Instant camera
An instant camera is a camera that developed the paper film immediately after release, fixed, and ejects the finished picture.
Technology
In order to allow the immediate development, invites you an instant camera instead of a simple film with a stack of paper sheets (with the oldest models with a dual role of negative and positive sheets ), the light-sensitive layer of the negative film equivalent. With photo material in the necessary chemicals in the form of a paste are included to develop the image. When pulling out the image unit, the chemicals between negative and positive are distributed and transported for black and white material silver in color films dyes that can be stored in the positive, which is separated from the negative according to the film typical exposure time. Because usually no more usable negative arises a duplication of recording only through reproduction ( Picture by picture process) is possible.
Both black and white and color photographs are created using the photo material for each job. For black -and-white photographs, a special film can be used, in addition, a negative arises in the so that the recording can be easily copied or enlarged. Since 1972 there is also the so-called integral film method, in which in a fully enclosed unit or the image a processes take place. The exposure is in integral film cameras via a mirror through the transparent positive. The camera transfers the image unit motor, an ingredient present in the chemical dye initially protects from light and destained with the progressive dye formation. The final image shows no trace of photoprotection more.
History
Polaroid
A precursor of instant photography is already developed in 1860 Jules Andre Gabriel Bourdin for the company Dubroni in Paris; the first instant camera in the modern sense was developed in 1947 by Edwin Herbert Land and brought his company Polaroid on the market. The early Polaroid Land Cameras based on the separation -screen method in the form of black and white roll films of different dimensions. The 1948 along with the Polaroid Model 95 imported and produced until 1992, films of the 40 series had a dimension of 3.25 x 4.25 inch - 83 x 108 mm. The first film of this series - Type 40 manufactured by 1948-1950 - first in 1950 introduced Type 41 was sepia - colored, black and white. However, this, as well as all subsequent imported before the 1970s black -and-white image separation films had to be coated as soon as possible after 15-30 seconds continuous development with a clear lacquer protective coating, all of these films was a suitably soaked sponge at. The last developed for the 40 series camera was the 1961 model presented J66, which already had a built-in automatic exposure control, but needed the highly sensitive type -47 film at 3000 ASA.
In 1954, with the films of the 30s series a smaller image format ( 2.5 x 3.25 inch - 64 x 83 mm ) was introduced, should allow the smaller and lighter cameras. Introduced along with the film type 31 Polaroid Model 80 weighed only slightly more than half of the recent Polaroid instant cameras. With the Model J33 in 1961, the last developed for the 30 - series camera was introduced as the big sister model J66 also came they also they have an automatic exposure control and needed a high-speed film at 3000 ASA - ended type 37 1963, the production of Polaroid cameras for roll film of the 40s and 30s series. However, 1965 saw the launch of " J20 Swinger " again a roll film instant camera on the market that their time was with their comparatively low price of USD 19.95 to one of the best selling cameras. In contrast to the other roll film instant cameras, the housing consisted entirely of plastic and was not foldable. The film introduced together with the camera of the 20 series had the same aspect ratio as the 30 series.
1963, Polaroid with the Pack films of the 100 series for the first time an instant color film before. The film cassettes were initially 8, later 10 images of the format of 2,875 x 3.75 inch - 72 x 95 mm. Introduced along with the movies instant cameras of the 100 series were invariably all foldable and differed in equipment and materials, the high quality models had better lenses, for example, possessed focusing aids and had retractable viewfinder of metal. This was also true for the following 200, 300 and 400 series, the latter were produced until 1977. Between 1968 and 1978, then starting with the model "Big Swinger " numerous non foldable Polaroid Pack Cameras on the market. Followed in 1971 with the Pack films of the 80 series with dimensions of 2.75 x 2.875 inches - 69 x 72 mm with a film of nearly square format. The compatible with these films cameras were all non-folding, the housing consisted entirely of plastic.
Separator screen movies were in terms of development time very sensitive. In this case, the ambient temperature for the duration of development was crucial. Therefore, many Polaroid instant cameras possessed this time via analog countdown stopwatches and tables with development times, these were printed on removable aluminum plates between which the exposed and extracted from the camera image could be placed around it to develop at temperatures below 15 ° C in an inner pocket to be able to. Had only slightly increased in black-and- white films by prolonged development, the contrasts, so it came in separation screen color films at sub-optimal development time to color casts, red and yellow in too short and bluish- green for too long development time. The development time is also increased by about 15 to 60 seconds, but had color - separation image films no longer be treated with a protective clear coat layer, as was still needed in the black and white films to make them more durable.
In 1972, with the Polaroid SX -70 the first integral film, and premium under the same designation and priced folding SLR instant cameras on the market. From 1977 there was for this type of film also not inexpensive foldable viewfinder cameras with plastic housing. In 1982 came with the Type 600 film, a 3,125 x 3,125 on the dimensions inches - 79 x 79 mm with the SX -70 identical, but with 600 instead of 150 ASA significantly more sensitive film, the GSP for SX-70 cameras Movies was not compatible. As a counterpart to the SX -70 SLR instant camera Polaroid also brought the folding model SLR 680, including ranked the non-foldable viewfinder cameras. With the exception of a short time only to 1984 offered the base model all cameras in the 600 series possessed a built-in electronic flash and up to the entry-level models, all auto focus.
