Originally introduced in 1986, Polaroid Spectra film offered a couple of distinct advantages to enthusiastic instant film photographers. First of all, Spectra boasts a larger image area, measuring roughly 7.3 by 9.2cm, making it both rectangular in nature and larger than previous 600 or SX-70 integral films. Secondly, Spectra film was introduced alongside a whole new lineup of Spectra cameras, many of which featured expanded capabilities, as well as better lenses when compared to earlier Polaroid cameras. These two qualities combined to make Spectra an instant success (pun not intended). The film was discontinued in 2008, when Polaroid ceased film manufacturing, and was resurrected shortly after by The Impossible Project, along with 600 and SX-70 films. The Impossible Project rebranded back to the original, albeit a little confusing, Polaroid name in spring of 2020. This new Spectra film is different in many ways from the original Polaroid Spectra of the 80s and 90s. It is slower to develop, has a different color palette, is a bit more serendipitous and unpredictable in its results, and is susceptible to post-camera ambient exposure. Nonetheless, Spectra continued to enjoy widespread use until its second discontinuation in October of 2019.
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Polaroid Originals Spectra BW Sample Gallery
Sample images made on the final generation of Polaroid Originals Spectra BW film with a Polaroid Spectra camera by staff member, David Malmborg.