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Does anyone know anything about Polaroid cameras?

cantersaddick
cantersaddick Posts: 16,934
in Not Sports Related
So its my girlfriends 21st in a couple of weeks, and I was thinking I'd get her one of those instant cameras.

I know nothing about this sort of thing and my usual advisor when it comes to photography is in Thailand for a month. So I thought I would ask the fount of all knowledge that is Charlton life.

So firstly good idea/bad?

I have around £100-120 to spend. Is it possible to get a reasonable one for that price?

Which brand/makes are good to look out for?

Any other tips.

Thanks in advance.

Canters
«1

Comments

  • Karim_myBagheri
    Karim_myBagheri Posts: 12,725
    You gotta shake em


    That is all.
  • ricky_otto
    ricky_otto Posts: 22,600
    Yes they are about 20 years out of date!
  • Halix
    Halix Posts: 2,237
    Who needs expensive polaroid film when you can use your phone or a digital camera nowadays.
  • bobmunro
    bobmunro Posts: 20,848
    Halix said:

    Who needs expensive polaroid film when you can use your phone or a digital camera nowadays.

    ... and carry the printer around in your pocket!
  • Karim_myBagheri
    Karim_myBagheri Posts: 12,725
    edited April 2016
    Actually, they're are pretty cool. I don't know about what the best one is but even the old ones aren't bad. A friend of mine collects cameras, old ones from boot fairs and the Polaroids she gets seem pretty good. Obviously not great on zoom and focus but not bad, and they do look good.

    I have seen they are making a comeback. Amazon would be your best bet.
  • DaveMehmet
    DaveMehmet Posts: 21,601
    I'm pretty sure Escort only accept digital photos for the readers wives section nowadays.
  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 16,934
    Karim_myBagheri said:

    Actually, they're are pretty cool. I don't know about what the best one is but even the old ones aren't bad. A friend of mine collects cameras, old ones from boot fairs and the Polaroids she gets seem pretty good. Obviously not great on zoom and focus but not bad, and they do look good.

    I have seen they are making a comeback. Amazon would be your best bet.

    Yeah it's more of a novelty item/cool retro thing.
  • shirty5
    shirty5 Posts: 19,235
    Don't forget to shake it!
  • cafcfan
    cafcfan Posts: 11,198
    edited April 2016
    The beautiful thing about digital photography is you get to see what you've taken a picture of before you print out a photo. Eyes shut, silly face? Just take another snap until you're happy. Delete the failed shot. It costs nothing - how much is Polaroid film?
    Also, you get to see your images on a computer or whatever, zoom in, crop off bits you don't need and store them safely for however long you like.
    Edited to add a cheapo bridge camera will knock you socks off. Something like this is within your budget.currys.co.uk/gbuk/cameras-and-camcorders/digital-cameras/compact-and-bridge-cameras/sony-cyber-shot-dsch300b-bridge-camera-10026049-pdt.html?srcid=198&cmpid=ppc~gg~~~Exact&mctag=gg_goog_7904&s_kwcid=AL!3391!3!48099219095!!!g!68437045055!&ef_id=Vr8lYgAABWlAKSJc:20160421074717:s
  • ForeverAddickted
    ForeverAddickted Posts: 94,323
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-Instax-Mini-Instant-Camera/dp/B009ZM9R4O?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

    FujiFilm are making them as are Polaroid...

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Polaroid-Instant-Digital-Printing-Technology/dp/B015JIAD7C/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1461224648&sr=1-2&keywords=polaroid+instant+camera

    The film appears to be pretty expensive though, for FujiFilm you can buy packs of 20-sheets which fit in the back of the camera yet they're about £20... I brought myself an older FujiFilm one from Ebay for £20 as planning on having it as a cheap version of a photobooth for my wedding in August
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  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 16,934
    cafcfan said:

    The beautiful thing about digital photography is you get to see what you've taken a picture of before you print out a photo. Eyes shut, silly face? Just take another snap until you're happy. Delete the failed shot. It costs nothing - how much is Polaroid film?
    Also, you get to see your images on a computer or whatever, zoom in, crop off bits you don't need and store them safely for however long you like.

