At this point I'm excited for ANY new analog cameras on the market and I'm really happy to see this one. It's a bit pricey but given the features and comparative products like the MiNT I'm happy to include it in my lineup
This is great to hear. It's the first new camera they've put out that I'm genuinely interested in, as that lens looks like several steps better than previous iterations, and the various modes are there to enjoy and make use of.
I’m glad you pointed out your hand model. I thought you had started painting your nails! :) Your review was the first one I went to today and of course it’s up to your high standard!
Max, you have done a wonderful job here. I rarely leave comments but I have to say I’m embarrassed that some in the community would be so impolite and critical about someone’s hard work. So often, these people produce nothing of real value themselves. Polaroid never was-and never will be-about “ultimate” sharpness. Polaroid film is supposed to provide an evocative window on the world all its own. They may well be having quality issues, I haven’t yet tried it. But I want to. And I’m certainly glad that this small group of enthusiasts made enormous sacrifices in their lives (and undoubtedly their families’ lives as well) to make something unique in the world. It is a remarkable achievement. I don’t know when I would decide to take it instead of my Leica…but I still want it!
Excellent video as always. They just seem to get better and better. The camera looks amazing, and I know I am going to buy one. Thank you for their comprehensive review.
Fabulous review as always - Analog Insights has always been a must-watch.Finally we get a modern day equivalent of the SX-70 and this feels camera I need to buy. Love the lens, especially as its a near 40mm (on 35mm film) equivalent, my favourite focal length. Glass would have been nice, but the acrylic used certainly seems to deliver and the fact it was designed by ex-Olympus engineers promises much This feels the Polaroid that will let me take the portraits I have been after and offer enthusiasts the quality of image they have desired since The Impossible Project was born. Echoing what Jules said in his video,, Polaroid (as a company, product and idea) have a very special place in the photographic community.
My take on this camera is Polaroid is making a statement that they are committed to developing and improving on Polaroid instant photography. Improving the film is a laborious and time consuming operation given the companies limited (compared to the original Polaroid and film companies like Fuji) finances so producing a full feature top of the line “headline” camera helps to show they are really serious about making the film as good at or possibly better than the original sx70 film.
Guys, what do you REALLY think about the picture quality? Is it good enough? Here is the best Polaroid camera since Konica Instant Press and Polaroid 600(SE) and the pictures don't get better than this. Here, it is the film concept itself that is lacking. Similarly; The Pentax 110 SLR was a fantastic camera, but what did we get from 110 film in the first place?
Thanks for this comprehensive review and the many sample shots! I'm a bit in the camp of those who wonder if it's worth to spend that much for a camera that shoots on a format that is pretty limited in technical quality because of the film itself. Don't get me wrong, Polaroids are awesome but they're small and don't have a lot of detail resolution ... But on the other hand, every brand-new analog camera is just awesome news and Polaroid is pushing the limits with this one! So let's wish them a lot of success with this one and I also hope there will be other innovative analog cameras in the near future again!
I really admire what the Impossible Project folks have done. TBH I wasn’t sure they were going to make it. The odds seemed so slim. But man, a 2023 camera with LiDAR! Edwin Land himself I think would be proud! Massive props to them. I wait for the day they go all the way to revive the 20x24!!🎉
Thanks so much for your kind feedback. It is worth noting that the camera just received a firmware update and has become even better. Definitely worth taking a look.
It’s a pity they’re marketing it as for “the imperfectionists “ because they’ve given up on trying to make their films to a consistently good standard . They tried blaming “not cleaning the rollers “ but it’s the quality/ production standard of the films
Very true about the film. I have 30 year old SX 70 photos the colors about as vivid as a Kodachrome, and this new film isn’t even in the same ballpark. Were it not for the novelty and past reputation, this film could not hope to appear credible.
@@charleyfolkes it was good for a while , a year or so after they got the Polaroid brand going it started improving but in the last year or two, from what I’ve experienced it’s really slipped . I was too young in the 80s but I do have some sx70 and 600 film pictures my dad took and they are definitely better
Great video as always ... but from what I've seen here and in other reviews the image quality seems the same or worse than what I've seen from basic fuji instax cameras that cost a fraction of the price :/
Polaroid got me into photography a few years ago, but these days I shoot Instax Square and 35mm instead. The camera is certainly a welcome one, but the film remains a bottleneck in terms of cost and quality that Polaroid seems insistent on ignoring, hence the "imperfectionist" branding. Great review as always ✌
The camera looks great, a true successor to the SX-70 with better controls. The film is the problem here. It's not imperfect, it's just bad quality. I have polaroid b&w pictures I shot a year ago and they're already fading to brown, despite being properly archived. Color pictures often come out underexposed, streaked or just too soft. Not something I'd use on a 600 euros camera.
