Customer Ratings & Reviews

I recently got my hands on the Polaroid Now Instant Film Camera Generation 2 in the classic Black & White and I must say, it’s like going back to my childhood before digital cameras and phone cameras. As someone who enjoys photography and who appreciates the charm of analog photography, this camera is a blast from the past for that vintage look in photographs. The Polaroid Now Generation 2 has a timeless elegant look of the disposable cameras of Polaroids from the past. Its sleek black body gives it that old school look, and the build quality is excellent. It feels sturdy yet lightweight, making it easy to carry around for impromptu photo sessions, the capture button is kind of in an awkward position, as someone with big fingers it was hard to get a good grip and pressing the capture button. What sets the Polaroid Now apart is its instant film capability. The anticipation of waiting for the film to develop adds a sense of excitement and charm to the entire process. There’s something incredibly special and nostalgic about holding a physical photograph moments after capturing it, and the Polaroid Now brings that feeling back. The Polaroid Now Generation 2 is incredibly user-friendly. The camera features autofocus, ensuring that every shot is sharp and clear. The built-in flash adjusts automatically based on the lighting conditions, guaranteeing well-lit photos in various environments. That being said I definitely recommend taking pictures in well lit environments to get the best out of the camera photos, because even with the flash if there's not enough light photos can come out very dark, and with the price of the film you don't want to waste it with bad lighting. Overall the Polaroid Now Instant Film Camera Generation 2 in Black & White is a delightful blend of vintage charm and modern convenience. Its old school design, instant gratification, monochrome magic, ease of use, and the joy of tangible results make it a must-have for anyone passionate about photography and preserving memories in a timeless form. Using this camera is not just about capturing moments; it’s about creating timeless mementos that will be cherished for years to come. I absolutely love the Polaroid Now 2 and highly recommend it to anyone seeking a nostalgic photography experience.

The Polaroid Now+ Gen 2 is a charmingly retro camera that offers USB-C charging (a must-have in 2023, thank you EU for my life) and a gorgeous design. Having never owned the Gen 1, I can't directly compare the two but this isn't my first instant camera! Besides the disposable ones from convenience stores that were popular back in the day, I've also had a good amount of time with the Instax Mini 9, my favorite camera. I love the format, so I was hoping the Now+ 2 would be a heavy contender given that Polaroid is THE brand I think of when I think of retro photography. To start with the positives, it feels good to hold in the hand and it looks amazing even just sat on a desk. The white colorway is a lovely callback to Polaroid's vintage cameras, but even people who aren't familiar would like it as it translates well to modern-day design aesthetics. I particularly liked that the battery was rechargeable and that it was made of 40% recycled plastic. Although I enjoy the vintage aesthetic, I'm not a fan of disposable lithium batteries (and neither is Mother Earth) so it's a huge plus to have the retro experience without feeling guilty about generating waste. The app is great and being able to tweak settings is a massive perk. Most things are fairly intuitive in the app - messing around with settings can be intimidating as a non-professional, but I can tell they did their best to make things as user-friendly on that end as they could. For some, this level of control might be too much; coming from the Instax Mini, it can be useful to be able to tweak settings in such detail versus switching between exposure presets. The downsides of this camera, though, are unfortunately tough to overlook. The experience using the Now+ was pretty mixed overall. I liked the retro vibes of some of the better photos, but inconsistent exposure was massively frustrating to deal with. Photos often came out overexposed, but sometimes underexposed instead, and could be blurry or focused on the wrong subject (which I believe is due to the autofocus feature) - all incredibly frustrating issues. Colors were washed-out, and not always in the pleasant "retro"/"vintage" Polaroid way (though the prints do have more of that "old-school" essence than the Instax's do). Having to fiddle with the app while holding the camera and taking shots was impractical at best and annoying at worst, especially when outdoors. If I have to take out my phone to make photos come out just okay, why not just use my phone which has a vastly better camera? I understand that the appeal of this style of camera is the look of the photos that come out as well as having the physical print, but if the photos are coming out poorly and I have to use my phone anyways, it's hard to see a situation where the Now+ is the more pleasant option in terms of either experience or outcome. The Now+ isn't by any means unusable nor were all the photos bad, but of perhaps 10 shots I would only feel happy about 3 or 4, and the rest would be either so blown-out or dark I could hardly make out anything. A photo taken at 11 a.m. could look like it was taken at midnight, and it was hard to control. Photos taken five minutes apart could come out looking like they were at different times of day entirely. In a moment where I might only have one shot, I don't know that I want to take that gamble. That is part of the "charm" of instant cameras, though. The Instax Mini also has some issues with over- or under-exposure, but I consistently like the shots from my Instax more. They do tend to have a blue cast versus the warmer feel of the Polaroid pictures, but I've never had an issue with out-of-focus shots unless the subject was moving. The contrast is usually better, the colors more saturated. But it was overall just more fun to use the Instax, and for me, that's the key point - I use these sorts of cameras for fun! I'm not a pro using a film camera to get the best shot ever so I am comfortable with resulting photos that aren't perfectly exposed or have slightly blurry subjects and washed-out colors. It's fun to watch the film develop. It's fun to take a photo and get something physical at the end. Half the fun is the experience, so it's easier to overlook the aspects where maybe the result isn't perfect...but the Now+ was simply not very fun to use most of the time and the end photos weren't great. There were very few shots where I felt the Now+ was even comparable to what I wanted (clear shots with true-to-life colors and proper exposure), let alone better than the Instax. The Now+ has color filters included in the box which weren't useful to me but might be for the right person. Also included is a quality-feeling wrist strap which I appreciated, and a cheap kinky USB-C cable which is a disappointment but not a dealbreaker since you can easily swap to a better cable if you want. The biggest disappointment that isn't directly related to the actual camera abilities of the Now+ is the cost of film for it versus the Instax's as well as needing to refrigerate the film itself - something that isn't always practical for me as I tend to use these sorts of cameras on trips. Having nearly $2/photo film go bad because I had it in my backpack instead of a fridge is a sour point when film for the Instax averages out at $0.70/photo and is remarkably resilient in comparison. When you consider that most shots don't even come out well in my experience, $2 for each poor shot is far from ideal and makes it a tough sell for traveling. Ultimately, whether the Now+ works out better than something more "point and shoot" friendly like the Instax Mini depends entirely on what you're looking for. As a casual photographer who just wants to capture the moment, I still find that the Instax is more economical, more fun, and more fitting for my desires in a photo. I would recommend it happily to any hobbyist or casual photo-taker who wants a hassle-free experience. I can appreciate, however, the aesthetic the Now+ brings and that the challenge it presents taking photos in and of itself might be fun for certain shutterbugs and diehard retro fans who fully embrace the fiddliness of vintage photography. The Now+ does feel overall more true to my experience with instant cameras back then for what it's worth, although the shots just don't come out as well for me with the Now+ as they seemed to then. Perhaps that's nostalgia talking though! If you enjoy that process and decidedly prefer the retro look to your prints, the Now+ is a clear winner.

