Customer Ratings & Reviews

works great! have to keep buying film bc my friends take all the photos

If you’ve ever owned a Polaroid camera, using the Now Gen 2 Instant Camera may feel like a familiar and nostalgic experience. The body is made of plastic though feels rather hefty and durable. The unit comes with an adjustable wrist strap and has two mounting loops at the back corners for left or right-handed users or optionally attaching a neck strap (not included). From the camera’s unique shape to its basic functionality, not a lot has changed from the original vintage design, though contemporary models have been updated with a couple modern day conveniences and softer rounded edges. For one, this analog camera has a built-in rechargeable battery that charges via an included USB-C to USB-C cable, but it doesn’t come with an AC power adapter so you'll need to provide your own. The battery should be charged for 1-2 hours prior to use and on a full charge has an estimated runtime of 15 film packs (8 prints per pack). When the battery is low, the charging port's LED will flash red (green is full and orange is medium). Secondly, you can quickly activate double-exposure mode by double pressing the self-timer button at the front. This camera works with both Polaroid i-Type film and 600 Film and the Everything Box includes 16 sheets of the former (2 cartridges of 8). The main difference between the two is that i-Type film doesn’t have a battery inside the cartridge and won’t be compatible with vintage Polaroid cameras, while 600 film is usable in all Polaroid cameras, but comes at a slight premium. Film packs are loaded into the camera after it’s been turned on by pressing and holding the orange power button for 1 second. Just press the eject button and the film door will pop open; then remove the film cartridge from the foil with the darkslide facing up and the tab facing you. Once the door is closed, the darkslide protecting the film sheets will automatically eject. I wish the door had a lock on it though, to prevent accidental opening of the compartment which can expose the top sheet of your film, rendering it useless. To take a photo, half-press the red shutter button at the front and the camera will auto-focus (chooses between portrait and standard lens). While holding the button in that position, you can then reposition and compose your shot if desired, pressing the shutter button fully to take the photo only when you’re ready. When taking photos, the flash will fire by default unless turned off by pressing the flash button. The flash's LED will be on when active, off when disabled, and flashing when charging up. Note that after taking a photo without flash it will be re-enabled for the next shot. However, you can disable the flash until you power off the camera by double pressing the flash button. A small LED just below the power button shows you the number of remaining film sheets, counting down from 8. If using the self-timer, press it once and the LED will illuminate orange. After you press the shutter button, the front LED will blink, and you have 9 seconds to set the scene before the photo is taken. Note that there is no thread mount on the camera to attach to a tripod, so it’s recommended to place the camera on a flat level surface when not handheld. When using double-exposure mode, a ‘1’ flashes on the display for the first exposure and changes to a flashing ‘2’ for the second exposure. If you’re not ready to take the second exposure right away, you can turn the camera off and it will continue where you left off when you turn it on again. You may also use the self-timer and/or flash with one or both exposures by activating them prior to each shot. The general rule of thumb is the first shot should be darker, so flash is not recommended for that one. This mode lets you be more creative by combining different subjects, backgrounds, and patterns for interesting and unique outcomes, for example, for Halloween we used the double exposure to make some of our costumed subjects appear as “ghosts” in the final image. The built-in flash is super bright but still requires the photographer to be relatively close to the subject in order to be effective. The minimum focal distance for the lens is at least 1.8 ft and anything closer than that will likely appear out of focus. There is a slight difference in how the frame is aligned when looking through the camera’s viewfinder and what is captured on the film, called parallax. To properly line up your shot, aim the camera slightly up and to the left of the image you want to capture. While the camera is advertised as a point-and-shoot instant camera, there is a bit of a learning curve, and I found that it takes a little bit of practice and trial and error to produce good prints. However, the cost per print of the film can make this an expensive lesson. You also need to wait at least 10-15 minutes after taking the photo and keep it facedown or in a dark place as it develops. The photo dimensions are 3.1 x 3.1 inches (7.9 x 7.9 cm) and including the frame/border is 4.2 x 3.5 inches (10.8 x 8.8 cm), though special cartridges can have different colored frames or shapes as well. The image quality of the photos has a distinctive antique look that is somewhat undersaturated, almost faded. Images often have a softer focus though may sharpen over the course of several days. I found that outdoors in bright lighting produces the photos with the best contrast, though can still look a little washed out. In medium to low lighting the photos tend to appear dark if your flash isn’t close enough to your subject. Most of the ones that I’ve taken with the first film pack have a slightly green cast to them and occasionally have chemical bleed crackles or dark grayish streaks appear along the edges of the photo frame. If you’re looking for consistent crisp, sharp, digital precision, this is not the camera for you. The vintage look and feel of these photos will definitely be the selling point for creators, artists, and enthusiasts. Overall, taking photos with the Polaroid Now Gen 2 is an enjoyable and unique photography experience in today’s digital, instant gratification age. Waiting for the film to develop adds to the fun and anticipation to see how the photo turned out!