    As said it's a novelty item. Sure you wouldn't use it for the holiday photos.. but you can get some nice retro style snaps.

    Anyone with any actual help?!
  • ForeverAddickted
    ForeverAddickted Posts: 94,323
    cantersaddick said:

    cafcfan said:

    The beautiful thing about digital photography is you get to see what you've taken a picture of before you print out a photo. Eyes shut, silly face? Just take another snap until you're happy. Delete the failed shot. It costs nothing - how much is Polaroid film?
    Also, you get to see your images on a computer or whatever, zoom in, crop off bits you don't need and store them safely for however long you like.

    As said it's a novelty item. Sure you wouldn't use it for the holiday photos.. but you can get some nice retro style snaps.

    Anyone with any actual help?!
    Cast your eyes to the post above... Cheeky git!! ;)
  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 16,934
    ForeverAddickted said:

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fujifilm-Instax-Mini-Instant-Camera/dp/B009ZM9R4O?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

    FujiFilm are making them as are Polaroid...

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Polaroid-Instant-Digital-Printing-Technology/dp/B015JIAD7C/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1461224648&sr=1-2&keywords=polaroid+instant+camera

    The film appears to be pretty expensive though, for FujiFilm you can buy packs of 20-sheets which fit in the back of the camera yet they're about £20... I brought myself an older FujiFilm one from Ebay for £20 as planning on having it as a cheap version of a photobooth for my wedding in August

    I saw it done at a wedding recently which game me the idea! Worked really well.

    Cheers for the tips. Will have a look at reviews.
  • ricky_otto
    ricky_otto Posts: 22,600
    DaveMehmet said:

    I'm pretty sure Escort only accept digital photos for the readers wives section nowadays.

    Haha that really made me chuckle.
  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 16,934
    ForeverAddickted said:

    cantersaddick said:

    cafcfan said:

    The beautiful thing about digital photography is you get to see what you've taken a picture of before you print out a photo. Eyes shut, silly face? Just take another snap until you're happy. Delete the failed shot. It costs nothing - how much is Polaroid film?
    Also, you get to see your images on a computer or whatever, zoom in, crop off bits you don't need and store them safely for however long you like.

    As said it's a novelty item. Sure you wouldn't use it for the holiday photos.. but you can get some nice retro style snaps.

    Anyone with any actual help?!
    Cast your eyes to the post above... Cheeky git!! ;)
    Sorry saw that after I'd posted.. cheers.
  • ForeverAddickted
    ForeverAddickted Posts: 94,323
    You can also get really retro Cameras

    Yet the issues I found from the research I did always came down to the fact that the paper / film was always really expensive and you'd always get a pack which came in small quantity.

    https://uk.impossible-project.com/
  • cafcfan
    cafcfan Posts: 11,198
    cantersaddick said:

    cafcfan said:

    The beautiful thing about digital photography is you get to see what you've taken a picture of before you print out a photo. Eyes shut, silly face? Just take another snap until you're happy. Delete the failed shot. It costs nothing - how much is Polaroid film?
    Also, you get to see your images on a computer or whatever, zoom in, crop off bits you don't need and store them safely for however long you like.

    As said it's a novelty item. Sure you wouldn't use it for the holiday photos.. but you can get some nice retro style snaps.

    Anyone with any actual help?!
    No, you didn't mention the novelty thing. So if you want to spend money on something that will just gather dust in a drawer, go ahead, I'll sod off.
  • ForeverAddickted
    ForeverAddickted Posts: 94,323
    edited April 2016
    cafcfan said:

    cantersaddick said:

    cafcfan said:

    The beautiful thing about digital photography is you get to see what you've taken a picture of before you print out a photo. Eyes shut, silly face? Just take another snap until you're happy. Delete the failed shot. It costs nothing - how much is Polaroid film?
    Also, you get to see your images on a computer or whatever, zoom in, crop off bits you don't need and store them safely for however long you like.

    As said it's a novelty item. Sure you wouldn't use it for the holiday photos.. but you can get some nice retro style snaps.

