Polaroid has made various pack film types over the years. Even though some of the pack film cameras had settings for 75, 150, 300, and 3000 ASA film, Polaroid only produced 75 (and 80) and 3000 speed film for these cameras. Because the picture resulting from pack film is just like a normal print (as opposed to an integral print, such as SX-70 film) and can be cropped or laminated, other types of film (also listed below) were produced with different speeds for studio and scientific work. Though these film types weren't designed for the pack film cameras in this collection, they would probably work with the correct exposure compensation. All films listed here are in a 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" pack format with an image area of 2 7/8" x 3 3/4". Earlier film packs had 8 exposures per pack but all new packs have 10 exposures. Here's a chart listing the different films. Notice how they skipped over the number "666"? Polaroid still produces most of these film types.
The following table only shows pack films which Polaroid has produced:
| Name | Type | ASA Speed | development time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 084 | B&W | 3000 | 15 sec. | for CRT recording |
| ID | colour | 80 | 60 sec. | superimposed UV security feature |
| 100 | colour | 100 | 90 sec. | customizable UV security logo |
| 107 | B&W | 3000 | 15 sec. | needing coating |
| 107C | B&W | 3000 | 30 sec. | coaterless |
| 108 | colour | 75 | 60 sec. | balanced for daylight or flash bulbs |
| Studio | colour | 125 | 90 sec. | medium contrast, accurate colours |
| 64T | colour | 64 | 90 sec. | balanced for tungsten light (3200ºK) |
| 611 | B&W | N/A | 45 sec. | low contrast with extended range, for video recording |
| 612 | B&W | 22,000(!) | 30 sec. | high contrast for CRT applications |
| 664 | B&W | 100 | 30 sec. | fine grain, medium contrast |
| 665 | B&W | 3000 | 30 sec. | produces a usable negative |
| 667 | B&W | 3000 | 30 sec. | available in 20 packs! |
| 668 | colour | 80 | 60 sec. | balanced for daylight or electronic flash |
| 669 | colour | 80 | 60 sec. | medium contrast with extended range |
| 690 | colour | 125 | 90 sec. | more latitude in development time/temperatures |
| 691 | colour | 80 | 4 min. | transparency for overhead projection |
| 672 | B&W | 400 | 45 sec. | medium contrast, fine grain |
| 679 | colour | 100 | 90 sec. | lower contrast than type 100 |
| 689 | colour | 100 | 90 sec. | "pro vivid" film—higher colour saturation |
In early 2008, Polaroid announced it will be discontinuing production of all film by 2009. The only hope of continued production would be for another film manufacturer doing so under license, which is unlikely. Fujifilm has not announced their intentions on their instant film production.
So this is the season to stock up on Polaroid film. Types 669 (colour) and 667 (b&w) are the most common types of pack film designed for pack cameras. You can purchase them at a good local camera store though be prepared to pay around $22 for a pack of colour (669) and $16 for black and white (667). Unfortunately, department and drug stores generally don't sell these types anymore. You can also purchase this film on the internet at places like bhphoto.com or adorma.com. Prices vary, but you can generally get a colour film pack for $11 and black and white for $8. Be sure to verify the expiry date of the film before purchasing. It's also good to take note how the film is stored in the store. It will be better preserved if it is refrigerated (not frozen!).
Fujifilm makes three types of pack film which will all work in these Polaroid cameras. FP-100C is their colour film, while FP-3000B and FP-100B are their black and white films. The FP-100 films are ASA 100, which is a little higher than the ASA 75 setting on Polaroid cameras, so you may have to adjust exposure accordingly. Typically, you won't have to worry about it since aging Polaroids tend to underexpose slightly.
Sometimes you can buy outdated film at a discount, especially in camera stores, or on Ebay. Is it worth the savings? It really depends on what you want to use the film for. If you are using it for transfers or emulsion transfers, buying film that is less than 1 year past the expiry date seems to be OK, though sometimes the colours will shift in colour film, and contrast may decrease in both colour and black and white film.
One of the biggest problems with film that is out of date for more than 2 years is that the chemicals used for developing dry up. This happens slowly, so if you are using 2 or more year outdated film, you may notice that when you peel apart the film after developing, the chemicals didn't spread over the whole print. On very outdated film (5-10 years), the chemicals may be totally dried up so that the print falls away from the negative right after pulling it from the camera.
When you use outdated film, you may need to experiment with exposure compensation and development times. Outdated film may need a slight increase in exposure and longer development times.
The best place to store film is in a cool dark place. A fridge is ideal, as long as it doesn't have a reputation for freezing your veggies! Before using, you will need to warm it up at room temperature for a few hours.