Great throwback Polaroid! When this offer came up, I was quick to grab it. I thought it would be fun to have a throw-back experience to my childhood when this was state-of-the-art technology... When I got it, I opened it and left it on the table in our entry. As soon as my teen daughter, she grabbed and headed upstairs. My eighteeen-year-old daughter is a vibrant artist in almost all media from pencil, to watercolor, to oil, to music and of course to photography. We desided to test it togeher. Needles to say, her pictyres made this review, my artless pics were pale in comparison to hers. First off, set up was as expected, easy. Open it up, charge it, load film, aim, snap pic and wait a bit for it to develop. It was indeed a memory tugger! After going through a couple "rolls" of film, it was nice to see the classic richness and depth that Polaroid instant film presents. I can for sure see taking a couple "rolls" of film this coming Thanksgiving and Christmas. My plan is to take the pics and then digitally stare them for perpetuity. The one slight drawback (and the only thing keeping ot from a 5 star rating) is that the film is not inexpensive. That is known by most people prior to purchasing this, but I found it important enough to note. End of the day, fun little camera to bring you back to the 70's and 80's!

What is it that makes Polaroid unique? The ability to blend classic with modern styles. The classic look of an instant camera, but with a modern touch. Although this instant camera looks and feels like a retro instant camera, you're able to turn your flash on or off, and charge it by plugging it in instead of replacing its batteries. Polaroid added nifty features to the Now camera. A self-timer, double exposure, and flash, help add to the unique shots that can be taken by it. Per my experience, flash is always necessary while shooting indoors for best photos. The Now also is compatible with two Polaroid films: the i-Type and 600. The difference between the two? The 600 film contains a battery pack inside that powered older Polaroid Instant camera models while the i-Type does not contain a battery. This does not affect the Now model and I would prefer using the i-Type since it technically uses less material. Both film types are in 600 iso, which helps to create those unique, vintage style photos. For the best film quality photos, Polaroid recommends putting the film in the refrigerator and letting it sit out before using the film to take pictures. They also recommend after taking photos, to set the film in a dark place or flipping it around with the photo side down. The quality of the photos themselves makes me reminisce some of my old family photos. However, working with this i-type film seems different to me. It took me a couple of tries, but I finally got the film to not be speckled once it cures. After trying with the refrigerated and non-refeigerated films (I bought a double-pack to test them out), I did find the refrigerated pack worked better at not having the ink move around. Now for the downsides. The Now's battery only lasts for about 15 shots before needing to be charged again (the light near the charging port will indicate the battery level (green/yellow/red). Second, although the camera is meant to create grainy photos with a soft, creamy pastel like feel, I would also like to have the option to take sharp photos. All the photos I took seemed a bit out of focus, even with the grainy effect, with the farther ones looking sharper than close-up shots, which was a disappointment for me when it came to portraits. Overall, I was not too impressed by this Polaroid Instant camera. Maybe, I could learn to use it better. Regardless, I have used other brand instant cameras that have given me sharper and brighter photos. However, if you're looking for the vintage, creamy look, this one is perfect for that.

