Flash From the Past: Polaroid Revives Instant Camera Line With the Pic 1000
January 15th, 2010
Although Polaroid already has the PoGo – a digital camera that can also print pictures instantly – the upcoming PIC 1000 is the more faithful successor to their classic instant cameras. Not only does the PIC 1000 have the famous Polaroid body, the pictures it prints also features the classic white borders, thanks to the revival of good old Polaroid Color 600 instant film.
I’m not too keen on the redesign though; I can’t see how we’re supposed to hold the camera to take pictures. I think the body’s unusual shape also forced the designers to move the viewfinder to such an awkward position.
But why should we focus on negative impressions when there are awesome facts to be happy about? The PIC 1000 will be released this year and will be sold at the low price of $100 (USD). Let’s hope that Polaroid doesn’t screw us with the price of the film.
[via Coolest Gadgets]
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Categories: Design Gadgets Retro
Tags: awesome cheap instant camera photography picture polaroid portable
You know, the whole idea of this is supposed to be retro chic and designed for the art school girl of doom set, but frankly I think that $100 is a massive rip-off for a camera that’s basically the same thing (the OneStep or Polaroid 600) that sold in the 1970s and 1980s for about $40 bucks. And I’m sure Polaroid will charge a premium for the film too. Sure, you could adjust for inflation, and the price would be around $125 these days, but the price for all other technology has dropped, not increased, so I don’t buy that argument.
Yes, the price is ridiculous. Unfortunately, it’s just a sign that film is outmoded – a digital camera simply much cheaper to produce, and it doesn’t require a new film pack after snapping 10 stills.
Still, nothing beats the fun of taking a polaroid snapshot with friends and then waiting (and waiting) for the image to magically appear.
Okay, I have boxes of Polaroid cameras. I was always a fan. I have them going back to 1960′s peel-apart Lands. I also have several 600′s and Sun’s. Why not take that not bad looking design from the photos and just build a PoGo into it? That would take the sting out of the price tag and avoid having to buy film. Just asking.
Competition is a great leveler as it has always been. There are tons of used Polaroids out there selling for dirt cheap that will maintain a downward pressure on new prices. Then again, the announcement of the film being available again may cause these cameras’ prices to rise again.
But now that Fuji is exporting their instant film products to the US, with hopefully a greater variety to follow soon, Polaroid will price their film at a premium at their own peril.
Me, I would like to see film for the original SX-70 to be available again. I have one here in excellent condition that is in sore need of film.
I often thought that digital, with its instant gratification, would be the death of Polaroid technology, but now I can see how this is not necessarily the case. As James points out, a Polaroid image can be shared easily. Even a digital one cannot. It isn’t the same thing, passing around your digicam so people can view the image on a squinty little screen. And if you want to make an “instant” hardcopy, then you have to have a computer with color printer hooked up somewhere handy.
So, yes, there’s still a market niche for such a product. But Polaroid needs to realize that they’re not the only player in the instant film world anymore. And they need to price their products accordingly.
How do you take a beloved classic affordable camera, revive it into a disgusting design and charge triple dollars for it? Makes absolutely no sense.
wonder if the lens will stay open as long as it takes to expose the picture like the sx-70 …
The Polaroid 300 Instant Camera uses the company’s proprietary self-developing film, has an automatic flash and features four scene settings to add variety and fun to snaps (no surprise considering Lady Gaga has recently been appointed creative director for the brand). http://polaroid300.blogspot.com/
love polaroid instant camera ^^ http://polaroid300.blogspot.com/
umm mostly people really want the 600 color film… but whats the point of the pic 1000 polaroid is it suposed to be a better working design or much of a design that “looks better” … really i want to know so reply back please
how much it sell?
how much it sell?