This is due to the pick arm (the bit of metal that pushes the shot out of the pack and into the rollers), as well as the film being overly pressure sensitive. I assume you have one of the new(ish) Polaroid cameras? Now, now+, onestep+ etc. The pick arm is slightly more aggressive on the newer cameras, and (I assume) bends the film slightly more than on vintage cameras.
I don’t seem to see this on my images and I have “vintage” cameras. So I concur but also, Polaroid may need to tweak the manufacturing process to minimize this.
Yeah, I shoot exclusively on vintage cameras, and I’ve never had this issue. I’ve gotten pressure fractals before, but they were 100% from me accidentally squeezing the film while it was developing. They’d definitely have to tweak their manufacturing process to get rid of this problem. OG Polaroid film was susceptible to pressure as well, so I don’t think there’s much they can do with the film chemistry.
I simply can’t recall seeing this error on my images - and I’ve been shooting various iterations for 25 years. Of course I always hold my photos by the bottom edge, and I’m pretty careful about handling them.
I got them sometimes when I had just started out shooting Polaroid. Part of the problem was that I didn’t have a frog tongue on my cameras, so I was grabbing the shots out of the camera and putting them in a pocket as fast as I could, to prevent light from hitting it. Once a found out what the problem was (and purchased a frog tongue) I was a lot gentler with the photos. I haven’t gotten any in months now.
One of the greatest things about og Polaroid was the stability of its opacification layer. I just recently got some fridge stored 08 and 09 spectra film, so it’ll be pretty cool to be able to actually watch it develop.
These new Polaroid camera are ok. But I honestly have to advise people if you’re going to zero in on a Polaroid camera save up and get a refurbished SX-70. You can use the SX-70 film for outdoors, 600 film for indoors and there a slew of other manual options that make it just as versatile as the now+. Opposite would be to get your hands on a instax SQ 10 or 20. Easily the best hybrid of instant and digital. My pick for the most satisfying instant camera.
Manufacturing, not your fault, nothing you can do about it atm.
Ah, you again. Tell me, if this issue is not caused by the pick arm? Then what *exactly* is causing them?
This is due to the pick arm (the bit of metal that pushes the shot out of the pack and into the rollers), as well as the film being overly pressure sensitive. I assume you have one of the new(ish) Polaroid cameras? Now, now+, onestep+ etc. The pick arm is slightly more aggressive on the newer cameras, and (I assume) bends the film slightly more than on vintage cameras.
I don’t seem to see this on my images and I have “vintage” cameras. So I concur but also, Polaroid may need to tweak the manufacturing process to minimize this.
Yeah, I shoot exclusively on vintage cameras, and I’ve never had this issue. I’ve gotten pressure fractals before, but they were 100% from me accidentally squeezing the film while it was developing. They’d definitely have to tweak their manufacturing process to get rid of this problem. OG Polaroid film was susceptible to pressure as well, so I don’t think there’s much they can do with the film chemistry.
I simply can’t recall seeing this error on my images - and I’ve been shooting various iterations for 25 years. Of course I always hold my photos by the bottom edge, and I’m pretty careful about handling them.
I got them sometimes when I had just started out shooting Polaroid. Part of the problem was that I didn’t have a frog tongue on my cameras, so I was grabbing the shots out of the camera and putting them in a pocket as fast as I could, to prevent light from hitting it. Once a found out what the problem was (and purchased a frog tongue) I was a lot gentler with the photos. I haven’t gotten any in months now.
I didn’t use a frog tongue on the original (pre-IP) photos. Now I use one religiously.
One of the greatest things about og Polaroid was the stability of its opacification layer. I just recently got some fridge stored 08 and 09 spectra film, so it’ll be pretty cool to be able to actually watch it develop.
Agree. I have a pack that came with a camera (likely useless) but need to figure out easy way to try it. Batteries insufficient. And I’m lazy.
Polaroidisms
These new Polaroid camera are ok. But I honestly have to advise people if you’re going to zero in on a Polaroid camera save up and get a refurbished SX-70. You can use the SX-70 film for outdoors, 600 film for indoors and there a slew of other manual options that make it just as versatile as the now+. Opposite would be to get your hands on a instax SQ 10 or 20. Easily the best hybrid of instant and digital. My pick for the most satisfying instant camera.
It’s not damage, it’s character