New iPhone Photo App: ClassicINSTA

Description from the AppStore: ClassicINSTA turns an iPhone into a perfect instant camera. It reproduces all features of an instant camera, from the operations to the results. Experience the new world of an instant camera!

Instant camera design: ClassicINSTA comes in three designs. The current version has Classic, Modern and Metallic pink designs.

Supports Ten Film Cartridge Types: The product supports 10 cartridge types to make excellent results. The cartridge can be changed by sliding it left or right.

• CLS Original
• CLS Modern
• Retro B/W
• Vintage Sepia
• Washed
• Rainbow
• Damaged
• Reddish
• ColorShock
• ToyCamera

Supports both direct picture-taking and import: Both the direct picture-taking and the conversion of imported pictures are easily available.

Realistic operations: You can see the developed pictures falling into the picture storage. If the vibration option is on, the iPhone will vibrate with the completion of development.

AppStore Link: ClassicINSTA - Price £0.59/$0.99

Editors comments: This is a classic example of Apple's indecisive ruling over Polaroid effect apps being unfairly approved.  You have apps like Polarize, and CameraBag that are allowed to use the distinctive Polaroid photo format whilst apps like ShakeItPhoto and this app are not!!

ClassicINSTA was originally called ClassicPOLA, and I was one of a handful of beta testers (you may have seen the odd photo posted on Twitter and Facebook), but when submitted to Apple for approval it was rejected because of its name (ClassicPOLA) and because the photo ratio resembled that of a Polaroid!! So developer misskiwi had no choice but to make changes which in my opinion, and as the samples below show, has spoilt the effects she work so hard to achieve.

Above: The original photoAbove: The ClassicPOLA versionAbove: The Apple approved ClassicINSTA version.Now this app is not a bad app, in fact just like all the 'Classic' range you get that nostalgic feel when using it, but the change in frame format and look for me has just taken the edge away, that said, I do know that an update with improved frames is on the cards, providing Apple to not reject them.

All-in-all this is a good app, that unchanged would have been a 5 star app for me, but sadly as the frames just don't have that Polaroid feel I am giving it a reluctant 3 stars :(

If you are in the US and would like to try this app, then here are 2 promo codes, with more scattered around my social network sites ;) so be quick and grab them before they're gone.

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Update on Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 11:02PM by Glyn Evans

For anyone interested, there is a discussion about this app in the user forum.

Comments

[xwhiteboy777x]

I just used the first code. Thanks Glyn...I've been debating on buying this app since last night. I'm glad I held out. WOOT!!!

[Ralph]

Thanks for the codes.
Why don't you provide codes for people living outside the US?

[Darren Stephens]

Nice, but not happy with the frames. In some the picture can still be seen in the white of the frame

[Tomba]

my 50cents:
http://www.iphoneography.com/discussion-board/post/1074975#post1075061

[Mikkers]

I love this app, its photo processing, and its UI. I do think it's a little unfair to take away two stars just because you don't like *one* aspect of the app especially since you wanted to give it five stars to begin with. The frame change that you hate was also made because of Apple's rules and not by the developer's choice, but seem to punishing misskiwi with your low rating because of it.

The frames *are* a bit bland, but I think this apps deserves at least four stars for the photo filters.

[Mooro]

HI,

I have a slghtly unusual problem. When I try to view pics from my iPhone on my laptop using Windows Explorer I can't see photos taken with certain apps. ClassicPAN, ClassicToy, ShakeItPhoto, Pro HDR, Pano are all a problem and now this. That is why I am posting here. I can view photos taken with Camera Genius, Hipstamatic and Spica with out any problems. All the photos I am trying to view are on the camera roll on the phone. It only when I go in to the photos folder on Windows Explorer after connecting phone to laptop that I can't see then and as a result can't transfer them off the phone. Has anyone come across this problem?

[scw]

@ Darren Stephens actually the 1-2 borders that you can still see transparencies is how they are supposed to be. It is a unique look that I personally enjoy since it isn't a common factor in other apps & plays off of those specific filters.

[Mikkers]

@scw

unfortunately, misskiwi said that she was planning to change the the transparency borders in some of the frames since people have complained about it. Now that I know it was done on purpose, I like the bleed through as a unique post-processing trait.

[Kristin]

I got a code for this app, but honestly, it seems like her other apps, just with a polaroid frame.

[Zoe Wiseman]

The term Polarize has absolutely NOTHING to do with Polaroid. While I call the effect solarization, when you burn chemicals either while developing film or printing photographs, polarize isn't something Polaroid.

I also applaud Apple for not allowing iPhone apps to copy Polaroid. While I'm an iPhone snapper myself, I'm also a staunch Polaroid user and quite frankly if you want a Polaroid effect or border... BUY POLAROID. There are too many film companies going out of business and we need to support them, and not by simulating the film.

If you want to purchase Polaroid Film I suggest going to http://www.the-impossible-project.com and do so. Fuji also makes instant film and cameras.

My iPhone shots are here: http://www.iphoneartography.com

[scw]

@ Zoe Wiseman
While I understand you comments... I absolutely disagree in the fact that you are talking to users who use iPhone photography apps. So Umm NO I'd have to buy a Polaroid & film to do that & as you can plainly see WE have iPhone thus digital photography produced from within our iPhone. So that will NOT happen I will not go buy Polaroid film & a Camera to take the images I am taking with my iPhone no matter how much I enjoy there products I am a iPhoneographer & a photo editor not a one shot Polaroid junkie.

[Glyn Evans]

@ Zoe Wiseman. Whilst I know the term polarize has nothing to do with Polaroid, the app called Polarize produces Polaroid looking results digitally, and that was the point I was making.

Whilst I also agree that real Polaroids can only be created with a camera and film, in this digital age there is a demand for digital version, and so unless Polaroid themselves enter this market we are left to the 3rd party developers to fill the void.

[Zoe Wiseman]

@scw if i'm not talking to users who use iPhone photo apps then who am i talking to? this is posted underneath a review of a photo application specifically for the iPhone. ?? Polaroids are fun... you should give it a go. You'd have just as much fun with that as you would any of these apps. Truly.

@glyn evans - Apple doesn't allow people to violate their trademarks and patents, polaroid doesn't allow it either, and Apple has to respect that. Polarize is an analog photography technique, there's also "Polarizer" filter one can put on a lens too to darken skies and whiten clouds very close to what a red#54 filter would do. Which is probably what the app is referring to anyway, the name isn't trademarked because it is a type of performance, not an actual thing itself. I assumed, wrongly I suppose, that you were referring to the name as that's what I gathered from your blog posting.

anyway... not starting an argument, just explaining what's up.

Enjoy your picture taking!

[sascha]

Man I was looking forward to this app and read this review just now and I am so pissed at Apple that they rejected the original version! I still bought the app but now I realize that the polaroid frames used in the beta review are not available! So therefore here from all of my heart a big: APPLE F*CK YOU!! >:(

[Brad Hutchings]

Somebody ask the developer to bring this to Android. What a cool app idea!!

[scw]

QUOTE: I do know that an update with improved frames is on the cards, providing Apple to not reject them.

People... stay tuned since they original frame & more goodies is being implemented for an update upon approval

[Cliff]

I got the app yesterday. It's ok. Nothing too spectacular. But I will put it to use with other apps to make some creative photos.