I’ll start my review by saying that I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve when it comes to cameras. I own quite a few lol, I love shooting photos and have been doing so for the past 30 years so. I’ve got thousands of photos in my digital / physical collection. Anyway.. the Polaroid Instant Now is a cool little instant camera. People genuinely smile with excitement when I take it out to snap a photo. It is very fun and joyful to be able to snap a photo of family and friends at a get together and then hand it to them. People typically respond very positively to having a snapshot taken and gifted to them with this Polaroid camera. Because of the experience that you get to have and share with family and friends with this type of camera, I recommend that you buy one and have around for special situations. The build quality of the camera is quite decent. It’s mostly plastic but it feels sturdy and rigid. It kind of creaks a little if I squeeze it too hard, I was afraid there might be some light leaks in the camera but it is fine. It has a rechargeable battery that charges with a usb C cable and will get you through a pack of film. I typically charge it a bit before refilling it with another pack. I believe it states that it will shoot 15 photos before needing a charge. So that’s about 2 packs of film. It has a built in flash that you can turn off by the press of a button. It focuses automatically and is easy to load film into. The viewfinder is pretty accurate, and the big red button for snapping a photo is easy to find while your eye is upto it. The camera has a “tongue” that pops out when you snap a photo and covers / protects the film when it slides out. Sometimes I leave the film there for a minute to let it start developing a bit before removing. Polaroid recommends that you leave it in a dark place for 10-15 minutes while it fully develops. No need to shake it! My only complaint about the camera is that the exposure tends to be hit or miss. I’m still trying to perfect the method for getting an accurate exposure. My photos tend to come out a little dark sometimes. I am going to watch some tutorials and I highly suggest you do the same before shooting photos with this camera. The film isn’t very cheap and it can be a bit of a let down if you get a very dark photo. For that reason I have to dock a star from my review. Would I recommend this camera? Yes. If you can afford to buy film and waste a couple here and there. Your results will always vary when snapping with a Polaroid. I suppose that’s part of the joy / experience. But it comes at a cost. Pros: Fun experience Self timer, double exposure and flash control Cons: Film is expensive

I received the camera bundle Generation 2 and was anxious to try it out. They include the camera, 2 packs of i-Type film totaling 16 color prints, wrist strap, a USB-C charging cable (but no charger) and a Quick Start Guide. I used to own the original camera like this so it was exciting to be brought back in time. It has a built-in rechargeable battery which the original cameras didn't have. You plug in the USB-C cable on the side of camera and I used my Apple charger which they recommend doing. The camera was already half charged upon arrival as the light was orange. It only took about an hour to fully charge up. The light turns green and then goes out when ready. If the battery is drained it shows red. I have used one whole pack of film and my light is still green showing a good charge. It's a fairly simple camera to use. There is an on and off button and a button to open the film door so you can put the film in. You aim it at your subject by looking through the eye piece, press the shutter button and the flash will trigger automatically. You do have the option to shoot without the flash by pressing the FLASH button before each shot. The photo, covered by the film shield, will eject and you must not shake it. Place in a dark place face down on a flat surface to develop. It works with i-TYPE or 600 film. The camera also offers a nice film counter, a self-timer and double exposure button on the front. That's basically all there is to this camera and it's easy to use. I took 8 photos in various lighting situations. 5 were of family members so not shown but out of the 3 I show here 2 are okay in coloring (typical for this style camera with the vintage look) and the 1 of my cat was really not that great. He was sitting on my very light tan leather sofa and the walls are off white so colors definitely way off. I did use the flash on that picture as well as the other 2. There are no real adjustments you can make on this camera for lighter or darker exposures except the flash. In reality that is the beauty of it! Easy to use and takes fast, quickly developed photos like the original one did. However on 2 photos I took out of 8 there seems to be an issue on the upper left corner of each. Looks like a small batch of white star bursts which you should be able to see in my included photos. I have no way to correct this or why it started happening. Perhaps bad film? This camera is still quite the memory maker and I'm happy to own it. I won't be using this as my "go to" camera though because I use my phone, but it will be nice to take out when company comes around and they will certainly get nostalgic over seeing it I'm sure. If you don't expect high quality photos you'll enjoy this Now camera. I can definitely recommend it but because of whatever is happening with those white lines I deducted one star.