I recently had the opportunity to try out the new Polaroid Now Instant Film Camera Generation 2, and I must say, it was a delightful trip down memory lane. As soon as I held this camera in my hands, I was transported back to my childhood, a time when Polaroid instant cameras were all the rage, and capturing moments was an exciting and tangible experience. One of the standout features of this camera is its ease of use. It's incredibly user-friendly (as Polaroids tend to be), making it perfect for both beginners and seasoned photographers. Just point, shoot, and within moments, you have a physical photograph in your hand. There's something truly magical about watching the image slowly develop before your eyes, just like it did back in the day. You can even try your hand at double exposures if you want to experiment. The quality of the pictures produced by the Polaroid Now Generation 2 is impressive. The colors are vibrant, and the details are sharp (for a Poloroid). It's astonishing to see how far instant film technology has come while still retaining that distinctive retro aesthetic. Each photo has a unique, timeless quality that digital photography often lacks. There really is something special about shaking a Polaroid picture. Another feature I appreciated is the USB-C charging capability. It's so convenient to be able to charge the camera using the same cable as my other devices. It’s a little touch but it goes a long way in helping its case for being a premium product. Note: this is not a toy – Give this to your child and say goodby to your money. One of the most significant advantages of this camera is the speed at which the film develops. It's astonishing how quickly the image appears and fully develops before your eyes. This instant gratification adds to the joy of using the camera and allows you to share memories with friends and family instantly. My children currently see this as the future of taking photos. They would rather take a photo and receive the physical picture in minutes vs taking a picture with my phone and probably never seeing that image again. There are a couple of drawbacks to consider. First, the cost of film can be a bit steep. Each exposure will set you back between $1.70 and $2.00, depending on where you purchase it. While the experience is undoubtedly unique and nostalgic, it can add up quickly if you're a frequent user. Like I said above, this is not something you will want to hand over to your kids. It will only take them moments to burn though $28 (16 exposures) worth of film. Another minor downside is that the flash could be a bit stronger for low-light situations. It's perfectly adequate for most scenarios, but in really dim environments, you might find yourself wishing for a bit more illumination. This camera is best used for well lit moments. My time with the Polaroid Now Instant Film Camera Generation 2 was a fantastic journey back to the past, filled with nostalgia and delightful surprises. This camera is definitely meant to be used with intent and foresight for composition. I’m looking forward to breaking this out during the holidays and blowing the minds of my time machine passengers.

TL;DR: 1. USE: Simple to use; you can connect to the app on your iPhone or Android device, or use it old school and just use it out of the box…but remember to get film! :) 2. SETUP: Charge it to 100% before using, install film black side up. 3. Usability is easy 4. The quality and durability are good (not sure how the white shell will age over time. If I did it again, I would probably choose the black shell) 5. Buy one and enjoy it, especially over the holidays! I had the less expensive, lower end Gen 1 version of the Polaroid Instant Film Camera, but my mother in-law liked it so much, I decided to give it to her last year. I was excited to see the Now+ Gen 2 version this year and wanted to try it out. The look of it is very familiar to what I grew up with, although this is definitely a fancier and more durable version. Plus, it has bluetooth and an app to support everything. The first thing I noticed was the packaging was very simple in a nice and environmentally friendly way. Even the USB-C to USB-C cable comes wrapped in a recyclable brown paper wrap. The instructions are very easy and simple to read - and very colorful, like the company’s logo. There are external filters included, which is a nice touch. The only thing that is not included is film; not even a trial version, which was disappointing. Once I fully charged the camera - I plugged it in and went for a 1.5 hour hike. When I got back home, it was fully charged. I then downloaded and connected it to the app. That was very easy and very cool - there are tips and tricks on how to get the most out of the Now+, taking proper pictures (make sure you have light and/or use the flash), and usage and storage of the film [store it in a cold environment (they recommend the refrigerator), don’t shake the picture you just took (either store it in a cool, low lit environment, facedown and/or in your pocket) and let it fully develop, and enjoy your photos free of edits, etc. If you choose, you can upload to your phone to make edits as you want. Overall, it is a really nice camera that has some current features (like bluetooth and app support) and old school Polaroid features (like waiting for the photo to develop and having it with you almost immediately). I only have one role of film and I used it up! I didn’t use all the battery power, but will charge it up and get more film…especially to use over Thanksgiving!

I’ve been using the Now+ for a few days and I can say it give you that nostalgic feel with some great features to help you get that perfect shot. I’m a person that loves photography and this camera just feeds my artistic style and feel that I look for to get that digital and rough feel. But at that same time brings it back to this decade with a digital app. The camera can take 600 film and I series which adds versatility if you had an old style Polaroid the film will still work. This set does NOT include any film so be sure to pick some up when you buy it or you will have a paperweight when you get home. As far as the camera goes I like the build quality of the camera and its signature look. The kit comes with a few lense filters to get a signature look. Also comes lense cap and wrist strap which is nice. The quality of prints are as expected with a Polaroid so you are getting that Polaroid look that we all know and love. I got to use the Polaroid app with the camera and it allows for less guesswork of your picture and allows for extra flexibility for making that picture how you want it. After the first connection the camera connects very quick and instant. You can choose from a bunch of cool settings like double exposure, self timer, and manual. I got to use manual and it will tell you if your subject is bright or dark on the app with is nice. You can adjust aperture and shutter speed for that photo. One thing I will say. Light light light. You need a lot of light for this camera. I took some pics indoors and outdoors at night and they came out pretty dark except for the one I used with the built in flash. But that’s with any camera the more light the better. Flash is a last resort for closer up portraits unless you want red eyes. So keep that in mind while taking that shot. But all around this a great camera that allows for a lot of freedom and creativity!

