THE POLAROID JOYCAM IS DEAD.

I don't like waste, really. I get kind of disgusted by Consumer Culture, and at the same time, also respect technology as it progresses and evolves. Now, especially since Polaroid stopped making instant film, the earth is covered in Polaroid Instant cameras, Land, 600, and assorted other species of instant film. Why can't we use these little machines, so well engineered and developed, for new uses?

We can, if we don't take NO for an answer. This is the Joycam, which I have rechristened the Oycam, or Filmbot 3000, or whatever else you want to call it.

The Joycam was produced from the mid 1990s til early 2000s, and used a smaller instant-type film in a camera that had very few options and a bizarre melted mutate-face design. Since they stopped making the 500 or Captiva film, these cameras are useless and numerous.

As it turns out, the Captiva film was approximately the same size as 120 film negative, commonly used in everything from a Holga to Hasselblad. Thus, the Oycam is (re)born.

After the conversion, each Oycam is unique, with numerous features:

• The shutter timing should be fairly uniform, but the potential for light leaks or slightly misaligned focus will yield individual results from each camera.
• The film advance is guesswork, meaning you could have images that conjoin on the edges, or fully overlap.
• Double exposures are a breeze with the electronic shutter.
• Two apertures are available for differing focus distances and depths of field.
• The flash built in to the unit can be used with either aperture, and can be used at your discretion.
• Black and white or color slide or negative film will work adequately in these models, ideally around ISO 400.
• Custom modifications may become available, so keep an eye out to see if a feature may work best for you.

Finally, each camera has a shutter button stolen from a computer keyboard. This means that each model has a serial name or identifier, the first being "<," in the series. Currently in production are "B", "N", "L", "Fn" (function), and "Wake Up".

The cameras will be available for purchase for $50, and will include a customized user manual, original packaging, and a guarantee for one year from me, the re-builder. The camera will have a battery installed for operation (6V, battery type and mount may vary).

Potential future options may include a tripod mount, remote shutter release for repeat or extended exposures, and with luck, a frame counter.

If you'd like more information, send me an email or AIM note from the contact page. Some of the cameras should be available for purchase in March of 2009. See below for sample images taken from the test cam, Mark 1, and Mark 2.