Polaroid Film Compatibility and Running Costs

If you are buying a vintage Polaroid camera, the most important question is not just whether the camera works. It is whether the correct film is still available, how much it costs per photo, and whether there are any compatibility issues to be aware of before you shoot.

This guide explains which film fits the main Polaroid camera types, how pack batteries work, what to watch for with expired film, and the realistic running costs of using a Polaroid today.

Quick answer: how much is film for a Polaroid camera?

Most current Polaroid film packs contain 8 instant photos. In the UK, a new pack of Polaroid film commonly costs around £17 to £22 depending on the type, finish, frame colour and whether you buy a single pack or a multipack.

As a rough guide, that puts the cost per shot at approximately £2.10 to £2.75. Multipacks can reduce the cost slightly, while limited edition frames or unusual film types may cost more.

Prices change over time, so it is always worth checking current stock before choosing a camera. You can browse our Polaroid Film collection to see available options.

Which film do I need for my Polaroid camera?

The film you need depends on the exact camera model. Polaroid made many different instant camera systems over the years, and not all of them can still be used with fresh film. The most common usable vintage models today are SX-70 and 600 cameras.

If you are not sure which model you have, check the label inside the film door or on the base of the camera. Many Polaroid 600 cameras have “600” printed clearly on the front, while SX-70 folding cameras are usually marked “SX-70 Land Camera”.

Polaroid 600 film compatibility

Polaroid 600 film is the easiest instant film to recommend for most people buying a vintage Polaroid. It is still made, widely available, and compatible with a large range of classic Polaroid point-and-shoot cameras from the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s.

Common cameras that use 600 film

• Polaroid 600

• Polaroid 636 Closeup

• Polaroid 635CL

• Polaroid 640

• Polaroid 650

• Polaroid 660 Autofocus

• Polaroid Impulse and Impulse AF

• Polaroid OneStep 600 models

• Polaroid Supercolor 600

• Many branded, special edition and promotional 600 models

600 film is a higher-speed film than SX-70 film, which means it is more forgiving in everyday situations. It handles indoor light better, especially when used with a built-in flash, and is generally the most practical choice for casual shooting.

If you are choosing your first vintage instant camera and want the simplest route, a working 600 camera is usually the safest option. You can browse suitable models in our Polaroid Cameras collection.

Can I use i-Type film in a Polaroid 600 camera?

No, not in normal use. i-Type film does not contain a battery. Vintage 600 cameras rely on the battery built into a 600 film pack to power the camera, flash, motor and exposure system. Without that battery, most vintage 600 cameras will not function.

Can I use 600 film in a modern i-Type camera?

In many modern Polaroid i-Type cameras, yes. Modern i-Type cameras have their own rechargeable battery, so they can usually accept both i-Type film and 600 film. However, 600 film costs more because it includes a battery that the modern camera does not need, so i-Type film is usually the more economical option for those cameras.

Polaroid SX-70 film compatibility

SX-70 film is made for Polaroid SX-70 cameras, including the famous folding SLR models and many classic white rainbow-stripe box cameras. These cameras are loved for their design, their manual focusing options on some models, and the distinctive look of SX-70 photographs.

Common cameras that use SX-70 film

• Polaroid SX-70 folding cameras

• Polaroid SX-70 Model 2

• Polaroid SX-70 Sonar Autofocus

• Polaroid Alpha models

• Polaroid OneStep SX-70

• Polaroid 1000

• Polaroid 1500

• Polaroid 2000

• Polaroid Pronto models

SX-70 film is lower sensitivity than 600 film. In practical terms, that means it needs more light. SX-70 cameras are at their best outdoors, near windows, or in bright daylight. Indoors, results can be soft, dark or blurred unless you use a flashbar, compatible electronic flash, tripod or very steady technique.

Can I use 600 film in an SX-70 camera?

Sometimes, but not directly without a compromise. 600 film is much more light-sensitive than SX-70 film. If you put standard 600 film into an unmodified SX-70 camera, the images will usually be overexposed because the camera is metered for slower SX-70 film.

There are three common ways people deal with this:

• Use the correct SX-70 film, which is the simplest and most reliable option.

• Use 600 film with a neutral density filter over the film pack or lens to reduce the light reaching the film.