Great review. I watched many others too… and there is one thing that makes me sad. In every review the pictures look not rly sharp. I don’t see „the sharpest lens we ever made“. If I compare the shots I see in reviews with the Polaroids I took with my slr680 I’m rly disappointed with the I-2 results.
As a new camera product - and even understanding the why of it - I think it's going to be a tough sell at the current pricepoint. That said, I would love to own a polaroid camera that has all these modern features, a reliable flash (so that I am no longer limited to using them outdoors on family vacations) and can eat whatever polaroid film you can get your hands on at that particular time (especially considering how stock availability can fluctuate). Guess I know what I'm saving up for next.
Looks a fantastic piece of kit - I’d love to buy it, but I couldn’t justify spending that amount of money, especially with the added “Per Print” cost.Would be great if they launched a programme to hire them out. I’ve got a Polaroid, but rarely use it, I also have a Canon Selphy printer, which is great for printing “instant” shots….not as enjoyable as this camera, but a great alternative. Thanks for another excellent video - Peter
The usual detailed, high quality review of the new Polaroid. I like it, although I am not in the market for 1. I do however want that new 35mm film camera that MiNT are working on. Second question: What is happening to Max’s hair? @Jules, please tell me hasn’t started to go grey?
Oh NOOOOO! Not my Max. Okay, I guess I’ll have to accept that we are all aging now. But at the very least you (and some of the older ones here in this community), will remain distinguished, just like Greg is. Okay, back to the camera. I really do like it. I might get one, as a present for my daughter’s Christmas gift. Thank you for the reply.
As always a great review that I trust. So does the claim of the sharpest lens hold up, is it that much sharper than the SX70? Cheers and thanks for your efforts.
Great review. Those pictures don't look much better than any other Polaroid camera already available, unless something has been lost in the process of making it viewable on UA-cam.
Did you play with the exposure compensation? I bought one but had to send it back due to the display in the viewfinder malfunctioning. Hopefully the replacement will be okay. The lens is awesome and sharp. It's exposures are more consistent than the Now+ which I returned to buy the I-2. Polaroid is essential to the world of photography.
Although this camera is not for me, Polaroid should be hugely grateful for this review! So much better than the blurry mess Polaroid made to introduce this camera.
I wondered about that at first, too. But to be fair, you always get final images with an instant camera. No additional development or printing needed. I think it is important to take that into consideration.
It's $2 per developed shot, think about the time and cost it takes to have film developed and it's actually not bad considering, what call the "price of convenience" even to print digital photos on your own with a decent printer you have to pay for the printer, paper, and ink. There's the time involved to process digital pics, lightroom and capture one aren't free either...
Genuine question. Instant film always looks very soft from what i have seen, is this an inherent property of the film itself or the cameras that use it?
The fuji evo is a digital camera with a film printer, it doesn’t take photos directly to film. I’m glad they didn’t include it, as this way you get to use the film to it’s full capacity
fianlly a polaroid with current film and manual controls.that price tag though... wish they would make a simpler, more mechanical model for testing strobes.
I bet that would be expensive too sadly. Not that I disagree from a "wants" perspective, but I think this is a great product given the realities of the camera market at present, and Polaroid in particular as the company exists today.
@@LuuditeDon't get me wrong, I too think its an awesome product. A really nice move by polaroid all around, and I'm sure a blast to shoot. A manual polaroid wouldn't be expensive - most likely just too niche of a market for them to justify the R&D... which I get. *still dreaming*
What I find frustrating about both Polaroid and Fujifilm's Instax is the fact that both have not re-introduced pack film for medium format cameras. There is clearly demand for this product given the Ebay price for out of date pack film. The chemistry is there, they just need to put it in a different case!! As far as Polaroid instant film itself is concerned is the instability of the images over time. Not an issue when scanning the final image, but the original degrades over time, not an issue with Instax.
Great. Now if Polaroid can improve on its chemistry it will have something. Fading colours, and yellowing black and whites continue to plague the current iteration of this film. Why can't they get this part right?
Good review. Normally I’d consider getting this but I’ve been unhappy with Polaroids post sales backing of their products lately. I have a OneStep plus and the flash override button broke mere weeks after the warranty period expired. Contacted them expecting to do a paid repair and they said no. For a $130 camera, I was meh, about it but can let it go. But for a $600 one, I’d have a really big problem with that. So unfortunately this one may be a pass for me, even though neither the price nor the camera features are a problem.
Unpopular opinion but this camera feels like a waste of time from polaroid. I don't understand the drive to make such an expensive reskin of the polaroid now+ while shooting the same coin flip film through it, and all for nearly a thousand dollars. If you don't currently have a polaroid and want one, go with a recent model and save yourself hundreds of dollars that will ultimately just go towards film packs anyway.