When talking about instant cameras, Polaroid is a brand that always comes to mind. You have to have a creative eye to really take advantage of this particular camera. I say this because the film used is made to capture colors based on your subject and lighting. In dark environments, your subject has to be close enough to take advantage of the built in flash. Anything past 3 feet will be pretty dark. In good natural lighting, photos come out looking the best. It's kind of big to carry as a street camera but it's somewhat manageable and it even comes with a wrist strap. You have to make every shot count. Each picture will cost you around $2.12 since an 8 pack currently costs $16.99. It also took me a few Best Buy's to locate 1 of the I-type films and even then the one box they had looked like it was opened. Overall, this gets looks when I use it on the streets and gets the conversation started with random a talking about the "good ol' days". It comes with USB-C charging which is a plus now a days. While I may not take it everywhere, I know it will get used to stay creative.

I was excited to get this Gen 2 version of the Now+ after seeing the design of the first. From a physical design standpoint, it doesn’t disappoint - A sturdy chassis and quality ABS plastic form a simplified throwback shape of the Polaroid One Step cameras from the late 70s. It’s a welcome effort, but it does come with drawbacks from the i-Type film itself. My shots were of unreliable quality, which is either an indication of how far cameras and prints have come, cheaper lenses in these cameras, or a change to the film’s composition today. Design: Like most of the color-ways available, the all-white option I got didn’t disappoint. I love the design, it achieves it’s goal to bring something special (back) to the world of photography. All of the key angles of the original cameras are masterfully simplified for this modern take. Its main caveat is that even in doing so, it still feels like a toy camera by modern standards. This comes a bit from it’s unique bulky form that’s and experience to hold, but largely due to the unreliable focusing and fidelity of the shots themselves. Prints/Film: As recommended, I used the i-Type film in mine, which is essentially a battery-less version of the normal film. In theory, this should mean we’re getting the original film experience with these cameras, but I struggled to get good shots. Out of an 8 shot pack, 3 of them worth keeping - the others are either blurry or underdeveloped. A few have some artifacting from the film itself and some have one person mostly in focus, while another in that same photo is not (despite being at nearly the same distance.) All images have a vintage filter effect to them, regardless of what you do. Unlike the ‘shake it like a Polaroid picture’ guidance of pop culture, you’ll want to take a photo and then place it upside down for about 30 minutes before it’s fully developed. This makes me think things have changed in its formulation, but some claim that it’s the same as it used to be. So, unlike the instant print cameras, you’ll have to wait a bit of time to see your shot. Use & App: A single trigger button makes it largely a print and shoot style camera. There is no direct focusing, but supposedly these models automatically adjust between 2 focusing settings automatically. On this Now+ model, you’ll also get some control over related settings from within the app. This is cool, and the app itself is responsive and the camera finds itself and connects instantly. Selected modes are active as soon as they appear on your screen, but this kind of preplanning is a bit more challenging without the live previews we’re used to from our smartphones. Taking these shots takes some trial and error. That wouldn’t normally be an issue, but the film is quite expensive. Your trial and error will undoubtedly cost you, but if you have the money, have fun! - Between this fact and the included color and effect lenses, the overall package feels like either a party camera (that you should test-run prior to your party) or a fun camera for kids who want to take silly photos of friends and share in a bit of the old-school nostalgia their generation is otherwise completely unfamiliar with. The app does not store any digital photos, it is purely for setting up artistic or manual shots, or acting as a remote trigger. Overall Impression: This a nicely designed throwback camera, but feels limited by its film and focusing abilities. I’m sure I could get much better shots with careful pre-planning, but not without spending a fortune in film. As a result, it succeeds largely as a party camera (with some pre-practice required) or a toy camera for kids/teens and their friends. Good stuff: - Nice, minimalist throwback design - Sturdy w/ durable materials - App is responsive and easy to use Less than good stuff: - Inconsistent print quality - Unreliable autofocus - Environmental lighting dependent, even with flash - Expensive film

Granted, this Polaroid Now+ Gen 2 Instant Film Camera is more of a "niche" item. These days, photography and 'picture taking' has evolved, to the extent that anyone with a smartphone, has a camera with them at all times. But what about having a physical copy of a photo? Sure, you can still get film developed or go to a variety of stores and have photos printed out from a memory card/stick or even print them out at home, but "taking a Polaroid" is just plain fun. Setup was easy. And the camera is made well. This model is still relatively simple to use, even without using the mobile app. There are several other photo options in the app though, with tips to make your picture taking better. I particularly enjoyed trying the Double Exposure mode, although I haven't mastered that yet. I really liked that the camera came with 5 filters - Starburst, Red Vignette, Orange, Yellow, Blue - and a lens cover, all of which fit inside a handy zippered pouch. There's also a wrist strap, but I don't see much point of this accessory, as the camera is a bit too heavy to be dangling off your wrist for carrying around. There is a Tripod Mount on the bottom of the camera which could prove useful for those wishing to capture that 'perfect shot.' One minor issue I've found is that the 'film shield' when it retracts, does appear to slightly scratch the undeveloped photo. But I'm sure there's a trick to removing the photo from the camera once it "ejects" and I just haven't got the hang of it yet. I will say that the cost of film is a detriment. Film for these types of cameras has never been inexpensive, especially for the number of photos you can take with each pack. Factor in that the shot you take may not be 'just right.' The app does help, and I spent quite awhile playing around with the different modes, trying things out. But the reality is, the film is too pricey for doing much "trial and error." Oh, and unlike what we've always believed, you do not "need" to shake the photo as it's developing. You should, instead, place the photo in a dark place or face down (though I chose not to do this as it doesn't make much sense to me to place a freshly taken photo that's still developing face down so that the front of the photo is touching any type of surface). If this type of camera is right up your alley, than I can recommend this Polaroid Now+ Instant Film Camera Gen 2. For some, it's the nostalgia factor, for others this camera might appeal to you simply as a novelty, or as something to bring to get-togethers where you might want to "capture the moment" and give a pictoral memory to friends or family which they can take with them. Bottom line - it's a Polaroid. The quality you remember is there. So, while I do recommend this Polaroid camera, it's with reservations.