• Have the camera professionally converted or modified to meter correctly for 600 film.

For most users, especially beginners, buying the correct SX-70 film is the best approach. It avoids exposure guesswork and keeps the camera operating as intended.

Polaroid i-Type film compatibility

i-Type film is made for modern Polaroid cameras, not vintage Polaroid cameras. The key difference is the battery. Traditional SX-70 and 600 film packs include a small battery inside the cartridge. i-Type film does not.

This makes i-Type film slightly cheaper to produce and usually cheaper to buy, but it also means it will not power an old Polaroid camera. A vintage Polaroid 600 or SX-70 camera generally needs the battery inside the film pack to work.

Use i-Type film with:

• Polaroid Now

• Polaroid Now+

• Polaroid OneStep 2

• Polaroid OneStep+

• Polaroid I-2

• Other modern i-Type models

Do not use i-Type film with:

• Vintage Polaroid 600 cameras

• Polaroid SX-70 cameras

• Polaroid Spectra/Image cameras

• Polaroid packfilm cameras

If your camera is a classic vintage model and does not have its own rechargeable battery, assume it needs SX-70 or 600 film rather than i-Type.

Polaroid Spectra and Image film caveats

Polaroid Spectra cameras, also sold as Image cameras in some markets, used a wider film format than standard 600 or SX-70 film. These cameras can be very attractive, often with good lenses and more advanced features than simple box-style 600 cameras.

The difficulty is film availability. Spectra film has been discontinued and fresh film is not currently produced as a regular consumer product. Old packs may appear from time to time, but they are usually expired and can be very unreliable.

Can Spectra cameras use 600 film?

No, not without serious modification, and it is not something most users should rely on. Spectra film is a different size and cartridge format. Standard 600, SX-70 and i-Type packs do not simply slot into a Spectra camera.

Should I buy a Spectra camera to shoot with?

Only if you understand the film situation. Spectra cameras are interesting collectables, but they are not the best choice if you want a practical instant camera for regular use. For everyday shooting, a 600 or SX-70 camera is a much safer option because fresh film is still available.

What is the battery in a Polaroid film pack?

One of the unusual things about many Polaroid film systems is that the battery is built into the film pack, not the camera. This was a clever design because each new pack of film effectively gave the camera a fresh power source.

In vintage SX-70 and 600 cameras, the film pack battery powers functions such as:

• The film ejection motor

• The exposure system

• The flash charging circuit on cameras with built-in flash

• Autofocus systems on certain models

• The shutter and internal electronics

This is why an old Polaroid camera may appear completely dead when it has no film inside. Many models do not have a separate on/off battery compartment. They only wake up when a valid film pack with a working battery is inserted.

Why this matters when buying film

Fresh SX-70 and 600 film includes a working battery. Very old expired film may have a weak or dead battery, even if there are still unused photos inside the pack. If you test a vintage Polaroid with decades-old film and it does not power up, the problem may be the film battery rather than the camera.

For proper testing and reliable shooting, use fresh film whenever possible.

Cost per shot: what to expect in real use

Polaroid photography is not a cheap format in the same way digital photography is. Each exposure costs money, and you only get 8 photos in a standard pack of SX-70, 600 or i-Type film. That makes it worth slowing down and treating each frame with care.

Here is a simple example:

• If a pack costs £18 and contains 8 photos, each photo costs £2.25.

• If a pack costs £20 and contains 8 photos, each photo costs £2.50.

• If a multipack brings the cost down to £16.50 per pack, each photo costs about £2.06.

The cost per shot is one reason many people enjoy Polaroid cameras differently from digital cameras. You tend to think before pressing the shutter. The result feels more deliberate, more physical and more memorable.

Ways to keep Polaroid running costs under control

• Buy multipacks if you shoot regularly.

• Use the correct film type to avoid wasted shots.

• Store film properly so it does not deteriorate before use.

• Check your camera is working before loading expensive film.

• Use flash indoors to reduce underexposed images.

• Avoid shooting in very cold conditions unless you can keep the film warm while it develops.

• Shield the photo from bright light immediately after ejection.

