Polaroid goes vaporwave! These '90s-inspired cameras from Retrospekt proudly rep the MS Paint aesthetic
(Image credit: Retrospekt)
Whether you're a child of the Nineties or just someone who loves the vaporwave aesthetic, chances are you're going to fall in love with the latest collection of Polaroid 600 cameras from Retrospekt.
The limited edition InstantArt collection takes the iconic Polaroid 600 and slaps a very Nineties coat of paint on it – more accurately, a coat of MS Paint, with a near CMYK palette and a very Apple Garamond-style font.
If you're unaware of Retrospekt's work, this Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based design studio specializes upcycling retro tech, such as film cameras and Walkmans. In particular, it takes some of the best Polaroid cameras and restores them to full working order while giving them a unique sense of style.
The Polaroid 600 InstantArt collection, however, takes its inspiration not from iconic characters but the iconic pixel art style that defined a decade.
Each Polaroid Retrospekt Polaroid 600 InstantArt camera comes in "vintage software" style packaging with a sheet of stickers (Image credit: Retrospekt)
"Growing up in the early days of home computing, I spent countless hours experimenting with different computer drawing and painting programs, plotting out pictures pixel by pixel," says Retrospekt's creative director, Michael Kempen.
"With InstantArt, we wanted to create a fun little throwback to those early days of digital art and its enduring influence on visual culture. These cameras celebrate the joy, quirkiness and unmistakable style that defined an entire generation's first exposure to the computer as a creative tool."
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Available in three styles – the hot pink Blotches, electric blue Grid and vivid yellow Bubbles – each Polaroid 600 InstantArt comes in vintage software-style packaging, complete with a sheet of stickers to customize the camera.
(Note that these are vintage Polaroid cameras and require Polaroid 600 film, not i-Type. For more information, check my What type of instant film do I need? guide.)
The Polaroid 600 InstantArt cameras are available now, priced $179 / £144 each (Australian prices to be confirmed). Retrospekt is currently running a sitewide 20% anniversary sale, which ends on June 30.
The camera comes in hot pink (Blotches), electric blue (Grid) and vivid yellow (Bubbles) (Image credit: Retrospekt)
The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.
