The Polaroid Now+ Hands-On Review

Hold onto your hats, folks, because I've had the sheer delight of playing around with the charming Polaroid Now+. This isn't just any instant camera; this is a marvel, a treasure chest brimming with more creative tools I never thought I'd see with an instant camera.

The control is phenomenal. The added filters are a color lover's dream, making every click an exciting escapade. The creative possibilities are boundless, like an open field ready for my imagination to run wild.

One of my standout features was the rainbow of five lens filters it offers. It was like having an art studio at my fingertips, each filter adding a new depth and perspective to my photos. And just when I thought I'd seen it all, I discovered even more delightful tools tucked away inside the Polaroid mobile app. But my absolute favorite feature has to be the double exposure. It's as if I'm painting with light, creating a seamless blend of visuals for an amazingly expressive photograph.

This stunning camera invigorates a nostalgic feel but strikes strong with modern flexibility. For an additional cost, Polaroid’s Now+ includes app-based manual control and a set of colorful filters designed to widen the creative spectrum. Polaroid still offers the same film used by previous models, making your upgrade even easier. Still, this bad boy is an enchanting powerhouse for niche photographers wanting to step out of the box.

Available in 3 colors, the Polaroid Now+ fosters the same functions as the vintage all-stars. The system to capture and eject the film implies the camera's familiar shape and size. Sleek and shiny, the bodies are as beautiful as ever and compact enough to travel with you on the fly. Just shy of a pound of plastic, the Now+ is also light and breezy for daily use.

Although it skips out on the front selfie mirror, I don’t find that an important takeaway. Simply center the camera’s direction and fire away! Its 35mm angle makes it easy for single-person portraits, so stand close with another friend if you plan to capture an image arm’s-length away.

The set of filters is a sweet catch, and I was stoked to give them a twirl. They slip right onto the lens, which is a breeze compared to other filters that require a screw thread. Yellow, red, green, and blue colors are useful for brightening various parts of the photos with black-and-white film or to cast vibrant hues for creative shots.

But perhaps the greatest feature I’ve fallen in love with is its excessively awesome exposure techniques, including manual control, light play, and aperture priority. Working in tandem with a remote shutter release button, you have access to unlimited potential. It even boasts a portrait assistant to help you get the camera close enough for a blurred bokeh background. Best part? Working with the mobile app is completely optional, so if you’re not into additional steps, you don’t have to partake. Using it will open the door to fun avenues you wouldn’t otherwise partake in with other point-and-shoots.