Re: Polaroid Print Film

["Charles E. Dunlap" <cdunlap@rupture.ucsc.edu>]

>Has anyone used the Polaroid 100 High Definition color print film?  I was
>at a new Walmart store (first one in Boise so the wife just had to go) and
>they were selling Polaroid 100 HD for something like $1.84 a roll so I
>decided to pick up a couple to try.  When I opened the film can I noticed
>that Polaroid appears to be using someone else's film and just glues a
>cheap paper label around the film cartridge with their name on it.  I
>pealed the paper label off one and found a rather generic red & white film
>cartridge that simply says something like "color print film" and "Made in
>Germany."  When I finally got around to trying some of this cheap film I
>was amazed with my results.  This stuff exhibits beautiful color saturation
>and contrast.  Both rolls show gorgeous hues in often subtle colors and
>very vivid color in the primaries.  I think I'll go out and buy an armload
>of it today.
>
>Regards, Don

The film is almost certainly made by Agfa. They tend to make a lot of store
brand films. Agfa can give very pleasing results, but it doesn't seem to be
handled well by my local processor (or it doesn't react well to the light
and subjects I normally shoot), so I stick with Kodak Royal Gold or New
Fuji Reala for color prints. The proof is in the results, however, and if
the Polaroid film works for you then I wouldn't think twice. Put a few
dozen rolls in the freezer and happy shooting.

- -Charlie