    Anyone with any actual help?!
    No, you didn't mention the novelty thing. So if you want to spend money on something that will just gather dust in a drawer, go ahead, I'll sod off.
    Yes he did... @8:39am
    cantersaddick said:

    Karim_myBagheri said:

    Actually, they're are pretty cool. I don't know about what the best one is but even the old ones aren't bad. A friend of mine collects cameras, old ones from boot fairs and the Polaroids she gets seem pretty good. Obviously not great on zoom and focus but not bad, and they do look good.

    I have seen they are making a comeback. Amazon would be your best bet.

    Yeah it's more of a novelty item/cool retro thing.
  • ricky_otto
    ricky_otto Posts: 22,600
    DaveMehmet said:

    I'm pretty sure Escort only accept digital photos for the readers wives section nowadays.

    Here's a few he he's already taken - looks older than 21 though.

  • ForeverAddickted
    ForeverAddickted Posts: 94,323
    image
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  • man_at_milletts
    man_at_milletts Posts: 5,620
    'Say no more squire'.
  • Halix
    Halix Posts: 2,237
    bobmunro said:

    Halix said:

    Who needs expensive polaroid film when you can use your phone or a digital camera nowadays.

    ... and carry the printer around in your pocket!
    Personally I always carry a Boots around in my pocket,and a rocket in the other!
  • aliwibble
    aliwibble Posts: 26,291
    Now if you'd asked this a year ago, you could have had my old one, but it's gone to the tip now. Seriously though, the film is horrifically expensive, and the results are variable, so it's a risky choice of gift. If she's expressed an interest in them that's one thing, but if you're just punting around for a unique gift, I'd get something else.
  • LuckyReds
    LuckyReds Posts: 5,866
    I think they're pretty cool. I remember looking at lomography cameras a couple of years back as I thought they were pretty sweet, and a quick look on Amazon shows that your price range looks spot on.

    This one - here (Manufacturer's Link) looks pretty nice, takes instant film and matches the kind of retro look you're talking about.

    I can't really give recommendations though, so just be sure to look at the reviews. The link above has some sample photos taken with the camera though.
  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 16,934
    Cheers for the help everyone! As always Charlton life came through! :)
  • Alwaysneil
    Alwaysneil Posts: 13,807
    That looks like quite a decent piece of kit. I've only ever used a little tiny one that does like 1' square pictures, quite fun though. I borrowed it so sadly can't remember the product.

    I did see this though https://www.ezvid.com/top-ten-instant-cameras
  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 16,934
    aliwibble said:

    Now if you'd asked this a year ago, you could have had my old one, but it's gone to the tip now. Seriously though, the film is horrifically expensive, and the results are variable, so it's a risky choice of gift. If she's expressed an interest in them that's one thing, but if you're just punting around for a unique gift, I'd get something else.

    Well we saw one at a wedding recently and she commented on how cool it was. I think that is the sort of hint I am supposed to be picking up on.
  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 16,934
    Alwaysneil said:

    That looks like quite a decent piece of kit. I've only ever used a little tiny one that does like 1' square pictures, quite fun though. I borrowed it so sadly can't remember the product.

    I did see this though https://www.ezvid.com/top-ten-instant-cameras

    Thanks that's a lot of help!
  • cantersaddick
    cantersaddick Posts: 16,934
    LuckyReds said:

    I think they're pretty cool. I remember looking at lomography cameras a couple of years back as I thought they were pretty sweet, and a quick look on Amazon shows that your price range looks spot on.

    This one - here (Manufacturer's Link) looks pretty nice, takes instant film and matches the kind of retro look you're talking about.

    I can't really give recommendations though, so just be sure to look at the reviews. The link above has some sample photos taken with the camera though.

    Cheers that does look nice. Will investigate further!
  • Wheresmeticket
    Wheresmeticket Posts: 17,304
    ricky_otto said:

    DaveMehmet said:

    I'm pretty sure Escort only accept digital photos for the readers wives section nowadays.

    Here's a few he he's already taken - looks older than 21 though.

    Do you want fries with that?

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