Im confident i could make and of these photos with my now+. Tbh the "sharpest lense ever" thing doesn't really come across here, the sx-70 seems a lot sharper, let alone and fujifilm instant camera. This is a 300$ camera at best
erst war ich erfreut, der Preis ist aber heftig, ist sie wirklich so viel wert? ..auf alle Fälle sehr interessant.... um das Geld hab ich eine sx-70 in mint condition bekommen...hmmm LG BM
Ich hab sie direkt bestellt. Aber umso mehr Reviews ich sehe, desto eher bin ich geneigt sie wieder zurück zu schicken. Die Ergebnisse sehen ziemlich grottig unscharf aus. Und zwar in allen Reviews. Da ist nichts scharf, alles überbelichtet. Hab etwas Bauchweh und werde wohl weiterhin meine alten SLR680 verwenden, auch wenn ich gehofft habe, die I-2 kann die alten Kameras endlich in Rente schicken.
Looks very impressive, but honestly, I think there's still a terminal weak point here. It's dramatically more expensive per-frame vs Instax, and even with the most recent updates, I find Polaroid has inferior consistency and color. I would opt for the Mint Instax TLR or Rangefinder if I was going to spend this amount of money. Plus with those you get F/5.6. Regardless, another fantastic video. I do sincerely hope Polaroid continues to thrive and succeed, despite my comments above.
@@AnalogInsights I would love to see your review of one, or both, of the Mint TLR/RF Instax options. Perhaps they'd be willing to support that effort with demo units :) Thanks again for such great content!
@@broadaccent I'm talking about the Mint brand cameras. They are most definitely as advanced as this one. The Instax Wide RF70 in particular is amazing. My brother owns one. Until recently I used a Polaroid SX70, but I got tired of the inconsistency batch to batch with the Polaroid film, so I sold it.
The film is consistently improving and has come an insanely long way since Impossible Project. This camera might not be for you and that's okay. I have already ordered mine because I love the medium and have been longing for a pro option 😊
@@jw48335 I don't think their cameras are that great. I had the RF70 and had a hell of a time getting good exposure and sharp images. Some of that is no doubt me, but the range finding mechanism is super mushy. I was disappointed after spending that kind of money; the instax film was nice though, although I don't like the green tint their B&W film can have.
@@michaelc4917i sure hope they never look similar to fuji, those films looks awful, the colors and contrast look like a 2000’s digital compact. The modern polaroid ones look very similar to the old polaroid ones already
In the technical specification, it is. Mint is fixed at f/8, so there is no control over deep of field. And while its faster shutter speed is 1/2000, on really bright summer days you'll need an ND2-4-8 to nail the exposure (I have one and know it because of experience), The thing that this I-2 doesn't think you will need because the combination of f/64 and 1/250 in my Onestep+ in a really sunny summer day resulted in a very underexpose image (I think it would be as an -3 expose compensate image) So the I-2 with similar specs would have the same latitude to work. Later, both have 2.5 jacks for external flashes and sharp lenses (In early comparisons I see both seem to be similar). But the remote control, timer, flash, and filter mount will require more or less expensive accessories for the Mint, and the I-2 has them integrated. So, if you ask me, unless you love the design of the SX-70, the SLR viewfinder, and the folding design; The I-2 is a better camera.
The explanation given by Polaroid for the out of focus viewfinder info is absolutely ridiculous. Most people with myopia use spectacles or contact lenses
"a phoenix risen from the ashes." Yes, it really does feel like Polaroid could be back, with this camera. Of course there have been important steps along the way to this, but when I watch your excellent review I feel like this camera could bring Polaroid back to a broader "lo-fi" appeal than just the passionate niche audience that hung on to it. (Thanks to them, Impossible Project, etc, for helping us get to this step). With commercial traction we may see further products - I'd love to see 4x5" Polaroid, and backs, for example. Meantime the I-2 is on my list for Santa this Xmas.
The results are not that great compared to previous polaroid cameras. Don’t think worth it paying 600 dollars to obtain the same results of the polaroid Now.
@@phillipbanes5484 Of course nostalgia applies to the young people. Why do you think film photography and vinyl records are crazy popular beyond the fact they’re both great mediums? But forget nostalgia…here’s the real problem…despite all the tech that Polaroid put into this camera, the images it produces are essentially just as sh***y as they were 40 years ago!And asking people to shell out this kind of money for that is way uncool.
While I know these are very different devices, in terms of the end result this is so far from what you can get with the Instax Wide Link using a digital source. Less vibrant, less sharp, poor color accuracy, more film wastage (ok, not fair, but still!)...For my instant photography I use the Link with a Canon M50, the price of which together is not that much more than this device....and, well, you get a fully featured mirrorless camera and on demand instant prints. I mean I get it, Polaroids are a thing of their own, and we'd all love a top quality analog camera for instant photography, but well.. this ain't it.
Mate, you are comparing a camera, with a literal printer, and with the cost of a mirrorless camera combined you get something that is completely not worth it. Also it prints on the instax film which is a minus in my book every time 😂
@@pedronunes6401 What are you talking about? It's not a printer, it's an exposure device. It also uses light to make the image. It costs just about 100 euro more than the Polaroid, and you get a fully capable mirrorless camera. And what's wrong with Instax film? Better colors than polaroid, more durable and consistent..
