New Polaroid camera - gift for the GF, opinions?

Phate · 5 Nov 2015 at 11:07

Hi guys,

Recently bought a last minute gift for my GF - a travelling scrap book as she's the sentimental type and will love writing random stuff in it about the trip etc.

Now SOMEONE *cough* Mondo *cough* has put the idea in my head about getting her a Polaroid camera to snap moments and put in the book.

Now, this is an amazingly good idea as at her house in Portugal there are literally hundreds of family photos everywhere. So she'll love something like this.

Has anyone used one? know much about them? know the running costs? (packs of film etc) what the quality is like.

I'm asking about the new Polaroids that look like a P&S for £99 off Amazon.

Thanks all

Jake

Greebo · 5 Nov 2015 at 12:20

I know running costs aren't cheap at £2 per instant film shot.

EDIt: And they don;t get great reviews either http://danfinnen.com/review/polaroid-onestep-closeup-600-camera-review/

Personally I'd be more tempted to get a decent p&s camera with wifi (if she hasnt got one) and a portable instant printer like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/Polaroid-Mo...8&qid=1429815684&sr=8-8&keywords=Polaroid+Zip or LG and Fuji do one now.

Prints are less than 50p each that way and still instant.

Phate · 5 Nov 2015 at 12:38

That's too much to carry around. We could use my camera and that printer on that basis.

Hmmm, the idea behind them looks great. And its not for "serious" photos anyway. Just happy snapping...

Raymond Lin · 5 Nov 2015 at 13:00

There is a lure to the lower quality of a Polaroid, that's part of its charm. Slightly blur, exposure a bit off, or anything sub standard is of the moment and to me, that's the point and soul of it.

mid_gen · 5 Nov 2015 at 13:33

If you want decent quality instant photos, get one of the Fuji Instax cameras....they are the modern equivalent of Polaroids. Simple to use, decent pictures. Got a couple of em.

I've also got a Polaroid SX70, which is a beatiful bit of kit, but you're more or less stuck using the Impossible Project films these days, which are a) very expensive, and b) absolute crap. You have to DIY a light shield to shade the film as it comes out, they are frequently streaky, the exposure tolerance is virtually zero, colours are all over the place.

I shoot full manual film exclusively so I don't actually mind how difficult the Polaroid is to expose and develop right....but the quality of photos is still terrible compared the point and shoot simplicity of the Instax cameras.

Fuji - http://www.fujifilm.com/products/instant_photo/cameras/instax_mini_90/

Phate · 5 Nov 2015 at 14:21

Well I was pushed for time due to when we're leaving so ended up ordering the Polaroid Z2300 plus a pack of 100 2x3 photo paper. Whole lot came to £179 and will be here tomorrow thanks to Amazon Prime

Will let you know impressions!

mid_gen · 5 Nov 2015 at 15:24

Be interested to see how it goes...how much are the consumables?

Phate · 5 Nov 2015 at 15:36

Pack of 100 2x3's was £19.

Greebo · 5 Nov 2015 at 16:17

Phate said:
Pack of 100 2x3's was £19.

that was cheap first ones i saw on amazon was £16 for 8 but that was for the polaroid 600. Not sure if different ones take the same.

Phate · 5 Nov 2015 at 16:19

Aslong as its 2x3 and ZINK compatible it should be fine from what I could tell from a swift google

EDIT: It comes with 10 'premium' pieces of paper anyway so will be able to see if there is a big difference