I think the biggest distinction between the I-2 and any other new film camera that that has been released in the last 15 years is that it actually stands among the greats of Polaroid's entire camera history. It's not a "pat on the head, you tried your best in modern times" kind of device. It's the most substantial instant camera released in 50 years, capable of things that no "new wave" film camera of any type has accomplished. Not to minimize the M6, which of course is significant, but it was an existing design with at least a partial supply chain with manufacturing expertise to support it. The I-2 is a start-from-scratch high end photography machine, and to your point, the price tag simply matches that effort.
"The most substantial instant camera released in 50 years, capable of things that no "new wave" film camera of any type has accomplished"? Now now, Ben. We know you have been testing the Mint TL70 Plus 😁
Leica, Polaroid, Pentax, and any other manufacturer that are dedicated to keeping film alive..just a big thank you. People complain, but if all these manufacturers decide to stop doing this, then that’s it…Fujifilm did it, and people complained. So if you want Kodak, Ilford to keep making film, and these manufacturers to keep making cameras, support them (even if you don’t buy the cameras), rather than complaining about everything that does not please you. Fingers crossed that Nikon re-releases their rangefinder line one day & that Fuji comes back with a new film lineup.
It's literally a premium polaroid camera. Not another box type. I cannot wrap my head around people's complaints. If you don't have a passion for instant photography and Polaroid, this camera is not for you. It really is as simple as that 🤷♂ I've personally been waiting for the I-2 for a long time. Some people seem to also forget what the retail price of these old polaroid cameras were, even the 600 box cameras were relatively expensive compared to now.
I appreciate the intelligent and industry-wide perspective you’ve added stemming from my one silly comment. While the camera is not for me, I truly hope it succeeds so that the efforts can be expanded upon. I feel it is very important that cameras are available through mainstream retail channels for consumers to be able to buy.
Thanks Nico. The mastery of the art of photography is mastering the limitations. Working with what you have, whether it be the light, the subject, the film, the kit. Getting joy and satisfaction, or learning from the mistakes. Finding positives in the negatives. Until a new camera arrives then the zone is flooded with criticism. Tribalism is bad, but the entitlement is worse.
Others have said it but for Polaroid fans the release of the I-2 has left us scratching our heads at the ridiculous claims made by people who don't even seem to have shot Polaroid in years. Most notably people coming out of on complain about the quality of the film despite it's vast improvements in the past few years. Polaroid film is and always has been challenging to shoot due to it's reduced dynamic range, but many are looking at photos taken in unideal conditions with high contrast, seeing that the images are bad, and concluding that the film is awful and Polaroid doesn't care enough to fix it. To me, it is not too dissimilar to when Ektachrome returned to the market and many photographers used to color negative film struggled with the dynamic range of thr film, but at least then they had the sense to say "Well I overestimated what I could do with this film in this setting" instead of calling it trash. If you take the time to look at work from photographers experienced in Polaroid you'll see results which absolutely shine. Some of those photographers have already left comments on this very video ;) I really appreciate what you said here Nico and I hope that others can share in optimism and appreciation for the growth of new film equipment such as the I-2.
Great points, thanks as always Nico. No single camera is going to appeal to the majority of analog photographers, but this is still a pretty notable camera in my opinion. While it would be a stretch for me, the thought of purchasing an I-2 to give as a gift has crossed my mind. To put things in a slightly different perspective, Polaroid's SX-70 sold for $180 (USD) back in 1972 when it was introduced. That would equate to just over $1,300 today. By comparison, the I-2 that sells for $599 (USD) today would equate to selling for $82 back in 1972.
With the release of the I-2 and increased attention, the rhetoric about the new Polaroid's film the last few days has been exhausting to say the least... It's so frustrating to me (and others that love Polaroid) to see people constantly spewing that the film is garbage and you can't get good results, when people like us use it consistently and consistently get good results. Sure, it's not perfect, it takes a lot more trial and error and can be temperamental, but OG Polaroid film wasn't and Instax isn't perfect either. It isn't hard to find people that have had exposure issues, spread issues, etc. with any instant film, not just current Polaroid (even though it is more common with current Polaroid). The medium might not be for you, and that's okay, but just if you used one pack and didn't immediately get perfect results, that doesn't mean the film sucks, that means you didn't take the time to learn to get to know how the medium will react in different lighting situations and how to use it to your advantage.
I have never seen anyone get a good result with the modern impossible film. You think its good cause you’re used to it. Instax has sharpness that would be unacceptable in any other format and is still twice as good.
@@melody3741 I have hundreds of good images with modern Polaroid film. I don't "think it's good because I'm used to it", I know it's good because I learned how to use it. By the way, I also use Instax (and peel-apart including 4x5, and expired OG Polaroid). I love all instant film and have extensive knowledge about every type. They each have their own place. It's okay for you to not like Polaroid, but it's completely disingenuous to say "I've never seen a good result".
I bought an SX-70 new in 1974. It wasn’t perfect. In comparison to my SRT-101 at the time, the 35mm camera was infinitely sharper and more versatile. However, I still have pictures taken with the Polaroid that I cherish to this day. It was fun, and it was a great addition to a family get together. If you want perfection, buy a Swiss watch. If you want medium-format instant pictures, buy a Polaroid.
The "problem" with the i-2 is that it is a niche product and will only be produced in very limited quantities. Developing it however was probably very expensive. So for it to make sense, it needs to sell at a price to at least cover the R&D. The SX-70 was also around 2k in today's money and film prices were about 20$. Granted, for 10 and not 8 shots...
Maybe it's because I've been shooting Impossible/Polaroid for like 10 years now, but the film has looked good for a while and now typically looks great? Getting cameras that didn't suck was the hardest part ... and I've noticed some spotty metering from the vaunted SLR 680, too. The only truly good Polaroid I've used is an SX-70 Sonar. The I-2 looks great and I'm probably going to sell my SLR 680 to get it. (But am definitely keeping my Sonar.)
What Mike Padua said is so funny because it's true. We film photographers most likely overestimate the size of the market and underestimate the cost that goes into product development. The market once was big enough for a zillion of players from substandard to over the top specialised. Now we have two handful that are either too expensive, too low quality, too not really this or that (depending on who you ask)and who try to part us from our money for their inferior quality product. I appreciate everyone who dare to produce something and keep things we love alive. Keep them coming. Not everybody had a Leica in 1958 or a Canon SLR in 1975. If things are too expensive I do not buy them (or save until I have the money if I want them bad enough). Thanks for opinion, Nico!
I liked the I-2. Nice camera with built-in manual control. The problem with Polaroid these days is that they keep saying a green grass is blue and want everybody to accept that. The say they are trying to improve the film to get close to what the real old Polaroid film was in color, sharpness, stability, time of development, etc... but no. They keep advertising that ugly is beautiful, waiting time for development it is better than a 1 or 2 minute process, they keep creating moto phrases like embrace the failure or embrace awkwardness, embrace ugliness or something like that. No, thanks. I will not buy the I-2 because of the real bad film they are still producing. Maybe intentionally. That's what is scary and not good for the future of the brand. Fix the damn film and then release a new camera. But if the head of the company and development and creative team prefer ugliness than beauty they will never fix the film. That's the problem with I-2. Great camera. Same lame film.