takes blurry pictures, it seems like the lens is not doing what is supposed to do

The Polaroid Now Instant Film Camera Bundle Generation 2 in Black & White offers a delightful blend of vintage charm and modern functionality. Here's a comprehensive look at what this bundle brings to the table. Design and Aesthetics The camera sports a classic design with a modern twist, featuring clean lines and ergonomic curves. The black and white color scheme adds a touch of elegance, making it a stylish accessory to carry around. Performance and Image Quality This Generation 2 version comes with improved autofocus and a brighter flash, enhancing the overall image quality. Photos come out crisp with vibrant colors or deep monochromes, depending on the film used. The double exposure feature is a creative bonus, allowing you to superimpose two images in a single frame. Bundle Inclusions The bundle is quite generous, usually including a pack of color film and a pack of black & white film. This gives you the flexibility to shoot in different styles right out of the box. A neck strap and a user guide are also commonly part of the package, enhancing the user experience. Ease of Use The camera is straightforward to operate, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned instant photography enthusiasts. Film loading is a breeze, and the intuitive controls make it easy to adjust settings as needed. Battery Life The built-in rechargeable battery is another convenient feature, providing long-lasting power so you can capture memories without constant interruptions for charging. Price Point While the bundle might seem a bit pricey, the inclusions and the improved features make it a good value for the money. If you are looking to invest in an instant camera that offers both style and performance, this is a compelling option. Final Thoughts The Polaroid Now Instant Film Camera Bundle Generation 2 in Black & White strikes an excellent balance between form and function. It's a great choice for anyone looking to dive into the world of instant photography or for seasoned photographers looking for a reliable, stylish option. Hope this review helps you in your decision-making process.

Photos were dark and even with enough lights in the surrounding area - they were "milky". Not worth the price. Very disappointed.

Wow… I’m dated. I can actually remember when Polaroid cameras first came out – at least the white plastic ones we commonly think of as a “Polaroid” – though instant cameras go back even further in different variations. The cheaper Polaroids we used had cheap fixed-focus lenses, weak flashes, but were still useful for a variety of things (including um… ending a few marriages LOL). The Polaroid Now Instant Camera (gen 2) LOOKS almost exactly like those old Polaroids, but it’s updated to include things our old ones didn’t have. A self-timer, nicer viewfinder, bigger flash, and a modern USB charging port that charges up the internal battery (they say it’s good for 15 packs of film per charge), an autofocus lens, and a double-exposure feature that allows you to get two shots into one. This type is compatible with iType and 600 Polaroid film packs. There are typically 8 exposures or photos on average per pack that you insert into the front of the camera. As per the oldie version, after installing a photo pack, you aim, take your photo, and out pops your photo, taking a couple of minutes or so to fully “develop” as you watch (and no, you do not need to wave them in the air – that doesn’t speed it up). Placing the ejected photo in a dark place or face-down is recommended though, to help the developed quality. Of note – the flash is going to trigger each time you take a photo unless you press the flash button on the back BEFORE you take a pic – then for that pic, it won’t fire. You need to press that button each time before each pic you don’t want the flash to fire. A small readout lets you know how many pics are left in the pack you’re using. Unfortunately, the nostalgia and cuteness of the Polaroid stops there. At first I took a photo both indoors in good light, and indoors with the flash. The outdoor photo is a muddled mess, showing absolutely no details in the trees, and is dark and lifeless. The indoor photo with flash aimed at a pillow variety with different colors and textures was also extremely dark and washed out. Thinking that perhaps the film in the camera may have been bad, I tossed that cartridge and loaded the 2nd cartridge that came with the outfit. Same result. The third photo (outdoors in very good light) shows a workshop building with wildly blown out and dingy details, as bad as the others (see photo). Even the original Polaroids weren’t this bad – these are unusable. To note, they cartridges were loaded in a darker room as you should, and there are no cracks in the camera body that could lead to light leaks reaching the film cartridge. Photos average close to $2.00 each based on the average price per 8 photo cartridge, so this is an expensive disappointment to pay so much for the camera itself and then so much more for the film, only to find photo results that resemble 480 x 320 pixel photos from cell phones 20+ years ago. I love the idea of having a Polaroid again, but unfortunately I just cannot recommend this one as the results are not even mildly acceptable – they are again, unusable.

