What is Polaroid 8x10? Breaking down Polaroid's largest format with the Intrepid Camera 8x10 MKIII

Have you often wondered about Polaroid's 8x10 film? In this episode we break down Polaroid's specialty format, a jumbo sized Polaroid with the same chemistry as the square format. This story covers The Impossible Project's heroic efforts to save the format and how I shoot it, with the Intrepid Camera 8x10 MKIII.
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[@InAnInstant]

Check out our new studio on IG! We hope to see some of you there ♥️ instagram.com/analogonhudson

[@toothyweasel2705]

The fact the pack film machines were sold to Fuji who then destroyed them instead of selling them to Impossible/Polaroid when they killed the format is maddening

[@NorbiWhitney]

Genuinely laughed out loud at the second broken glass. So rad that Polaroid 8x10 is somewhat alive, and that people can pop by your studio and get a portrait!

[@InAnInstant]

Came into the studio and a shelf was down, and I just knew it had to have struck the poor glass 😩😩😩

[@NorbiWhitney]

@@InAnInstant I instinctively wanted to give this a thumbs down 😔

[@bassybossy]

Let's hope the interest in large format keeps growing. And congrats on *Analog on the Hudson* !

[@InAnInstant]

Thanks so much BB!

[@IntrepidCameraCo]

I loved every second of this video, remind me to send you 10 to 15 spare bits of ground glass x

[@InAnInstant]

I’ll take any bits you can spare! Getting very good at taping these together ♥️

[@wang_.]

Thanks for the signed photo Ben! Great seeing you at Polacon!

[@refard5]

8x10 polaroid is so gorgeous

[@just_eirik]

Didn’t even know this existed! Very cool!

[@kayagunduz7490]

Looks amazing

[@wearetrackclub]

Really cool breakdown! Love how you put this together. Great information, Ben! 👌

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you so much TC!

[@3Gee]

Wowing-wow-wow-WOW! I love how crispy these portraits are! How long does it take you to set up for shots using the Intrepid in the wild?

[@InAnInstant]

Great question! I’d say I can get set up in about 60 seconds in a rush or two minutes if I’m just chillen 😂

[@pageophile]

That's all kinds of Awesome!

[@stefanaltenburger4651]

Nostalgia: I used thousends of 4x5 and 8x10 Polaroids just for testing exposure, lighting etc. Mostly b/w because the color version had an absurd Schwarzschild factor.

[@RaistlinMaj]

Love the 8x10, I know they are going to release the blue one soon. I would love to get another batch of color and bw. The yellow is pretty situational and I've barely used because of that.

[@beamingbirdpictures]

After a bit of 4x5 shooting on a vintage camera, I've been thinking about adding an Intrepid 8x10 to my (large) bag. By the end of the year for sure! (As an aside, I'm so sad this peel apart Polaroid 4x5 film I bought is far too expired for any results.)

[@robertsaunders5740]

Polaroid made a massive street camera, much larger film but perhaps not available to the masses. I have my 4x5 Polaroid sheet film holder. Back then it cost at least $3.00 per shot. Same for my RB67.

[@rafibenatar2519]

Very well done 🙌🙌🙌👏👏👍🏻👍🏻🙏🏻

[@aglassbrightly]

There's just something about the 8x10 format that makes me want to be all up in that.

[@JPLegat]

So, quick question: it’s been a while since I’ve seen 8x10 of any kind in stock - except for the yellow version. Is it really sustainable in terms of the film availability? I’d love to get the equipment - camera and processor. However, as you mentioned in the video, it might not have commercial viability for the company so it makes me question its availability long term. Is there any official word from Polaroid? Thanks for creating this video!

[@InAnInstant]

Hi JP! I think it should be looked at like ultra large formats, for example. With ULF, Ilford makes one batch a year - so if you want 16x20, you stock up while it’s made. This applies similarly to Polaroid 8x10, it’s mostly a yearly run at this point, so you just have to buy when available and prepare for the year ahead,

[@nathanjohnson5304]

Hell yeah man.

[@henrahmagix]

I’ve missed yooooouuuu! ❤

[@InAnInstant]

Hello, there The angel from my nightmare The shadow in the background of the morgue

[@henrahmagix]

@@InAnInstantThe unsuspecting film print, in the darkness of the roller, we can live like Edwin Land or Instantkon

[@InAnInstant]

@@henrahmagix WHERE ARE YEWWWW

[@henrahmagix]

@@InAnInstant ily so so much and I love this but also I can’t describe what you’ve done to my brain, you have _EARWORMED MEEEEE_ 😅🙉❤️

[@appleget]

I want to be Ben when I grow up

[@InAnInstant]

I want to be Appleget when I Benjamin Button younger

[@omgubler]

hehehe... 8xBen

[@drwatsonismine]

Where do you get the 8x10 film?

[@InAnInstant]

Polaroid.com currently has the Duochrome in stock! But, like I said, it’s fairly uncommon and you need to buy it when it’s in stock or you’ll miss out on

[@drwatsonismine]

@@InAnInstant thanks

[@slipknotserge]

I can see why you waited until after April fools day to post this. It’s unbelievable lol

[@InAnInstant]

😂 there are jokes present but certainly had to wait a day

[@PatrickReagan-cz1mp]

damn

[@analogueandy8x10]

I miss Type 55.

[@InAnInstant]

Same here Andy 😩🤟

[@mariokil71]

Prima Aprilis ? :)

[@evan6978]

“It’s very light… But I’m also Strong” 🤣🤣🤣

[@no-one3795]

They should make a 4x5 version as well

[@InAnInstant]

They did, years ago, but unlike the 8x10 assembly line, they do not have the machinery for 4x5.

