instant camera

A camera that takes and prints the photograph in one self-contained unit. For many decades, instant camera was synonymous with the Polaroid brand. For a while, Kodak offered an instant camera but was forced to stop production after Polaroid filed a patent infringement lawsuit. In the early 1980s, Fujifilm entered the instant camera market and has continued to offer products ever since.

How It Works
When a picture is taken, cyan, magenta and yellow color layers in the film are exposed to light. When it is pulled out of the camera, rollers squeeze a chemical strip at the edge of the film over the surface, which reacts with chemicals in the film to cause it to develop.

The First Polaroid

Invented in 1947 by Edwin Land, the Land Camera made its debut in 1948. (Image courtesy of PLR Ecommerce, LLC, www.polaroid.com)

Polaroid ZINK Camera

Starting in 2008, Polaroid cameras switched to the ZINK film technology. This camera prints 2x3" photos. See ZINK. (Image courtesy of PLR Ecommerce, LLC, www.polaroid.com)

Copyright © 1981-2025 by The Computer Language Company Inc. All Rights reserved. THIS DEFINITION IS FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY. All other reproduction is strictly prohibited without permission from the publisher.

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

I began to research Polaroid cameras and the philosophy behind the company.

Marga's magic: Marga Gomez wings it in lovebirds

By giving people the opportunity to develop their own images, Polaroid cameras created spaces for experimentation, self-documentation, and image sharing.

Searching for winks and nods: the complications of analyzing corporate intent in historic branding campaigns

It is filled with classified ads, including ones for various models of Polaroid cameras. To request a copy, you can contact the publication at 1419 Chaffee Drive, Suite No.

Consult magazine for camera value

Polaroid camera Snap a photo during a fitting or in the dressing room, if you must.

Tricks of the Trade

In working with his patients, he has also discovered an unlikely but very useful management tool: the Polaroid camera. For patients who live far from medical clinics and lack state-of-the-art computers, digital video, and internet access, the camera can be an important link to the health care system.

Education is crucial in the type 2 diabetes capital: rural south

In working with his patients, he has also discovered an unlikely but useful tool: the Polaroid camera. For patients who live far from medical clinics, the camera can be an important link to the health care system.

Patient education succeeds even in diabetes capital of the U.S.: early insulin therapy essential

Before the digital age, Hjelm used an instant Polaroid camera. Now, he keeps several digital cameras for on-site use.

X-ray vision: documenting construction work saves this remodeler time and aggravation. (FieldNotes)

Remember your old Polaroid camera, the big, slow, bulky one that had you waiting ages for your photos?

Dig if you will ..

When I registered new parishioners, I took two pictures of them with a Polaroid camera, gave them one and lined the others up on a shelf in my study so that I saw them daily.

GROWING PAINS

Patrick, the protagonist, is given an old Polaroid camera for his birthday.

Snap

Investigators can use a Polaroid camera to document the crime scene or make notes about the evidence they find.

Camp is where the sidewalk ends