Polaroid JoyCam Film Camera
- Zoom Lens: Without Zoom Lens
- Zoom Range: 92 mm
- Camera Type: Point and Shoot
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Oh, how cute is that!
Pros
For when you need a picture right then and there, this camera is perfect
Cons
Only thing so far is the cost of the film!
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
The JoyCam is a fun camera for people who don't spend a lot of time taking pictures.
I recently purchased this camera upon a recommendation from a friend of mine. I am no photographer, but I do have those moments in life where I scream "Why didn't I take a picture of this??!" Well...okay, I do have a 35 mm camera, but I hardly remember where I put it last, let alone remembering to take the film to be developed! But with the Polaroid JoyCam, I find that I can grab it and take a picture with instant results.
The Camera
The picture on Epinions shows the camera to be black. Mine is silver. It is a lot lighter than it looks, and it seems to be almost flimsy. When I opened it for the first time to load the film, I thought I may have broken the latch. Thankfully, I didn't! It does not come with a strap, nor does it come with any kind of cover to keep the lens clean and dirt-free. The push-down button is red, and depresses quite easily. The switch on the top turns the flash on and off, which you can use depending on how much light you need for your picture. The camera is a tad bit bulky, especially since there is no strap attached like the conventional polaroid cameras. I'm not sure if you can actually purchase a strap or not, but I'm going to find out about that. On the side of the camera is the loop that you pull after you take a picture, which pulls the picture out. Once you remove the picture, you push the loop back in, and your camera is ready to go again.
The Pictures
Small pictures, but they're quite adorable. Back in the old days when they made black and white polaroids, the pictures were this small, or close to it. The pictures measure 4.4 by 2.5 inches, and they have extra white space on either side for easier writing of dates. Being that the pictures are so small, you can't expect great quality. However, the pictures I have taken so far have come out quite well. My camera came with a special photo album that was made for these types of pictures, so I have a handy spot to put my pictures once they are developed and dry.
The Film
The film this camera takes is the Polaroid 500, which is made specifically for the JoyCam. It is quite expensive. The film comes with 10 pictures per pack. I find it's better in this case to buy in bulk. The cheapest I have seen this film is for $7.98 for 10 photos, or $12.50 for 20 photos. I have yet to find a cheaper brand of this film, made by another company. I hear it exists. If I find it, I will update this epinion and let you all know what it is and where you can find it!
The Warnings on the Box
On the film, it states, "This film uses a caustic paste. Avoid contacting skin, eyes or mouth with this paste. If you get some paste on your skin, eyes, or mouth, wipe it off immediately, wash with water to avoid an alkali burn and consult a doctor. Do not cut or take apart photos or battery. Do not burn battery or allow metal to touch its terminals. Keep discarded materials or paste away from children, animals, clothing, and furniture." Well that is a mouthful there, but it makes sense. Just don't mess with the film pack, and you'll be fine. :)
What Else Should I Know?
The camera has a focus of three feet (to infinity, the instructions say) which obviously doesn't compare to a 35 mm camera, but it's good enough for me! It states the pictures are best taken from 3-8 feet.
If your pictures come out darker than you expect, turn the flash on and make sure the little red light is blinking. This says your flash is ready for use. Make sure you press the shutter button all the way down, as this opens the lens to allow more light in.
If your pictures come out splotchy, check to see if you are pulling the loop all the way out at one time. Don't stop once you start, else this can create all kinds of unwanted marks on your pictures. Also make sure you don't subject your camera to extreme temperatures. Polaroid didn't make their cameras to stand drastic weather!
And always remember to never touch the photo while it's developing! You sure don't want any finger prints developed into those smiling faces!
In Short
The JoyCam is a fun, albeit slightly pricy way to enjoy taking pictures. I wouldn't recommend it to big camera buffs or to those of you who love to get reprints, since obviously it doesn't give you negatives. I would recommend it to those people who enjoy taking pictures just because, or for those of you who don't want to forget any special moments in your life.
The Camera
The picture on Epinions shows the camera to be black. Mine is silver. It is a lot lighter than it looks, and it seems to be almost flimsy. When I opened it for the first time to load the film, I thought I may have broken the latch. Thankfully, I didn't! It does not come with a strap, nor does it come with any kind of cover to keep the lens clean and dirt-free. The push-down button is red, and depresses quite easily. The switch on the top turns the flash on and off, which you can use depending on how much light you need for your picture. The camera is a tad bit bulky, especially since there is no strap attached like the conventional polaroid cameras. I'm not sure if you can actually purchase a strap or not, but I'm going to find out about that. On the side of the camera is the loop that you pull after you take a picture, which pulls the picture out. Once you remove the picture, you push the loop back in, and your camera is ready to go again.
The Pictures
Small pictures, but they're quite adorable. Back in the old days when they made black and white polaroids, the pictures were this small, or close to it. The pictures measure 4.4 by 2.5 inches, and they have extra white space on either side for easier writing of dates. Being that the pictures are so small, you can't expect great quality. However, the pictures I have taken so far have come out quite well. My camera came with a special photo album that was made for these types of pictures, so I have a handy spot to put my pictures once they are developed and dry.
The Film
The film this camera takes is the Polaroid 500, which is made specifically for the JoyCam. It is quite expensive. The film comes with 10 pictures per pack. I find it's better in this case to buy in bulk. The cheapest I have seen this film is for $7.98 for 10 photos, or $12.50 for 20 photos. I have yet to find a cheaper brand of this film, made by another company. I hear it exists. If I find it, I will update this epinion and let you all know what it is and where you can find it!
The Warnings on the Box
On the film, it states, "This film uses a caustic paste. Avoid contacting skin, eyes or mouth with this paste. If you get some paste on your skin, eyes, or mouth, wipe it off immediately, wash with water to avoid an alkali burn and consult a doctor. Do not cut or take apart photos or battery. Do not burn battery or allow metal to touch its terminals. Keep discarded materials or paste away from children, animals, clothing, and furniture." Well that is a mouthful there, but it makes sense. Just don't mess with the film pack, and you'll be fine. :)
What Else Should I Know?
The camera has a focus of three feet (to infinity, the instructions say) which obviously doesn't compare to a 35 mm camera, but it's good enough for me! It states the pictures are best taken from 3-8 feet.
If your pictures come out darker than you expect, turn the flash on and make sure the little red light is blinking. This says your flash is ready for use. Make sure you press the shutter button all the way down, as this opens the lens to allow more light in.
If your pictures come out splotchy, check to see if you are pulling the loop all the way out at one time. Don't stop once you start, else this can create all kinds of unwanted marks on your pictures. Also make sure you don't subject your camera to extreme temperatures. Polaroid didn't make their cameras to stand drastic weather!
And always remember to never touch the photo while it's developing! You sure don't want any finger prints developed into those smiling faces!
In Short
The JoyCam is a fun, albeit slightly pricy way to enjoy taking pictures. I wouldn't recommend it to big camera buffs or to those of you who love to get reprints, since obviously it doesn't give you negatives. I would recommend it to those people who enjoy taking pictures just because, or for those of you who don't want to forget any special moments in your life.