Interesting. But, I do see your point. I do wish the film look a little better/different. I would’ve been more interested in the camera if so, however still very grateful they made it. Let’s hope they work on the film
The film is quite literally improving constantly. Do you even shoot Polaroid film? I have for only about 4 years now and I have seen drastic changes in even that short amount of time. Don't forget that people had many of the same criticisms of the original SX-70 film when it was released in 1972 and it took Original Polaroid with its unlimited money for R&D, and world class chemists and engineers (and Edwin Land!) until 1980 to get to the venerated Time Zero film. New Polaroid doesn't have that capital, or demand, but the film is slowly and surely improving as time goes on.
Sounds like Polaroid is not your lane. Your lane is Instax and that is fine. I hate to break it to you, but instant film is never going to achieve the perfection you desire. Comparing Instax to the new Polaroid is a ridiculous and unfair comparison, especially since Instax is based on old Polaroid tech, and the new Polaroid just happened to not be grandfathered into keeping their old tech. They had to reinvent it from scratch.
i really dont know what your problem is Nico! I just wahnt to get a camera that looks like an Olympus om2, hase the light meter spot function of an om4, the grip of an Pentax lx, a modular bayonet mount so i can use Fd, OM, Nikkor, MD, K, and all m42 lenses. 4000s or 8000s would be nice to get but a 2000 is okayisch i guess. And maybe a way to use 120mm film with is as well. So... were is the problem?
I’m from the future, June 2024. Such prescient words, Nico! I purchase a Polaroid I-2 in December 2023, which I am in love with snd find the best camera I’ve purchased in decades! I may well buy the new Pentax 17. And that is because, even at 68 years of age, and well over half a century of photographic experience through analog then digital then back to analog, one thing is abundantly clear: it’s a different world! Film is different. Processing is different. Presentation is different. And the companies that make cameras, film, chemistry, and all the important and nice accessories we need and want have to deal with the NOW - not what existed decades ago! I am excited that companies like Lomography and Mint spend hard cash on R&D, to create new analog products. It’s terrifically exciting that Polaroid and Pentax have made a commitment to put new cameras out at great risk to themselves - and done so with verve and passion and in the face of push back by so-called enthusiasts and pseudo photographers. I salute these companies who live on thin profit margins, exhibiting guts and courage beyond anything the sideline haters have - and yet with passion and determination, push forward! Thanks, Nico, for an excellent opinion video. ❤
They just announced a 2.0 version of the H35, called the H35N, it looks really, really nice. Glass lens element, bulb mode, swithchable filter you can toggle, tripod socket, metal in the contruction and not just fully plastic, 2 different colour schemes with 3 colours per colour scheme, looks nice
I really appreciate the direction that the release of the I-2 pushes Polaroid towards. In my opinion, i t’s not a short-term product meant to move a million units and make a lot of money. Instead, it sets an intention for long-term quality, which sets polaroid apart from it’s competitors in instant film. This is a camera for highly skilled photographers and talented artists, which I think will build the value of polaroid through the work that can be created with it. On top of that, the camera is simple enough to avoid intimidating it’s users, unlike most manual cameras, and I think that may be a great way to inspire an interest in camera techniques within less advanced users as they use the camera more. This felt significant enough of a statement for me to support it, and I really hope that it’s going to be a camera I decide to pick up for many years. Crossing my fingers 🤠
I wonder if the r&d and tech Polaroid did here could be easily made to fit in a medium format roll film camera. That would be very cool. I'm sure they could sell some Polaroid branded repackaged film to go with it, like Lomography does.
A week ago i was not even remotely interested in getting back into film or instant photography, then i came across a news article about the Polaroid I-2 and immediately wanted it. Im 42 and polaroids were elementary school era memories for me and my sister. Recently ive picked up a new mirrorless and an older one and i use my dslr all the time. A few days in with the I-2 and it is special to me even though its an expensive tool to use. Without it i wouldnt have ended up here commenting...Even if the I-2 doesnt sell like hotcakes im glad to have picked one up
Film is around and will be fine. Calm down. Prices are even going down a bit here in NYC. As far as new cameras, that's for casuals. Longtime film shooters are fine with old gear. More importantly to keep film thriving we need two things. More camera repair shops and community darkrooms.
I’m truly happy to see new film cameras not because I want/need to buy them… Just as I like to get into the lab and find in a (small) queue. About the camera: I think they are trying to step up their market. If you can afford to shoot a 2€ Polaroid maybe the i-2 may worth a look. I don’t think the majority of Polaroid users think about changing to an instax but maybe a instax user may want to try something “bigger”. Great video Nico!
Something I’d love to see isn’t cameras so much as leaf shutter lenses. There are all sorts of interesting 3D printed cameras (for everything from XPan 135 to 66 through 617, as well as several folks making affordable new large format camera bodies. But you’re left to shift for yourself when looking for lenses. Sometimes you can get good deals on good copies of Mamiya Press lenses, but options are limited and wider lenses keep creeping up in price. It’s not impossible to see folks selling large format lenses, but most are old, with the risks associated with that. I keep hoping some of the budget manual focus lens makers like Laowa or TTArtisan will come out with lenses with shutters for Copal-sized boards, or Mamiya Press (which is almost a universal lens mount for homebrew cameras). I’d be excited even for really simple shutters, like the 200/75/25/B Vario shutters…. Heck, new and decent glass designed for homebrew with even only 125/B would be fantastic. Or if mechanical doesn’t work, I wouldn’t find electronic ones you had to recharge with USB to be soulless.
For a seasoned film photographer - the biggest worry is about maintenance (or lack of). I have decided to never go near any of the ultra overpriced 90's Ricoh cameras, as super cute and tiny they are. Many film 90's cameras will be expensive ornaments soon. So, I'm really hoping Pentax (aka Ricoh!) will do a good thing, and get their film camera project to market, with no reliance of shoddy plastic parts or software based shooting modes.
I think the I-2 is great from why I’ve seen and has been what I’ve been looking for in a Polaroid camera. I own an sx-70 and I really like the look of it and using it, gonna be keeping it for a long time but also aware it’s an antique and I want to keep it in good condition so the I-2 is the one I could take out on trips and feel more comfortable shooting with if I’m doing something a bit stupid. Also the fact I can use all three film types is a big win cause then I can tel friends and family you can buy whatever and it’ll work with this camera.
Nico, Thank you for your astute comments . My two favorite cameras I enjoy using are the Leica Q2m and Instax SQ20. Fujifilm is really missing the mark by not upgrading the hybrid instant SQ20. I believe its market would significantly increase for this analogue digital camera with a modest increase of megapixels and less clumsy interface menu.
The problem is people want an AE1, but as you say theres too many AE1s still floating around. I'm really looking forward to see what pentax comes out with.
