I took my new I-2 out for a walk about yesterday. Ended up shooting 5 packs all outside (mostly sunny with slight overcast, medium shadows). Both color and B&W I-Type film. I used -⅔ EV when in strong sunlight, and -⅓ in weaker sunlight, all shot on Auto. Got really great results overall. It’s not like shooting with my Canon 5DSR… but if I wanted or needed those metrics, I’d just shoot with that camera. The whole reason I got the Polaroid I-2 was to get DIFFERENT results. And the camera delivers that! Im very pleased with the camera and the results I’ve had. And I agree - this is NOT a camera for a casual user.

Way back in the late 70’s i did a lot of experimenting with Poloroid film. If you paid a little more you could buy what they called their special addition model. You were able to send back the images you didn’t like or were not properly exposed and they would send you an equal number of replacement film packs. I believe it had to be in multiples of 10. I loved their type 55 4X5 film which would provide a print or negative. You just had to decide what you wanted and expose the film accordingly. BTW, there is a photography book with lots of great images that Ansel Adams took called “Singular Images. I believe it’s still available used.

Excellent in depth honest review! Thank you for the tips. Still haven't' made the jump from my SLR cameras, but I will one day.

Nice video. I’ve had identical problems with metering and come to similar conclusions. Normally two thirds and occasionally one third underexpose for best results. Perhaps Polaroid assumed most people would be shooting indoors but that’s quite rare for me.🤷‍♂️

My I2 gave acceptable results only when set to -2 or -1.7. I sent it back, but I had to threaten with involving my lawyer to get reconnaiscence as warranty case.

I like the camera so far but have to admit I also had some exposure issues with the first packs during different testing in auto mode. The last pack shot early October* gave quite good results. I analyzed each scene before deciding which exposure compensation I would use. Some pictures taken without compensation and some with -1/3. One of these probable would have been better at -2/3. Indoor flash pictures are perfect and indeed the lens of the I-2 is sharper compared to my trusty SLR-680. The latter being more heavy and difficult to carry around during a city walk. *When I came home I noticed there was a firmware update. Installed the firmware update but have not yet taken any photos since the new firmware.

For the price you're paying for an I-2 it should be able to get a decent exposure in most normal situations in automatic mode. My one step+ when they were Polaroid Originals does great and automatic mode. I rarely have to use the exposure compensation switch. My grandmother has the regular Polaroid now in that one over exposes also.

It sounds like a lot of things to remember for a polaroid kind of defeats the purpose of what a polaroid is IMO love my SLR 680

You have to measure subject brightness range. Polaroid will handle about 5:1, so how do you assess this? Light meters, such as Quantum Calculite have a table, but any light meter and some mental arithmetic will do the job. A test shot with a digital camera or mobile phone can also serve. My qualifications? Professional photographer who, 35 years ago, took 100s of shots on an SX-70, which I've recently been using again with Polaroid 600. Tip: It's great with translucent umbrella flash!

My issue has been the Color I-Type film. Half of my shots have a sliver or section of the photo missing. It isn't a consistent thing but always a possibility. With the cost of the film and only eight exposures per pack, it's a little frustrating.

6:00 you are attempting to focus through glass and it is using lidar focus it’s going to read the glass just like the sonar Polaroids. It’s unfortunate it doesn’t have a manual focus mode but you have to work around its limitations.

I have so many exposure problems. I am not happy with this camera at all. My firmware is up to date, I reset it. It is so frustrating. Yesterday, I shot 6 images and all where of the same spot. Only one came out.

can you use sanny 16 rule?

Great video, and thanks for your insights. I have had the I-2 since introduction and have put a ton of film through it so far ($$$). I struggle substantially with overexposure, and for my particular camera have to push it down to -1 1/3 when using auto modes (full auto and aperture priority.) I noted that another tester (Modern Midlifers) found that overexposure was typically worse at f/8. So, I now tend to use Aperture Priority and around f/22 with a smaller minus compensation. Better results. And, as expected, I get the best results when I use an external meter. With that I can, within reason and subject to judgment, use the exposure recommended by the external meter without compensation. All that said, if the Polaroid gods are looking with favor, I can get some satisfying photographs.

stick to my sx-70, got it

Hi exactly what lens filter do you use on the camera and why ?

ND filters, film is to sensitive

I don’t know what people were expecting with this camera. As far as giving people what they were demanding Polaroid did exactly that. I think if this was $400 buck there would be far less bitching. The main complaints seems to be centered on value and the film with some user error issues thrown in. Those features everyone wanted did drive the price way up. Still much cheaper then buying a old custom SX70 that’s been upgraded. It’s also not a beginner recommended instant camera. I think most people don’t need all the manual control and apps to enjoy this type of niche photography. They are much better off with a $100 Polaroid Now gen 2 point and shoot. As a Polaroid user since nearly the beginning this is by far the best all around feature heavy camera they’ve ever made. It still makes a great point and shoot once you figure the auto-mode light exposure issue which it sounds like you’ve got sorted out. Been getting pretty good results and haven’t felt the need or spend the time/money learning all the manual features just yet. It’s just a fun point and shoot camera to use. Yes you sort of become an unwilling ambassador for Polaroid when out and about using these cameras. People are surprised that Polaroid is even still around and are very curious to learn about them. I’ve probably sold a few hundred cameras for Polaroid over the years. The main issue is still problems with the film chemistry and shoddy quality control on the cartridges themselves. It’s gotten better over the last 4-5 years but I can confidently say the older original Polaroid company’s film was definitely better. Hopefully they can sort this out eventually. Great review and tips for newbies getting good results right out of the box

Dumb Gen-zer

may i email you? im about to buy this, im in a career bind, and i can explain more, and i would be willing to pay for your time. LMK. Thanks.