Polaroid Flip Evaluation: Traditional Design, Traditional Photographs, Traditional Weightiness
The Polaroid Flip - a camera that's got the throwback charm of your grandma's Polaroid, but with a few upgrades. Priced at $200, it's a full-size instant camera, and while it might seem like a blast in theory, it feels more like carrying a brick in real life. The focal point of the Flip is its "hyperfocal" lens system, which signals four lenses on a rotating gear, allowing the camera to switch between multiple focal lengths based on your proximity to the subject. The maximum distance for the Flip's longest lens is around eight feet, a bit far for an instant camera, but perfect for capturing photos with a group of friends. The shots I took with the Flip were in focus, and my friends loved the printed photos, as long as the flash didn't blow their faces out.
Polaroid Flip
A nostalgic, fun-to-use camera that prints classic Polaroid-sized photos. But you'll wish you left it at home due to its weight and size.
- Pros:
- Sharp focus from different distances
- User-friendly design
- Classic Polaroid print size
- Cons:
- Heavy and difficult to hold
- Poor exposure without flash, even in bright conditions
- Expensive film packs
The Flip's diverse focal lengths mean it can take better landscapes, but your phone camera might be a better option for capturing wide-angle shots on hikes. The camera's special red light in the viewfinder warns you when there's too much or not enough light for each shot, but you'll rarely find yourself in situations where the light is insufficient. Under bright conditions, I found that without flash, subjects would still appear underexposed.
Despite the limitations of instant flash photography, I wouldn't change it for the world. There's a certain charm to traditional Polaroid imperfections, like white spots, sun flare – things you'd miss if they weren't there. The shots I took with colleagues will go up on the wall, even if a few of them are too dark to make out who they are.
Using the Polaroid Flip isn't a breeze. Weighing in at 1.4 pounds, it's a hefty device that feels more like a brick than a camera. Carrying it around with a shoulder strap feels cumbersome, and it takes up a lot of space in your bag or backpack. Unlike newer Polaroid models, the Flip doesn't have a designated spot for you to hold it while shooting, so you'll often end up with your fingers in front of the photo eject port.
The Polaroid Flip's design is reminiscent of the Polaroid Sun 660 from 1981, with its sloped body, extended viewfinder, and rotating lens system. It's not as premium as the $600 Polaroid I-2 and isn't built for creating depth of field in the images, but it's more than a Matchbox toy for family gatherings or weekend adventures with friends. There's something satisfying about handing out a printed photo as a memento after an evening out, even if you have to wait several minutes for the film to develop.
Polaroid sent me two packages of eight photos for the review. I used the majority of them during a single evening, and I even had to reload while hanging out with my colleagues. The Flip works with the company's Color and B&W i-Type film, which sells for $18 per pack but is slightly cheaper per pack if you buy in bulk. Depending on how often you use the Polaroid, the cost can add up, making it more expensive than the asking price of $200.
Polaroids are worth the investment if you want to preserve the photos as cherished memories. The shots I took with the Flip are keepsakes, but I could have achieved the same results with a more compact camera that prints wallet-sized images, like a Fujifilm Instax camera, and still be able to hand them out as souvenirs after a night out. The Flip is simple, foolproof to use, and robust, but its heft means it'll likely stay at home.
See at Best Buy
- Gizmodo's review of the Polaroid Flip reveals that, although it boasts diverse focal lengths and user-friendly design, the camera's heavy weight and poor exposure without flash can make it a cumbersome choice compared to other options like smaller instant cameras, such as the Fujifilm Instax series.
- In their analysis, Gizmodo states that, while the Polaroid Flip effectively captures photos with sharp focus from different distances and preserves the charm of traditional Polaroid imperfections, its high cost, especially when considering the expensive film packs, may make it a less appealing option than more budget-friendly alternatives like the Instax Series.
- Despite the limitations of instant flash photography, the Polaroid Flip offers a unique experience that results in cherished memories, showing that it still has a place in today's technology-driven future, alongside other popular gadgets like smartphones and digital cameras.
