當同事 K 從右方遞上今期《Milk》,粗黑字體「Polaroid is BACK ﹗﹗﹗」,這條題真是猶如苦悶空氣中的甘露。SX- 70 Land Camera Alpha 1 的「黃金戰士版」又繼續「曬命」似的出現,總有羨慕的目光在左近。
文中提及到 Polaroid Fans 大有可能結束「慳住駛菲林」的生活,將有新公司於 2010 年成立,重新生產 Integral Film,雖然只限於 SX-70 及 600 系,而 peel apart 的 100 、 80 系 (即 664、667、665、 88、89 等),以及 Spectra 的都不會重生,只求 fujifilm 繼續支援,不過也叫大部份人的麗奈重獲新生,有望結束 bid 菲林生涯,真是 可喜可賀。
麗奈一生就是充滿傳奇,連起死回生也要有個奇妙的名字「The Impoosible Project」,不可能的變成可能了。多得 Polaroid.net 的維也納商人 Florian Kaps (同為 unsaleble.com 的創立人) 拉攏了 與黑白攝影明星品牌 Ilford 的合作關係,生產新一代的 Integral 菲林,
(有人稱兩雄相遇簡直是 " The match made in Heaven"﹗) 目標是頭一年生產 300 百萬張,繼而年產 1 千萬張,這當然比當年全盛時期的年產 1 億少得很,不過也救了世上千千萬萬的麗奈人罷。
手頭上的菲林還有 3 -4盒,一季一盒,春夏秋冬過後,這會有新血嗎?希望價錢回落點,一下走掉了 10 數元可不是味兒呀。但莫論價錢,這消息也令我興奮了好幾天。
Ilford Photo / Harman Technologies has just issued this press release concerning the making of new Polaroid films.
19th January 2009 :
HARMAN technology Limited : Mobberley : CHESHIRE UKILFORD PHOTO INVOLVEMENT IN DEVELOPMENT OF NEW 'POLAROID' STYLE INSTANT FILM :
After the decision by Polaroid in 2008 to cease production of its instant films, a much loved method of photography looked set to disappear forever. However, leading photo-imaging company, HARMAN technology Limited can confirm it is now involved in a new venture which could deliver welcome news to millions of Polaroid instant camera fans across the world.The manufacturer - whose brands include the ILFORD monochrome analogue range, HARMAN PHOTO inkjet papers and KENTMERE PHOTOGRAPHIC products - is supporting 'The Impossible Project' which is being spearheaded by a Dutch business known as Impossible B.V.Formed by a group of businessmen and a number of ex-Polaroid employees, Impossible B.V. has signed a 10-year lease on part of Polaroid's former factory in Enschede, Netherlands and acquired some of Polaroid's original production machining for producing integral films for SX70 cameras.As the business aims not to rebuild Polaroid integral film but to develop a new product with new and improved characteristics, it has turned to HARMAN and its 130 years of experience in the production of analogue films for product development guidance and additional insight on manufacturing methods.HARMAN's product development team has confirmed the manufacturer is able to create the desired instant film but negotiations continue as to the extent of future involvement.As Howard Hopwood, HARMAN technology's Chairman, points out: "Recognising the almost cult status and huge following of Polaroid instant cameras, we would love to be involved in any initiative which preserves their future use. To this end, we did try to take on production of Polaroid instant film in the latter half of 2008 but could not reach a commercially viable agreement with the Polaroid Corporation.The Impossible Project represents a new glimmer of hope but we must also stress that discussions are still in the early stages. We would like nothing more than to reach a satisfactory agreement and should this happen, a prototype could be unveiled by late 2009 with a view to full scale production commencing is 2010".