Polaroid has just launched the I-2, its most advanced (and expensive) instant film camera that comes with built-in manual controls to offer its users full creative freedom. The I-2 marks a first for the brand as it has never released a fully manual camera for its popular integral film – you know, the square kind with the white border that you should not shake (even if Outkast says so) – before now.
The I-2 is a premium piece of kit and is unlike anything else in the brand’s current range. It can be used in six different ways including automatic and manual, as well as offering aperture priority, shutter priority, a self-timer and multiple exposure modes, allowing users to control as much or as little of the camera as they would like.
In manual mode, users can set shutter speed, choose aperture, toggle flash on and off, and select focus using a highly accurate LiDAR ranging system. The user’s selected values – along with those of the built-in light meter for exposure – are displayed on both the external OLED display and can be seen through the viewfinder’s integrated display.
As well being focused manually, the I-2 has a sophisticated continuous autofocus system. It comes equipped with a 3-element lens made of optical grade polycarbonate and acrylic, and is the “sharpest ever Polaroid lens” according to the brand. Whilst the lens is not made of glass – typically associated with high-end optical gear – it uses materials similar in quality to the types of plastics used in smartphones including the iPhone.
It features an internal battery that can be recharged with a USB-C cable and has a lifespan long enough to shoot through around 15 packs of film. Speaking of film, the camera is Polaroid’s most versatile and is able to use all three kinds of film it currently sells – i-Type, 600, and SX-70.
While the brand has not said this, the I-2’s features coupled with its price suggest the camera is aimed at professionals and those really into their photography. It has been built to be studio-friendly and includes a standard 1/4-20 threaded tripod mount, built-in lens filter thread (49mm), and can be used with external flashes thanks to its 2.5mm audio mono jack sync interface.
The Polaroid I-2 is available today, September 7, via Polaroid’s website and select retailers costing £599 GBP / $599 USD / €699 EUR.
In other tech news, Sonos has announced its Move 2 speaker with 24 hours of battery life.
