At the beginning of the 2000s, Polaroid was on the brink of bankruptcy, new camera formats were not paying off, and there was a nearly 20-year stagnation among flagship formats. It was at this time, on the threshold of the 21st century, that the last line of original Polaroid 600-series cameras – the Polaroid One – was released.
Polaroid One
The first camera of the Polaroid One generation is probably the best camera in this series. Released in 2001, the Polaroid instant print cameras were absolutely amazing. You could feel that this model was made with love, and it was entirely different from everything we had seen before. First, we got a completely new, futuristic, complex design in gray color, which Apple would call Space Gray. The camera automatically unfolds with a special button on the back and has a hand holder that transformed into a strap for holding the camera. In addition, this model did not have the usual exposure compensation slider that was found in all 600-type cameras, which is actually a downside now because the new Polaroid film is not as stable as the original. Also, this is the first and only camera with the ability to turn off the flash and features a red-eye reduction mode. You remember those old photos where people looked like they were possessed by demons? This mode was designed to prevent such special effects in your photos. And of course, the timer, which we recently discussed. All of this beauty is complemented by a small LCD display that shows the number of remaining shots in the film pack (but don't forget to subtract two shots when using new packs), which is much more convenient than the window in other Polaroid cameras. It also displays icons that indicate the activation of additional modes. Additionally, the camera has a built-in tripod socket, so buying this camera meant you got the full set of cool features in a compact design.
Polaroid One 600
After a few years, an update of the camera was released under the name Polaroid One 600 , which introduced a variety of colors and slight design changes. However, for some reason, all the other cool features disappeared, such as the timer, the red-eye reduction mode, the flash off feature, and even the tripod socket! As a result, we got a very basic camera in which even exposure compensation couldn't be controlled. Changes were made to the lens area and the front of the camera, which became more rounded. All you could do with this camera was press the shutter button and get a photo. Even the cool transforming strap was replaced with a less functional wrist strap.
But all of this was not without reason, as along with the base model, two other models were introduced – Ultra and Pro (hello Apple ✌️).
Polaroid One 600 Ultra
Polaroid followed the formula – want a better camera? Pay more money. The Polaroid One 600 Ultra is essentially the same as the Polaroid One released earlier, but more expensive. It differs from the base Polaroid One 600 in color; instead of the blue and silver combination, we get just silver, and the control buttons for cool features have moved, along with the display, to the top part of the body, right next to the viewfinder. Interestingly, the flash-off feature was no longer available in this model or the subsequent ones. The tripod socket was also not returned, so while the camera does have a built-in timer, you will have to place it on different surfaces, which is not always convenient.
Polaroid One 600 Pro
The Polaroid One 600 Pro is the heaviest hitter in the lineup. The color of this model is silver with black. Here, in addition to all the previously mentioned features, we have the exposure compensation slider. Moreover, we got the tripod socket back, and the tripod was even included in the package (this wasn't just a random act of generosity; the price was accordingly).
Collaborations
The One series had collaborations with many brands, but unfortunately, there is very little information about these cameras. However, it is known that the series had a color lineup, which included three cameras in glossy colors — Rossa (bright red), Nero (black), and Panna (white). In general, this is the same Polaroid One 600 Pro , but without the tripod included. Some Panna models were sold with a macro-lens that could be screwed onto the built-in one, but unfortunately, such cameras were produced in very limited quantities.
The One lineup didn't manage to save Polaroid from bankruptcy, and the company had to give up its flagship products. In fact, the One series is quite interesting and worth your attention, but due to its relatively short production period, these cameras are not widely available on the market, and their price can be quite high (depending on the model and condition). This was a great, even elegant, end to the iconic company's history.