I think this is all sound logic but man if Polaroid announced the equivalent of an Instax 11 at this point there would be pitchforks and torches in every comment field. I'm very lenient, I get that this is hard and I understand the arguments you said, shit if I had to wager a guess I would argue the speakers they released were a way to quickly flip revenue to fund the development of the I2 (I say that completely out of my butt, but from historical experience of other companies doing the same.) I even think the I2 is a slick camera and may someday own one. But Polaroid fans want some impossible expectations as these last couple weeks have shown. They either want film stock that doesn't exist and believe you can simply throw money at it until we get the equivalent of Portra 400 on instant or somehow bring back pack film or spectra film, or they want a camera thats on par or superior to an SLR680 but for less than what they can buy such camera for. Oh it also needs to be better made, more features, and still be cheaper or "I could just buy this used" It's a real sisyphus rock up a hill situation and I commend any company willing to release any product in this climate.
I've never brought a new film camera, only 1 digital new and I regret that. But when Pentax puts out their new Camera (assuming they do) I've promised myself and them that I'll buy one whatever it is :) I definitely want to support them.
Isn't the SX70 electromechanical? Polaroid I-2 looks really cool. I think they made the right decision. They need to differentiate from Fujifilm because they can't compete just on volume. They need a premium. All flag ships cameras fail to make money. It is the next level down that brings in the cash. Over the years i spent a fortune on cameras that weren't quite the flagship model! Polaroid will sell more of their other cameras because they have the I-2. So sorry Nico, i think you might be wrong on this one!
I don’t know, I’ve never been a Polaroid guy myself because of the low quality and lack of control in instant film but the I-2 piques my interest and I may pull the trigger and buy one. Having some control in instant film is interesting within the medium to me.
Gracias por compartir tu opinión Nico. Me hubiese gustado que la calidad de foto sea un poquito mejor de lo que otros están ofreciendo, pero estoy de acuerdo contigo.
A very balance and honest opinion, I did buy the new polaroid and have yet to have it delivered. I do believe that if we don't buy cameras no matter the level, there will never be more new!!! I feel that Fuji is wrong not to make a pro Instax camera ... the film is awesome and shines with a better camera!!!
I appreciate your recognition of the faith and sacrifice Polaroid needed to make this camera and why it is important to all film users. A perfect analysis.
I'm just really disappointed about the sharpness. Don't know if the film is just not any sharper, but the pictures I've seen online doesn't look any better than the cheapest polaroid cameras. The Land 250 or Pathfinder cameras had waaay shaper lenses, so I'm just a bit turned off by them telling the sharpest ever lens in a polaroid ...
I've seen a sharpness test vs a SX70 and it compared favorably. I'm sure there will be more testing out there once cameras get in normal people's hands.
Agree that a 600 + Euros Polaroid is completely out of focus and will be a market failure. It goes against what a Polaroid is: instant. Why care for a high res on a camera whose film is not high res... My "instant film camera is my phone/computer/scanner/Rolleiflex/Nikon and an Instax printer - "normal" or the square format. Hard for any camera to beat this... And it doesn't coast a fortune
I agree 100%. My interest in photography started in 1970s, when I was a child. Sine about 2005, I have been using digital cameras 99% of the time, I sold my Hasselblad and Nikon F5 years ago, but sometimes I still use my Nikon F100 and Rolleicord V, a few years ago I bought a SuperIconta 533/16, Bessa II, a 130+ old 7x5" / 13x18cm wooden camera, and so on. Now, should this wooden LF camera died before me, I could have it repaired or buy a new Chamonix or Intrepid - preferable in an even larger format. LF photography business is still alive. But if my Rolleicord or Nikon F100 fails beyond repair, it cannot be replaced by anything new. Even if brand-new Holgas or Polaroids were given out for free, I wouldn't be interested.
I must admit, I've had a look at two videos on two new instance film cameras (i-2 and a TLR thing), and, while pricey, they look like great fun, and I can really see how they'd appeal "the kids". That i-2 is the first instant film camera I've thought I'd consider getting (being a control freak).
There was a Leica with aperture priority - it was the M7. And it did not have the same proportions as the M6 (the electronics needed more room than was available). I find the Polaroid I-2 rather interesting, but I don't have the budget for this kind of camera and film for the foreseeable future.
I can't imagine dropping that kind of money on the I2 with the quality of the film stocks and high relative cost. Mint, with the RF and TL series with Instax film *IS* everything I want:)
@@michael_177 I sold my SX70 early summer after another bad pack, it was fresh. Regardless, even when it turns out, it is still inferior to Instax in both resolution and color reproduction. Instax is also cheaper, significantly so.
Love the i2. Finally good instant photography is possible. All other solutions where complicated or garbage to be honest. And, because of that, they didn’t had that vibe we had in the 80s.
Nico, thanks for the video and indeed any camera (old or new) will always be far from "ticking" all the features boxes. People like to complain instead of praising the huge diversity of the offer (be it old or new models in the available formats) and seem to lack the understanding that this diversity required huge investments to create them and build them and now huge support to keep them working. There are plenty examples of issues like the "cracking" plastic of the mamiya RZ (thanks to PPP this issue is covered) or the missing motor drive covers of Canon models like the EOS-1 N/V or New F1 (issue here covered by Camera Rescue)...same for the Nikon F3 MD-4 shaft cover... (the list of issues is endless almost) This diversity has a cost, all the techs who are handling the repairs of these complex cameras are now retiring and their numbers is becoming critical and they are key to the future of analogue photography and need to be supported and praised ! (sorry for the kilometric sentences ^^ )
Honestly I’m not going to buy the I-2 I don’t shoot enough instant film to justify it. That being said regardless of price I’ll be buying Pentax film projects. I can only hope Nikon decides to maybe rerelease the F6, or a rangefinder rerelease again.
Would be far more practical for a manufacturer to initially produce replacement components for some of the most popular film cameras. One example may be LCD screens that fade or bleed over time on some cameras.
It's like art in the dark ages after the Roman Empire collapsed, the skill and reward to make an analog camera that matches or beats the most desirable cameras of the past is impossible. Well, not impossible, but if someone did, the camera would cost 10s of thousands. think swiss watches or turntables. People will pay hundreds of thousands for those now, but photographers wont. why? Because those products have moved from being a tool to being a statement of wealth and taste. Only Leica has got that and they aren't as expensive as high end watches and turntables.. by a long shot.
I love to photograph analog with 120 Film, but I would never buy the expensive new Polaroid. It would be better, to bring out new Films for a 4x5 back.
I think they are working to release point and shoot camera first. Which is a bit dissapointing to me. Later on they may be producing more advanced cameras. But not exactly sure, I may be mistaken here, maybe I didn't remember well what the guy from Pentax said.
I would love to support new film cameras, but it is so difficult to do. I will try to explain. 1. Leica M6 - too expensive, I kinda can afford it, but I will be afraid to use it so I would say "I can't afford it" 2. Polaroid - photo quality that polaroid cameras provide is not on the level that I like. I guess Mamiya RB67 + polaroid back = the quality I want to see. 3. Pentax - fingers crossed that it will be awesome and that it will not on price with Leica M6. 4. Kodak disposable - not a fan. I like camera that is not made of cheap plastic. Fingers crossed on Ricoh GR.
