Well here are some things to consider with this camera. It's a plastic body with a plastic lens that gets the job done. Is this a "point and shoot ready to go camera"? No. Far from it. This is very much a "manual" camera in that you have more options in how to take photos. It's not totally manual since you have the option to just leave it up to the camera to decide. But then will it be easy taking the perfect photos everytime? No. If you thought it was, you are mistaken. Modern Polaroid tends to require using your brain more than usual at times. Why? Because, if the picture doesn't come out right, it could be a number of different factors such as; focus distance, shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, enough natural light, the angle it was taken, the temperature it was taken in, the rollers being dirty, ect. If you are buying this camera it's because you want more creative liberty which this camera does a great job at. 10/10 would recommend to enthusiasts. But 5/10 would recommend to casual hobbyists. If u want a ready to go polaroid camera where u have some extra features but without all the thinking, then a polaroid "now" or "go" would do the trick. Although keep in mind that the film used is quite finiky. You could have the best conditions and still get a bad shot somehow. It's just how the film is sometimes. Other than those things to think about, I love this camera. Definitely what I was looking for in a camera that uses such amazing film.

Though the actual Polaroid brand has been defunct for many years; the name has been sold (and resold) - eventually becoming “Polaroid Originals” (as of 2017).  And, with the new name comes a new version of the classic OneStep camera from 1977. The OneStep+ is a nearly identical refresh to the OneStep SX-70 model, but the nostalgia may not be widely appreciated at such a high price.  The + is incredibly fun to use (especially for those who grew up using the originals), but the enjoyment is quickly snubbed out when you realize just how expensive it is. The camera is more expensive than anyone would guess, and the Film (which is not included) costs around $16.  If that doesn't sound like a lot, keep in mind that you only get 8 photos - which means that you are literally paying $2.00 for each picture!  And don’t forget that with Polaroid, each photo is a gamble.  Waiting up to 15 minutes to see your image might be exciting at first, but soon comes the realization that most results are mediocre (at best) and there is a reason that the simplicity (and high quality) of Digital has taken over the photo landscape. Not having to develop film is no longer novel as it once was.  In the past, this feature may have saved time and offset the high cost of the camera & special film.  But, now that we all have the ability to take high definition digital photos, nobody is driving to an awkwardly placed photo-hut to pay for film developing.  We actually can see our pictures instantly. We can retake them and even edit them to our liking. This camera is not all bad – in fact, it is simple and enjoyable to use (if you don’t mind spending money up front, and continuing to spend money every time you take a picture).  Synching the OneStep+ to your phone is a welcome innovation and is incredibly quick and easy.  This helps users learn to use the camera and adds features that otherwise could not have been included (without adding buttons or a screen that would have further increased the cost).  Using the phone as a shutter remote is convenient.  It is also quite satisfying to see your picture automatically pop out of the camera after the phone hears your subjects say “CHEEEEEESE!”  The best feature, by far, is the double exposure which allows you to layer two pictures on-top of one another for a truly artistic result. The only disappointment is that the phone is not able to display what the camera sees.  This leads to many awkward moments of looking through your viewfinder while also awkwardly fumbling with your phone.  I wish that Polaroid would have found a way to further utilize the capabilities of our smartphones.  Oddly, most photo-shoots conclude with the user taking a cell phone picture of their Polaroid picture.  Now else are we to share our blurry hipster vignettes?   It is always hard to convince people to pay something that they can get for free – and this is the challenge that Polaroid now faces.  I truly do want this camera to be a success. But Sadly, I believe that the skill of taking a great Polaroid picture will continue to be a lost art. The original Polaroid company went bankrupt in 2001. The "new" Polaroid company went bankrupt in 2008.  Let's hope “Polaroid Originals” can finally find a way carry nostalgia into the future. PROS: + Comes with a rechargeable battery built in + Pairing with a phone is extremely easy + View finder is covered with rubber making it more comfortable to hold up to your eye + Has a solid build quality + Has physical buttons & switches for a more retro feel + Lens adjusts for portraits (close up) or standard (distance) photos + Has multiple picture options: The most fun being double exposure + Allows for Manual adjustment of aperture, flash intensity, shutter speed, etc - which allows a higher level of personalization. + Can be mounted on a standard tripod + Shutter can be triggered by noise (when the group says "CHEESE!" the Camera snaps the picture) + Bright & useful flash + LED lights show how many pictures are remaining in the camera + Comes with neck strap & charging cable CONS: - Camera’s price is high - The Camera does NOT come with any film - Film is expensive - Only holds 8 pictures - Size is bulky and not particularly portable - Lens is exposed and does not come with a lens cap - Viewfinder is small and a bit awkward to use (as often you are trying to manipulate your phone while also looking through the camera) - Cell Phone cannot be used as a viewfinder (it does not display the image of that the camera sees) - The paired phone cannot be used to view the picture taken - Picture quality is not any better than Polaroid cameras from decades ago - Film takes a long time to develop (between 5 & 15 minutes) (which also seems as though it should have improved over the years) - Comes with a USB charging cable, but not with the adapter to plug it into a wall

