Polaroid 636 Closeup. My experience with this vintage camera that revolutionized the 90s.
Hello again, dear readers!
Today I am coming to talk to you about my experience with this Polaroid 636 Closeup instant camera that came into my hands approximately 1 year ago.
These cameras were super famous in my youth, they gave us the possibility of seeing the photograph we had just taken in just 10 minutes!!, totally crazy.
For those of you who are younger, I'll put you in context, back in the 90s you had to wait to use up the film before you could go to the store to develop it. Only then could we see the result of our photographs.
I remember my instant camera took passport size photos. I can't tell you more about her because she disappeared quite some time ago. Surely during one of the cleanings I decided that it was time to retire it.
As a curious photography fan, one day I began to be interested in this type of instant analog cameras. Childhood homesickness, I guess. Imagine my excitement when one day, at my mother-in-law's house, my partner shows up with this beauty 😍😍. And in its original box!!!
It was one of her First Communion gifts, and she had kept it ever since.
At first, I had my doubts about whether or not it would work after so long. I only had one way to test it, so I bought a few cartridges and started testing.
The camera controls are quite simple.
We can control the exposure with the central slider. By moving it to the left we will be telling the camera to darken the image and to the right to lighten it. Without further ado.
The focal length is regulated with the slider on the left. We simply have to read the information that appears printed on the camera itself. If we move the slider to the left we will be telling the camera that the focus will be from 1.2 meters to infinity and if we move it to the right it will focus on nearby objects.
The flash is activated by pressing the full shutter button. If we want to take the photograph without a flash we would have to press only the first part of the shutter (the one closest to the camera).
This photo that I share with you was my first Polaroid photograph.
I live in a very tall building and the views are very beautiful, so I thought I would use this panoramic view to show off my new camera.
In some situations I had problems with the exposure.
For example, in this photograph the top part was burned. On very sunny days (and with the Sun at full height) you have to be very careful with the shot. The ideal is to cover the camera with a parasol (awning, umbrella,...) to avoid exposing the camera to direct solar radiation.
This is my favorite Polaroid photograph to date.
CONCLUSIONS:
Without comparing it with other instant cameras I can only give my isolated opinion on its general characteristics.
PROS:
- It's very cool to have the photograph printed at the moment. In addition, they are quite robust and pleasant to the touch.
- Personalmente, me encanta el formato cuadrado típico de Polaroid. Es todo un clásico.
- Although this may be a disadvantage for other people, I love its large size. It has its own personality. When you take it out of the case it says: "Here I am." It doesn't go unnoticed.
- I also really like the final finish of the photographs (when we get decent results, of course). Nowadays, when we tap the screen of our phone, we wait for the perfect photo for social media. Super bright photographs, with spectacular colors and perfect sharpness. However, Polaroid photographs are perfectly imperfect. A little blurry, with dark and desaturated colors.
CONS:
- In reality, there is only one big drawback: The price of the cartridges. Currently, a package color 600 film with 8 photos costs around of €20… I feel that the price of the cartridges has clipped the wings of my creativity. I have not been able to learn how to use it as I would like, I think very long before pressing the button. In the end, as in everything in life, you learn to photograph by photographing.
- They would be ideal for Project Life if it weren't for the size (8.8 x 10.7cm or 3.5 x 4.5 inches). They do not fit in the 3 x 4 inch pockets, nor in the 6 x 4 inch pockets since they stick out at the top.
In the future I hope to be able to make a comparison between this Polaroid camera and an Instax... But to do so I first have to get one 😅.
I hope you liked this post.
Happy weekend.
Until next time!
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