Great video. For the same cost you could just about purchase a Mamiya RB67, cheap lens and a Frankinstax Instax back...although it's about 3kg heavier 😂
Nico, I agree with you to a point with respect to Polaroid. I have bought both of the Nons cameras. I bought an Intrepid enlarger (when I already had three professional units), I have a Cameradactyl...But the current Polaroid film just isn't very good. I will never get over the loss of peel-apart film; I bought New 55 film (which also wasn't very good). Instax film IS good. I have even decided to sell my 690 SLR because I just cannot get on board with the quality of Polaroid film images. I am not going to spend any more money hoping Polaroid is going to deliver film I want to use. With respect to the rest of your argument? You are right. The camera and film companies cannot rely on the "artists" to provide them the sales they need to thrive. They need to win the masses. The challenge is getting folks to want physical images (prints) again. If your only use for an image is to view it on a screen, you can get to that point much faster and easier with a digital route AND you can easily make it look like it was shot on film. This is where Instax has actually gotten it right. It yields a print which is now seen as a novel souvenir in the moment. It's a harder story to convince a person today to take a roll of film, bring it somewhere to be processed, wait for the results and then share them with their friends (in-person). We know that today you're texting and posting the photo of little Johnny at his first soccer game; not pulling the photo out and passing it around a group. It's a tough situation; digital is that good today. People spend less time together and more time together virtually. People do not cherish a physical print (whether its text or an image); and oh, you can easily print digitally. The old business models just won't work anymore. We need film companies to adjust their scale to meet the market that exists today. This is where Ilford has it right. It is a niche market now.
It’s not harder to make a plastic lens or a electronic shutter, that’s not the problem. The problem is money. Developing an analog camera with the complexity of an average 70s SLR is going to be prohibitively expensive. Sadly. 35 mm cameras and film was always very expensive that’s why 110 was developed as a more attractively priced consumer product. There’s a lot of cognitive dissonance with modern film shooters thinking that they wouldn’t have come up against prohibitive costs in years past.
What do we need new camera for, there’s thousands of the thing’s available used. For instance, you can buy a Nikon F5 for under £500, and no one is going to come close to it’s performance or quality for that price. All the designers that worked on film cameras will have retired by now, so R&D would be very expensive, as they’d be starting from scratch. New cameras wont do anything to keep the hobby alive, the only thing that will do that is buying newly manufactured film, buying out of date stuff if just draining money away from the companies making new stock, and we need them more than anyone. Same goes for companies repackaging bulk rolls, it does nothing for the longevity of the hobby.
Polaroid will always be the film/camera folk want to use. It's iconic and is steeped in photo history; Hockney, Warhol and many more. Instax is great and kudos to fuji for producing it, but Polaroid is such a loaded name.
The photography family has never been pleased with the latest offering. Polaroid was always a niche camera and many, myself included, can't see it as anything more than a snap shooter or a way to check your light setup. Still that said I think many of us would just like to see a fully mechanical camera with a decent builtin light meter. A K1000, SRT-101, F2 or F1 would be a very much sought-after camera by many of us. The reason there are so many of the older professional models still out there is they were built better than the more prosumer models but I still believe a good manual mechanical body would be welcomed by most even if we complain about the missing bells and whistles.
Well, the thing is....we are generally only presented with 2 extremes. Leica...at Leica Prices that most can't afford, or a cheap ass disposable. How about quality at a reasonable price? Right now, I'm anticipating the new Widelux pano 35mm that Jeff Bridges and wife are trying to bring to market. I have my money saved right now....and screaming PLEASE TAKE MY MONEY. Give us something decent.....
The I-2 is great. Shame Polaroid film is not, a true bottleneck in what the I-2 can achieve. I have BW polaroids I took a year ago and they're already fading to brown, after being a hit or miss in the first place quality-wise.
Fuji are really shooting themselves in the foot but not producing a professional Instax Wide camera. It is their best format. I love that film but I don’t like the Instax Wide 300. Imagine how well a pro Instax Wide camera would sell. Why have they not done this??
@@refard5 Course it would sell, if it was a reasonable price. Mint made a pro camera, but Fuji are in a better position to keep the price lower. Not all Instax users are hipster teenagers. There are older enthusiasts more likely to shoot the film if the camera was better.
@@teleaddict23 that's really not a lot of people, not enough to spend money in r&d on, just get yourself a back or a converted camera to shoot Instax wide.
Price didn't stop shooters in the early 70s when the SX-70 came out! Adjusted for inflation, every 10 shot packs cost $48! That's almost double we pay per frame these days!
To be fair, it has always cost this much or more (inflation taken into account), and at the rate Kodak prices have been going up, Polaroid might be the cheaper option sometimes 🤣
The analog photography market is on the way to collapse . This is because the end product which is film is getting more and more expensive. So that even if old 2nd hand film cameras drop in price the increase in film price will shut down the industry.
People complain for a reason. Everyone including me wants to have sort of successor to the cameras from film era, not 600 instant Polaroid camera or some sort of cheap plastic point and shoot cameras. Supporting film is good, but no way I could support film with paying 600 for that Polaroid camera, not to mention that here in europe is even more expensive, around 700 euros which is instane to say the least. Leica is expensive, but they did right thing with M6. How cool it would be if Fuji make again TX-1 ? I think sometimes, these companies act arrogant and think we are stupid and they can throw anything at us and expect to sell.
We don't need them. We have decades of cameras that will always be superior to choose from. Now, having said that, how about film? C'mon polaroid. Your stuff looks like crap. Did they even bother doing any focus groups?
I wish Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos would fund a Kickstarter for a new medium format camera after someone had a good business plan and captured their interest after showing them how good a medium format camera is. Going a step further, have them buy Kodak and throw cash at them to make film so good it makes Fuji cry.
I think the biggest distinction between the I-2 and any other new film camera that that has been released in the last 15 years is that it actually stands among the greats of Polaroid's entire camera history. It's not a "pat on the head, you tried your best in modern times" kind of device. It's the most substantial instant camera released in 50 years, capable of things that no "new wave" film camera of any type has accomplished. Not to minimize the M6, which of course is significant, but it was an existing design with at least a partial supply chain with manufacturing expertise to support it. The I-2 is a start-from-scratch high end photography machine, and to your point, the price tag simply matches that effort.
"The most substantial instant camera released in 50 years, capable of things that no "new wave" film camera of any type has accomplished"?
Now now, Ben. We know you have been testing the Mint TL70 Plus 😁
Leica, Polaroid, Pentax, and any other manufacturer that are dedicated to keeping film alive..just a big thank you. People complain, but if all these manufacturers decide to stop doing this, then that’s it…Fujifilm did it, and people complained. So if you want Kodak, Ilford to keep making film, and these manufacturers to keep making cameras, support them (even if you don’t buy the cameras), rather than complaining about everything that does not please you.
