Although I never could find an official press release (so if you’ve seen one about this please forward it on to me), a number of blogs are announcing that Urban Outfitters has teamed up with The Impossible Project and will present a limited edition of 700 hand-numbered Polaroid camera kits. The kit will include one pack of Polaroid Instant Film and one Polaroid ONE600 Classic camera – the last Polaroid camera produced.
I learned two things by this announcement.
First, I didn’t know Urban Outfitters sold cameras. The cameras they do sell are in no way professional, but there are some pretty cool gadgets like the 5.0 Megapixel miniature Leica, the SuperHeadz Secret Book Camera or the Pin Hole Camera Kit. Three things that are now on my Christmas list for my fellow photogs.
I also learned through this announcement about the existence of The Impossible Project. After production of the Instant Film stopped in June 2008, the factories in Mexico and the Netherlands were closed. The Impossible b.v. acquired the entire film production equipment from Polaroid and has signed a 10-year lease agreement on the factory building.
According to the project’s Web site:
Impossible b.v. has been founded with the concrete aim to re-invent and re-start production of analog INTEGRAL FILM for vintage Polaroid cameras… The Impossible mission is NOT to re-build Polaroid Integral film but (with the help of strategic partners) to develop a new product with new characteristics, consisting of new optimised components, produced with a streamlined modern setup. An innovative and fresh analog material, sold under a new brand name that perfectly will match the global re-positioning of Integral Films
Be sure to check out their site (The Impossible Project) for more information on the project and how to support their endeavor.
In the meantime, if you’re a Polaroid shooter, check back with Urban Outfitters around August 21 to see if the rumors are true.