In 1987, with the film referred to in the USA Spectra, in Europe image of the first non-quadratic integral film (image size 3.625 x 2.875 inches - 92 x 73 mm) from Polaroid with appropriate cameras on the market. The cameras possessed all about Auto Focus and electronic flash, were positioned and priced between the simple foldable instant print cameras continues produced 600 series and the SLR 680 SLR. However, without exception, viewfinder cameras. In 1993, Polaroid then with the Captiva/500 said film another non-square dimensions 2.875 x 2.125 the movie inches - 7.3 x 5.4 inches and corresponding cameras on the market. The Captiva camera produced until 1997, not hinged, the cheaper manufactured until 2003 Joy- Cam. From 1999 to 2001, a pop -shots called disposable instant camera for this type of film has been sold. The Captiva/500er-Film was taken in 2006 to coincide with the much older SX-70 film from the market.
As a replacement for the classic instant camera Polaroid brought a digital camera with mini printer on the market. However, the regulars did not accept this digital solution. Some photographers are deliberately a false color of Polaroid cameras to design and found in the digital successor is no adequate substitute. Since 2010, an analog instant camera is restored, the " Polaroid 300 " is named.
Kodak Instant
Kodak introduced at Photokina 1976 also instant print cameras before, first the EK series, consisting of the EK2, a very simple design model with fixed focus and manual film ejection using a crank, EK4 and EK6 with focusing ability and electric film advance and EK8, a high-quality foldable camera with bellows. After a facelift in 1978 made the EK2 was renamed EK20, the EK4 in EK100 and EK200 EK6 in, in place of the EK8 was introduced EK200 with electronic flash under the name EK300 as a top model. The following year, the models were EK100 EK200 and EK160 superseded by the modern designed (though for some time offered in parallel ), these were now optional similar to the EK300 with built in flash with the label extension EF ( for electronic flash). 1980 also the now old-fashioned acting through its beige - brown imitation leather design EK300 was replaced by the EK260 -EF.
In 1982, the EK series was eventually replaced by the Kodamatic series. With these cameras, it was invariably to folding cameras with rubber bellows, also offered all -electric film transport. The "smallest" model Kodamatic 930 had only fixed focus and had no built-in flash on the the next higher, but otherwise identical model Kodamatic 950 already possessed. These two models were manufactured in the Federal Republic, the most significant series Kodamatic 970L and 980L on the other hand in the USA. They both had an electronic flash, the Kodamatic 970L over a fixed focus with macro option, the 980L an auto-focus.
All Kodak instant cameras of the EK series used the film initially designated as PR-10, and later as a PR -144 10 with a sensitivity of 150 ASA, the Kodamatic series HS -144 -10 newly developed 300 ASA. Because cartridges had the same dimensions, but you could also use the films in the other series, but after an appropriate adjustment of brightness setting. Both films functioned similar to the integral of Polaroid films, she also had a bag of developer liquid that was pressed when ejecting between positive and negative. However, there were also significant differences. For one thing, the format of the Kodak films elongated (similar to the later image of Polaroid film ), on the other hand, the surface was not shiny but matt. This has been made possible by the fact that the negatives were in contrast to the integral Polaroid films not exposed from the front, that is, by passing the positive, but directly from the rear. Another advantage of the Kodak instant films was their durability. Substituting Polaroid integral films mechanical stress, so the color layers of the positive can be easily detached from one another, the image then acts like a broken mirror. There were no similar problems for the Kodak instant films. Moreover, it allowed the used of Kodak technique in HS -144 -10 film, the negative at any time after the development has been completely finished, to be separated from the positive side, thus had a photograph was not thicker than traditional negative deductions.
The Kodamatic series sold until the mid- 1980s well, but then it became apparent that Kodak would be subject to the legal dispute over the sued by Polaroid patent infringement, then what also occurred in the course of 1985 and that caused Kodak production and distribution had to stop of instant cameras and films and make significant damage payments. Kodak bought then from 9 January 1986 on the trade its instant cameras back, either refund the purchase price or of the possibility of a Kodak instant camera with a Kodak Disc camera or an equivalent of the Polaroid brand replaced.
Other manufacturers
In the early 1970s, Polaroid had Keystone grants inter alia the company patents for the manufacture of instant-picture cameras that were compatible with the 107/108er respectively later 667/668/669er separation image of Polaroid films. Unlike Kodak, however, these manufacturers were no match for Polaroid, not only because of the small numbers that they dropped, but mostly because Polaroid sole producer of the films was still determined by its compared to negative film high prices ( 18 to 27 DM for an 8 respectively 10 cassette) a disproportionate share of the revenue and profit services.
Since February 2008, however, the company began by Polaroid does not make any instant cameras. In early May 2010, a new analog instant camera was introduced with the Polaroid 300 back. On 17 June 2008, the production of the last Polaroid film in the Dutch factory Enschede T600 has been discontinued. The company Impossible has saved this work from demolition and producing together with Ilford new movies for old Polaroid cameras.
Today - after the patents have expired - also produced by Fuji Polaroid cameras compatible separation Films, integral films after further developed by Kodak technology, and instant print cameras and the technique used in digital proofing devices.
Meanwhile, Fuji also two new instant cameras with their own film materials on the market (brand name Instax ).