Fingers crossed that Nikon re-releases their rangefinder line one day & that Fuji comes back with a new film lineup.
It's literally a premium polaroid camera. Not another box type. I cannot wrap my head around people's complaints. If you don't have a passion for instant photography and Polaroid, this camera is not for you. It really is as simple as that 🤷♂ I've personally been waiting for the I-2 for a long time.
Some people seem to also forget what the retail price of these old polaroid cameras were, even the 600 box cameras were relatively expensive compared to now.
I appreciate the intelligent and industry-wide perspective you’ve added stemming from my one silly comment. While the camera is not for me, I truly hope it succeeds so that the efforts can be expanded upon. I feel it is very important that cameras are available through mainstream retail channels for consumers to be able to buy.
Thanks Nico.
The mastery of the art of photography is mastering the limitations. Working with what you have, whether it be the light, the subject, the film, the kit. Getting joy and satisfaction, or learning from the mistakes. Finding positives in the negatives.
Until a new camera arrives then the zone is flooded with criticism.
Tribalism is bad, but the entitlement is worse.
Others have said it but for Polaroid fans the release of the I-2 has left us scratching our heads at the ridiculous claims made by people who don't even seem to have shot Polaroid in years. Most notably people coming out of on complain about the quality of the film despite it's vast improvements in the past few years. Polaroid film is and always has been challenging to shoot due to it's reduced dynamic range, but many are looking at photos taken in unideal conditions with high contrast, seeing that the images are bad, and concluding that the film is awful and Polaroid doesn't care enough to fix it. To me, it is not too dissimilar to when Ektachrome returned to the market and many photographers used to color negative film struggled with the dynamic range of thr film, but at least then they had the sense to say "Well I overestimated what I could do with this film in this setting" instead of calling it trash. If you take the time to look at work from photographers experienced in Polaroid you'll see results which absolutely shine. Some of those photographers have already left comments on this very video ;)
I really appreciate what you said here Nico and I hope that others can share in optimism and appreciation for the growth of new film equipment such as the I-2.
Great points, thanks as always Nico. No single camera is going to appeal to the majority of analog photographers, but this is still a pretty notable camera in my opinion. While it would be a stretch for me, the thought of purchasing an I-2 to give as a gift has crossed my mind. To put things in a slightly different perspective, Polaroid's SX-70 sold for $180 (USD) back in 1972 when it was introduced. That would equate to just over $1,300 today. By comparison, the I-2 that sells for $599 (USD) today would equate to selling for $82 back in 1972.
With the release of the I-2 and increased attention, the rhetoric about the new Polaroid's film the last few days has been exhausting to say the least... It's so frustrating to me (and others that love Polaroid) to see people constantly spewing that the film is garbage and you can't get good results, when people like us use it consistently and consistently get good results. Sure, it's not perfect, it takes a lot more trial and error and can be temperamental, but OG Polaroid film wasn't and Instax isn't perfect either. It isn't hard to find people that have had exposure issues, spread issues, etc. with any instant film, not just current Polaroid (even though it is more common with current Polaroid). The medium might not be for you, and that's okay, but just if you used one pack and didn't immediately get perfect results, that doesn't mean the film sucks, that means you didn't take the time to learn to get to know how the medium will react in different lighting situations and how to use it to your advantage.
I have never seen anyone get a good result with the modern impossible film. You think its good cause you’re used to it. Instax has sharpness that would be unacceptable in any other format and is still twice as good.
@@melody3741 I have hundreds of good images with modern Polaroid film. I don't "think it's good because I'm used to it", I know it's good because I learned how to use it. By the way, I also use Instax (and peel-apart including 4x5, and expired OG Polaroid). I love all instant film and have extensive knowledge about every type. They each have their own place. It's okay for you to not like Polaroid, but it's completely disingenuous to say "I've never seen a good result".
I bought an SX-70 new in 1974. It wasn’t perfect. In comparison to my SRT-101 at the time, the 35mm camera was infinitely sharper and more versatile. However, I still have pictures taken with the Polaroid that I cherish to this day. It was fun, and it was a great addition to a family get together. If you want perfection, buy a Swiss watch. If you want medium-format instant pictures, buy a Polaroid.
The "problem" with the i-2 is that it is a niche product and will only be produced in very limited quantities. Developing it however was probably very expensive. So for it to make sense, it needs to sell at a price to at least cover the R&D. The SX-70 was also around 2k in today's money and film prices were about 20$. Granted, for 10 and not 8 shots...
And I pay $15/pack for 8 shots, making today’s packs a better deal! 😊
Maybe it's because I've been shooting Impossible/Polaroid for like 10 years now, but the film has looked good for a while and now typically looks great? Getting cameras that didn't suck was the hardest part ... and I've noticed some spotty metering from the vaunted SLR 680, too. The only truly good Polaroid I've used is an SX-70 Sonar. The I-2 looks great and I'm probably going to sell my SLR 680 to get it. (But am definitely keeping my Sonar.)
Totally agree with this. I would not buy that camera but I am happy it is available and being made. If it helps keep film around I am all for it.
What Mike Padua said is so funny because it's true. We film photographers most likely overestimate the size of the market and underestimate the cost that goes into product development. The market once was big enough for a zillion of players from substandard to over the top specialised. Now we have two handful that are either too expensive, too low quality, too not really this or that (depending on who you ask)and who try to part us from our money for their inferior quality product. I appreciate everyone who dare to produce something and keep things we love alive. Keep them coming. Not everybody had a Leica in 1958 or a Canon SLR in 1975. If things are too expensive I do not buy them (or save until I have the money if I want them bad enough). Thanks for opinion, Nico!
I liked the I-2. Nice camera with built-in manual control. The problem with Polaroid these days is that they keep saying a green grass is blue and want everybody to accept that. The say they are trying to improve the film to get close to what the real old Polaroid film was in color, sharpness, stability, time of development, etc... but no. They keep advertising that ugly is beautiful, waiting time for development it is better than a 1 or 2 minute process, they keep creating moto phrases like embrace the failure or embrace awkwardness, embrace ugliness or something like that. No, thanks. I will not buy the I-2 because of the real bad film they are still producing. Maybe intentionally. That's what is scary and not good for the future of the brand. Fix the damn film and then release a new camera. But if the head of the company and development and creative team prefer ugliness than beauty they will never fix the film. That's the problem with I-2. Great camera. Same lame film.
Interesting. But, I do see your point. I do wish the film look a little better/different. I would’ve been more interested in the camera if so, however still very grateful they made it. Let’s hope they work on the film
The film is quite literally improving constantly. Do you even shoot Polaroid film? I have for only about 4 years now and I have seen drastic changes in even that short amount of time. Don't forget that people had many of the same criticisms of the original SX-70 film when it was released in 1972 and it took Original Polaroid with its unlimited money for R&D, and world class chemists and engineers (and Edwin Land!) until 1980 to get to the venerated Time Zero film. New Polaroid doesn't have that capital, or demand, but the film is slowly and surely improving as time goes on.
