Where can I get an Instant Camera in Toronto, Ontario, Canada?

Question

I'm looking for one of those old fashioned Polaroid ones.
Does anyone know a store where they sell those...? Please give an address or directions or something :P

Thanks :3

Answer 1

What you're looking for is a Polaroid. For a while Kodak also made instant cameras but if you happen to find one you won't be able to get film for it.

In terms of Polaroids, some were manufactured all the way into the digital world. However those weren't exactly the best of quality, they were like point and shoot cameras, they would give you an instant print that wasn't especially sharp or true to colour all the time. They were also expensive to use. I used to use an SX-70 which was actually their best in the seventies and at the time I was paying $1.10 per print. Today it would likely cost more. I don't think Polaroids are made any more so finding a new one will be almost impossible. Polaroid joined the digital world quite some time ago.

I remember Walmart used to sell films for the last models of polaroid, I think it was called 600 film. If they still sell the film you might find a camera there. However, the previous answer is a good one and probably your only real choice, try Henry's. In their downtown store they have a lot of used equipment, so if they no longer have a new one, they might have a used one for you. But before you buy it, ask if they also carry film for it. If there's no film the camera's useless. You can save yourself a trip downtown by accessing their web site instead. They list used equipment on their web site in addition to film and new stuff.

What you can also try is e-Bay, they sell a lot of used stuff so Polaroids are probably available through that source too. But again, make sure you can get film packs. Henry's generally has the largest supply of film in terms of variety and Vistek would come a close second these days so if they carry film for it, then you're ok. If they don't it's not likely you'll get film any place else.

If you're just interested in collecting you can also find old polaroids at garage sales. I have two SX-70s both of which I found at garage sales. And once in a while you'll find the older ones from the fifties that took sheet film. But keep in mind you're buying those only for collecting, you can't use them any more, there is no film available. And as a result too you can get them really cheap, usually a dollar or two.

One final thought for you too, if you want one to actually use, give some consideration to digital instead. Digital is almost an instant print in the sense that you can at least see right away what your image will look like when printed. It's not instant if you then want to walk away with a print but it can be close to instant. There are kiosks everywhere where you can take your memory card and print the pictures right away for considerably less than you'd be paying for a single polaroid print. Yah, a computer would be nice and so would a printer and not the prices go up, but if you were using a polaroid you'd not save the prints anyway since you only get one so there's no need to save the pictures you take on a digital either. That eliminates the need for a computer. The kiosks can make the prints for you after which you can erase the card and use it again. That eliminates the need for a printer. On top of that even the cheapest digitals will give you better prints than the polaroids used to do. All it means it taking an extra step to get prints quickly.

I hope that helps a little.

Answer 2

Polaroid Camera Toronto

Answer 3

Look in your local phone book. Call stores that carry cameras, especially Polaroid brand.

Check at henrys.com - a very reputable Canadian dealer who has a brick and mortar store and also sells a lot on ebay.