Love the camera, the app features are cool, double exposure feature is fun, haven’t used the lenses yet, but did take some nice black and grey photos on vacation. Unrelated to the camera, it would be nice if the store had the other colorways in physical stock.

As someone who has wanted a Polaroid Instant Film Camera forever, I was not disappointed! I’ve been looking for a camera with a bit of a retro style and this one certainly gives more of a retro vibe compared to a modern camera. I have never owned a Polaroid Instant Film Camera of this caliber before so I wasn’t too sure what to expect when getting this, but I can say that I’m pretty happy with the product so far. In this review, I will explain why the camera was great and the minor items I wasn’t exactly content with. I wasn’t sure what common accessories should be included with a Polaroid Instant Film camera but I definitely liked everything that was included! There were more accessories than I was expecting. All the following were included: 5 colored filters, a container for the filters, a hand strap, and a cover for the lens. I appreciated the color variety of lenses that Polaroid provided. If you like colored photos, then I think you’d like the lenses but as someone who mainly just wants a cool picture with no color, I wasn’t too crazy about them. My favorite thing about these Instant Films is when a photo comes out perfect and you find out it’s great for hanging on decorative lights or just putting it up on a mirror. The camera’s physical appearance is more of a modern retro look so if that’s the aesthetic you are looking for then you would like it. Putting in the film gets easier once you figure out how to do it the first time. If it is your first time putting in the film, I recommend finding a YouTube video on how to do it, so you don’t mess up and break something. Some of the bad things were the price of the film and the inconsistent quality of the pictures. Taking pictures can be a bit challenging if the lighting within your environment is not the best or positioned a certain way. Sometimes you may get a picture where you can barely tell what’s in it because it may come out way darker than expected. But this is mostly some expensive trial and error, you must figure out what is the best position in your environment and be sure to consider other factors like if the subject is moving or if there are any other disturbances around. The film is pricey for so little, so be sure to use the film wisely. The following lists some of the most significant pros and cons that I found with this camera. Pros: - A variety of lenses for those who like color in their photos - A cool throwback retro design (if that’s what you’re looking for) - The app is great and easy to use Cons: - Expensive film - Inconsistent quality of pictures - Requires a lot of preplanning like lighting, positioning the subject or object, and taking care of any disturbances that may occur Overall, I seriously enjoyed this Polaroid Instant Film Camera. The only problem that stands out is the inconsistent quality of the pictures but other than that, it is honestly a great instant film camera! I would recommend just being aware of the aforementioned problems because they may be a deal breaker for you.

The Polaroid Now Gen 2 camera is, well, polarizing. It is at the same time cool, retro, stylish and at the same time cumbersome, inconvenient and difficult. In essence, this is not a photography tool,rather it’s an experience; it sits in a world of its own. After playing around with it for the last couple of weeks, here’s some aspects that I like and don’t like. Likes: The overall experience is unique, and at least to me very fun. It makes taking each and every photo an event, and a memorable one. It’s never dull, and creates opportunities to be creative Everything works like a charm. I’ve yet to get any jammed paper, or other weird issue. Less buttons and options = less chance of things getting wrong Camera is well built and does not need “babying” like other cameras. Lens seems well protected, the body is made out of durable plastic Different types of paper/films are available, ranging from normal color or black-and-white, to fancy framed and special edition ones Supports both Polaroid i-type and the old-school 600 films Flash gives off an old school vibe which I like There’s a timer in the front with an indicator light that helps to take selfies - again in the old-school way! An overall fun plaything especially at events and gatherings Dislikes: Some of the pros can be taken as cons for a lot of people - especially if the only camera you’ve ever used is a smartphone Needs some thinking to “frame” and “setup” the photo No autofocus, so distance needs to be optimum to reduce blurriness Almost unusable without the flash and decent light Flash is old-school i.e. has the red–eye effect As you should already be aware - no post processing or saving of the image. This is a purely “print-once” camera. What you captures is what you get printed As above, no memory, so no way to duplicate or retrieve a photo Films are proprietary and quite expensive Needs some experimentation with different types of film, so it becomes a more expensive venture Film development takes some time, and needs to be handled properly (lied on it’s back in a dark place) - can be bothersome if you’ve not planned and are out and about In essence, the Polaroid Now instant camera is a mixed bag. Unless you’re committed to put up with the chore or taking a once in a lifetime photo, and agree to spend some dough on the film, it may turn into a useless piece of toy. On the other hand, if you’re an aficionado and appreciate the art of taking good photos with not-so-fancy gear and don’t like digital wizardry, this may be something of a passion project. I personally love it, and have been using it to capture memorable moments of my family and my dogs. But most possibly, I’d give it a lot of thought before recommending it to anybody.