@@Armitage01101 Yes, but the Instax film is thin and has a cheap feel. Nothing beats a properly exposed Polaroid. If Fuji was serious they would give us a pro camera and up their film game to something akin to the original Polaroid 4x5s that were beefy stiff and truly one-of-a-kind.
@@Armitage01101 dude, it’s literally a printer that uses instax film. A chromira or a lambda are also considered printers even tho it doesn’t use ink, they are exposure devices too since they use photosensitive paper, but a printer nonetheless. Instax frames look dog ugly, feel like crap in the hand, and the colors are terrible, they look like crappy digicam from the 2000s shots. the longevity of the color emulsions is about the same on both and the newer polaroid emulsions have color and contrast that is very similar to the ones from the old polaroid.
Photos look ok to really awful - typical of polaroids so not a knock on the photographers. Some people like this look but to me the gamble with the film is way too high for results you could get from a crappy toy point and shoot + some standard (or hell, well expired!) 400 speed film.
Well, I made quite an effort to produce an honest review that accurately represents the qualities of the camera and its downsides. Since the original review, the camera has actually gotten better thanks to a firmware update and the latest Polaroid film stock.
The pictures you guys take is at least half the reason I watch your videos.
Thank you. This is very kind of you.
At this point I'm excited for ANY new analog cameras on the market and I'm really happy to see this one. It's a bit pricey but given the features and comparative products like the MiNT I'm happy to include it in my lineup
This is great to hear. It's the first new camera they've put out that I'm genuinely interested in, as that lens looks like several steps better than previous iterations, and the various modes are there to enjoy and make use of.
I’m glad you pointed out your hand model. I thought you had started painting your nails! :) Your review was the first one I went to today and of course it’s up to your high standard!
Haha, thank you so much. Really appreciate it.
Thank you for producing such a comprehensive and well documented review. It’s appreciated.
Beautiful piece and wonderful summation of Polaroid’s importance in the history of photography. Thank you.
I am simply amazed by the release of this new Polaroid. Just waiting to watch more reviews about it and hope Polaroid will provide other colors.
These are the best photos I have seen taken with this camera.
Thank you, that's very kind. Glad you like them. :)
Max, you have done a wonderful job here. I rarely leave comments but I have to say I’m embarrassed that some in the community would be so impolite and critical about someone’s hard work. So often, these people produce nothing of real value themselves.
Polaroid never was-and never will be-about “ultimate” sharpness. Polaroid film is supposed to provide an evocative window on the world all its own. They may well be having quality issues, I haven’t yet tried it. But I want to. And I’m certainly glad that this small group of enthusiasts made enormous sacrifices in their lives (and undoubtedly their families’ lives as well) to make something unique in the world. It is a remarkable achievement. I don’t know when I would decide to take it instead of my Leica…but I still want it!
Thank you so much for your kind words. Really means a lot to me.
Excellent video as always. They just seem to get better and better. The camera looks amazing, and I know I am going to buy one. Thank you for their comprehensive review.
Love it. I'm getting one. Thanks for showing the packaging too!
Have fun!
The best review of this product here. Hence, I will buy one. Thank you Max, Jules and Simon 😊
Thank you for your kind feedback. Really appreciate it. Have fun with the I-2. :)
Fabulous review as always - Analog Insights has always been a must-watch.Finally we get a modern day equivalent of the SX-70 and this feels camera I need to buy. Love the lens, especially as its a near 40mm (on 35mm film) equivalent, my favourite focal length. Glass would have been nice, but the acrylic used certainly seems to deliver and the fact it was designed by ex-Olympus engineers promises much This feels the Polaroid that will let me take the portraits I have been after and offer enthusiasts the quality of image they have desired since The Impossible Project was born. Echoing what Jules said in his video,, Polaroid (as a company, product and idea) have a very special place in the photographic community.
My take on this camera is Polaroid is making a statement that they are committed to developing and improving on Polaroid instant photography. Improving the film is a laborious and time consuming operation given the companies limited (compared to the original Polaroid and film companies like Fuji) finances so producing a full feature top of the line “headline” camera helps to show they are really serious about making the film as good at or possibly better than the original sx70 film.
What a well done video. I fully understand the abilities and design of this camera and love it.
Thank you. That’s very kind feedback. Really appreciate it.
Guys, what do you REALLY think about the picture quality? Is it good enough? Here is the best Polaroid camera since Konica Instant Press and Polaroid 600(SE) and the pictures don't get better than this. Here, it is the film concept itself that is lacking. Similarly; The Pentax 110 SLR was a fantastic camera, but what did we get from 110 film in the first place?
There really is a magic to Polaroid photos; fantastic video :)
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. Polaroids are great. :)
Thanks for this comprehensive review and the many sample shots!
