Traditional Design, Timeless Photos, Traditional Feel: Polaroid Flip Review
Polaroid Flip: A Nostalgic, Photo-Worthy Beast
Let's talk about the Polaroid Flip - a device that's more fun in theory than in reality, but still manages to win hearts with its unique charm. The $200 full-size instant camera has a retro fashion, reminiscent of your grandparents' vintage Polaroid cameras, complete with its cracked, sun-spotted beach photos. Some might find this nostalgic appeal irresistible, but the Polaroid Flip has some updates that make it a tempting choice for its price.
The major selling point of the Polaroid Flip is its "hyperfocal" lens system. It's essentially four lenses on a rotating gear, and the Flip is smart enough to swap between its various focal lengths based on your distance to the subject you're shooting. No more struggling with focusing - the Flip takes care of that for you. The max sweet spot for the farthest-field lens is around eight feet, which might seem far for an instant camera, but it works well for group shots or outdoor events.
Polaroid Flip
It's a camera that takes surprisingly good focus shots across different ranges while maintaining that classic Polaroid charm. However, lugging it around can be cumbersome.
See at Best Buy Pros
- Snaps high-quality, sharply focused images
- Easy to use
- Delivers the traditional Polaroid experience
Cons
- Bulky and heavy for on-the-go use
- Limited exposure capabilities without flash, even in bright sunlight
- High film pack costs add up over time
The Polaroid Flip does face some issues common to instant photography, but we won't hold that against it. Besides, the traditional Polaroid quirks, like white spots or sun flare, add a certain charm to the photos you capture. The shots I took with coworkers have already found a spot on our office wall, despite a few underexposed photos that make it hard to tell who's who.
The camera's various focal lengths make it suitable for landscapes, but your smartphone with its wider aspect ratios might be a better bet for your next hike. The Flip's special light in the viewfinder informs users if there's too much or not enough light for each shot, but you'll rarely find yourself lacking light for your photos. Taking it out on a Manhattan rooftop bar on a bright, sunny day, I found that without flash, subjects were still underexposed.
The Polaroid Flip offers a nostalgic experience with strong focus capabilities. Its design echoes the Polaroid Sun 660 from 1981, which introduced Polaroid's sonar autofocus and a similar rotating lens system. The Flip isn't as premium as the $600 Polaroid I-2, and it's not built for creating depth of field. Instead, it's meant for special occasions or outings with friends, where the slideshow of memories and the thrill of receiving a physical photo still carry an undeniable appeal.
Packages of eight photos sent by Polaroid for the review were quickly depleted. Depending on your use, the Flip may require frequent film pack refills, which could become pricey over time. Polaroids are worth their price for the memories they capture, but a more compact instant camera like a Fujifilm Instax camera might be a more practical choice for more casual or frequent use.
The Polaroid Flip might be a handful to carry around, but it's straightforward and solid, making it ideal for those seeking a step up from a smaller, cheaper model like the Polaroid Go. Don't be afraid to add a bit of retro charm to your photo collection with the Polaroid Flip.See at Best Buy
- Gizmodo's review of the Polaroid Flip highlights the camera's unique retro design reminiscent of vintage Polaroid cameras, and its updated features such as the hyperfocal lens system that ensure sharp focus shots.
- Despite its nostalgic appeal, the Polaroid Flip's bulkiness and high film pack costs could deter some potential buyers, making a compact camera like a Fujifilm Instax a more practical choice for casual or frequent use.
- As technology continues to advance, the Polaroid Flip stands out as a gadget that offers a fusion of the future with past aesthetics, providing a unique twist to the traditional instant photography experience.