Overall: I would highly recommend this camera if you're wanting to get back into Film. They have done a great job keeping the camera simple while adding a ton of new features for 2018. And there's something to be said about having a photo instantly in your hand. I grew up with Polaroid cameras so its nice to see they're making a resurgence with a few nice updated touches. The camera itself works relatively the same as an old Polaroid. The difference now is that the camera can connect through your bluetooth on your phone. Setup was SUPER easy and only took seconds. Honestly it was probably one of the easier devices i've setup lately so bravo to them for that. The ability to use software add's a lot of new features to the polaroid camera: Self Timer - the ability to set a timer before the camera takes a picture. Remote- The ability to use your phone to fire the camera remotely. Double Exposure - The camera will take 2 photos before exposing it on the film. Light Painting - Ability to use light externally to add brushes of light to the photo. This is best done with a flashlight or bright spotlight that you can move around and create trails. Noise Trigger - ability to fire the camera using a loud noise. Manual Mode - what you would expect from a manual mode, ability to adjust aperture, time and flash. All of these options open up a lot of possibilities for the camera itself and I think make the Polaroid a viable option again for people wanting to get back into Film. There's something to be said about having a tangible photo in your hand immediately as opposed to it just getting lost in your Phone. I felt that feeling immediately with the first picture of my dog Chloe, which I now have hanging on my fridge. The first one in a LONG time thats ever made it to the fridge, so there's something to be said for that. I definitely recommend this Camera.

I loved instant photographs when I was a kid. It’s nice to play with this as a grown up. My only issue is with the app. It’s just too much. I can’t take a picture and use the app at the same time. Just too much to hold. I do like issuing the app to do more “artsy” photos but it’s really not necessary for everyday type of photography. I also like that I can easily scan the photo with the app to have it in a digital version so I can post on social media. Would be nice if we could see what we are photographing though the app before the snap. Seems like it would be more useful then.

Older People like me think of 1970’s cameras as dinosaurs with no practical modern value, but perhaps it’s because I’m living as a (very) mature adult and forgetting how young people socialize. When I asked my 22 yr old daughter to suggest a birthday gift I was surprised to hear that she really wanted one of these modernized Polaroid OneStep+ cameras after seeing one used at a party. Of course most everyone carries a technically far superior cameras to this one on their cell phone, but in a crowded table at a restaurant or party it’s not very practical to hand your cell phone around to everyone in the room, to get a laugh at a funny or poignant picture you just took. That’s a good way to lose a cell phone. Apparently a real film camera that produces a physical picture that they can actually handle and pass around is a unique and conversation starting experience for today’s young people. Most of them have seen Polaroid cameras in movies, music videos and old TV shows, but they’ve never seen one of them function in person. It’s quite a novelty. What makes this modern duplicate of the original OneStep+ camera a modern camera, is its Bluetooth connectivity. Not only can the OneStep+ shutter be controlled (remote, manual mode, self timer, double exposure, noise trigger, light painting) from a free phone App, the App also saves every picture taken digitally and allows the user to email copies with captions to anyone they want to. It’s the best of old and new, blended together into a real party pleaser. FEATURES: - The user can experiment with three different film pack types (2 color, 1 black and white). - Light exposure is adjustable. - The OneStep+ camera electronics and flash can be charged from any cell phone charger or USB port through the included USB to Micro-USB cable. 60 day battery life. - 1 year warranty - Produces both physical and digital copies of each photo. - Self timer and shutter can be triggered on camera or from cell phone within Bluetooth range. - Close-up (1 foot) or wider lens can be selected with manual lever PROS: - Lots of fun at an adult party or for children at a family event. - Three different film packs available for different effects and light conditions. CONS: - The different Film packs cannot be removed, swapped and reused without losing one picture each time, because of light exposure to the top film sheet. - It doesn’t fold flat like the higher end old Polaroid cameras, so it is bulky to pack or carry by its neck strap. CONCLUSION: I never would have considered this reimagining of an old film camera if my daughter had not expressed interest. It is affordable and it will gather lots of attention wherever you use it. Enjoy.