I'm a bit in the camp of those who wonder if it's worth to spend that much for a camera that shoots on a format that is pretty limited in technical quality because of the film itself. Don't get me wrong, Polaroids are awesome but they're small and don't have a lot of detail resolution ...
But on the other hand, every brand-new analog camera is just awesome news and Polaroid is pushing the limits with this one! So let's wish them a lot of success with this one and I also hope there will be other innovative analog cameras in the near future again!
I really admire what the Impossible Project folks have done. TBH I wasn’t sure they were going to make it. The odds seemed so slim. But man, a 2023 camera with LiDAR! Edwin Land himself I think would be proud! Massive props to them. I wait for the day they go all the way to revive the 20x24!!🎉
Great video, Max. This could be a Polaroid camera I wouldn't mind paying good money for. Looks like a real winner!
So glad to see analog community covering new products while embargo lifted, just like any other latest tech releases 🥲
Yes, I find that quite exciting myself to be honest. :)
Just imagine when the Pentax Film cameras are ready. %fans self%
Fuji just needs to come out with a similar spec camera for square or wide and it’ll destroy this.
The nons sl660 camera already exists and is excellent
what a fantastic review. i am obsessed with this camera and dream/ must own it. want to do a project with it and of course, love all things-poloroid!
Thanks so much for your kind feedback. It is worth noting that the camera just received a firmware update and has become even better. Definitely worth taking a look.
I am very excited about this Polaroid and the upcoming Pentax film cameras.
I can highly recommend taking a look.
While Polaroid has made some very nice and well built cameras I’ve never been able to get over thinking of them as just a snapshot camera.
Well, this camera might change that. The I-2 is a much more professional tool.
@@AnalogInsights Without a replaceable battery :D Lovely, in 6-10 years the camera becomes waste.
Now That’s a camera review done right. A pleasure to watch…
Thank you. That’s very kind.
It’s a pity they’re marketing it as for “the imperfectionists “ because they’ve given up on trying to make their films to a consistently good standard . They tried blaming “not cleaning the rollers “ but it’s the quality/ production standard of the films
Are there any videos that are not promotional and genuine reviews? Seems like this is a marketing video, not a review.
@@Blackfilmguild
“Just Another Chris” will give an honest review on it. His video should be coming out soon.
Very true about the film. I have 30 year old SX 70 photos the colors about as vivid as a Kodachrome, and this new film isn’t even in the same ballpark. Were it not for the novelty and past reputation, this film could not hope to appear credible.
@@charleyfolkes it was good for a while , a year or so after they got the Polaroid brand going it started improving but in the last year or two, from what I’ve experienced it’s really slipped . I was too young in the 80s but I do have some sx70 and 600 film pictures my dad took and they are definitely better
Bro of you want perfect photos take out ur phone or a digital camera and use that
Honest & comprehensive review thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Great video as always ... but from what I've seen here and in other reviews the image quality seems the same or worse than what I've seen from basic fuji instax cameras that cost a fraction of the price :/
Polaroid got me into photography a few years ago, but these days I shoot Instax Square and 35mm instead. The camera is certainly a welcome one, but the film remains a bottleneck in terms of cost and quality that Polaroid seems insistent on ignoring, hence the "imperfectionist" branding. Great review as always ✌
He keeps saying that it gives sharp results but all of the photos look horrible. I don't get it. What is the attraction?
Helpful video. Thx!
The camera looks great, a true successor to the SX-70 with better controls. The film is the problem here. It's not imperfect, it's just bad quality. I have polaroid b&w pictures I shot a year ago and they're already fading to brown, despite being properly archived. Color pictures often come out underexposed, streaked or just too soft. Not something I'd use on a 600 euros camera.
Great review.
I watched many others too… and there is one thing that makes me sad. In every review the pictures look not rly sharp. I don’t see „the sharpest lens we ever made“.
If I compare the shots I see in reviews with the Polaroids I took with my slr680 I’m rly disappointed with the I-2 results.
As a new camera product - and even understanding the why of it - I think it's going to be a tough sell at the current pricepoint. That said, I would love to own a polaroid camera that has all these modern features, a reliable flash (so that I am no longer limited to using them outdoors on family vacations) and can eat whatever polaroid film you can get your hands on at that particular time (especially considering how stock availability can fluctuate). Guess I know what I'm saving up for next.
Looks a fantastic piece of kit - I’d love to buy it, but I couldn’t justify spending that amount of money, especially with the added “Per Print” cost.Would be great if they launched a programme to hire them out. I’ve got a Polaroid, but rarely use it, I also have a Canon Selphy printer, which is great for printing “instant” shots….not as enjoyable as this camera, but a great alternative. Thanks for another excellent video - Peter
Great review. Would love to have one
This looks promising, although very expensive. Those Polaroids look good for a change. Thank you.