Sounds like Polaroid is not your lane. Your lane is Instax and that is fine. I hate to break it to you, but instant film is never going to achieve the perfection you desire. Comparing Instax to the new Polaroid is a ridiculous and unfair comparison, especially since Instax is based on old Polaroid tech, and the new Polaroid just happened to not be grandfathered into keeping their old tech. They had to reinvent it from scratch.
i really dont know what your problem is Nico! I just wahnt to get a camera that looks like an Olympus om2, hase the light meter spot function of an om4, the grip of an Pentax lx, a modular bayonet mount so i can use Fd, OM, Nikkor, MD, K, and all m42 lenses. 4000s or 8000s would be nice to get but a 2000 is okayisch i guess. And maybe a way to use 120mm film with is as well. So... were is the problem?
I’m from the future, June 2024. Such prescient words, Nico!
I purchase a Polaroid I-2 in December 2023, which I am in love with snd find the best camera I’ve purchased in decades! I may well buy the new Pentax 17. And that is because, even at 68 years of age, and well over half a century of photographic experience through analog then digital then back to analog, one thing is abundantly clear: it’s a different world!
Film is different. Processing is different. Presentation is different. And the companies that make cameras, film, chemistry, and all the important and nice accessories we need and want have to deal with the NOW - not what existed decades ago!
I am excited that companies like Lomography and Mint spend hard cash on R&D, to create new analog products. It’s terrifically exciting that Polaroid and Pentax have made a commitment to put new cameras out at great risk to themselves - and done so with verve and passion and in the face of push back by so-called enthusiasts and pseudo photographers.
I salute these companies who live on thin profit margins, exhibiting guts and courage beyond anything the sideline haters have - and yet with passion and determination, push forward!
Thanks, Nico, for an excellent opinion video. ❤
Honestly the Kodak H35 is really fun and fantastic
They just announced a 2.0 version of the H35, called the H35N, it looks really, really nice. Glass lens element, bulb mode, swithchable filter you can toggle, tripod socket, metal in the contruction and not just fully plastic, 2 different colour schemes with 3 colours per colour scheme, looks nice
@@michael_177 Oh wow thats awesome, glad to see they'res actually a well made affordable point and shoot camera around now
I really appreciate the direction that the release of the I-2 pushes Polaroid towards. In my opinion, i t’s not a short-term product meant to move a million units and make a lot of money. Instead, it sets an intention for long-term quality, which sets polaroid apart from it’s competitors in instant film. This is a camera for highly skilled photographers and talented artists, which I think will build the value of polaroid through the work that can be created with it. On top of that, the camera is simple enough to avoid intimidating it’s users, unlike most manual cameras, and I think that may be a great way to inspire an interest in camera techniques within less advanced users as they use the camera more.
This felt significant enough of a statement for me to support it, and I really hope that it’s going to be a camera I decide to pick up for many years. Crossing my fingers 🤠
I wonder if the r&d and tech Polaroid did here could be easily made to fit in a medium format roll film camera. That would be very cool. I'm sure they could sell some Polaroid branded repackaged film to go with it, like Lomography does.
A week ago i was not even remotely interested in getting back into film or instant photography, then i came across a news article about the Polaroid I-2 and immediately wanted it. Im 42 and polaroids were elementary school era memories for me and my sister. Recently ive picked up a new mirrorless and an older one and i use my dslr all the time. A few days in with the I-2 and it is special to me even though its an expensive tool to use. Without it i wouldnt have ended up here commenting...Even if the I-2 doesnt sell like hotcakes im glad to have picked one up
Makes total sense. Thanks Nico.
Film is around and will be fine. Calm down. Prices are even going down a bit here in NYC. As far as new cameras, that's for casuals. Longtime film shooters are fine with old gear.
More importantly to keep film thriving we need two things. More camera repair shops and community darkrooms.
I’m truly happy to see new film cameras not because I want/need to buy them… Just as I like to get into the lab and find in a (small) queue. About the camera: I think they are trying to step up their market. If you can afford to shoot a 2€ Polaroid maybe the i-2 may worth a look. I don’t think the majority of Polaroid users think about changing to an instax but maybe a instax user may want to try something “bigger”. Great video Nico!
Something I’d love to see isn’t cameras so much as leaf shutter lenses. There are all sorts of interesting 3D printed cameras (for everything from XPan 135 to 66 through 617, as well as several folks making affordable new large format camera bodies. But you’re left to shift for yourself when looking for lenses. Sometimes you can get good deals on good copies of Mamiya Press lenses, but options are limited and wider lenses keep creeping up in price. It’s not impossible to see folks selling large format lenses, but most are old, with the risks associated with that.
I keep hoping some of the budget manual focus lens makers like Laowa or TTArtisan will come out with lenses with shutters for Copal-sized boards, or Mamiya Press (which is almost a universal lens mount for homebrew cameras).
I’d be excited even for really simple shutters, like the 200/75/25/B Vario shutters…. Heck, new and decent glass designed for homebrew with even only 125/B would be fantastic. Or if mechanical doesn’t work, I wouldn’t find electronic ones you had to recharge with USB to be soulless.
For a seasoned film photographer - the biggest worry is about maintenance (or lack of).
I have decided to never go near any of the ultra overpriced 90's Ricoh cameras, as super cute and tiny they are.
Many film 90's cameras will be expensive ornaments soon.
So, I'm really hoping Pentax (aka Ricoh!) will do a good thing, and get their film camera project to market, with no reliance of shoddy plastic parts or software based shooting modes.
I think the I-2 is great from why I’ve seen and has been what I’ve been looking for in a Polaroid camera. I own an sx-70 and I really like the look of it and using it, gonna be keeping it for a long time but also aware it’s an antique and I want to keep it in good condition so the I-2 is the one I could take out on trips and feel more comfortable shooting with if I’m doing something a bit stupid. Also the fact I can use all three film types is a big win cause then I can tel friends and family you can buy whatever and it’ll work with this camera.
Overall, good stuff. I’m thinking about picking one up because my sx70 no longer works, even after two repairs.
Nico, Thank you for your astute comments . My two favorite cameras I enjoy using are the Leica Q2m and Instax SQ20. Fujifilm is really missing the mark by not upgrading the hybrid instant SQ20. I believe its market would significantly increase for this analogue digital camera with a modest increase of megapixels and less clumsy interface menu.
i totally agree with u and i am happy to see a new camera and have it on my wishlist, together with the lomo lca120
The problem is people want an AE1, but as you say theres too many AE1s still floating around. I'm really looking forward to see what pentax comes out with.
I think this is all sound logic but man if Polaroid announced the equivalent of an Instax 11 at this point there would be pitchforks and torches in every comment field.
I'm very lenient, I get that this is hard and I understand the arguments you said, shit if I had to wager a guess I would argue the speakers they released were a way to quickly flip revenue to fund the development of the I2 (I say that completely out of my butt, but from historical experience of other companies doing the same.) I even think the I2 is a slick camera and may someday own one.
