Polaroid I-Zone Convertible - Perfect For Capturing Geek Love
Written: May 20 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Convertible faceplates, automatic flash and focus, long battery life.
Cons: Replacement film is expensive, not the best photo quality.
The Bottom Line: Not a bad camera for the money but the replacement film is a little too expensive for my taste. Changeable faceplates, good battery life and 100% fun!
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| Freak369's Full Review: Polaroid i-Zone Convertible Pocket Camera |
Until a few months ago, my oldest son was the thriftiest kid I knew. Every spare cent he had was being saved for a new telescope and he was about $200.00 away from his goal until he met Aimee. After these two geeks hooked up I noticed small little changes, he started using hair gel, sending more emails than usual and of course – he dipped in to his savings account to buy his little love bug gifts every so often. When he came to me and asked me if he could use my credit card I almost fell over – did he have the genetic shopping bug that seems to run rampant in my family? Well, he came to me with $20.00 and asked me if I would order the Polaroid I-Zone Convertible Pocket Camera, he was paying for half and Aimee the other half. I told him that he was still a little too young to have access to a credit card but I would order it for him. He was more than content to order it from Amazon.com [$24.99] but I knew that I could probably find a better deal some place else. As luck would have it, I found this camera for $19.99 plus free shipping from a place in Los Angeles. The offer also included an additional roll of sticky backed film so I placed the order and a week later the two nerdlings were happily clicking away. Almost a month later, the fad has worn off but I still find the sticky little photos from time to time – and in the most bizarre places.
Polaroid I-Zone Convertible Pocket Camera
If you have ever used a Polaroid camera then you already have the basics at your fingertips. The point, click and pull simplicity is a real perk but the downsize is the small results. When they say "mini photo" they really mean mini. Have a postage stamp sitting around? Imagine something a little bit bigger than that and that’s the size of the photos you get from the Polaroid I-Zone Convertible Pocket Camera. When my son asked for this model I saw several others that I thought he would like more [in fact, I got another model for myself] but he insisted on this one so that he could use it with the blue faceplates and Aimee could use it with the pink ones. Sure he explained all this to me several times but I figured I’d ask him if he wanted a different model. When it arrived he patiently sat at the dining room table waiting for Aimee to arrive – I guess even at his tender young age he knows better than to open the box without her being there.
The camera itself is small and reminds me of the older 110 film cameras that were popular a long time ago. It has a nylon strap on the side so a child can hold on to it when he or she is using it. The built in flash takes about 10 – 15 seconds to activate after it’s turned on. This camera takes the best photos in daylight or in the evening but if it is extremely dark, the photos will come out a little on the dark side. You’ll never have to worry about having to adjust the focus of this camera since it features an automatic focus. This is great for kids and clumsy adults that aren’t the best with cameras. Powered by two AAA batteries, the on and off switch will help make the batteries last providing that you remember to turn it off. I turned the power on and let it sit on the table for about ten minutes to see if it would automatically power off to save power and it failed to turn off so please make sure that you or your child flips the switch when done using the camera.
Snapping the faceplates in to position is easy but the first few times you try to do this it might feel a little awkward. Push the plate in evenly and with an even amount of pressure so that the entire plate snaps in to place at the same time. To use the camera just power up the flash, aim it at what you want to take a photo of, shoot and wait for the picture to develop. If it is cold outside you might want to take the photo inside to develop and avoid touching the surface until it is completely dry. Don’t try to stick it to anything until you are sure that it is dry and the color has fully surfaced. To get the best picture make sure your subject is within a two foot range and inside the small view finder. If you have used a regular camera [digital, instant or 35 mm], you shouldn’t have any trouble using the Polaroid I-Zone Convertible Pocket Camera or any of its features.
Film
The camera came with a trial roll of film and the bonus roll of sticky film. When you need more you have the option to purchase the standard pocket sized film, the sticky backed kind or newest one, the fortune film. This is the stuff you see on the commercials – you know – the girl takes a picture of a guy and a small fortune shows up while the photo is developing. All three types of film are available in either a single pack [12 photos] or a three pack [36 photos] with prices ranging from $5.99 to $14.99 but I highly suggest that if you are going to buy the multi pack that you shop around to get the best price. I have had a little trouble finding the multi packs at retail stores but the individual ones seem to be plentiful. I’m not sure if the I-Zone fad is dying out or not but the cameras have been on sale the past two weeks – not exactly a good sign.
All three photo pack choices [sticky, standard or fortune] have the same display area – one and a half inches by a little less than an inch [think postage stamp]. The photos should be treated just like a regular Polaroid print – allow it to dry completely before you touch it and if you see any of the developing agent on the print or on the sides, don’t touch it. Loading the film in to the camera is a lot easier then a standard 35 mm roll of film. This just pops in to place and you are ready to go once you remove the starter tab. Read the instructions before you start ripping the package apart so you know exactly what to do so you won’t end up wasting any photos.
Warranty
Your camera is covered under a one year limited warranty against defects and malfunctions. If you drip it, kick it, toss it across the room, take it in the pool or otherwise abuse – it won’t be covered under the warranty. If you need more information about the conditions of the warranty, need to mail it back to them or take it to an authorized service center for repair, please call the toll free number for assistance [800] 343-5000. The camera is well made but I can see it getting banged up easily if mishandled. It is recommended for use by children 8 and older but simple enough for younger kids to use as well providing they know how to take the picture and remove the film correctly.
Things To Know
In addition to the blue and pink faceplates, you can also pick them up in orange or gray for about $2.99 a piece. These are the same size and style faceplate as you get with the Polaroid I-Zone Convertible Pocket Camera and give you the change to make even more color changes to your camera. Since my son and Aimee share the camera, they haven’t had the desire to pick up other color plates but it is nice to know that they are offered. These additional plates would make a great gift for someone that already has one of these cameras but likes a little variety. Additionally, you can mix and match the color plates – blue on the front and pink on the top. Picking up the extra faceplates makes the combinations endless.
The Bottom Line
My son has had a blast with this camera and went through about five rolls of film the first few weeks that he and Aimee were experimenting with it. Even though the photos are small, they are nice to find on the refrigerator, on the computer or on the door. With the sticky back photos you have to be careful where you place them as well as the general warning about the film containing a caustic paste. Please read the warnings that are included in the package as well as those that are provided in the refill packs of film. I think the fad has just about worn off and the camera sees less and less use each day but I think that they both got a lot out of it. I can’t complain because I blew my fair share of money on silly things when I was his age. He and Aimee both had a lot of fun with it and I doubt this will get packed away with the other 'fad items' but since they are splitting the cost of the film [as well as having dual custody of the camera] they’ve slowed down on the number of silly pictures they take and save it for the 'important things'.
As always, thanks for the visit!
^V^ Freak ^V^
© 2003 Freak369
Need a disposable camera?
Fuji Quick Snap Single Use Camera
Kodak Max Flash One-Time-Use Camera
Recommended:
Yes
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