The usual detailed, high quality review of the new Polaroid.
I like it, although I am not in the market for 1. I do however want that new 35mm film camera that MiNT are working on.
Second question: What is happening to Max’s hair? @Jules, please tell me hasn’t started to go grey?
Haha. Good one. Yes, I am getting old here. For everyone to observe step by step.
Oh NOOOOO! Not my Max.
Okay, I guess I’ll have to accept that we are all aging now. But at the very least you (and some of the older ones here in this community), will remain distinguished, just like Greg is.
Okay, back to the camera. I really do like it. I might get one, as a present for my daughter’s Christmas gift.
Thank you for the reply.
Impressive tech... I wonder how hard it would be to make a version of this camera for medium format film?🤔
As always a great review that I trust. So does the claim of the sharpest lens hold up, is it that much sharper than the SX70? Cheers and thanks for your efforts.
" is it that much sharper than the SX70"
Impossible to tell, with the low resolution of the available film.
Why do all of the photos look bad except for the black and white maybe sx-70 would work better
No it's the film
Great review. Those pictures don't look much better than any other Polaroid camera already available, unless something has been lost in the process of making it viewable on UA-cam.
think exactly the same, they are not sharper a all than all the cheap polaroid cameras already...
Since this review, i have seem some sharp ahots from the I2. Most reviewers did a terrible job. This reviewer included.
Did you play with the exposure compensation? I bought one but had to send it back due to the display in the viewfinder malfunctioning. Hopefully the replacement will be okay. The lens is awesome and sharp. It's exposures are more consistent than the Now+ which I returned to buy the I-2. Polaroid is essential to the world of photography.
The front element of the lens is made of plastic, just like the camera's lens itself, correct?
I was wondering this too when he was going on about the high quality lens...
Although this camera is not for me, Polaroid should be hugely grateful for this review! So much better than the blurry mess Polaroid made to introduce this camera.
My jury was out on the I-2 (I shoot with the SX-70 Sonar). I’m considering it, however that price- especially with an acrylic lens.
Damn this looks awesome, now I NEED one 😂
With multiple exposures up to 4 has someone tried to do HDRs? Just curious how it would look like.
Great idea. I’ll give that a try at some point.
Please update and post a new review as the camera just got a great firmware update that perfects the exposure. Thanks!
Actually addressing this in an upcoming short video. I agree that the new film stock plus firmware make the camera even more interesting.
Amazing review! What film provided best image quality?
Yes!
I think I would love this camera but am concerned about how expensive the film must be for 8 shots.
I wondered about that at first, too. But to be fair, you always get final images with an instant camera. No additional development or printing needed. I think it is important to take that into consideration.
Look into it. Polaroid film has always been around the same price.
It's $2 per developed shot, think about the time and cost it takes to have film developed and it's actually not bad considering, what call the "price of convenience" even to print digital photos on your own with a decent printer you have to pay for the printer, paper, and ink. There's the time involved to process digital pics, lightroom and capture one aren't free either...
@@ht8764 $25 for 8 shots, vs $25 for 36.....Yeah, no brainer with that one.
Polaroid film price is nothing new - why the concern now?
Wirklich tolles review. Ich hadere noch sie mir zu holen denn der Preis ist...schon happig für eine Polaroid Kamera
Great review! Is there a a thread for filters??
Genuine question. Instant film always looks very soft from what i have seen, is this an inherent property of the film itself or the cameras that use it?
It's so exciting to see a new analogue camera, and a MF one is even better. For the price, how do you think it compares to some of the MINT cameras?
Great video again Max! Thank you for the info, although I guess my wallet won't like it as much as I did!
Is the coating the soft-finish coating that eventually always wears off over time where it's handled the most?
I'm excited about this but I wonder if there's been a missed opportunity not including digital functions like the recent Fuji Instax Evo?
The fuji evo is a digital camera with a film printer, it doesn’t take photos directly to film. I’m glad they didn’t include it, as this way you get to use the film to it’s full capacity
Unfortunately they have also committed to 8 shots per film package. With no intention to change even for 600 nor Sx70 🙁
fianlly a polaroid with current film and manual controls.that price tag though... wish they would make a simpler, more mechanical model for testing strobes.
I bet that would be expensive too sadly. Not that I disagree from a "wants" perspective, but I think this is a great product given the realities of the camera market at present, and Polaroid in particular as the company exists today.
@@LuuditeDon't get me wrong, I too think its an awesome product. A really nice move by polaroid all around, and I'm sure a blast to shoot. A manual polaroid wouldn't be expensive - most likely just too niche of a market for them to justify the R&D... which I get. *still dreaming*
CAN YOU WHISPER MORE LOUDELY?
What I find frustrating about both Polaroid and Fujifilm's Instax is the fact that both have not re-introduced pack film for medium format cameras. There is clearly demand for this product given the Ebay price for out of date pack film. The chemistry is there, they just need to put it in a different case!!