But Polaroid fans want some impossible expectations as these last couple weeks have shown. They either want film stock that doesn't exist and believe you can simply throw money at it until we get the equivalent of Portra 400 on instant or somehow bring back pack film or spectra film, or they want a camera thats on par or superior to an SLR680 but for less than what they can buy such camera for. Oh it also needs to be better made, more features, and still be cheaper or "I could just buy this used"
It's a real sisyphus rock up a hill situation and I commend any company willing to release any product in this climate.
I've never brought a new film camera, only 1 digital new and I regret that. But when Pentax puts out their new Camera (assuming they do) I've promised myself and them that I'll buy one whatever it is :) I definitely want to support them.
I can only agree. Well said.
Isn't the SX70 electromechanical? Polaroid I-2 looks really cool. I think they made the right decision. They need to differentiate from Fujifilm because they can't compete just on volume. They need a premium. All flag ships cameras fail to make money. It is the next level down that brings in the cash. Over the years i spent a fortune on cameras that weren't quite the flagship model! Polaroid will sell more of their other cameras because they have the I-2. So sorry Nico, i think you might be wrong on this one!
I don’t know, I’ve never been a Polaroid guy myself because of the low quality and lack of control in instant film but the I-2 piques my interest and I may pull the trigger and buy one. Having some control in instant film is interesting within the medium to me.
Gracias por compartir tu opinión Nico. Me hubiese gustado que la calidad de foto sea un poquito mejor de lo que otros están ofreciendo, pero estoy de acuerdo contigo.
A very balance and honest opinion, I did buy the new polaroid and have yet to have it delivered. I do believe that if we don't buy cameras no matter the level, there will never be more new!!! I feel that Fuji is wrong not to make a pro Instax camera ... the film is awesome and shines with a better camera!!!
I appreciate your recognition of the faith and sacrifice Polaroid needed to make this camera and why it is important to all film users. A perfect analysis.
I'm just really disappointed about the sharpness. Don't know if the film is just not any sharper, but the pictures I've seen online doesn't look any better than the cheapest polaroid cameras. The Land 250 or Pathfinder cameras had waaay shaper lenses, so I'm just a bit turned off by them telling the sharpest ever lens in a polaroid ...
I've seen a sharpness test vs a SX70 and it compared favorably. I'm sure there will be more testing out there once cameras get in normal people's hands.
Agree that a 600 + Euros Polaroid is completely out of focus and will be a market failure. It goes against what a Polaroid is: instant. Why care for a high res on a camera whose film is not high res...
My "instant film camera is my phone/computer/scanner/Rolleiflex/Nikon and an Instax printer - "normal" or the square format. Hard for any camera to beat this... And it doesn't coast a fortune
I agree 100% with everything you say.
I agree 100%. My interest in photography started in 1970s, when I was a child. Sine about 2005, I have been using digital cameras 99% of the time, I sold my Hasselblad and Nikon F5 years ago, but sometimes I still use my Nikon F100 and Rolleicord V, a few years ago I bought a SuperIconta 533/16, Bessa II, a 130+ old 7x5" / 13x18cm wooden camera, and so on. Now, should this wooden LF camera died before me, I could have it repaired or buy a new Chamonix or Intrepid - preferable in an even larger format. LF photography business is still alive. But if my Rolleicord or Nikon F100 fails beyond repair, it cannot be replaced by anything new. Even if brand-new Holgas or Polaroids were given out for free, I wouldn't be interested.
I must admit, I've had a look at two videos on two new instance film cameras (i-2 and a TLR thing), and, while pricey, they look like great fun, and I can really see how they'd appeal "the kids". That i-2 is the first instant film camera I've thought I'd consider getting (being a control freak).
Why dont they just resurrect old designs entirely?
There was a Leica with aperture priority - it was the M7. And it did not have the same proportions as the M6 (the electronics needed more room than was available). I find the Polaroid I-2 rather interesting, but I don't have the budget for this kind of camera and film for the foreseeable future.
I can't imagine dropping that kind of money on the I2 with the quality of the film stocks and high relative cost. Mint, with the RF and TL series with Instax film *IS* everything I want:)
When was the last time you actually shot it, though? The chemistry now compared to just a few years ago is Night and Day
@@michael_177 I sold my SX70 early summer after another bad pack, it was fresh. Regardless, even when it turns out, it is still inferior to Instax in both resolution and color reproduction. Instax is also cheaper, significantly so.
Great points
Love the i2. Finally good instant photography is possible. All other solutions where complicated or garbage to be honest. And, because of that, they didn’t had that vibe we had in the 80s.
Nico, thanks for the video and indeed any camera (old or new) will always be far from "ticking" all the features boxes. People like to complain instead of praising the huge diversity of the offer (be it old or new models in the available formats) and seem to lack the understanding that this diversity required huge investments to create them and build them and now huge support to keep them working. There are plenty examples of issues like the "cracking" plastic of the mamiya RZ (thanks to PPP this issue is covered) or the missing motor drive covers of Canon models like the EOS-1 N/V or New F1 (issue here covered by Camera Rescue)...same for the Nikon F3 MD-4 shaft cover... (the list of issues is endless almost) This diversity has a cost, all the techs who are handling the repairs of these complex cameras are now retiring and their numbers is becoming critical and they are key to the future of analogue photography and need to be supported and praised ! (sorry for the kilometric sentences ^^ )
Honestly I’m not going to buy the I-2 I don’t shoot enough instant film to justify it. That being said regardless of price I’ll be buying Pentax film projects. I can only hope Nikon decides to maybe rerelease the F6, or a rangefinder rerelease again.
Spot on!!
Would be far more practical for a manufacturer to initially produce replacement components for some of the most popular film cameras. One example may be LCD screens that fade or bleed over time on some cameras.
It's like art in the dark ages after the Roman Empire collapsed, the skill and reward to make an analog camera that matches or beats the most desirable cameras of the past is impossible. Well, not impossible, but if someone did, the camera would cost 10s of thousands. think swiss watches or turntables. People will pay hundreds of thousands for those now, but photographers wont. why? Because those products have moved from being a tool to being a statement of wealth and taste. Only Leica has got that and they aren't as expensive as high end watches and turntables.. by a long shot.
There would be more enthusiasm for the I-2, if they had a more reliable film to run through it.
I love to photograph analog with 120 Film, but I would never buy the expensive new Polaroid. It would be better, to bring out new Films for a 4x5 back.
Thanks!
I'd rather spend the $600 for that polaroid towards the new Pentax being released any day of the week.
I think they are working to release point and shoot camera first. Which is a bit dissapointing to me. Later on they may be producing more advanced cameras. But not exactly sure, I may be mistaken here, maybe I didn't remember well what the guy from Pentax said.
I would love to support new film cameras, but it is so difficult to do. I will try to explain.
1. Leica M6 - too expensive, I kinda can afford it, but I will be afraid to use it so I would say "I can't afford it"
2. Polaroid - photo quality that polaroid cameras provide is not on the level that I like. I guess Mamiya RB67 + polaroid back = the quality I want to see.
3. Pentax - fingers crossed that it will be awesome and that it will not on price with Leica M6.
4. Kodak disposable - not a fan. I like camera that is not made of cheap plastic.
Fingers crossed on Ricoh GR.
