The New Polaroid I-2 Camera: Getting Creative with Filters and Multi-Exposures by Julia Beyer » Shoot It With Film (2024)

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Written byJulia Beyer

Some of you might still remember the quirky first iteration of the iType instant camera, the I-1 – back then released by The Impossible Project in 2016 as their first native camera since Polaroid’s demise in 2008 (and before they came back as Polaroid in 2017).

Firstly (and luckily!), the newly released follow-up Polaroid I-2 camera is nothing like its predecessor, yet in this article you won’t find a general review of the camera (but keep an eye on SIWF for that in a couple of weeks), but rather me focusing on few special elements: the 49mm filter thread and its multiple exposure capabilities.

Besides a vast number of other features that the camera sports, the 49mm filter thread in front of the lens might be among the most exciting additions for the creative Polaroid photographer, as is the multi-exposure mode. So I certainly had to put these features to the test extensively during my first shoot with it.

Find the Polaroid I-2 on Amazon or at B&H Photo.

The New Polaroid I-2 Camera: Getting Creative with Filters and Multi-Exposures by Julia Beyer » Shoot It With Film (1)

Using Filters with the Polaroid I-2

I often use creative photography filters in my work, and one of the advantages of the 49mm filter thread is that there is an innumerable variety of filters with this standard size available on eBay or from specialty filter manufacturers, including the option to use a step-up ring, so the possibilities to play around with their effects are practically endless.

As the light sensor of the Polaroid I-2 sits behind the filter thread, the exposure reading will still be accurate even with the use of darker colored filters. These would usually affect metering and call for exposure compensation with the old Polaroid models, where the light sensor is placed beside the lens.

Although one big concern I had when I learned that the Polaroid I-2 will not be an SLR was for sure losing the ability to actually see how the filter will alter the outcome through the viewfinder. As written in my former article here about filter use with Polaroids, one of my top tips to shoot with filters was to use an SLR, so I was very skeptical. But even as a heavy filter user myself, I found that disadvantage to be negligible, as the comfort of screwing them directly onto the camera instead of having to use them handheld outweighs this at least for me.

The New Polaroid I-2 Camera: Getting Creative with Filters and Multi-Exposures by Julia Beyer » Shoot It With Film (2)
The New Polaroid I-2 Camera: Getting Creative with Filters and Multi-Exposures by Julia Beyer » Shoot It With Film (3)

I also love to combine filters, so I stacked a green-yellow filter with a 3-split filter, or a Spectralstar filter with a 3-split filter, which lead to the most wild and psychedelic, but intriguing, results on some shots.

To specifically achieve the rainbowy effect, you may want to use a Spectralstar (sometimes also called Pulsator), Andromeda or Nebula spectral filter (find on eBay). Whereas the Spectralstar filter rainbow effect spreads out star-like, the Andromeda filter just produces one line of a rainbow while the Nebula filter creates a rainbow circle around your subject.

The New Polaroid I-2 Camera: Getting Creative with Filters and Multi-Exposures by Julia Beyer » Shoot It With Film (5)
The New Polaroid I-2 Camera: Getting Creative with Filters and Multi-Exposures by Julia Beyer » Shoot It With Film (6)

Related:

Rainbow Effects on the I-2

There is one thing in particular that I would like to add regarding the rainbow effect, although this is a very subjective observation.

When looking for inspiration for my photo shoots, I often go to Pinterest and create a moodboard to define the atmosphere, look, or poses I want to go for. I came across one specific image that showed a portrait with a very chromatic, rainbow-like effect.

I tried to recreate this effect with a multitude of filters from standard prisms to spectral filters in previous shoots with other Polaroid cameras, but although the effect was sometimes quite visible through the viewfinder of my old Polaroid SLRs, it never transferred to the final image as much.

So the surprise was huge when I nevertheless slapped on my beloved Spectralstar filter to the Polaroid I-2 and saw the results with it after the shots developed: The rainbows were there in their full glory!

Also prism effects seem to look finer, more pronounced and less washed out when using the I-2 compared to a Polaroid SLR. I attribute this significant difference in results strongly to the overall greater sharpness of the I-2 lens that clearly outperforms the Polaroid SX-70 or SLR680 in this area.

The New Polaroid I-2 Camera: Getting Creative with Filters and Multi-Exposures by Julia Beyer » Shoot It With Film (7)
The New Polaroid I-2 Camera: Getting Creative with Filters and Multi-Exposures by Julia Beyer » Shoot It With Film (8)

Another thing I learned when using spectral filters is that while you can point the camera directly at the sun for some backlit image with a SX-70 or SLR680, it’s not recommended to do that with the I-2 and such filters, as the image then tends to overblow or gets overpowered with the effect, so using them with the light source behind you and a darker background will get you the best visible results.

But to be honest, I feel like I am only at the beginning of this specific journey with the I-2 and there is still much, much more filter madness for me to explore. I am, for example, looking forward to trying out crazy double exposures with a dual image filter, or using various other color filters combined with prisms.

The New Polaroid I-2 Camera: Getting Creative with Filters and Multi-Exposures by Julia Beyer » Shoot It With Film (9)

Polaroid I-2’s Multiple Exposure Setting

Speaking of the Multi-Exposure mode of the Polaroid I-2, it is possible to take up to four exposures in one shot while the camera adjusts the exposure automatically to not overexpose it. Slight additional manual correction via the exposure wheel is nevertheless recommended.

