Instant cameras have seen a resurgence in popularity over the last few years. Once synonymous with Polaroid, the popular snap-and-print style of photography has been adopted by younger generations. Just a few months ago we detailed the Snap+ that integrates a display and a built-in printer.
Today, the Impossible Project announced the new I-1 camera at Bloomberg Businessweek’s annual design conference. This redesign of those popular Polaroids is loaded with analog and digital features alongside iOS connectivity. It may just be the perfect combination of classic styling and modern photography…
The camera is designed with simplicity in mind with very few buttons or knobs for inputs. It becomes more powerful when paired over Bluetooth with the free companion app. Without it, you’ll be limited to taking photos and adjusting the zoom. Bring your smartphone into the picture and additional settings like aperture, shutter speed, flash and remote control are available.
A natural draw for photographers with analog cameras is the ability to capture unique light effects and a “vintage” look. I-1 has a variety of pre-sets for these types of image enhancements. A few of the more popular options are likely to be double exposure and an open-shutter “paint with light” setting.
Of course, one of the biggest features on the camera is its striking LED flash ring. It uses sensors to detect ambient light and subject distance to provide appropriate lighting. The individual bulbs are able to recreate varying degrees of warmth, so your subject does not have unnatural tones.
The Impossible Project uses its own type 600 film that was reverse-engineered from Polaroid’s iconic medium. You can still find the original rendition on eBay but it’s likely to cost you more than the modern day equivalent. Unlike its vintage counterpart, this camera uses a USB rechargeable battery and eliminates the need for external throwaway power sources.
You can expect the I-1 to be available for purchase online in early May with a $300 price tag. In comparison, Fujifilm’s Instax line of instant cameras retail for $55 or so. The Snap+ referenced earlier jumps to $100 but adds a display for easier shooting.
More New Toy of the Day:
- You probably won’t own Lytro’s new 755MP Cinema Camera but you’ll enjoy its benefits
- GoPro’s new Omni Virtual Reality rig leverages six HERO4 Black action cameras
- Epson’s latest ‘Small-in-One’ printer weighs in at a fraction of the competition
- Ryobi’s new Ultra Quiet Garage Door Opener has a Bluetooth speaker and laser guided parking
- Roku introduces a new quad-core streaming stick with a slimmed down design
Source: Impossible Project
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