Even in this increasingly digital world Polaroid i-Zone cameras offer spontaneous and fun photography that produces results as close as you can get to ‘instant’ - which you can (a minute or two later) share and enjoy right there and then!

Within this guide I hope to clarify the differences between the i-Zone and izone200 instant camera models and highlight which films can be used with them.

Cameras

Regardless of model *all* the i-Zone and izone200 cameras feature fixed focus optimised for a distance from subject of around 2-8ft and a built-in automatic flash (powered by batteries).

i-Zone Cameras

Four main versions of the i-Zone camera were released between 1999 and 2002:

• i-Zone Pocket Camera - The original i-Zone camera, available in a variety of colours and even special editions featuring Hello Kitty, Tweety Pie, and Barbie.
• i-Zone Pocket Camera with FM Radio - Just like it sounds, identical to the i-Zone Pocket Camera but with a built-in radio!
• i-Zone Digital & Instant Combo Camera - Again, a standard i-Zone Pocket Camera but this time attached at the hip to a separately functioning (and quite simplistic) digital camera.
• i-Zone Convertible Camera - Exactly the same functionality as the original i-Zone Pocket Camera but with a thinner and sleeker white design with interchangeable faceplates.
• Girl Tech My Photo Booth - Not a Polaroid i-Zone product but uses the same films. This nifty toy uses a built-in i-Zone camera, mirror, and timer to take hands-free shots mimicking a photo booth!

Released in 2004 the izone200 is 30% smaller and 40% lighter than the original i-Zone Pocket Camera but uses it’s own izone200 films (of which it is the only camera that can!).
All varieties of i-Zone/izone200 instant photos have an image area of 3.8cm x 2.4cm / 1.4 x 0.8 inches and a development time of roughly 3 minutes which starts after they have been pulled from the camera once a shot has been taken. To pull the shots from the camera each image has a set of colourful tabs which protrude slightly (one at a time!) from the right of the camera. These tabs can be cut off after development has finished, and just so you don’t need to keep count the tab that is protruding from the camera shows how many shots are left from that film. Each film contains 12 shots, although 6 shot versions also exist, and are available in Single, Twin, and Triple boxes.

i-Zone Films

All i-Zone cameras aside from the izone200 model (which has its own specific izone200 films) use i-Zone films. If you are unsure which camera model you have be sure to check the Camera section above! :) There are 3 types of film for use with i-Zone cameras:

• i-Zone Instant Pocket Film – The standard variety! Identifiable by blue strip on boxes.
• i-Zone Instant Sticker Film – Adhesive backed film! Turns your i-Zone into like having your own photo sticker machine! Green strip on boxes.
• i-Zone Fortune Film – Special adhesive backed film that also displays a message or fortune that disappears as the photo develops! Purple strip on boxes.
  

izone200 Films

There are 2 types of film specifically for use with the izone200 camera (and no other camera!):

• izone200 instant sticky – Adhesive backed film! Turns your izone200 into like having your own photo sticker machine! Found in turquoise boxes.
• izone200 instant non-sticky – Standard film (not sticky, thus the name!). Found in orange boxes.
  

Expired Film?

Each film has an expiry date printed onto it’s box and film packet. Unfortunately now that both the i-Zone and izone200 lines are out of production, and have subsequently vanished from shops, finding films that have not ‘expired’ is increasingly difficult – indeed the last production runs have expiry dates within 2007. Fear not though! Amongst Polaroid lovers, enthusiasts and aficionados it is generally considered that well stored Polaroid film (kept sealed, out of the heat, away from dampness) that has 'expired' within 18 months of use produces results often indistinguishable to the untrained eye from film that is within it's stated life span. Indeed it is often said that film up to 18 months old retains 80-90% quality comparable with new. And what about films older than 18 months? They're still perfectly usable - just don’t expect the colours and saturation to be spot-on!

Many eBay listings for (or including) films do not openly declare stated expiry dates - be it an oversight or in some cases an intentional omission with the intent to mislead buyers. When a film is listed ‘new’ don’t assume it hasn’t yet passed it’s expiry date. If in doubt ask the seller!

Where to buy

Sadly i-Zone/izone200 cameras and films have disappeared from high street retail outlets and popular online stores such as Amazon. Thankfully eBay is home to open auctions and Buy-It-Now stocks for all i-Zone and izone200 products! As a self-confessed Polaroid addict and eBayer myself (User ID: rebeldoughnut) I frequently sell whatever I don’t use personally!

• Suggested eBay search keywords: i-Zone  izone  izone200
• eBay categories:
• Photography > Film Cameras > Instant/ Polaroid
• Photography > Film > Polaroid/ Instant Print Film