GeekSugar

Polaroid Throws the SC1630 in the WiFi Camera Ring

Kelly Schwarze — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:15:01 PST

There's a trend in the air at CES - a WiFi-enabled camera trend, to be exact. Polaroid is among the companies offering a camera to get you online. The SC1630 Smart Camera harnesses the power of an Android-operating smartphone minus the monthly texting plan.

The 16MP, 3X optical zoom camera uses a 3.2-inch touch screen display to easily share pictures and videos across the World Wide Web of social networks, thanks to its included WiFi and Bluetooth connection. Photos are automatically organized within the camera by date, location, and those smiling people in the shot. Just like any other mobile device, the camera includes a geo-location feature so you don't forget where each memory was made.

The price of Polaroid's SC1630 Smart Camera is still up in the air; look for the camera to hit stores sometime in 2012.

Polaroid's Z340 Instant Camera Comes With a Digital Twist

Kelly Schwarze — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:41:35 PST

The success of The Impossible Project has shown that demand for the nostalgia of capturing memories via instant photography is strong. Years ago we mourned Polaroid's decision to stop producing instant film and cameras, but today's announcement that the Z340 Instant Digital Camera is finally available promises to breathe new digital life into one of our favorite mediums.

Polaroid's Z340 Instant Digital Camera ($300) integrates a 14MP digital camera with a ZINK-enabled printer directly in one gadget. The printer uses classic Polaroid-size three-inch by four-inch paper with ZINK's ink-free technology, which embeds the paper with cyan, yellow, and magenta dye crystals. The paper looks like normal white photo paper before printing, but the heat of the camera causes the crystals to activate and print the captured image. Within the camera itself you can choose to print using the basic Polaroid border or download additional photo borders.

The digital aspects of the Z340 include the 2.7-inch LCD screen and the auto saving of photos to the included SD card. Settings can be configured to automatically print each image as it's taken, or store pictures in the camera and wait to print until just the right frame is captured. Use the LCD screen for in-camera editing and cropping before storing or printing photos. Thirty sheet refills of the ZINK three-inch by four-inch paper are $20, a relative bargain considering old Polaroid film packs cost the same for much fewer prints.

Impossibly Cool Ace Hotel Gives Guests Polaroids

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 11:56:55 PDT

The lodging of choice for the hippest of travelers, Ace Hotel, just announced a partnership with the Impossible Project, the group creating instant film for Polaroid cameras alive. Encouraging guests to capture the spontaneous moment of their experiences at the hotel's four locations in New York, Palm Springs, Portland, and Seattle, Ace is stocking each guest room with a refurbished Polaroid camera and custom packs of Impossible x Ace Hotel PX600 Silvershade instant black and white film in the minibar.

The hotel's New York branch is hosting a gallery show 24 Hours at Ace from Sept. 12 through Oct. 14, which includes work from artists and frequent guests such as Elijah Wood. Hotel fans and Polaroid enthusiasts also have the chance to exhibit, as they can contribute their own snaps for a second show in 2012. If you can't make it to one of Ace Hotel's four destination cities, the Impossible Project kit ($150) pictured here, including a camera and film, is available for purchase.

New Polaroid Lenses Put a Ring on Cameras

Kelly Schwarze — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 04:41:33 PDT

Gorgeous, professional-looking pictures often come with professional-priced cameras. The new lenses released by Polaroid today may help capture inspiring shots at a relatively affordable price considering the cost of most photography accessories. Ranging from $50-$300, the lenses include a fish eye, wide angle, and mirror lens for major camera buffs.

The lenses are available for purchase on Amazon, but you can take a tour through each of the lenses in the slideshow!

6 Polaroid Style Cameras For Your Instant Photography Desires

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 03:17:24 PDT

Though we're able to snap quality pics with our mobile phones and upload them straight to a number of social networks, there's just something about capturing a moment and watching it develop before our eyes. Though you can still get your hands on original Polaroid film if you're lucky (and have deep pockets), there are some viable alternatives on the market these days. Check out six examples here, and have a happy Camera Day!

