2 ай бұрын

Have you shot any of it? I'm curious what your results were like!

Crazy. Had a buddy give me a roll to process but I couldn’t find anything about processing instructions

Love the vid, first ❤️

I hope they bring it back

over 20 years ago, I got hold of a roll of color 35mm it came with a gel. Somehow I applied it in a dark bag, but it came out ok. missed some of the edges of the film. probably also polaroid.

Super film! Szkoda ze nie ma już takich negatywów w sprzedaży :((

Niceeee

I still have my hand cranked processor . . . used the Polaroid 35mm film for a few years. I think I have 1 ur 2 transparencies somewhere. I bought it when it first hit the market . . . I hated processing color transparently film. 🙈

Interesting. Can you list the parts to look for. I can find the processor and the 35mm film. What is the name of the backing cartridge . Is there 1 type of cartridge for different films

It would be really cool to shoot it in a medium formal camera and get some of that sprocket action going!

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Yooo Ammar no joke I’ll be doing that soon! Wanted to get a roll down before the video but ran out of time

that was a very interesting film, too bad that no one has tried to produce it again

Oh great, another beautiful obsession that's no longer produced. *cries internally*

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Ugh tell me about it

Yet more amazing old formats that I'm unlikely to get my hands on, why do I do this to myself? 😭

This is one of the easiest film products to make and I have done so on multiple occasions. It would be very simple for a company resurrect this material.

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

That’s great news, hopefully someone gets a kick in the butt to do so.

@knoptop

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting! You've made instant film 35mm? Would like to know more

Love how it still retains the Polaroid look even though it’s a 35 mm format. I would love to see them bring this back! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Definitely one of the most insane aspects!!

What's it like acquiring rolls in the wild? I'd imagine many times you would have to hunt for chem-packs & film rolls separately? If a chem-pack fails in the processor, can you simply load up a different one without any negative effects to the film? I HAVE QUESTIONS

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

When it comes to acquiring rolls, they should always come with the chem packs and never separately. If one does come loose, that’s a fluke and if you find it second hand it may even be exposed already! If a chemical pack does fail, the film should still be salvageable as long as it completely wound back into the canister! Here for anything else bruvvy

wow that's so cool and I didn't know it existed. Thanks for the video, and your photos look amazing

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Nanou!

Absolutely kicking myself, like very hard, for not picking up the processor I saw at a Goodwill only a couple years ago.

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

I wouldn’t worry too much about it as they go for pennies these days!

@maxdoes_

2 жыл бұрын

@@InAnInstant Not after this video

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

There are a lot out there, I’m sure they’ll still be mad cheap!!

What did you rate the polachrome?

I want 4 x 5 instant film. They need to start making it again. For the Polaroid 4 x 5 instant film backs

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Couldn’t agree more! Huge fan of Polaroid 4x5 film and actively use the stock I have left.

OMG I used to work at a thrift shop and someone dropped the 35mm processor and expired film! I did NOT leave on good terms with the store, so IDK what happened to it...

I'd love the Impossible Project to pull off a little more impossible if they could🙏🙏

omg is juste realise that at my work we have a lot of slides replicated in polapan

I kinda wonder what would happen if you used a regular 35mm filmstock with the polapan developer

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

I might try that just to see! I don’t know enough about the chemistry to truly understand what is required of the transparency for it to reveal an an image, but I’ll give that a test

@entity9742

2 жыл бұрын

@@InAnInstant well if its a typical polaroid reagent then it should just produce a positive and negative portion since most peel apart film relied on positive transfers so either the black backing will have a positive or a standard ektachrome film will have the image develop like normal

I completely agree about it being a great product nowadays! Someone jump on this, damn it. The closest thing I have is a Lab-Box to avoid reeling my film in the dark LOL

Future we didn’t deserve

Avec votre vidéo, vous donnez envie de revenir à l'argentique (analogique) pour certaines choses comme le polaroid, mais ensuite le scanner et faire la photo en numérique, légèrement retouchée avec photo filtre ,et voilà une nouvelle photo.

Discontinued by manufacturer?

the pola blue was the coolest film i ever shot ..sadly we will never see the likes of that again

BTW the 35mm film looks like movie reels!

Hey I was wondering, what are some good camera stands for a polaroid impulse?

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Hi John! Tripods really often come down to price, but a very inexpensive Amazon Basics tripod will support the Impulse just fine!

@johnfurph6243

2 жыл бұрын

@@InAnInstant Thanks a lot, keep up the vids!

I Miss It... We Sold A lot of this film when I was working at the camera store, I prefer the Hand Crank Processor, Not the Auto Motorized unit in which I called it "The Toaster"...

