“Shake it. Shake it. Shake it like a Polaroid picture.”
When Outkast dropped that bon mot back in 2003, the Polaroid camera was already starting to feel nostalgic.
A bit like a proto-Instagram, Polaroid offered instant pics with weird exposures/lighting that you could immediately share with friends.
It was easy to use. Tactile, too. And now those advantages are back, thanks to Impossible’s I-1 Instant Camera, just announced.
The upside? This ‘roid is packing the brains of your smartphone.
The I-1 comes from Impossible, a German company that bought the last remaining Polaroid factory in 2008.
They claim to be the “only people in the world who make original format instant film.”
Their newest project marries the traditional Polaroid looks with a few newfangled bells and whistles, like an LED ring flash surrounding the lens that adjusts automatically for light and focus distance.
And inside, everything’s got the modern touch. The cameras pair with an iOS app so you can adjust aperture, shutter speed and flash via your iPhone, as well as use remote firing and finish with effects like double exposure. Unlike the original Polaroids, it also recharges via a USB port.
The I-1 is available for preorder on May 10th for $299, but you can sign up now to get more news and updates.
Looking for something a bit more old-school? Impossible offers updates on a number of Polaroid classics, including:
The 600-Type: Given its ease of use, the best camera for beginners. Various film styles are available, including color and B&W images, as well as round and gold frames. We particularly dig the fold-up 600 SLR680, which features a tilting electronic automatic flash.
The SX-70 Type: A folding camera with a glass lens and an automatic variable speed/aperture shutter system. Aimed at the design crowd (Ansel Adams and Andy Warhol loved the original).
Spectra Type: These cameras utilize a powerful flash and sonar tech to gauge distance, and print on “cinematic” wide-format film (currently sold out).
Beyond on the new models, Impossible will also refurbish your old Polaroid cameras and offer up a number of accessories (carrying cases, leather camera straps, even old-school flash bars).
Think of it as a new old way to share memories.
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