Though classic Polaroids are a thing of the past, the allure of instant printing and washed out images seems to prevail. The Impossible Project team aims to provide plenty of both with its new I-1 analog camera, which uses classic Polaroid 600-type film for its shots. Like any good piece of modern tech, the I-1 hooks up to your phone via Bluetooth for enhanced functionality and can be recharged with a USB cable.
Impossible Project started in 2008 as an effort to revive classic Polaroid photography by selling film and refurbished original Polaroid cameras online. Its latest venture, the I-1, has a simple black exterior with yellow markings detailing the minimalist manual adjustments on offer. Resembling the old Polaroid Impulse series, the I-1 has a streamlined triangular body, a small viewing window at the top that allows you to size up your photos, and a ring flash and printer sitting at the front.
The I-1 connects to the user's phone via Bluetooth, and through the companion app allows modification of aperture, shutter speed, flash settings and includes a range of pre-set filters for adding some artistic flair to your photos, as well as a remote shutter function. The I-1's companion app is currently available on iOS and Android phones.
![The I-1 will use classic-style 600 type Polaroid film](https://assets.newatlas.com/dims4/default/c6d8020/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1206x545+0+0/resize/1206x545!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Farchive%2Fimpossible-project-i1-7.jpg)
This is Impossible Project's first camera, though the company has dabbled in smartphone integration before with its Instant Lab device that printed user's iPhone photos on 600-type film.
The company has built a business around reverse-engineering the scarce and expensive original Polaroid 600 type film and, as CEO Oskar Smolokowski explained in an interview with Bloomberg, the I-1 represents an effort to forge its own path.
The I-1 has a release date of May 10 and will available for purchase at Impossible Project's website with a US$299 price tag. A refurbished Polaroid camera will set you back a similar amount, but keep in mind that 600 type film costs $23.49 for just 8 photos, so capturing your next birthday party could get a bit expensive.
Sources: Impossible Project, Bloomberg.