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Lmao long live the toaster!!

Someone should make a modern instant 35mm film using more modern emulsions. even it it still isn't as high quality as c-41 film, I would ABSOLUTLY use some from time to time to avoid development costs

I bought probably way too many Polaroid brand slides for this film in particular. If you guys are interested or could find any use for them, I would love to send them to your P.O. Box, if you have one. I have probably two boxes with at most twenty used.

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the offer Corbin! I think I’m all set with what I’ve got but I appreciate it

Is there any way to develop the film without the processing unit? Perhaps at some specialised photography development shop? My developing unit was broken

@InAnInstant

8 ай бұрын

Unfortunately the film requires the developer pods since it is a specially designed negative. You could try it in monobath but I don’t think it would work unfortunately

@telemontecatsosmegmaproduz36

8 ай бұрын

@@InAnInstant thank you!

@jimrodney4797

6 ай бұрын

Some articles have suggested you could cross process, but I have no idea what the outcome would be…

@telemontecatsosmegmaproduz36

6 ай бұрын

@@jimrodney4797 thanks!

What would happen if you put this film through a c-41 or e6 process? Would it actually work?

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

To my understanding that would not work, but PolaPan may work in a monobath.

There's a customer contact email address on Polaroid's website. Perhaps if enough people ask them to bring it back, they'll consider it...

Had no idea this was a thing . And I’ve developed Polaroid 35 mm film - thought they were sued for making 35 mm film 🎞 need to go back and calculate ….

Disney might bring it back once Venom 3 is announced - Special film with your own symbiote layer which corrupts your film like it has corrupted Eddie. But you can safe it by puring water on it! :P This summer in your local fim shop. Don't miss your chance to become one of the avengers blah blah blah super hero landing :)

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

This comment caught me way off guard and I kinda LOVE IT

I recently bought 5 tolls of this film without realizing what I had. I may conside finding a processor at this point OR trading the film with someone who already has one.

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

The processors are pretty cheap, it’s a great chance to use them. They came with the chemical packs right??

Can you please do a review of the la sardina lomography camera 🥺🥺🥺

Whoa, what the heck did I just watch??

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Lmao Chris!! Only fate can guide us now

is there no way to resurrect a dried chemical pack?

@DesertPunks

Ай бұрын

apparently water can revive the pack somehow from what i read on forums but they didnt go in depth on where to get the water to stop the drying. Maybe unwind the chemical pack and wet it there

This is hella interesting, but I actually don't see a reason why this couldn't be replicated with regular E6 film. I mean, you shoot it all in the camera, then you have to process it separately, there's a separate pack containing developer chemicals -- so why not just do the same thing but with ektachrome or provia? Granted, development time would be a bit longer, but with simplifying E6 to a 3-bath process (negative dev, color dev, blix) which you already have with pretty much every hobbyist kit out there, I don't really see a meaningful difference in terms of user experience. An E6 autoprocessor would take longer and go through more steps, it would use more fluids which would make it act kinda like a miniaturized photographic dishwasher, but it could absolutely create beautiful slides from readily available film that's still in production. And I'd say it's just as instant as this one -- as in, not very, you have to shoot through the entire roll first, then process the film to get anywhere. On the other hand, the vintage look of the film is amazing, and there's definitely something nice about messing with old tech. But if they remade this exact film, some of that would be probably lost.

@InAnInstant

2 жыл бұрын

Hmmm, interesting idea - I’m sure there’s a reason nobody as done this, possible the cost is prohibitive or the chemistry would become dogwater. Plus the unit would have to be heated. Not sure it’d really work as practically as Polachrome & PolaPan 35.

@lobsterbark

2 жыл бұрын

E6 slide film is very sensitive to slight changes in the process ruining the film. To do it properly you need test strips, you need to measure things, you need very precise control. You can't just have the chemicals waiting around for a few weeks and expect it to just work fine. This is partly a result of it being more complicated, but it mainly due to the fact that the developed film is the finished product. Its not print film where you can just put a filter in the enlarger, or adjust the color balance in the scan. Hobbiest kits with combined steps give you acceptable results if you are going to scan the film anyways, but if you are going to use it as originally intended in a projector, its not good enough. A compact autoprocesor would also be too expensive to be worth it.

Ready to throw away my chemistry and just find a load of this or similar stock

Hmm I wonder if you unplug a working auto processor if it will remember there’s film in there and wind it back up…

@InAnInstant

6 ай бұрын

I don’t believe it would have any “memory” of its current state, so it would likely just sit there paused!