When it comes to Polaroid cameras, the question of a Polaroid as a gift idea often comes up. We take a closer look whether this makes sense and what you should consider!
Polaroid gift ideas abound!
Whether a real Polaroid like the Now, the popular instant cameras from Instax or a used Polaroid. Plus photo frames, pocket albums, photo light chains, and many more. You can find a lot of cool gift ideas around the instant picture. So that the gift is not a flop, it is important to note the following.
Follow-up costs and image sizes
What many people don’t consider when giving Polaroid cameras as a gift is the corresponding follow-up costs. Because every instant picture costs money. And depending on the camera, the cost per image varies significantly. Here, real Polaroid cameras usually have higher costs per picture than pictures of the brands Instax, Canon or Kodak. While Instax Mini pictures cost about 70 cents per picture, a Polaroid picture costs about one buck.
This is where digital instant cameras offer a real advantage. Because they make it possible to pre-select the pictures. If a picture fails, no costs are incurred. With analogue cameras, pressing the shutter button also means printing a photo.
Image format & size
Also often not considered: the image size or format. Because the iconic instant picture known from film and television is by no means the standard. Often the cameras have very different formats, even the white frame is not a matter of course. We provide an overview of the different formats in our format and image size guide.
Photo frames and photo albums
Especially for gifts like photo albums or photo frames it should be clear in advance which instant camera or photo printer will deliver the pictures. Typically, the products are either in 2×3 format (eg Zink or Instax Mini), or in the square Polaroid format.
Alternatives: printers or printing
If the focus is on the picture and not the camera, mobile photo printers offer an alternative. As with the cameras, different formats and photo papers such as the inexpensive Zink are used. While the popular Instax Mini Link uses Fuji’s mini format, the Polaroid Lab offers a completely new approach: the smartphone is placed on the printer and scanned. The result is a classic, square instant photo. In any case, the photo printers only print what is really wanted.
Printing services
For those who want to do without devices altogether, printing services are an alternative. Here, ordinary photos can be printed out in the Polaroid look.
CONCLUSION
The Polaroid theme is perfect for cool gift ideas. If you pay attention to minor pitfalls such as the image size, etc., nothing stands in the way of successful gifts. If you are now in the mood for an inexpensive instant camera, it is worth taking a look at our price-performance winner Instax Mini 11.
Video: D.I.Y. Gift Polaroid Album
