Catalog is a look at things you can buy and comes from the biz side of Gawker. (So to be clear, this post is not editorial). Today's contributor is Bureau of Trade, a digital authority in acquiring analog cultural objects.
Thanks to the diligence of two or three people on planet earth that actually read a Terms of Service agreement, Instagram faced an epic shit-storm this week, and the company was forced to backtrack on their plans to sell our very private images – of food, your feet at the beach, and a picture of yourself in the bathroom mirror in which you think you look skinny. We're sticking with them for now, but if spurned users take to the streets in open revolt, we're prepping for it: by investing in a tried-and-true alternative — actual Polaroid cameras. Think of them as a photo-sharing earthquake kit. Real social functionality, defined by giving real photos, to people you know in real life.
These cameras – from the 50s, 60s, and 70s – effortlessly overmatch their more modern counterparts on the basis, function, looks, and lo-fi luster. Better yet, even the correct film stock is in stock, courtesy of the geniuses over at The Impossible Project.
Our collection today includes several accordion-lens models from the "Land" series, named after company founder Edwin Land. Even with overnight shipping, gratification may not be instant, but it'll be worth the (slight) wait.
3. 1965 'Swinger Model 20' Camera
5. 1977 'SX-70 OneStep' Camera w/ Q-light
Have thoughts on Catalog and Polaroids? Send 'em here: catalog@gawker.com