I've been using the Polaroid Now Instant Film Camera Bundle Generation 2 for five days now, and I'm pretty impressed with it. The bundle comes with everything you need, which is a plus. Setting it up was straightforward, and I was ready to start taking pictures in no time. The camera itself feels sturdy and well-built, which is important to me as I appreciate quality craftsmanship in my projects, just like when I build speakers and furniture. The picture quality is quite good. It's perfect for capturing those special moments. The autofocus feature is a great addition, making it easy to get clear shots without hassle. The film is easy to load, and I haven't encountered any issues with jamming or wasted shots. Speaking of which, it's nice to have physical prints in this digital age; they feel nostalgic, like comic books and movies from my youth. The film does tend to be a bit on the expensive side, but for the quality and the memories, it's worth it. The camera is user-friendly, making it suitable for anyone, even if you're not tech-savvy. It's perfect for capturing moments with my family, helping me achieve my goal of preserving memories. Overall, this Polaroid camera bundle has been a great addition to my life, and I'm looking forward to using it more in the future.

Perhaps, my title should even be “Your Grandfather’s” Polaroid. I have fond memories of my father getting his first Polaroid camera, a B&W monochrome creating wonder. There was the separate wand that needed to be wiped across the surface to coat and preserve the photograph while the image was evolving right before your eyes. That mysterious process still exists, now (like it has been for probably 50+ years), the print is in color, and no gooey coating to be applied. But the near-instant gratification is still a smile maker. And you can pass the print around, rather than handing your mobile’s picture screen from person to person. This will not unseat the cell phone camera, with its autofocus, light adjusting, Boku portrait generating prowess. But these photos can become heirlooms, treasured and reviewed from the album stored on the bookshelf. There is a value to holding the physical reality of a photograph. Of course, we all realize that there is an entire industry of generating physical photographic prints from digital JPEGs. However, that requires additional time, effort, and inevitable expense. At first assessment, the cost of the Polaroid film is steep, over $1 per print. And you can print your own photos at home, again introducing the time spent and materials cost. An ink jet printer, better than laser for the photographs, has pretty steep cost for those ink tanks. And the seemingly inexpensive ink jet printers all seem to generate heartfelt “Rage Against the Machine” moments on a regular basis. So perhaps the Polaroid film, self developing, is not that pricey after all. So, I conclude, that there is a place for a real camera and physical hold in your hand images. These will not vanish like the dinosaurs. Is this Polaroid such a device? This Polaroid has so much similarity in its design and functionality that your father or grandfather would know how to use it immediately! But there are definite refinements. A rechargeable battery power supply. That, thank goodness, is now accomplished with a USB-C cable (supplied), and NOT a micro-USB socket to frustrate you when the cable is upside down to the socket. Autofocus and flash exposure control are built in. A self timer, and the ability to make (on purpose) double exposures are also incorporated features. Other than that, loading the 8-pack of film is fast and dare I say foolproof. There is some non-recyclable waste generated in the foil/plastic wrapper encasing the film carrier, and that carrier, once empty also gets tossed. The images produced are fine, and certainly the Polaroid has a long heritage of even museum quality prints from famous photographers. I firmly exclude myself from that category. But without post exposure cropping, adjusting light, and color corrections possible with digital photographs, the Polaroid prints will always be novelty shots. The included instructions were sparse. Is this just a by-product of the short attention span of modern society? For example, the DOUBLE EXPOSURE mode. I never would have guessed how to activate this. It actually is simple, but you should go to the web page, where you can search for explanations and videos of all the how-to features. This is where just a short time at the Polaroid web site opens up the horizon of what is possible. I would highly suggest search on “how to use Polaroid Now” in the on line blog! Similarly, how to set a TIMER, so you can get into the photo. Not difficult, but the button was tiny and not well marked, so not obvious. I noticed there was no tripod socket, which almost every digital camera has, but missing from a mobile phone. If using a shutter delay timer, the missing tripod socket would come in handy, so you can secure the framing of the picture before you start pressing a sequence of buttons. I fear you would shift your desired arrangement. Quality of photos: I was initially not impressed. [See photos below] Color rendition seemed poor: the far left cap lid is purple, but shows up as gray, as does red. This was an indoor shot from 1 meter away, with flash (fully charged). They do make a B&W film for the camera, however, the color film seems to mute most colors. Yet somehow this retro distortion of reality is part of the appeal of the Polaroid mystique. And there is a wide gallery of stellar prints on the Web page taken with this same model. So my first 5 or 6 exposures with the Polaroid Now reminded me of my initial film photography shots [Kodak 620 B&W film] from my elementary school days in the 1950s. And in retrospect, some of those shots, like the basketball on the back patio, wedged behind a door, are locked in my brain as my childlike exploration of the world. Maybe THAT is more what we should be looking for. The world is not entirely made of Tik-Tok 1 minute videos. An appropriate quote from their web page: “Sometimes life is messy and unexpected. It’s beautifully imperfect - just like Polaroid Photography.” “An essential aspect of creativity is not being afraid to fail” — Edwin Land, the inventor of Polaroid; embossed on the bottom of the Polaroid Now camera

