Polaroid Originals - OneStep 2 VF Analog Instant Film Camera - Summer Blue

======= Summary ======= The Polaroid Originals OneStep 2 camera is a neat retro-cool camera that satisfies your desire for a physical printed photograph minutes after it has been taken. The pictures have a cool retro vibe and atmosphere to it that some people will find artsy and attractive. Although the Black & White pictures come out fantastic, the quality of the color pictures fall a bit short compared to modern digital and smartphone cameras. As long as one is okay with that and is willing to keep paying for the relatively expensive Polaroid film refills, the OneStep 2 will delight you with its atmospheric and artsy pictures. *** Pros *** -Cool retro design and vibe for those who appreciate this kind of stuff. -Near instant gratification of having a physical photo in your hands after shooting sessions. -Black and White pictures look great. -Retro and atmospheric color photos. -Easy to operate and use. -Easy charging through micro USB. *** Cons *** -Big and bulky compared to modern devices. -Viewfinder is very small. -The film refills are expensive - $1.99 per picture (before tax). -Colors are muted and lack vibrancy. ======= Design & Useability ======= I find the design of the OneStep 2 to be retro-cool and somewhat cute. Initially, I was kind of shocked at how big and bulky it was compared to modern-day shooters. But I quickly got used to the size and to all the buttons and levers. Using it was dead simple. Load up the film pack, turn it on, and press down on the big red shutter button. The included neck strap is a nice touch and that's how I carried the camera around with me. The camera has a simple design and is therefore easy to use and maintain. ======= Picture Quality ======= When it comes to consistency in photo quality, I had much better luck with Black and White photos. When shooting in Color, I had mixed results. Sometimes my subject was too blurry, sometimes too washed out, sometimes too overexposed, etc. But when I did get the right shot, the color shots looked decent with enough detail and color vibrancy. Colors, in general, come out too muted and I wished for more vibrancy and dynamic range. Still, I had lots of fun shooting with the OneStep 2 and got many decent shots out of the film pack. ======= My Verdict ======= The Polaroid OneStep 2 is a fun camera to have around. After a few minutes of development time, you have a photograph right there in your hands. It is very simple to operate and use although photo quality consistency could be better (through better exposure control). As long as you're using the OneStep 2 as an additional supplemental and "fun" camera and not a replacement for your smartphone or point-and-shoot camera, you won't be disappointed. I give it 4 Stars due to the high cost of the film packs and muted colors.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this camera so far! It’s not only nice to have a remotely instant print but it makes for a good conversational piece!

I really enjoy this camera, it’s literally one of the best I’ve ever purchased.

This camera is cool. Really, it is. Everything about it works well, and it looks great. Basically, if you're looking for a functioning, retro-infused camera, this is it. The only real cons are that the initial price tag is steep, in my opinion, and the photos on the film used could be better. The good: upon unboxing, it's clear this is a no-frills camera. It houses a rechargeable battery, and that's about the only external function. Buttons to adjust lighting are there, and taking a picture is easy. Viewfinder is very clear. Pictures print fast, and don't take long to develop. It's a smaller camera, but still too big to fit into a purse. Battery lasts quite a while (have it yet to die after two weeks and 16 photos through it.) Bonus: you can use older 600 style film with this camera. The bad: doesn't come with any trial film, the photos printed take a bit of trys to have a nice look to them, only 8 photos per cannister, and the price. If you can get past those issues, and want a functioning, smaller version of a Polaroid camera, look no further than this one.