[@DEADPEDAL]

Don't get me into 8x10 Polaroid, man. I'm deep enough in this hobby already. I have 8x10 cameras. But I'd need to get the roller machine... I AM NOT GOING TO GOOGLE ANYTHING.

[@InAnInstant]

GOOGLE IT GOOGLE IT GOOGLE IT

[@DEADPEDAL]

@@InAnInstant NOW SEE HERE YOUNG MAN

[@matiasmarek7313]

Just sitting here with that 8x10 intrepid in my cart. What a beast

[@arassadin]

Pls revive 4x5

[@InAnInstant]

Wish they could, but unlike the 8x10 assembly line, they do not have the 4x5 machinery in any form

[@arassadin]

@@InAnInstant 🤞

[@fromanotherdayfilm]

@@InAnInstantfuji film bought it?

[@motorvelo]

Polaroid did a 20x24 film at one time.

[@InAnInstant]

Indeed! Check out our episode on it!

[@ezpoppy55]

An amazing and wonderful format, camera, and video, Ben! Thanks for the very enlightening and enjoyable bit of time. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you for watching EZ!

[@SprocketHoles]

If only we could get a 4x5 version.

[@ldmndz4652]

Awesome stuff!..thanks for this..really want to get into this format down the line..only thing is where is a good place to find a reputable seller of the film "Processor printer" other than Ebay..I saw Brooklyn Camera sells them but I guess you definitely got pay up to get into this "genre"..lol And how is your experience with the Intrepid..there has certainly been mixed reviews over the years..totally understandable bc of the QC issues that arises and can see it with the Intrepid price point it being like you mentioned a kind of "starter" 8x10 camera..What lenses do you recommend to start with if I chose to shoot more "portrait" type stuff?..something in the 300mm-600mm range?..

[@CelisseMusic]

Ben, you are big for business! ❤❤❤

[@InAnInstant]

No you are!!! ♥️♥️♥️

[@KristiChan1]

Congrats on the store front! I really appreciate what Polaroid is doing. It's one thing to just keep their flagship film going, but they also dive into films such as the 8x10. It's nice they also have made new cameras so people don't have to dig at thrift stores for the older ones (that may or may not be functioning), which has made their film even more accessible. They're doing a lot of hard but good work.

[@stewartross1233]

Kudos to Polaroid for trying to keep this format alive. Heartening to hear in today's society of profit before service.

[@ChrisBrogan]

So you know I love you. I just watched the Elsa Dorfman documentary on her use of a very large format Polaroid, and it made me come back and rewatch this. I hadn't thought about Elsa Dorfman while also thinking about you, so now I have. What a great reason to come and revisit your videos. :)

[@InAnInstant]

The best reason one could ever wish for!! ❤️

[@nickfanzo]

id like to get some without selling my first born.

[@kelkka7]

Anyone know where I can get one of these photos taken in London?

[@junoworldwide]

Each one of your videos are super informative and reinvigorate my love for photography. I mean I'm shooting practically everyday but I'm finding out there is still so much to experience on both sides of the camera. Keep killing it Ben!

[@InAnInstant]

I appreciate that so much my dude! Always so much to explore, a huge part of why I love snapping.

[@Zetaphotography]

Any 4x5 of this.

[@zurbruggpaul4360]

8xBen nice one!

[@eugenezagidullin4893]

Is this sandwich getting properly sealed during processing? If not then how does it affect the longevity?

[@InAnInstant]

Afterward, the sandwich is placed in an 11x14 sealed plastic bag (easy to get on Amazon) and accompanied by two silica gel packets. In the case of B&W in particular, improper storage after exposure can lead to defects.

[@Playerdue]

Fantastic video as always! I hope one day to visit Analog on Hudson and have you take a picture of me and my wife on 8x10!!! 😁

[@InAnInstant]

We would love to do that! Reach out if you’re ever coming through

[@ejmfoundation4446]

Great Vid!

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you!

[@bennojones4575]

I have a Polaroid 8x10 processor and film holder that I've never used. Perhaps one day the film will be in stock and I'll have a spare $200 lying around to get some and haul out my B&J 8x10 camera for some Pola-Fun.

[@sigriston]

I remember seeing 20x24” Polaroid at some point in time… that would be seriously fantastic to shoot with, but I would be content with the 8x10” of course 😹

[@josephschwartz1883]

Brilliant. Phenomenal eye candy. And of course, liberal amounts of stiffness and friction!

[@JamieMPhoto]

I love Polaroid 8x10 so much. So glad I got a processing setup on the cheap, and I need to use it a lot more. Another big score of my Intrepid 8x10 Mk II being affordable. :)

[@InAnInstant]

Get cracking with it! You can find the radiographic processors for cheaper and they’re ostensibly the same item

[@TheSDDonut]

I still stay up at night telling my spectra camera it’s going to be ok.

[@1987productions]

WOOHOO XL ~

[@michaelpetersenfilm]

Sadly Polaroid 8x10's are mirrored. I want an I-1 like camera including the mirror in 8x10 with a 300mm lens upfoldable! Should look and have the size of a Pyramid. OR an angle mirror to shoot through to put before the standard camera if that creates the proper effect.

[@InAnInstant]

That’s a good point, definitely hurts for architecture and when graphic t-shirts appear in portraits 😂. But in general for portraits I have no problem with the mirroring.

[@michaelpetersenfilm]

@@InAnInstant People look very different mirrored. If shooting through a mirror does the mirror have to be shot through from beneath as in Polaroid cameras or would sideways do the job? Then a front attachment would be something to consider!

[@feefawfern8240]

Thanks for the fun and informative info! This is worth considering, but it looks like Polaroid has trouble keeping the film in stock.

[@InAnInstant]

For sure, but you can always prep and buy it up when it is!

[@thekid5707]

Hello

[@InAnInstant]

Hi