While multi-exposures are usually not my go-to style, the possibility to quickly change to that mode on the camera itself and not via an app or another workaround anymore makes it much more accessible, so that I will surely make use of this more often in the future.

Playing around with this mode and going all the way up to four exposures definitely was a lot of fun and led to some interesting results!

The New Polaroid I-2 Camera: Getting Creative with Filters and Multi-Exposures by Julia Beyer » Shoot It With Film (10)
The New Polaroid I-2 Camera: Getting Creative with Filters and Multi-Exposures by Julia Beyer » Shoot It With Film (11)

Related: Using Prisms for Creative Photography Effects

All in all, the filter thread and multi-exposure mode, although they seem like minor additions on this feature-packed camera, are so much fun to explore, and the incredible sharpness of the Polaroid I-2 lens enhances the filter effects even more.

So go ahead and stack on those filters and exposures!

The New Polaroid I-2 Camera: Getting Creative with Filters and Multi-Exposures by Julia Beyer » Shoot It With Film (12)

Thank you so much, Julia! You can find more of Julia’s work on herwebsiteandInstagram.

Leave your questions about using lens filters and the multiple exposure feature with the Polaroid I-2 below in the comments! You can also pick up the Polaroid I-2 for yourself at Polaroid I-2 on Amazon or B&H Photo.

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The New Polaroid I-2 Camera: Getting Creative with Filters and Multi-Exposures by Julia Beyer » Shoot It With Film (2024)

FAQs

What size filter for Polaroid i2? ›

Built-in lens filter thread mount. Compatible with 49mm filters.

What film does Polaroid Image 2 take? ›

The Polaroid Image 2 uses Spectra film which has been discontinued for about 4 years. You can technically buy expired Spectra film but it usually isn't worth it. You could also buy empty Spectra cartridges with working batteries and transfer 600 film into it but it's not very beginner friendly.

Can you use filters on Polaroid now? ›

Add more color, contrast, and light flare to your ideas with a lens filter. The Polaroid Now+ comes with 5 of them in one handy pouch. To add a colored filter, press it over the lens. For the starburst and red vignette filters, turn until the small notch aligns with the light meter at the bottom of the lens.

What is the technology of Polaroid camera? ›

Black-and-white diffusion transfer

The Polaroid process is based on negative paper carrying a silver halide emulsion and a nonsensitized, positive sheet containing development nuclei. After the exposure the two sheets are brought into intimate contact by being pulled between a pair of pressure rollers.

How do I get the best quality Polaroid pictures? ›

Polaroid pictures develop best between 55-82 °F (13-28 °C), so if you're planning a long day out in the sun, keep your film out of the heat until you're ready to shoot–we like to use a cooler bag with a few ice packs inside–and keep your shots face-down away from any bright light or warm rays as they develop.

Why is Polaroid I-type film so expensive? ›

This higher manufacturing cost is passed down to the consumers, making Polaroid film more expensive. Additionally, Polaroid film is produced in smaller quantities than Instax film, which can also contribute to a higher cost.

Is Polaroid on Netflix? ›

Polaroid was theatrically released in Germany on January 10, 2019, by Wild Bunch, and in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2019. It was released in the United States on September 17, 2019, on VOD and on October 11, 2019, in select theatres, by Vertical Entertainment, before streaming on Netflix.

Does Polaroid film expire? ›

2. Expiration dates. All Polaroid film should be used within 12 months of production date for best results (you can find the production date stamped on the bottom of each film package). Chemical changes occur as our film ages, and this will eventually affect how well your film performs.

What not to do with a Polaroid camera? ›

I always tell my customers: The two enemies of Polaroid are 1) Moisture and 2) Heat. We want to avoid moisture and heat when storing Polaroid camera and films. Keep your gear in a cool dry place, with one exception: the dehumidifier. There are chemicals inside the film, and we don't want the chemicals to dry up.

Are Polaroid filters good? ›

Polarizing filters can increase color saturation and decrease reflections — and are one of the only lens filters which cannot be replicated using digital photo editing. They are an indispensable tool that should be in every photographer's camera bag.

What app has a Polaroid filter? ›

YouCam Perfect – A Trendy App With a Polaroid Filter Effect. YouCam Perfect, which is available on both Android and iOS, is one of the best selfie beautifying editing apps out there. With just a few clicks, YouCam lets you add a unique white picture frame to your photos for free.

Why are Polaroids so special? ›

The Magic of Instant Development

What makes Polaroid film so unique is the way in which it develops. Unlike traditional film, which requires a darkroom and chemical processing, Polaroid film is designed to develop instantly.

Why did Polaroid fail? ›

Polaroid's bankruptcy is widely attributed to the failure of senior management — unable to anticipate the impact of digital cameras on its film business. This type of managerial failure is also known as the success trap.

Is Polaroid a digital or film? ›

The digital Polaroid cameras are a digital camera with a small printer built inside them.

What film does i2 use? ›

The Polaroid I-2 camera belongs to the i-Type camera family, meaning you can use Polaroid i-Type film and Polaroid 600 film, just like other i-Type cameras. Happy shooting! Shop for Polaroid film.

What size filter do I use? ›

To determine your air filter size, you need to measure its length, width, and depth. These measurements are usually printed on the side of the filter. If not, you can use a tape measure to get the dimensions.

What filter makes photos look like Polaroid? ›

Afterlight (iOS & Android): A popular photo-editing app that provides dust overlays and vintage filters to give a Polaroid effect. VSCO (iOS & Android): Known for its film filters, VSCO can be tweaked to give your photos a Polaroid touch, especially when combined with a white frame.

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