Polaroid 600 Greg Mike Edition

The Polaroid 600 Greg Mike Edition is an instant camera edition. It has the same range of functions as the Polaroid One Step Flash. The price for one copy is 250 US dollars in 2022.

This limited edition model is based on an old restored Polaroid camera. The model was unveiled in January 2022 and was the result of a collaboration between various parties. The technical side was taken from the American Retrospekt. The design was created by Greg Mike on behalf of 1XRun.

Split across the front is a cartoon monster with white teeth. A monster illustration with an eye in blue color is also found on the back.

Gregory Michael Mensching, known as Greg Mike, is a contemporary artist from the USA. He is active in street art and murals. 1XRun is an art publishing company based in Detroit.

The Polaroid 600 Greg Mike Edition stands out for its lightness and ease of use. If you’re used to a lot of settings on your camera, you won’t find them on this model. The ease of use results in a low barrier to entry and thus numerous possibilities for areas of application. A nice event for using the camera is for example a wedding or at other celebrations. However, it is also a lot of fun on vacation.

There is no possibility to change the set exposure values. The shutter speed is not adjustable. There is also no dial for the aperture value. The instant camera is equipped with a fixed lens. There is no zoom function. For close-ups, you should therefore take a few steps closer to the subject. A distance of 120 cm to the subject is necessary for sharp pictures. This model does not have a close-up lens.

You won’t miss a flash on this model. When taking pictures, the flash fires automatically. Due to the small aperture, the use of the flash is useful especially indoors.

Films for the Polaroid 600 Greg Mike Edition

Indispensable for taking pictures with the camera are the associated instant films. The production of the original consumable has since been discontinued. Fresh films are now being sold again under the old brand name.

There is a choice of color and black-and-white film. For color photos, there is the Polaroid Color Film for 600*. Monochrome images can be created with the Polaroid B&W Film for 600*. Both films perform well in test reports.

Eight unexposed images can be found in one pack. If the film material comes into contact with a lot of light before shooting, it can become unusable. Ideal storage conditions are found in a clean and dark place.

An instant film has a size of 10.8 x 8.8 cm. An area of 7.7 by 7.7 cm is provided for the actual image. The rest is filled by a white area. If white frames are too boring for you, there are editions with colorful frames.

Can the Japanese manufacturer’s Instax films be used? No, the films are not suitable for the Polaroid 600 Greg Mike Edition.

Batteries

What type of batteries are needed for the instant camera? For this type of camera, the battery is found in the film cassette. The disposable battery contains the necessary energy for the camera technology with flash. So when you replace the film, you also replace the battery at the same time. This is the only battery needed for the camera.

The film cassette with the battery should not be disposed of in household waste. The battery should be removed from the cassette and taken to a local drop-off location.

Manual for the Polaroid 600 Greg Mike Edition

How to take photos with the instant camera? A quick guide on how the photo camera works.

The first act is to load the film. To do this, slide the slider on the side forward and open the film door. Now the cassette with the film material can be inserted. Then the flap can be closed again. The protective film that has protected the film material from light up to now is now automatically removed from the camera.

The camera is now ready for use. To do this, press the subject with the camera and press the shutter release button. The motor in the camera now ejects the image and development begins. After a few minutes, you have the finished image in your hand.

Similar models

If the camera cannot be found, alternatives are available. Two popular alternatives would be the Polaroid Sun 660* and Polaroid 600 Business Edition*. These models are either functionally identical or offer a similar range of features. They also use the 600 Polaroid format.

You may also want to reach for other instant cameras as an alternative. Two instant cameras that are not from Polaroid are the Instax Mini 9* and Instax Mini 40*. Matching film stock is also still being produced for both cameras.