The Polaroid 300 is one of a kind in the history of Polaroid. We’ll explain why you might confuse it with a different camera, which films are suitable for the camera and why it’s not a real Polaroid.
The Polaroid PIC-300 is actually an Instax
First of all, if you think of Polaroid 300 as an instant widescreen camera, you will probably find what you are looking for here: Instax Wide 300. Since the brand name Polaroid is often used as a synonym for instant cameras, there is a danger of confusion. The “real” Polaroid PIC-300 has a longer history. When the Polaroid company announced in 2008 that it would no longer produce film for instant cameras, the Polaroid brand seemed to be at an end. While at that time the so-called Impossible Project ensured that Polaroid fans continued to be supplied with films, Polaroid surprised with the introduction of the Polaroid PIC-300 in 2010. In fact, the camera had little in common with classic Polaroid models such as the 600. The new design and, above all, the portrait format (3×2) not only caused enthusiasm.
Instax Mini 7S with a new look
In fact, the Polaroid 300 was not manufactured by Polaroid itself. It was an Instax Mini 7S from Fujifilms Instax cameras series. The predecessor of the popular Instax Mini 11 was simply given the Polaroid branding.
The functions of the Polaroid 300 or Instax Mini 7S
Except for the brand name, the Polaroid PIC-300 is technically identical to the Instax Mini 7S. The camera is switched on via the extendable lens, and when it is locked in place, the camera is ready for use. The focus range is 3 feet to infinity, the automatic flash fires with every shot and cannot be deactivated. Unlike the modern Mini 11, the exposure mode of the Polaroid 300 still has to be set manually. The camera has 4 modes for this purpose:
- Indoor / Dark
- Cloudy / Shady
- Fine
- Clear
The respective mode is set via a rotary switch on the top of the camera. The optical viewfinder is located on the right side of the Mini 7S, as is the shutter release button. The pictures are, typical for the Mini series, rather poppy in color and with a slight blurring. But this is what makes the typical instant camera charm. A classic affliction of the Instax Minis: in low light conditions, the flash makes the background a bit too dark (a flaw that was finally eliminated with the Mini 11). A mechanical frame counter informs about the remaining images.
Polaroid 300 Film
In fact, there is a separate film for the Polaroid 300. However, this film is actually no different from the Instax Mini film, which is used in all instant cameras of the Mini series. The film has the typical portrait format, with border the photo measures 3.4 x 2.1 inches, the visible image measures 2.4 x 1.8 inches. Due to the usually lower price, you can use Instax Mini Film for the Polaroid 300 without any problems.
Tech specs Polaroid 300 / Fujifilm Instax Mini 7S
- Analogue instant camera
- Optical viewfinder
- Batteries: 4 x AA 1.5 V
- Film: Polaroid PIF300 or Instax Mini Film
- 4 adjustable exposure modes
- Focus: 3 feet – infinite
- Flash: automatic (fires on every release, cannot be deactivated)
- Weight: approx. 11 oz
- Dimensions: 4.7 x 4.8 x 2.8 inches
CONCLUSION
The Polaroid 300 has a special place in the history of Polaroid. One reason for this is that the camera came on the market at a time when the Impossible Project was already the current Polaroid company. On the other hand, it is particularly curious today that a Fujifilm Instax Mini was sold under the name Polaroid. As an instant camera, the Polaroid 300 is still in use today by many owners. Apart from the slightly dark backgrounds in bad light, the pictures are excellent and taking pictures is very easy with the Instax-typical camera.
However, if you are new to Polaroid, you should rather use the Instax Mini 11. For Polaroid enthusiasts, we recommend Polaroid’s current model, the Polaroid Now.
Not sure whats the actual difference between Instax and Polaroid is? Read this!
FAQs
VIDEO: a brief introduction to the Polaroid 300
