Polaroid Cameras – the best models

Everything you need to know about Polaroid!

What exactly is a Polar oid? Better to buy an old or new model? What is the story behind it? And what is the difference to the competition? We try to clarify all questions…

What is a Polaroid?

The term Polaroid colloquially refers to a Polaroid instant camera. In fact, the name is also generally used as a synonym for instant cameras. As the inventor of the instant camera, Polaroid is historically THE brand when it comes to instant photography.

What distinguishes a Polaroid?

A typical Polaroid is characterized by its slightly chunky design and the classic square image format. As a rule, modern Polaroid cameras have few adjustment options, so they are rather point-and-shoot cameras. For more insights on the typical differences we took a closer look at the two dominant brands, in our article Instax vs. Polaroid.

Why are Polaroid cameras so popular again today?

The revival of the instant camera has many reasons. Especially in times of smartphones, “real” photos for attacking have gained importance again. In addition, the design of the cameras has a high recognition value. No other camera is recognized as a brand as quickly as Polaroid. And last but not least, countless pop-cultural references, such as most recently in the Netflix series “Stranger Things“, contribute to the Polaroid myth.

Polaroid Films

Especially with older models, the question of the appropriate film often arises. If you purchased a used Polaroid, it is not always clear, which of the many different films now fits. In our Polaroid film overview we have taken a closer look at the individual films, there’s also a table of camera models by film.

What makes Polaroid different from other brands?

Modern Polaroid models rely almost exclusively on the popular 1:1 image format. While competitors like the popular Instax Mini 11 focus on smaller formats, you still get the iconic square instant image. In addition, the cameras are usually very intuitive to use, and complicated modes can be found in vain.

Old or new Polaroid?

An often asked question is: should I go for the vintage models or a brand new Polaroid? The retro charm of both the pictures and the camera itself speaks for classic models. The disadvantage: depending on their origin, wearing parts can have a strong impact on the image quality. In this case, it is recommended to use the refurbished models from Polaroid. Even the film required for older cameras is usually much more expensive than that of current models such as the Polaroid Now. In addition, modern models offer some practical features, such as the App function of the Polaroid Onestep Plus.

Miscellaneous

If you are looking for a disposable or disposable polaroid, you will do so in vain. Such cameras do not exist (anymore). And by the way: shaking the pictures is prohibited. By the way, there are currently no alternatives to the films distributed by Polaroid. The company MiNT has specialized in the processing of old Polaroid cameras like the SX-70.

The history of Polaroid

The history of Polaroid and thus the history of the instant camera begins with Edwin Herbert Land. The US-American physicist invented a polarizing filter at the beginning of the 1930s which was to be the name of his future company. In February 1947 he presented his first camera to the public at an event of the Optical Society of America: His “Land Camera” was revolutionary through and through. For the first time, one was able to hold the recorded photo in one’s hands shortly after the shutter was released. This laid the foundation for modern instant photography. In the course of time, the company’s portfolio grew steadily. Sunglasses were sold from the very beginning, and in the course of the Second World War various products for the American armed forces were added. Later, scanners, video cameras and even the first digital cameras were sold.

But all this could not prevent the company from going bankrupt in 2001. What followed were unsuccessful attempts to reposition the brand. 2008 should be the end for Polaroid instant cameras. The last production plant in Enschede, the Netherlands, discontinued the production of Polaroid films. At the last moment the rights to the production were acquired by a group of investors around the Polish Wiaczesław “Slava” Smołokowski. From now on, under the name “Polaroid Originals“, they will ensure that Polaroid enthusiasts continue to be supplied with films. Today, the company is again operating under the original name Polaroid, and various instant cameras and photo printers are again part of the portfolio.

The milestones

From today’s perspective, there are several technology milestones that have significantly shaped the history of Polaroid. An excerpt:

• Model 95 (1948-1953)
• Model 100 (1954-1957)
• SX-70 (1972-1977)
• Polaroid SLR 690 (1978-?)
• 1982 Type 600 film
• Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 (2017)

VIDEO: the Polaroid OneStep 2 introduced