Colour, black and white, and special edition films

Most Polaroid users choose between colour film and black and white film. Colour film gives the classic instant look with soft tones, gentle contrast and the familiar white frame. Black and white film develops with a different character and can be excellent for portraits, architecture and moody everyday scenes.

You may also see special edition frames, such as coloured frames, black frames, round frames or themed designs. These are usually the same basic film format inside, but with a different border. They can be great for gifts, events and creative projects, but may cost a little more than standard white frame film.

When buying film, always check both the film type and the frame style. A pack might be “600 Colour Film” or “SX-70 Colour Film”, and those are not interchangeable for every camera.

Expiry dates and expired Polaroid film

Polaroid film is a chemical product. It does not last forever, and its performance changes as it ages. Fresh film gives the best chance of accurate colour, proper development and consistent results.

Most Polaroid film is best used within around 12 months of production. Packs normally have a production date or expiry information printed on the box. Film can often still produce images after that point, but the older it gets, the more unpredictable it becomes.

Common effects of expired Polaroid film

• Faded colours

• Colour shifts, such as green, pink or yellow casts

• Low contrast

• Patchy development

• Streaks or chemical marks

• Photos that do not fully develop

• Weak or dead pack battery in very old SX-70 or 600 packs

Some photographers enjoy expired film because of its unpredictable look. However, if you are testing a camera, photographing an important event, or trying Polaroid for the first time, fresh film is the better choice.

Is cheap expired film worth buying?

It depends on your expectations. Expired film can be fun for experimentation, but it is not always good value. If half the pack fails, a “cheap” pack may end up costing more per usable photo than fresh film.

For camera testing, fresh film is especially important. If an expired pack produces poor results, it can be difficult to know whether the problem is the film, the battery, the camera, or a combination of all three.

How to store Polaroid film

Good storage makes a noticeable difference to Polaroid film. Heat, freezing temperatures and poor handling can all affect the chemistry inside the pack.

Best storage practices

• Keep unopened film in a cool, dry place.

• For longer storage, keep film refrigerated, but do not freeze it.

• Allow refrigerated film to return to room temperature before loading it into the camera.

• Keep film sealed in its packaging until you are ready to use it.

• Avoid leaving film in a hot car, near a radiator or in direct sunlight.

• Use older packs first if you have several boxes.

If film has been stored badly, it may produce inconsistent images even if it is technically still in date. Heat is one of the biggest enemies of instant film, particularly during summer or when film has been left in a vehicle.

How temperature affects Polaroid photos

Polaroid film develops through a chemical process, so temperature matters. In cold weather, development can be slow and colours can look dull or blue. In very warm conditions, colours may shift, contrast can change and the photo may develop too quickly or unevenly.

For best results, shoot and develop film at moderate room temperature. If you are outside in winter, keep the camera and developing photo warm. Many photographers place the photo in an inside coat pocket while it develops, taking care not to bend or press it.

In bright sun, shield the photo as soon as it ejects. Modern Polaroid film is still sensitive to light during the early stages of development, and protecting it can improve contrast and colour.

Common mistakes when buying Polaroid film

Most film problems come from choosing the wrong format or using film that is too old. Before buying, check your camera model and make sure the film matches.

Buying i-Type film for a vintage 600 camera

This is one of the most common mistakes. i-Type film may look similar to 600 film, but it has no battery. A vintage 600 camera needs that pack battery to operate.

Buying 600 film for an SX-70 camera without a filter

600 film is too sensitive for a standard SX-70 camera unless you use a suitable neutral density filter or the camera has been modified. Without this, photos will usually be too bright.

Buying Spectra film for a standard Polaroid camera

Spectra film is a different format. It does not fit standard 600, SX-70 or i-Type cameras.

Buying old film to test a camera

Expired film can make a working camera look faulty. If you want to know whether the camera is operating properly, use fresh film.

Assuming all instant film is Polaroid film

Fujifilm Instax and Polaroid film are different systems. Instax Mini, Square and Wide film do not fit vintage Polaroid cameras. Likewise, Polaroid film does not fit Instax cameras.

Polaroid film compatibility checklist

Before you buy film, run through this quick checklist:

• Find the exact model name or number on your camera.

• Check whether it is SX-70, 600, i-Type, Spectra/Image, Go or another format.