This was an impulse add to our families multimedia collection of action cameras, drones and digital cameras and I really love grabbing those iconic 1970’s style polaroid look pics. To be fair, it’s not going to be my go to everyday camera use…its not for that really…but it really has a niche that I love. We are going to have an extended family pizza party and have the big family Christmas at our house and we are going to use the camera as a photo both station and as party favors to give our family their selfies to take with them! My spouse is super excited about that! We also have used the pictures I took of our fall arrangement as decoration around our house. We will do that for Xmas as well. It really is a blast! I also took a picture of the wife in a burlesque style shoot. No filters needed…the 1970’s style shot looks strait out of that decade! So fun…but it is tactile and real world! You can’t password protect the picture in your hand so keep that in mind!!! lol The pictures are like magic…somehow…you take the shot… hear that iconic motor sound, then out pops photo magic. Then turn the picture face down on a surface and let it develop for about 10-15 minutes and the image magically appears… I understand digital photography…but this…not so much! NOTE: DO SHAKE THE Picture after it comes out like they say in folklore. I also think it’s kind of neat that I only have a 8 shots per cartridge…so framing and lighting and subject matter really need to be on point! I don’t have an unlimited amount of shots to pilfer through…I got 8. For me the finite amount makes it more substantial and I love the fun of waiting to see what I got in the shot! I also have taken digitals of the actual polaroid pictures to keep them in my cloud as well! If you’re a photofile, or multimedia junkie, artist or just someone that wants to have some nostalgic fun…Polaroid has you covered with their iconic cameras. A ton of fun!!!

Polaroid cameras are back in all their retro glory! For those of you too young to remember the heyday of the original Polaroids, these are the instant cameras that were the precursors to cameras like the Fuji Instax. Plug in a cartridge full of instant film, point and shoot, and it spits out a photo that takes about 3-5 minutes to fully develop. The photos are typically kind of blurry and hazy, with a lot of sepia tones, so don't expect anywhere near a perfect image -- but that's the point. The photos look automatically aged and vintage. They're best for nostalgia, and also for parties (retro or not). I'm sure there are serious photographers out there who will also choose this kind of photography for specific artistic purposes. The buttons (power, shutter release, flash toggle, and timer) all work as expected, and the film door opens easily, with the cartridge snapping into place satisfactorily. The optical viewfinder (no LCD screen here) is pretty true to the image that's taken. The built-in non-removable battery is charged via USB-C (one of the only nods to modern technology). The package comes with a single-loop wrist lanyard, although the camera has two lanyard attachments to allow for a neck strap (not included). Polaroids are clearly not going to be the main cameras for most people, but they're nice to use on occasion, and will often be a hit at social gatherings.

