Impossible Instant Lab brings the Polaroid camera back in style.
Having been around for several decades now, Polaroid cameras may be old tech, but the concept of the instant-film camera is still an appealing treat for all. While smartphones, digital cameras and apps like Instagram make sharing high quality photos easier than ever, something about the moments captured by a Polaroid camera make it worth it to carry around the old tech.
Now thanks to the Impossible Instant Lab, you can have the best of both worlds. In a simple but brilliant fusion of smartphone photography and Polaroid printing, the Instant Lab lets users take digital photos shot from their iPhone and turn them into instant physical prints. Without any complicated software or wires, users simply choose the photo from their iPhone, place it on the holder and activate the Lab's shutter.
After exposing the film to the light from the iPhone's display, users close the shutter, push a button and watch as their photo gets transformed from digital pixels to an iconic Polaroid picture. Launched Monday, the Kickstarter project is already reaching its $250,000 funding goal with 26 days left to go.
With a retail price of $299, early backers of $189 can get their hands on the basic silver edition with one film voucher while $299 backers can receive the Kickstarter-exclusive black edition with two film vouchers. Head on over to the Kickstarter page to show your support. Unfortunately the cradle only fits the iPhone 4, 4S and 5 but Android users can voice their opinion on Android-specific cradles here.
displaying the picture already taken on said camera and take the same picture again with the old camera and printed.
Got it.
What a stupid idea.
displaying the picture already taken on said camera and take the same picture again with the old camera and printed.
Got it.
What a stupid idea.
Iconic 960x640 picture, yep.
How about "stupidity"?
"generosity"... LOL. I bet you spent some time looking for a 'beep free' term :-)
you can also mod an old Polaroid to do it and probably get better results with the camera having it's own shutter instead of relying on the back light leaking apple display.
also what is the point when you could just print a image for less money and apply a filter that gives the crappy look if needed.
while I am sure there are some people who will buy something like that, I don't believe any business could sell enough of them to actually stay in business. think of it more as funding the release of a few items at best before they close up shop and bank the rest of the kickstarter money.
Just becuase nerds don't like it, doesn't mean its a bad idea.
I have the advantage of using both sides of my brain, so I can be a nerd when I want, and an Artist too.
How do you think photos are made?
Light is exposed to film to make a negative. When its developed, light is shined threw the negative to film again to make a picture that is developed in chemicals. So, its too a picture of a picture.
So this is no different.
Also there is instant photo camera (digital) andd instant photo printers out. So the market does exist, but there is a lot of iPhone users, and I am sure a lot of artists have iPhones too (brainwashed), but still this is practical idea, just not as portable.
Instand printer usually cost $100. and film is expensive. And this project is just as portable as them, but more money ($300)
Too bad that all that means is that you are using a whole pea.. still leaves you disadvantaged compared to people with common sense :-) and half a normal brain!
Called the Impossible Instant Lab, the printer - for want of a better word - is modelled like a retro camera, but rather than shoot through a lens, you attach your iPhone into an extendable dock. The iPhone goes in face down after you have launched a dedicated app and chosen your photo. The Polaroid-style device will do the rest, outputting a traditional "developed before your eyes" print.
At the moment, the Impossible Instant Lab is listed on Kickstarter. The Impossible Project is aiming to raise $250,000 to turn the prototype in a mass-produced consumer product, and has so far managed to cadge $197,888. As the crowd-funding spree doesn't end until 8 October, there's every chance the company will reach its goal.