At the tender age of thirty-five (1978) I purchased my very first Polaroid Land Camera. Oh my! It was the SX-70, Foldable Polaroid Land, Polarsonic Autofocus Model 2 camera. What FUN. It was the very first, Instamatic-film-camera for me and I thoroughly enjoyed using it. I took hundreds of FUN pics of my family and friends, and, also as photographic evidence of just how large that fish I caught actually was. So, when I had the opportunity to evaluate a complimentary, Polaroid OneStep2, I jumped at the chance to re-live those nostalgic memories of over forty years ago in exchange for an honest and comprehensive review. The Polaroid Originals - OneStep 2 Viewfinder Analog Instant Film Camera is a very simple instamatic camera to operate. Maybe a little too simple in my world. I was able to take pictures, out-of-the-box, within ten minutes including loading a film pack in the camera. However, it took me over five rolls of color film to finally get the same caliber of developed analog pictures I was once familiar with so many years ago. I was ready to 'give-up', but still wanted to love this type of camera. Then, I began meticulously pouring over the directions and soon realized that there were certain steps that had to be followed to the letter for bang-up photos. This I-Type film is not inexpensive when used as haphazardly as I did at first, wasting much of it. Fortunately for me, my local Best Buy had an ample supply of I-Type Color Film in stock. I got overconfident because I had a Polaroid back in the late 70's, which I thought, made me an 'experienced' user. No way! Most of my prints had that washed-out look because I did NOT keep the developing print safely out of the light. So, first, let me make one important point about the Polaroid OneStep2 – Immediately after taking a photo, plunge the developing print into total darkness as is available while it is still under the film shield. I started to carry an old black camera bag around with me every time I used this Polaroid OneStep2. It is not only handy for carrying the camera and film, but most importantly, provides a dark space to keep the ejected film print from being exposed to light (see attached pics). Remember that 'light' is your friend while taking photos with the camera. But, because of the light sensitivity of the film, 'light' becomes your enemy while the print is developing. The Polaroid OneStep2 is an analog instamatic camera, which gives you sharp and clear, color, or, black and white, finished, developed prints. As long as you take the time to follow all the steps necessary to take great photos in the first place. It is NOT a digital camera like the ones on your Smart Phone measured in megapixels with preview and edit functions. The Polaroid OneStep2 gives you an instant print that you can actually touch and feel and share immediately with family and friends. *** After more then two weeks of use and five rolls of film, this is what I found to be strategic in getting the best quality photos from this Polaroid OneStep2: *** * User Manual – Thoroughly read the User Manual and become familiar with the 'mechanics' of taking quality analog, instamatic photos. * Polaroid Website – At 'Support' there is a link to 'How to get the most out of Polaroid Originals film'. It details many important items like proper storage of film, camera roller maintenance, temperature, exposure compensation, light shielding of 'just-taken' photos, preservation of developed photos, etc. * How To Take Great Photos – Helpful steps are found on the inside of the cardboard container the film pack is housed in, of all places. I found the points outlined in this carton to be so vital for successful prints. Read and Heed. * Use The Viewfinder Correctly – Since the focal length of the fixed focus lens is 106mm, and your objects or subjects are mostly over three feet from the camera – they will turn out great. Keep in mind that 106mm focal length is almost telescopic, but just fine for photos over three feet away. Pics less than three feet must be compensated through the viewfinder by taking pics aiming lower and to the right of what you "see" in the viewfinder, especially for close-up shots. The viewfinder does not look directly into the lens of this camera. But the viewfinder tube helps correct for any parallax error so your photos should be perfectly framed! * Hold Steady – It is very important the you hold the camera as steady as possible. Since this Polaroid StepOne2 is NOT digital, but analog, there is no anti-shake software to steady your photo shoot. It comes with a neck strap and if you hold the camera to your cheek pushing out on the neck strap as you gaze through the viewfinder, you can take a pretty steady photo. I ruined several dozen photos from NOT holding the camera steady enough. There is a standard tripod connection at the bottom of this camera. But, I was able to take very non-blurry pics after learning how to keep the Polaroid camera from shaking by using the strap. * Shielding Developing Pics – I ruined so many photos, especially outdoors, from NOT shielding them correctly from the light right after taking them. Polaroid Originals I-Type film is sensitive to light even after it has been ejected from the camera. During these sensitive first few seconds, the film shield installed on your camera will extend on top of the photo and protect it from light. This allows enough time for the blue opacification layer to spread over the whole image. Shielding the photo during development time will ensure that you get deeper saturation, sharper details and that your final image is not washed-out, like so many of mine were. Polaroid suggests to shield your just taken photo for at least six minutes. You can place the developing print into a bag, pocket, or any other dark place you can find. Be prepared. I eventually learned to put my developing pics in my black camera bag to shield them from light sensitivity while developing. Polaroid also states that it takes approximately fifteen minutes to fully develop I-Type photo film prints. A bit longer can't hurt. * Light Adjustment - If you are shooting using your camera’s built-in flash, make sure that the lighten/darken wheel or slider of your camera is adjusted to the middle position at first. I have never had to adjust this setting from the middle position, even outdoors. Keep in mind that the built-in flash on Polaroid cameras is usually only effective in a range of 1 – 2.5 meters (3.3 – 8.2 ft) indoors. You have the option to turn the flash OFF. However, unless you are really trying to save battery life, or, taking many photos exclusively outdoors, I could not find a reason to ever turn the flash OFF. * Film Storage - Polaroid Original film packs should be stored in their unopened, sealed packaging in a cool and dry environment. Polaroid recommends storing your film flat inside a fridge at a constant temperature between 4 – 18°C / 41 – 65°F. * Regularly Check Film Rollers - Their are two rollers inside the film door of your camera. They are responsible for spreading the chemistry between the negative and positive part of the photo. If they are dirty, the chemistry will not be spread evenly. This is the most common source of undesirable film defects according to Polaroid. So, Polaroid suggests to inspect the rollers each time you load film into the camera. It is good practice to carry a cloth with you for cleaning the rollers each time you insert a new pack of film. I now keep one handy in my camera bag. It took me four rolls of film to finally figure out the rollers needed cleaning. YUK! *** Conclusion: *** The Polaroid VF OneStep2 Analog Camera is a lot of FUN to use if you take the time to thoroughly understand the mechanics and necessary steps to insure successful photos. I wasted good film by not taking the time to realize the relevant basics. I do now and really love using this camera. What is interesting is that family and friends want a photo they can keep too. So, I wind up taking the same shots twice a lot. But, that is what this camera is really about - Instant photo prints to touch, keep, and share. WooHoo! I highly recommend this camera, especially for 'beginners' and kids over the age of ten. It is easy to operate and gives younger folks opportunities for impromptu photos, that would otherwise be forgotten and eventually deleted on a Smart Phone. I am only giving this camera four stars because I think Polaroid could do a much better job emphasizing one of the most important steps, shielding the developing photo print immediately from light. I don't ever remember having to do such with my old SX 70 forty years ago. Polaroid could recommend better ways to do so other then sticking the developing print in your pocket, etc. They could feature and make available a camera bag similar to what I use for buyers of their Polaroid OneStep2 Analog Camera. Still, I think you will enjoy taking pics with this camera. It is FUN seeing the finished product in your hands, and, like they say, “A picture is worth more then a thousand words”.