I grew up in a world of Polaroid (and Fotomats) and still have some Polaroid instant prints laying around in shoe boxes and taped inside photo albums. I remember those days fondly so when the new Polaroid Now Instant Camera Gen 2 came onto the scene promising pictures with all the “charming flaws and imperfections you remember” but with a modern and updated twist, my nostalgia muscles contracted and I just HAD to try it out. To my surprise, my oldest daughter said she’d also been DYING to get one of these because so many of her friends had been talking about them–she was over the moon when I brought one home. Well, after spending some time on a recent family trip with the Polaroid Now, I quickly realized that the reason we used these cameras when I was a kid wasn’t because they took great pictures, or even that they were necessarily convenient to haul around so that you'd never miss one of those once-in-a-lifetime photo ops (you could still do that with a regular camera)…it’s because we simply didn’t have anything else. There was no way to take a photo and see the results instantly like you can with a cell phone, or admittedly, with an instant photo printed from a Polaroid or other ultra-portable instant camera. At best, you had to drive to a one-hour photo shop with your roll of film and hope they could squeeze you in and get your pictures back before you had to drive home. So in that sense, the Polaroid Now delivers a nostalgic bit of photographic instant gratification–you DO get to see your photos AND hold them in your hands just a scant few minutes after you take them. Sadly, the cost, trouble, and abysmally low-quality results associated with all that effort makes the Polaroid Now a very poor investment for anything more than a prop at an 80s costume party. To be fair, this is every bit the Polaroid you remember and more. The colorway is precisely as I remember and the shape is just as weirdly trapezoidal, with jutting, angular shapes and protrusions that make it anything but a joy to tote around…again, sporting the same clunky ergonomics as the Polaroid cameras of my youth. There are two wrist-strap slots on the back that, in my time, would have accommodated a neck strap so that you’d at least have your hands free when walking about while the camera bumped and bounced around at chest level. Here, you only get one wrist strap, and at ~1.2 lbs with a loaded film pack, it’s not heavy per se, but you definitely feel the weight and hard shapes, edges, and angles bouncing around awkwardly at the end of your hand. The fact that there’s no neck-strap option included makes the new Polaroid Now more troublesome to carry than it should be. There is a bit of modern flair thrown in for good measure. The little paper picture counter at the back of the camera that indicated remaining shots in the film cartridge has been replaced with an easy-to-read LCD display. The camera is USB-C chargeable, which not only makes it easier to find a charging cable these days, but that built-in battery means you can use the slightly chapter i-Type film packs that don’t have a battery in them necessary to otherwise power the flash, electronics, or picture roller/motor. There’s a power button on the back, and a big ol’ red button up front for taking a picture. There’s also a handy flash control button at the back next to the power button that lets you cancel the flash per exposure; the button itself blinks with a glowing lightning bolt in the middle when the flash is ready to use, and is not illuminated at all if you turn the flash off–that’s some nice usability/design work that helps make the camera pretty much self-explanatory. I loved the addition of the small self-timer button on the front; but in use, it was a bit of a mixed bag. The Polaroid design makes it really easy to simply “point-and-shoot,” so long as you are generally facing the direction/object you want to capture. But if you are really looking to frame your subject properly, there’s a telescope-like viewfinder jutting out of the back you can peer through to get a better sense of how the image will be composed on the print. Unfortunately, there is no threaded tripod mount on the bottom of the camera so you generally have to find other objects–a tree branch, park bench, shelf, table, etc. to set the camera on and hope it’s at roughly the proper height/angle if you want to use the timer to get into the action yourself. Of course, the rub here is that most objects we needed to use in the moment as a camera prop didn’t easily accommodate someone walking behind the camera to make sure everything/everyone was in frame. This is not a knock on THIS Polaroid camera…the same was true in my youth, back when they were all the rage, but the general inability to properly frame most shots when each exposure is relatively expensive quickly drained some of the nostalgic fun from the prospect of repeated re-shoots and one more-for-luck or one-more-for-mom photo ops. That brings me to the heart of our misgivings with the Polaroid Now, especially in today’s day and age. After a LOT of searching at several different big-box stores, we were finally able to track down some Polaroid film. But short of buying a bulk package of film online that started to close in on the price of the camera itself (!!!), the cheapest we could find Color i-Type film (which, again, is slightly cheaper than 600 film) was about $16 per pack–for 8 exposures! At roughly $2 per photo, that struck me as more than a little pricey because there’s a good chance that not every one of those 8 photos was going to come out in focus, in frame, or lit well enough to make out the subject…aaaaaaaaand, sadly, I was right. I picked several colorful compositions to start things off…my dog next to a colorful plaid doggie bed, my wife next to a bouquet of flowers bursting with color, my daughter posing in her newest outfit purchased solely for going on job interviews, etc. Each photo was taken during the day, in a brightly lit kitchen or dining room, or outside in the daylight. With each photo, I experienced a healthy dose of that quaint, old-fashioned Polaroid magic when you see (and hear) a picture slowly spill out of the front of the camera and start developing right before your eyes. Only this time, you’re not supposed to take the picture out and either shake it or stare at it while it develops. Instead, you’re supposed to keep it in a dark place or face-down while it fully develops. You can even leave it perched at the front lip of the camera under the dark protective cover screen–which was actually a cool design feature and I give Polaroid major props for thinking of it when you don’t have a dark, flat surface ready at hand to allow the photos to safely develop on their own. But once the photos did develop, the disappointment set in. Yes, the prints came out often as soft and “charmingly flawed” as they used to, while many others were simply unusable due to being so washed out or so dark and underexposed that it was hard to believe I was looking at a picture of the same scene I had just photographed. My wife and I compared notes and frankly neither of us remember the Polaroids of our youth coming out looking quite as badly as these did. I grant you, perhaps our “Polaroiding” skills were a bit rusty, but I don’t remember photos taken 2-3 feet away under the cast of bright overhead lights (and with assistance of the onboard “accurate flash” to boot) coming out quite so dark and soft-focused. Worse still, after just a few test shots, I had already burned through $12 of photos with only two decent but absurdly dark prints for my trouble. Then the next realization sunk in–with so few prints in each film cartridge, I was going to have to tote around a LOT more film packages in addition to the rather bulky camera itself if I was going to get any legitimate use out of the camera on our family trip. I did relent and bring it along, but the novelty quickly wore off as fatigue set in from carrying the bulky camera and multiple packs of instant film around with me, as did my misgivings at throwing away at least 70-80% of the photos we took. Honestly, I don’t remember what the economics of a Polaroid camera were in the late 70s and 80s…maybe the marginal cost of each photo is still about the same now as it was back then relative to the price of the film packs, but I just can’t abide throwing so much money away on film with so little return on my investment, especially when digital photography has changed the landscape of photography and photo-sharing in such dramatic and fundamental ways. YES, the Polaroid Now delivered every bit of the unique “photo-taking experience” I remember when using similar cameras in my youth–and it was a nice, albeit brief, sashay into those familiar feelings when we couldn’t wait to produce an instant photo we could hold in our hands. And I freely admit that Polaroid photography probably takes some practice and getting used to, and we might not have given it enough time to shake off the cobwebs. But the ergonomics and economics of the Polaroid solution just doesn’t make the kind of sense today as it did back when we were burning through several photo packs a week, especially when there are so many other options for picture-taking and picture-sharing available these days. I can certainly see the appeal at parties and for recapturing the retro-spirit of DIY photography; but I think we’ve sadly outgrown the Polaroid mindset and I’d have a hard time convincing anyone to come back into the fold based on our experience. In fact, when I told my oldest daughter she was free to keep the camera for herself but would have to buy the film packs on her own from now on, she looked up the price of an 8-pack of film, did the math for even a brief outing with her boyfriend, and told me, “That’s okay, dad, I don’t really need it.” For all her exuberance and excitement, that told me all I really needed to know.