• Make sure the film is fresh if you want reliable results.

• Check whether your camera needs a battery in the film pack.

• Do not assume similar-looking cartridges are interchangeable.

• Budget for the cost per shot, not just the cost per pack.

• Store the film correctly before use.

Which Polaroid camera is cheapest to run?

If you are comparing vintage Polaroid cameras, the running costs are broadly similar for SX-70 and 600 because both use 8-shot packs at similar prices. The main difference is wasted shots. A camera that is easier to use in more lighting conditions may save money because you are less likely to produce failed images.

For most people, a 600 camera is the most economical vintage choice in practice. It uses readily available film, often has built-in flash, and is more forgiving indoors than SX-70. SX-70 cameras can produce beautiful results, but they reward careful lighting and slower shooting.

Modern i-Type cameras can be slightly cheaper to run because i-Type film does not include a battery, but they are not vintage models in the traditional sense. If your priority is the classic vintage Polaroid experience, 600 remains the easiest format to live with.

Best film choice by user

For beginners

Choose a Polaroid 600 camera and use fresh 600 film. This is the simplest combination and gives you the best balance of availability, ease of use and classic Polaroid character.

For design lovers and collectors

An SX-70 folding camera is one of the most iconic instant cameras ever made. Use SX-70 film for the most straightforward experience, or consider 600 conversion only if you understand the exposure implications.

For regular shooters

Buy film in multipacks, store it properly and stick with a camera you know well. Familiarity reduces wasted shots and makes the running costs easier to manage.

For events and parties

A 600 camera with built-in flash is usually the best vintage option. Make sure you have enough film before the event; with only 8 photos per pack, film disappears quickly when guests start using the camera.

For experimental photographers

Expired film, unusual frames and modified cameras can all be creatively interesting. Just treat the results as unpredictable rather than guaranteed.

Frequently asked questions

What film does a Polaroid 600 camera take?

A Polaroid 600 camera takes Polaroid 600 film. This film includes the battery needed to power most vintage 600 cameras.

What film does a Polaroid SX-70 camera take?

A Polaroid SX-70 camera takes SX-70 film. Some users adapt SX-70 cameras for 600 film, but the simplest and most reliable choice is the correct SX-70 film.

Can I use i-Type film in an old Polaroid camera?

Usually no. i-Type film does not have a battery in the pack, so it will not power most vintage Polaroid cameras.

Why does Polaroid film only have 8 photos?

Current Polaroid SX-70, 600 and i-Type packs usually contain 8 photos. Older Polaroid packs sometimes contained more, but modern production, chemistry and cartridge design are based around 8 exposures per pack.

Is Polaroid film more expensive than Instax?

Generally, yes. Polaroid film usually costs more per shot than Fujifilm Instax. However, the image size, chemistry, look and camera systems are different, so it is not a direct like-for-like comparison.

Does Polaroid film come with a battery?

SX-70 and 600 film packs include a battery. i-Type film does not. This is the main reason i-Type film should not be used in most vintage Polaroid cameras.

Can I leave film in a Polaroid camera?

Yes, but it is best to use the pack within a reasonable time once loaded. Keep the camera away from heat, direct sun and damp conditions. If the camera will not be used for a long period, it is better not to load a fresh pack until you are ready to shoot.

How long does Polaroid film take to develop?

Development time varies by film type, temperature and conditions, but many modern Polaroid photos take around 10 to 15 minutes to develop fully. The image may appear earlier, but colour and contrast continue to settle.

Should I shake a Polaroid picture?

No. Modern Polaroid film should not be shaken. Let it develop flat or keep it protected from light while the chemistry works.

Final advice before buying film

The best Polaroid experience starts with matching the right film to the right camera. For most vintage users, that means 600 film for 600 cameras and SX-70 film for SX-70 cameras. Avoid i-Type film unless you have a modern i-Type camera, and be cautious with Spectra, packfilm and very old formats where fresh film is no longer readily available.

Once you understand the running costs, Polaroid photography becomes much more enjoyable. Each shot has a cost, but that is also part of the charm. You slow down, choose your moment, press the shutter, and end up with a real photograph in your hand.

To get started, explore our Polaroid Cameras and pair your camera with the correct film from our Polaroid Film collection.