Could Polaroid Film Backs and Packfilm Cameras be Primed for a Comeback? Ask Light Lens Lab…

It’s always a bit of a head scratcher when a company deviates from their bread-and-butter product line; like a Tesla flamethrower or Kodak clothing or Leica playing cards. It’s even more strange when that deviation results in an extremely niche product. Such is the case with Light Lens Lab and its new venture into the development, manufacture, and sale of peel-apart film. Yes, you read that right, the Polaroid film format that entered end-of-life in 2016. Think about it, anyone can use a deck of playing cards, but peel-apart film faces a whole boatload of obstacles for creating a viable market.

Yes, Supersense does offer a DIY peel-apart film called ONE INSTANT. This is an extremely specialized product that is available in very limited quantities. Additionally, Supersense offers a DIY packfilm camera kit, which is actually 4 cameras in one box. Both the film and camera aren’t mainstream products, they are “lovingly hand-crafted” by a small group of photographers who admittedly call these products a “small-batch, hand-made” manufacturing process.

This brings us back to Light Lens Lab, who is well known for their product line of high-quality Leica M mount lenses. Therefore, the manufacturing of peel-apart film is a shock announcement. Light Lens Lab, however, does not mention whether its peel-apart product will be packaged in either packfilm or single sheet film formats that would be compatible with vintage Polaroid cameras and holders. The term “proprietary,” which is anathema to photographers, is suggested by Light Lens Lab for film backs.

Granted, packfilm cameras and Polaroid film holders are readily available from Retrospekt, as well as elsewhere on the used camera market, but you don’t see traditional film manufacturers clamoring to introduce new peel-apart film. There’s absolutely no question, however, that Light Lens Lab is serious about this new product. According to the official statement, they’ve built an expansion onto their manufacturing facility and begun early prototype modeling, so peel-apart film could see the light of day.

Details are scarce about the film format(s), emulsions, and sensitivity. While there is a mention of both black & white and color film, there’s nothing else to help sort out the exact direction that Light Lens Lab is taking with this venture.

Keep that Dream Alive

In addition to peel-apart film research and development, Light Lens Lab is also working on the introduction of new 35mm and 120 roll films. Based on a vague report, they “might” be creating their own film emulsion. Furthermore, Light Lens Lab is designing both a new 35mm cartridge and a new 120 spool for holding this film. This could lead to a Light Lens Lab branded film. A significant milestone in this project has been the recent release of a new light-proof backing paper for the 120 film. The ultimate goal, according to Light Lens Lab, is to be “fully self-sufficient, from emulsion production to film packaging and finishing.”

Needless to say, but DIYP will keep a watchful eye on Light Lens Lab and report back to you about the future development of both peel-apart film and its 35mm/120 film release.

Enjoy.

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