There's a little bit of irony in the "instant" part of an "instant" camera these days. Of course, when Polaroid was first conceived, other film cameras needed to be taken to a photo shop for development which could take an hour or more to get your photos. But, there is still some charm in a physical one-of-a-kind photo that comes from an instant film camera. This camera is very much like the Polaroid cameras of yesteryear; so much so that they CAN take the same film from back then. The only difference is the film packs from retro cameras have a built-in battery to assist with the flash and mechanisms to make the camera work. This camera has the battery built-in, so the i-Type film packs have no battery. That's basically the only difference between them. The other modernizations (I think?) on this camera, include a small LED indicator that shows number of shots left in your current film pack (and it is used to indicate a couple other things like double exposure), and an LED light to show charge level. The button for the flash is on the back. Flash is on by default, because this camera loves light. It will not do well in any "low" light situations. "Low" light for a camera, especially like this, is basically going to be any condition that's not bright sunlight. Any photos indoors will likely require the flash, regardless of how "bright" or well-lit it seems. However, you can temporarily disable the flash for the next photo by pressing the flash button or holding it for a few seconds to disable flash until you turn off the camera. There also appear to be sensors under the viewfinder on the front that I suspect are used for focusing and light metering. Also on the front is a button for self-timer (9-second delay), which can also be used for starting a double exposure. The shutter button is also on the front. When taking your picture, hold yourself very steady, it's best to lean on something, and careful to not move the camera when you push the shutter button. You will end up with a blurry photo if you don't hold perfectly still. So, there are a few key takeaways. Your first few photos will stink. They will be dark and blurry, or hopelessly washed out because you didn't give it enough time to develop after taking the picture. I think it's fun though, being forced to give more thought about what you're taking a picture of, what the lighting is like, etc... because you only get one shot, and it's a pricey shot. I highly encourage downloading the full manual from Polaroid's website, since it has some very good tips on taking good pictures, and how to use the advanced features (double exposure, exposure compensation). One thing I learned on accident, is the film will develop with a green tint if left to develop in cooler weather (e.g. under 60F). They're also pretty explicit in reminding you: don't shake the film! Keep it away from light while its exposing. Full exposure takes 10-15 mins, but you can probably take a peek after about 5 mins or so without ruining the photo.

What is more classic than Polaroid!? This thing is very easy to get used to and it consistently puts out good photos. And the film selection for these things are great!

I recently picked up this Polaroid camera from Best Buy, and it's been a blast! The mix of old-school charm with modern features makes it a real winner. The vintage design is super cool and sturdy. It's easy to use, whether you're new to instant cameras or a pro. The picture quality is surprisingly good, with bright colors and clear details. Watching the photos develop right in front of you is always a fun experience. All in all, this Polaroid camera has been a great buy. It’s perfect for capturing those special moments and making them last. Highly recommend it for anyone who loves a bit of nostalgia with their photography!