As far as Polaroid instant film itself is concerned is the instability of the images over time. Not an issue when scanning the final image, but the original degrades over time, not an issue with Instax.
Great. Now if Polaroid can improve on its chemistry it will have something. Fading colours, and yellowing black and whites continue to plague the current iteration of this film. Why can't they get this part right?
Now you’re going to have to buy photo albums to keep your pictures in.
Ein gutes Video wie immer, aber die Bildqualität der Kamera ist schlecht. Die Frage ist auch, wie farbbeständig die Fotos sind.
Good review.
Normally I’d consider getting this but I’ve been unhappy with Polaroids post sales backing of their products lately. I have a OneStep plus and the flash override button broke mere weeks after the warranty period expired. Contacted them expecting to do a paid repair and they said no. For a $130 camera, I was meh, about it but can let it go. But for a $600 one, I’d have a really big problem with that. So unfortunately this one may be a pass for me, even though neither the price nor the camera features are a problem.
Unpopular opinion but this camera feels like a waste of time from polaroid. I don't understand the drive to make such an expensive reskin of the polaroid now+ while shooting the same coin flip film through it, and all for nearly a thousand dollars. If you don't currently have a polaroid and want one, go with a recent model and save yourself hundreds of dollars that will ultimately just go towards film packs anyway.
Love the advert on tv for this where the girl says she is not seeking perfection in her waaaark lol just as well if she using this camera
Might look at this as I find Instax a bit too cartoony in its look. The price though. At 400 it’d be a no brainier, but 700 …
Im confident i could make and of these photos with my now+. Tbh the "sharpest lense ever" thing doesn't really come across here, the sx-70 seems a lot sharper, let alone and fujifilm instant camera. This is a 300$ camera at best
erst war ich erfreut, der Preis ist aber heftig, ist sie wirklich so viel wert? ..auf alle Fälle sehr interessant.... um das Geld hab ich eine sx-70 in mint condition bekommen...hmmm LG BM
Ich hab sie direkt bestellt. Aber umso mehr Reviews ich sehe, desto eher bin ich geneigt sie wieder zurück zu schicken.
Die Ergebnisse sehen ziemlich grottig unscharf aus. Und zwar in allen Reviews. Da ist nichts scharf, alles überbelichtet. Hab etwas Bauchweh und werde wohl weiterhin meine alten SLR680 verwenden, auch wenn ich gehofft habe, die I-2 kann die alten Kameras endlich in Rente schicken.
Looks very impressive, but honestly, I think there's still a terminal weak point here. It's dramatically more expensive per-frame vs Instax, and even with the most recent updates, I find Polaroid has inferior consistency and color.
I would opt for the Mint Instax TLR or Rangefinder if I was going to spend this amount of money. Plus with those you get F/5.6.
Regardless, another fantastic video. I do sincerely hope Polaroid continues to thrive and succeed, despite my comments above.
Thank you for your nuanced comment. Really appreciate it.
@@AnalogInsights I would love to see your review of one, or both, of the Mint TLR/RF Instax options. Perhaps they'd be willing to support that effort with demo units :) Thanks again for such great content!
the biggest issue with all modern Polaroid cameras is the non-replaceable battery which will die in a couple of years
The Instax’es aren’t even remotely as advanced as this one. No comparison technically.
@@broadaccent I'm talking about the Mint brand cameras. They are most definitely as advanced as this one. The Instax Wide RF70 in particular is amazing. My brother owns one. Until recently I used a Polaroid SX70, but I got tired of the inconsistency batch to batch with the Polaroid film, so I sold it.
Not worth $599 to me, plus $2 per picture?
Wonder how long before this company goes belly up. Sigma CEO gives very interesting interviews IMO.
The problem with polaroid is not the camera. It is the films. The quality of their instant films vary so much from different batches.
The film is consistently improving and has come an insanely long way since Impossible Project. This camera might not be for you and that's okay. I have already ordered mine because I love the medium and have been longing for a pro option 😊
@@AnchorTH I have several SX-70. Love using them. But polaroid films when compare to Fuji films still have a long way to catch up.
@@AnchorTH Why not Mint? They offer high end options with cheaper more reliable Instax.
@@jw48335 I don't think their cameras are that great. I had the RF70 and had a hell of a time getting good exposure and sharp images. Some of that is no doubt me, but the range finding mechanism is super mushy. I was disappointed after spending that kind of money; the instax film was nice though, although I don't like the green tint their B&W film can have.
@@michaelc4917i sure hope they never look similar to fuji, those films looks awful, the colors and contrast look like a 2000’s digital compact. The modern polaroid ones look very similar to the old polaroid ones already
699?
699???????😂
Excellent review as always!