Great video. For the same cost you could just about purchase a Mamiya RB67, cheap lens and a Frankinstax Instax back...although it's about 3kg heavier 😂
got a 635CL last year for 10$ and it works just fine...guess i ll just stick with that one for now.
Nico, I agree with you to a point with respect to Polaroid. I have bought both of the Nons cameras. I bought an Intrepid enlarger (when I already had three professional units), I have a Cameradactyl...But the current Polaroid film just isn't very good. I will never get over the loss of peel-apart film; I bought New 55 film (which also wasn't very good). Instax film IS good. I have even decided to sell my 690 SLR because I just cannot get on board with the quality of Polaroid film images. I am not going to spend any more money hoping Polaroid is going to deliver film I want to use.
With respect to the rest of your argument? You are right. The camera and film companies cannot rely on the "artists" to provide them the sales they need to thrive. They need to win the masses. The challenge is getting folks to want physical images (prints) again. If your only use for an image is to view it on a screen, you can get to that point much faster and easier with a digital route AND you can easily make it look like it was shot on film. This is where Instax has actually gotten it right. It yields a print which is now seen as a novel souvenir in the moment. It's a harder story to convince a person today to take a roll of film, bring it somewhere to be processed, wait for the results and then share them with their friends (in-person). We know that today you're texting and posting the photo of little Johnny at his first soccer game; not pulling the photo out and passing it around a group.
It's a tough situation; digital is that good today. People spend less time together and more time together virtually. People do not cherish a physical print (whether its text or an image); and oh, you can easily print digitally. The old business models just won't work anymore. We need film companies to adjust their scale to meet the market that exists today. This is where Ilford has it right. It is a niche market now.
I love Polaroid and I love to shoot various Polaroid media in one camera and even more ecofriendly by charging batteries.
It’s not harder to make a plastic lens or a electronic shutter, that’s not the problem. The problem is money. Developing an analog camera with the complexity of an average 70s SLR is going to be prohibitively expensive. Sadly. 35 mm cameras and film was always very expensive that’s why 110 was developed as a more attractively priced consumer product. There’s a lot of cognitive dissonance with modern film shooters thinking that they wouldn’t have come up against prohibitive costs in years past.
What do we need new camera for, there’s thousands of the thing’s available used. For instance, you can buy a Nikon F5 for under £500, and no one is going to come close to it’s performance or quality for that price. All the designers that worked on film cameras will have retired by now, so R&D would be very expensive, as they’d be starting from scratch. New cameras wont do anything to keep the hobby alive, the only thing that will do that is buying newly manufactured film, buying out of date stuff if just draining money away from the companies making new stock, and we need them more than anyone. Same goes for companies repackaging bulk rolls, it does nothing for the longevity of the hobby.
2:50 don't take this the wrong way but that's what we did with the impossible project and one instant
Polaroid will always be the film/camera folk want to use. It's iconic and is steeped in photo history; Hockney, Warhol and many more. Instax is great and kudos to fuji for producing it, but Polaroid is such a loaded name.
Leica M7 is a dream 📷
funny they made such a nice camera when the polaroid film now is, in my experience, "not up to the task"...
The photography family has never been pleased with the latest offering. Polaroid was always a niche camera and many, myself included, can't see it as anything more than a snap shooter or a way to check your light setup. Still that said I think many of us would just like to see a fully mechanical camera with a decent builtin light meter. A K1000, SRT-101, F2 or F1 would be a very much sought-after camera by many of us. The reason there are so many of the older professional models still out there is they were built better than the more prosumer models but I still believe a good manual mechanical body would be welcomed by most even if we complain about the missing bells and whistles.
Well, the thing is....we are generally only presented with 2 extremes. Leica...at Leica Prices that most can't afford, or a cheap ass disposable.
How about quality at a reasonable price?
Right now, I'm anticipating the new Widelux pano 35mm that Jeff Bridges and wife are trying to bring to market. I have my money saved right now....and screaming
PLEASE TAKE MY MONEY.
Give us something decent.....
I just want more 8x10 polaroid
The I-2 is great. Shame Polaroid film is not, a true bottleneck in what the I-2 can achieve. I have BW polaroids I took a year ago and they're already fading to brown, after being a hit or miss in the first place quality-wise.
Hey Nico! I think its way too expensive, maybe a $400 new Polaroid would make a bit more sense to me.
It's possible it may cost $400 in the used market in a few years, but with what went into the camera as it is, I'm shocked it is as cheap as it is!
Fuji are really shooting themselves in the foot but not producing a professional Instax Wide camera. It is their best format. I love that film but I don’t like the Instax Wide 300. Imagine how well a pro Instax Wide camera would sell. Why have they not done this??
Because simply it wouldn't sell well, it's very niche.
They can sell a lot more cheap party cameras because that's what people want.
@@refard5 Course it would sell, if it was a reasonable price. Mint made a pro camera, but Fuji are in a better position to keep the price lower. Not all Instax users are hipster teenagers. There are older enthusiasts more likely to shoot the film if the camera was better.
@@teleaddict23 that's really not a lot of people, not enough to spend money in r&d on, just get yourself a back or a converted camera to shoot Instax wide.
The price of polaroid film is the biggest problem for this company
Price didn't stop shooters in the early 70s when the SX-70 came out! Adjusted for inflation, every 10 shot packs cost $48! That's almost double we pay per frame these days!
To be fair, it has always cost this much or more (inflation taken into account), and at the rate Kodak prices have been going up, Polaroid might be the cheaper option sometimes 🤣
@@vekofoto The cheapest color 8×10 these days is Polaroid 8×10! So you're certainly on to something there.
The somehow in making fun of leica owners is 50% jealousy, 50% people annoyed at a system getting overhyped, trust me Im both
Nico does own a Leica (probably it's more of a self deprecating joke/ he's critical of the flaws event if he does own one)
The analog photography market is on the way to collapse . This is because the end product which is film is getting more and more expensive. So that even if old 2nd hand film cameras drop in price the increase in film price will shut down the industry.
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People complain for a reason. Everyone including me wants to have sort of successor to the cameras from film era, not 600 instant Polaroid camera or some sort of cheap plastic point and shoot cameras. Supporting film is good, but no way I could support film with paying 600 for that Polaroid camera, not to mention that here in europe is even more expensive, around 700 euros which is instane to say the least. Leica is expensive, but they did right thing with M6. How cool it would be if Fuji make again TX-1 ? I think sometimes, these companies act arrogant and think we are stupid and they can throw anything at us and expect to sell.
We don't need them. We have decades of cameras that will always be superior to choose from. Now, having said that, how about film? C'mon polaroid. Your stuff looks like crap. Did they even bother doing any focus groups?
Polaroid i2 is garbage
I wish Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos would fund a Kickstarter for a new medium format camera after someone had a good business plan and captured their interest after showing them how good a medium format camera is. Going a step further, have them buy Kodak and throw cash at them to make film so good it makes Fuji cry.