Lady Gaga's Gray Label Polaroid Printer Now Available For Preorder

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:04:58 PDT

January's CES brought Lady Gaga's Grey Label to fruition, as she announced a number of Polaroid products that would be available for purchase this year. First up is the Polaroid GL 10 portable printer, which is now up for preorder on the Polaroid site for $170.

Hitting virtual shelves in June, this Bluetooth-compatible printer will print pics wirelessly from most mobile phones, and connects to PCs and digital cameras via USB. The good news is, the printer is small (weighing 15 ounces), and spits out Polaroid-like, 3-x-4-inch photos in about 45 seconds. Mother Monster says that you'll take this with you wherever you go, but I'm not so sure photo geeks will want to tote yet another gadget in their bags. I'm more likely to use it for house parties, a la the Instaprint.

Instagram IRL: Impossible Project's Color Shade PX680 Film

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 06 May 2011 10:26:10 PDT

You love your Instagram pics, but there's nothing like an old-school Polaroid to add an analog touch to your photography. If you were lucky enough to snap up a Polaroid 600 camera when they were cheap (now prices are well above $100), you can put it to good use with the latest offering from the Impossible Project. Called Color Shade PX680, this film produces amazing colors when used properly.

You should know by now that the old saying "shake it like a Polaroid picture" is a myth. In fact, this film should be shielded from light for at least four minutes after ejected, and left to develop on its own without the aid of shaking. It's a sensitive kind of film, but when developed (and it could keep changing for days after development) it produces fantastically retro images like the ones you see above. Each pack of eight shots will cost you $22, but is a fun buy for photo aficionados.

7 Ways to Display Your Photos For Under $30

GeekSugar — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 03:07:42 PDT

You can find all kinds of awesome while surfing the Internet, including some great ways to show off your hip and retro-chic photos on the cheap. Check out these six ways you can display your photos and not break the bank - all of these options are under $30, and would be plenty easy to DIY.

Source: Flickr user Adam

Instaprint: Turning Your Instagram Pics into Polaroid-Like Prints

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 01:01:49 PST

I love using Instagram, mostly because it can turn ordinary images into something accidentally awesome. But there are those times I wish I could easily print my images, without needing to email or send to a printing service. Enter Instaprint - a photo printer currently being beta tested, which will automatically print your Instagram images when tagged with a specific location or hashtag.

Instaprint will be positioning itself to take over the SXSWi festival in Austin this week, as there will be a select number of parties and events with Instaprint machines set up for attendees to use. If you're interested in seeing how Instaprint works now for yourself, you can watch a live stream of photos being printed at Instaprint.me. Bonus - snap some pics of your own with Instagram and tag them with #Instaprint to see them pop up on screen! Keep your fingers crossed for these babies to be made available to the public soon. I'd love to have one for my next house party - talk about an awesome photo booth!

Link Time!!!

FabSugar — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:50:50 PST

Rachel Zoe confirms she is having a baby boy - PopSugar
"Visionary" Lady Gaga unveils her new Polaroid collection - People
Alber Elbaz doesn't have email, but his Pre-Fall collection for Lanvin was born from the Internet - The Cut
Dennis Freedman named Barneys creative director, Simon Doonan bumped to "creative ambassador-at-large" - Stylelist
Behold: the Viktor & Rolf "It" bag - Nylon Blog
Happy 1.11.11! Designers share their favorite numbers - Vogue Daily
Fab looks from the Stella McCartney Autumn collection - FabSugar UK
Vogue.com celebrates its 15th anniversary - Vogue UK
Watch Karl Lagerfeld's latest Chanel short film, "Window World" - Fashionologie
Alexander McQueen 3D Leaves Knuckle box clutch - Bag Snob
Outfits under $100: stylish and comfy travel clothes - College Fashion