Is this better than the MiNT SLR670-X Ming Edition
In the technical specification, it is. Mint is fixed at f/8, so there is no control over deep of field. And while its faster shutter speed is 1/2000, on really bright summer days you'll need an ND2-4-8 to nail the exposure (I have one and know it because of experience), The thing that this I-2 doesn't think you will need because the combination of f/64 and 1/250 in my Onestep+ in a really sunny summer day resulted in a very underexpose image (I think it would be as an -3 expose compensate image) So the I-2 with similar specs would have the same latitude to work.
Later, both have 2.5 jacks for external flashes and sharp lenses (In early comparisons I see both seem to be similar). But the remote control, timer, flash, and filter mount will require more or less expensive accessories for the Mint, and the I-2 has them integrated.
So, if you ask me, unless you love the design of the SX-70, the SLR viewfinder, and the folding design; The I-2 is a better camera.
The explanation given by Polaroid for the out of focus viewfinder info is absolutely ridiculous. Most people with myopia use spectacles or contact lenses
"a phoenix risen from the ashes." Yes, it really does feel like Polaroid could be back, with this camera. Of course there have been important steps along the way to this, but when I watch your excellent review I feel like this camera could bring Polaroid back to a broader "lo-fi" appeal than just the passionate niche audience that hung on to it. (Thanks to them, Impossible Project, etc, for helping us get to this step). With commercial traction we may see further products - I'd love to see 4x5" Polaroid, and backs, for example. Meantime the I-2 is on my list for Santa this Xmas.
True to form Polaroid still making over priced junk with terrible quality images but with the coolest looking design equiptment
👍❤😎
The results are not that great compared to previous polaroid cameras. Don’t think worth it paying 600 dollars to obtain the same results of the polaroid Now.
I have to agree
Feels more like a 30 minute ad than a review to be honest.
700 euros for a plastic lens, ok polaroid. not for me, im keeping my onestep plus for a little while, great camera
Nostalgia simply doesn't trump the absolute fact that the I-2 takes pretty awful photos...no matter how much it's hyped and glamorized.
@@phillipbanes5484 Of course nostalgia applies to the young people. Why do you think film photography and vinyl records are crazy popular beyond the fact they’re both great mediums?
But forget nostalgia…here’s the real problem…despite all the tech that Polaroid put into this camera, the images it produces are essentially just as sh***y as they were 40 years ago!And asking people to shell out this kind of money for that is way uncool.
waant
While I know these are very different devices, in terms of the end result this is so far from what you can get with the Instax Wide Link using a digital source. Less vibrant, less sharp, poor color accuracy, more film wastage (ok, not fair, but still!)...For my instant photography I use the Link with a Canon M50, the price of which together is not that much more than this device....and, well, you get a fully featured mirrorless camera and on demand instant prints. I mean I get it, Polaroids are a thing of their own, and we'd all love a top quality analog camera for instant photography, but well.. this ain't it.
Mate, you are comparing a camera, with a literal printer, and with the cost of a mirrorless camera combined you get something that is completely not worth it. Also it prints on the instax film which is a minus in my book every time 😂
@@pedronunes6401 What are you talking about? It's not a printer, it's an exposure device. It also uses light to make the image. It costs just about 100 euro more than the Polaroid, and you get a fully capable mirrorless camera. And what's wrong with Instax film? Better colors than polaroid, more durable and consistent..
@@Armitage01101 Yes, but the Instax film is thin and has a cheap feel. Nothing beats a properly exposed Polaroid. If Fuji was serious they would give us a pro camera and up their film game to something akin to the original Polaroid 4x5s that were beefy stiff and truly one-of-a-kind.
@@Armitage01101 dude, it’s literally a printer that uses instax film. A chromira or a lambda are also considered printers even tho it doesn’t use ink, they are exposure devices too since they use photosensitive paper, but a printer nonetheless. Instax frames look dog ugly, feel like crap in the hand, and the colors are terrible, they look like crappy digicam from the 2000s shots. the longevity of the color emulsions is about the same on both and the newer polaroid emulsions have color and contrast that is very similar to the ones from the old polaroid.
Photos look ok to really awful - typical of polaroids so not a knock on the photographers. Some people like this look but to me the gamble with the film is way too high for results you could get from a crappy toy point and shoot + some standard (or hell, well expired!) 400 speed film.
The camera is amazing. The film is not. I’m returning mine. Not worth it for the price. Plus takes 15-30 minutes to develop.
this haas definitely not the sharpest lens ever on a polaroid. Look at the land 250 cameras, why better sharpness!
Camera is garbage exposure meter is way off when tested against dedicated light meter
Sounds literally like paid promotion content - literally word for word marketing
Well, I made quite an effort to produce an honest review that accurately represents the qualities of the camera and its downsides. Since the original review, the camera has actually gotten better thanks to a firmware update and the latest Polaroid film stock.
He’s so sexy but his accent is horrible and he thinks whisper makes him sexier but instead it makes him pretentious and full of himself 😂
Something to keep the peasants entertained #BreadAndCircus $600..! Nice review guys..!