BACKGROUND: I will begin by stating I owned a Polaroid SX-70 SLR camera back in the mid 1970’s. It’s aluminum chassis, with tan leather trim construction, was a design of spectacular innovation. Being able to watch your pictures developed before your eyes was simply magical. And although the SX-70 was fully manual (no auto exposure or auto focus), the photos it produced were just stunning. No doubt the film chemistry of the day played an integral component of those photographs; colors popped, reds were red, yellows were yellow, blues were blue, etc… NOW GENERATION 2: Now I really wanted to like this camera remembering the great pictures I was able to obtain with the SX-70. And I did temper my expectations with the current film chemistry of today. I had read that it does not quite reach the color saturation capabilities of 50 years ago. Because it is fully automatic, I anticipated it would take acceptable photos worthy of keeping. And this updated camera appears well designed for today’s users with a few added features. Example, the ability to double expose was interesting, but sadly did not produce the intended results I had imagined. Also, the “selfie” feature is an added bonus for the current generation of users that want to get into the action. EASE OF USE: I will admit that the NOW GEN-2 is super easy to use. Charge the battery, insert a film cartridge, turn on, point and shoot. The most positive thing I can say is, I really like that the flash is now a component of the camera, with an internal battery, easily charged with the supplied USB-C cable. And I was enthusiastic that I didn’t have to manually mess around with exposure, flash, or focus settings. PICTURES: Here is where things go downhill. I took 16 pictures with both of the included film cartridges, inside and outside, with and without the flash, in a multitude of lighting conditions, and a couple attempts at “double exposure”. Of those sixteen, only three were considered keepable out of the bunch. And those three were less than normal looking photos at best, and considered washed-out pictures at worst. (Note, all pictures were immediately placed in a dark box for 15 minutes before viewing. And the film provided had a product code of 02/23.) All of the pictures I took were of my grandchildren, and of those, my daughter declined keeping any of them when offered. Her only comment was “hmmm, very retro looking”. I had initially intended to use a few for this review, but I do not want to publish pictures of young family members. AUTO FOCUS / AUTO FLASH: All I can say is, this camera is auto-out-of-focus, or “soft focus” at best devoid any contrast detail. And the auto flash just washes out the pictures producing very light faded looking coloring. Maybe it’s me, I just don’t know how to use a point-and-shoot automatic camera? Maybe it’s the camera, something is defective? Maybe it’s the film chemistry, just not up for the task? BOTTOM LINE: If you are looking for an instant picture camera, and can accept the current photo quality limitations, or you perform a service where you require an immediate photo, then go for it. But if you are expecting average picture quality, I believe you will be greatly disappointed with this New Generation 2 Polaroid offering. Factoring in the retail price of the camera, coupled with the cost of the film, then accounting for the pictures not worth keeping, I consider this one very expensive camera. After using, I believe it is more of a novity item, versus a camera capable of producing memories for future viewing.

Love love love this camera!! So easy to use and the pictures turn out great every time. I get asked to bring it to almost every event I go to.

Takes really good photos and easy to use and manage

The Polaroid Now Instant Film Camera, Generation 2, with bundled film packs, took me back to my teenage years. The camera has the same look and feel from many years ago. The only difference is this one has a USB port for charging the internal battery. The film cartridges do not have built-in batteries. Two film packs of eight color photos come with the camera, along with a lanyard, USB cable, and easy-to-follow instructions. The USB cable plugs into the right side of the camera, and a small LED indicator above the port shows the charging status. I plugged mine in for a few hours to get to a full charge. A black release button on the left side will open the film door. The film cartridges are wrapped in sealed foil packs to keep the film fresh. The film cartridge has to be inserted into the camera with the black cardboard facing up and the pull tab toward the front. Manually closing the film door will eject the black cardboard, allowing the film to be exposed for pictures. Holding the orange power on/off button on the back for a second will turn the camera on. A small flash indicator button shows the flash status, and an orange film counter below the power button shows how many pictures are remaining. The camera will automatically shut itself off after a few minutes of no use. The shutter button is just below the flash on the front. The shutter button has two positions. A half-press will prepare the camera while focusing and framing the shot, and then a full press will take the photo. (I'm surprised this information is not in the included directions.) Below the viewfinder lens on the front is a light sensor and a self-timer/double exposure button. Pressing this once and then pressing the shutter button will flash a light below the viewfinder lens slowly and then rapidly before the picture is snapped. Pressing the button twice will display a '1' till the first shot is taken, then will show '2' until the second shot is taken. Then, the photo will eject. The camera has an auto-focus sensor, which will determine if the photo is a portrait or a standard photograph. The i-Type film takes around 10 to 15 minutes to develop. It is recommended to place the photo face down during that time to prevent external light from affecting the development. Once the cartridge is empty, open the film door and use the multi-colored tab to pull the cartridge out. Don't expect to get crystal clear, high-quality pictures. These rely on chemicals and film to develop. The photos have a nostalgic and antique feel. This camera requires a lot of light to get a decent picture. Sometimes, the flash is not bright enough to get a good shot. Overall, I'm a bit disappointed, and the camera with the film is overpriced. However, if antique and authentic is the look you're going for, this camera will deliver.

Great use and easy to use. Pictures come out seamless