This camera is bulky, looks old, has a viewfinder and a neck strap, uses film, doesn't save your pictures to the cloud...and I LOVE it! The Polaroid is a work of art, a legend, and it just makes me smile to hold this camera in my hands and take photos with it. I like that you have to actually think about framing the photo, which usually means moving yourself into the right position to take it. At about a dollar a photo, you slow down and think before you hit the shutter button. Then you carefully shield the photo from sunlight while you wait a few minutes for it to develop. The whole process is magical. One modern touch is a rechargeable battery which is really nice. It runs the rollers for spitting the film out, powers the flash, and lights up the quaint "remaining photos" LED lights. The film packs load very easily, and you know when they're in properly because it spits out the cardboard cover piece. Sure, the photos aren't crisp HD quality prints. But they are clear and have a wonderful nostalgic look to them. (I've attached a photo of a couple examples.) Best of all, in 80 or 100 years when people are trying to puzzle out how to read that old JPG computer file format, some lucky people will find these old Polaroid photos in a drawer and be able to instantly see what things looked like in 2018.

I found some old Polaroid photos that my mom had a while back and I thought that they were a pretty neat idea. Instant photos in your hand, great! In today's age who actually prints out photos anymore? Enter the Polaroid OneStep2 camera. It sports a classic design like the original, but offers a few improvements. One, the battery is rechargeable, the flash is built in, and you can adjust the contrast settings. It captures the essence of one of the original designs nicely. The experience is pretty close to what my mother has told me the original was after I let her take some photos using it. After hitting the shutter, it will spit out the photo with a protective film that rolls back into the camera. You let the photo develop over about 10-15 minutes. The quality is retro indeed so don't expect high quality photos with this. Also, the photos come in packs of 8 and they have both black and white, and Color as options. Expect to pay about $2 a photo so these are not very cheap so make sure you line up your shot properly and adjust for your light conditions. Its a fun little camera to play with and I don't really see anyone using it for their vacation photos. Unless you know what you are getting I can't really recommend this to just anyone, it's definitely a camera for certain folks out there.

So I’m definitely a 90’s person and this camera brings back so many fun memories! Especially those days at the beach and instantly seeing the memory I can keep and share forever. I just got my Polaroid and it is so fun! It’s easy to manage and the updated version allows you to charge it for a 30 hour use. That’s a whole lot of camera films that I don’t think I will need it but I’m glad to know I have the option. The pictures are instant and develop very quickly. My favorite part was the different types of film I can use. I have the black and white film and the vintage looking film. There’s something about snapping a picture in black and white that just freezes time and it looks good! So the camera comes in a sleek box, you pull it out and assemble it in about four steps (unbox, charge, add neck strap and load your film). This weekend I’ll be at that same beach and I can’t wait to shoot the waves and palm trees back home. You don’t have to be a pro to use this and you will still capture moments like a pro! Love this camera!!!!