Polaroid is a classic camera that I remember, and always had fun taking shots with my parents camera. This Now+ Instant Film Camera is a clean looking and modern take on the classic. In the box you get the Camera itself, a pouch with various filters and a lens cap, a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, wrist strap and some manuals. The camera works with I-Type and 600 Film, in this package no film is included, so you will need to buy it separately. The Camera has Bluetooth built in which allows you to connect to the Polaroid app, this allows you a few options to snap photos. Remote, Self-Timer, Double Exposure, Aperture, Tripod, Portrait, Light Painting and Manual. There are some nice options to the app, but you will just need to go with what the app is telling you in terms of how the show is, as there is no video sync to the app, so you will still need to line up the shot using the camera itself. I find this for most tripod or remote settings, the rest you may get used to over time, but with the cost of film, it up to you how much time you would put in to learning the settings (for casual photo takers). For me, this is a nice camera to use with just the simple point and click options. You have the power, shutter, flash buttons. There is a + button, which will switch between self-timer (Single Press), double exposure (double press) and custom shortcut (Long Press), there is a light indicator that shows you which mode it is in, which this lines up with some of the features accessible in the app. The shots don't compare to a ton of the newer stuff out there, but it's much for about the nostalgia to me and the memories that can be created with my kids. I'm sure some wonderful shots can be taken with this camera, but the kids love it for the instant snap to film, plus it's been a little creative tool for them when playing as this is more for them and the memories they have begun to create. It's still an instant film camera, with old school feel, I hope the kids continue to have fun with the camera and possibly get more in to photography.

I remember using these types of cameras when I was a kid. Since beginning to use this camera again, I have had a huge burst of nostalgia, this camera is exactly what I have been looking for to bring back all of those old, fun memories. First of all, this camera is built in a very durable manner, the buttons do not get stuck, the lens is very rigid and the outer shell can take a beating. With that said, please keep in mind that this camera is not one that is meant to be used in active settings. You can now charge the camera which is nice as it removes the need to worry about carrying batteries around to keep it working, a charging cable is even provided. The viewfinder is very comfortable to the outer eye too. Outside of the camera and charging cable, there is also a small lanyard/wrist strap that can be added to make carrying easy... although it is mainly for looks. One thing to keep in mind is to make sure you purchase the right film when you area ready to refill as there are several versions out there to purchase! All in all, if you are looking for a great holiday gift or to get back into the 90's via photography then this is a great item to add to your collection!

