When Polaroid announced the end of instant film back in 2008, Impossible stepped in to buy the last remaining factory, days before it closed down. The machines had been dismantled, there were no formulas to follow, and the supply chain had already been destroyed. If they were to keep instant photography alive, they would have to reinvent instant film from scratch.
Eight years later, and with the help of some incredible chemists, engineers and photographers, they are now the only people in the world who make original format instant film. Impossible make film in both color and black and white, for Polaroid 600-type, SX-70 and Image/Spectra cameras, as well as large format 8x10 film. They also refurbish classic Polaroid cameras so they’re as good as new, and are now just about to introduce their own new Impossible polaroid camera – the I-1.
The I-1 is going to be the only new camera available in the world for the original Polaroid format. It can use the discontinued film or the Impossible Project’s own reverse-engineered type 600 film, and offers a distinct mash-up of the old school and the contemporary thanks to a minimalist retro design, and the likes of advanced ring flash, autofocus, and a matte black finish, as well as USB charging.
What really sets the camera apart, however, is its companion app. Connected via Bluetooth, the iOS offering allows for full manual control over everything from the shutter speed and aperture to the strength of the flash and remote firing.
Due to be released on May 10th it is expected to be price at £229. You can find more about it over at their website here.