Traditional Design, Timeless Photos, Traditional Weight: Polaroid Flip Evaluation
Hangin' with the Polaroid Flip:
Wanna revive a piece of vintage tech with a modern twist? Look no further than the Polaroid Flip! Despite being reminiscent of your grandma's old camera, this bad boy boasts some awesome improvements over cheaper Polaroid models like the Go or Now. Buckle up and get ready to shotgun this instant camera through the streets!
Got that Flashy Focus:
The big deal with the Polaroid Flip is its "hyperfocal" lens system. Picture four rotating lenses working together on a gear, with the camera smart enough to swap between them depending on your shooting distance. The maximum farthest-field lens reaches about eight feet, which is quite far for an instant camera. But hey, when you're hangin' out with friends, you're usually gettin' cozy close to the subject. I haven't found a single pic where the subject seemed out of focus, so your pals will be stoked to snag prints from the Polaroid Flip.
Polaroid Flip
It's a retro camera that takes fun shots with focus capabilities to die for. Just be prepared to haul it around, pal.
Pros:
- Snaps solid in-focus shots from different ranges
- User-friendly interface
- Classic Polaroid-size prints
Cons:
- Weighs in heavy and gets tricky to hold
- Exposure can be off without flash, even in bright daylight
- Film packs are a costly investment
Landscapes and Light:
With multiple focal lengths, the camera excels at shooting some beautiful landscapes. But remember, your smartphone probably offers a wider range of aspect ratios for your next hike adventure. The Flip also sports a special light in the viewfinder that goes red when there's too much or too little light for each shot. However, you might not find yourself lacking light for your pics that often.
Snapshot Safari:
The Polaroid Flip won't avoid the usual issues that come with instant flash photography, but we can't blame it for keepin' that classic Polaroid charm, complete with white spots, sun flare, and all. The pictures I took with coworkers are goin' up on a wall, and I promise those that didn't end up underexposed will help you recognize your buddies.
Now, I can't promise you'll love hoisting this hefty 1.4-pound beast around. Carrying it around with a shoulder strap made me feel like I was luggin' around a brick! It weighs down your backpack, and it ain't easily pocketed. Without a particular grip area, you'll end up with fingers in front of the photo eject port more often than not.
Retro Rhymes:
The design of the Polaroid Flip takes inspiration from the 1981 Polaroid Sun 660, with a similar rotating lens system and sloped body. It's a step up from the $600 Polaroid I-2 but lacks the premium construction for creating depth of field on the shots. It's the kind of camera you leave in your closet for family gatherings or take on an adventure with your buddies. There's nothing better than tossin' a printed souvenir to your friends after an evening out, even if you gotta wait for several minutes for the film to develop.
For review, Polaroid sent me two packages of eight photos. I blazed through 'em like gasoline in a Muscle Car. I even had to reload during my outing with my colleagues. The Flip works with the company's Color and B&W i-Type film, which sells for $18 individually but is cheaper per pack if you buy in bulk. Depending on how frequently you use the Polaroid, it could get rather pricey, eclipsing the $200 asking price.
Polaroids are a worthwhile investment if you're prepared to cement the photos as memories. I appreciate the shots I took with the Flip, but I would've gone with a more compact instant camera if I wanted wallet-sized images. The Flip is still a straightforward, near idiot-proof, and solid camera that feels like a step up from a smaller, cheaper Polaroid Go... but it's an upgrade that should stay at home.
See at Best Buy
- The Polaroid Flip is a retro camera that offers impressive focus capabilities and a unique lens system, making it perfect for capturing beautiful landscapes in an instant.
- Despite some drawbacks like weight and potential exposure issues, the Polaroid Flip's user-friendly interface, classic Polaroid-size prints, and ability to take solid in-focus shots from different ranges make it a fun gadget for social occasions.
- With its vintage design reminiscent of the 1981 Polaroid Sun 660, the Polaroid Flip provides a novel approach to technology, bridging the gap between the past and the future of gadgets and photography.