Certainly! Writing a review that highlights the positive aspects of the Polaroid camera you gifted can be helpful for others considering a similar purchase. Here's a sample review:I purchased this Polaroid camera as a Christmas gift, and it turned out to be an absolute hit! The recipient was thrilled, and we had a blast capturing instant memories throughout the holiday season. One of the standout features is the simplicity of use. Even for someone new to instant photography, the camera's intuitive controls and straightforward operation made it a breeze to start snapping photos right away. The film packs are easy to load, and the results are consistently impressive. The camera also has a nostalgic charm, reminiscent of classic Polaroid models, which adds an extra layer of appeal.Battery life has been excellent, lasting through extended photo sessions without any issues..

Polaroid's new Now+ camera is being marketed as a groovy analog image creation tool, but it fails to deliver even the simplest pictures with clarity and balance. These newer cameras differ from older polaroid cameras by having the power supply inside the camera as a rechargeable battery - older camera systems relied on battery packs that were part of the film cartridge. Aside from that, the basic premise of the camera is unchanged. In this iteration of their camera, Polaroid has added the ability to control the camera remotely from their app. Users can trigger the camera remotely, set a countdown timer, create a double exposure, control the aperture (control depth of field), take a longer exposure (on a tripod) in lower light conditions, go portrait mode, paint with light, or take full control over shutter speed, aperture, flash, and film ejection. And while these options present interesting possibilities for imaging, they require fumbling between the camera and your smartphone - an unwieldy process that I find dissatisfying. The camera also comes with a set of filters (four color filters and a starburst filter). The strongly colored lenses are a curious choice - I can't really understand what desirable image they are there to create. What the camera does NOT come with is film. As with more recent Polaroid cameras, this camera uses i-Type films - so you can purchase film packs for color AND for black-and-white photography. And while this option is interesting, it is also expensive. A color film pack goes for about $2.00 an image! Just like how the consumable cartridges of an inkjet printer are its major expense in the long run, the consumable film packs here become the major expense of owning this camera almost immediately. But all the bells and whistles aside for this camera, I think the ultimate way to judge this camera is on image clarity and balance when taking a simple no-app picture. Check out my golden retriever below.

A hit photography product in the 1970’s was the Polaroid Instant Camera. You know what it is. It was a bit bulky, It was white in the front, black in the back and had a red, yellow, and blue stripe down the front, along with a red button. As soon as you took the picture, it ejected out the front. You waited a few minutes and you had a square color picture with a white frame around it. With the advent of digital cameras and the introduction of camera phones, the Polaroid cameras started to disappear. Polaroid went bankrupt in 2001. But that’s not the end of the story. In 2017, the patents, copyrights, and name were bought by a company called “Impossible Project”. They took the name Polaroid and by 2020 they started producing new Polaroid Instant Cameras. Now, Polaroid has introduced the Polaroid Now+ Instant Camera. It looks much like the old SX-60 and SX-70 made in the 1970’s. It’s all white, still has the red button on the front and still has the red, yellow, and blue strip down the front. It now has a built-in flash and charges with a USB-C connection. The film no longer needs to have a battery in it as the camera supplies the power. The camera also includes a lens cover and 5 filters that you can store in an included case. The filters are blue, yellow, orange, red vignette and starburst. I’m including a photo taken with the starburst filter. They have also added a smartphone app that you can use with the camera. The app allows you to use your phone as a remote, provides a self-timer, lets you take double exposure photos, allows you to adjust the aperture, provides a tripod mode, a portrait mode to create sharp subjects with a blurry bright background, allows you to do light painting, lets you adjust the exposure, control the flash, and manually control the aperture and shutter speed. The tripod mode lets you shoot from a tripod at night and keeps the shutter open for longer to let in more light in low light conditions. Light painting keeps the shutter open as you manipulate one or more lights in front of the camera to create special effects. A lot has changed with the camera since the 70’s despite it looking much like it did before. Unfortunately, the picture quality hasn’t. I took a number of photos with the camera as well as with my smartphone. As you will see, there is no comparison between them. The photos taken by the camera look like the ones that you took back in the 70’s. If you are looking for a nostalgic look, this camera will certainly do it, but if you want good pictures, keep looking. In addition, the film costs over $2 per photo, making it rather expensive to take nostalgic photos.

I am old enough to remember the original Polaroid cameras and this reboot is pretty accurate to the original, but it needs a lot of learning how to correctly use it. For one, just like the original, the film is entirely too expensive and you only get one crack at it. So incredibly frustrating to take a snap only to realize five minutes later that it was too blurry, too bright, too dark, and that film that costed a pretty penny is now wasted. You really do need to learn what is proper lighting for the device, and you really can't let your kids use it as they will likely produce blurry photos if the camera isn't held completely still. One difference is this one charges via USB-C as opposed to the battery film that the original one did. Just check and make sure it works because while mine did, a friend of mine who purchased one, her charging port was damaged on arrival. I do wish the camera held more film, but I'm sure it would still be all the more expensive anyway. My only two complaints are the cost of the film (8 photos for $17.99) and the capture of lighting --- REALLY make sure you have sufficient lighting before snapping photos. It's a great product especially for that retro look we can't really get nowadays.