Would a polaroid be a good idea for a "birthday" present for my nephew?

[Zain]

My nephew is turning one. I was thinking of getting a polaroid for them to take pictures of him as he begins to grow. I've always thought that these were more intimate and appealing than digital photos. No one really goes to get digital photos processed and printed anyway. Any thoughts?

 

[tree]

So, the camera isn't really for the nephew, it's for the parents?

 

[Zain]

So, the camera isn't really for the nephew, it's for the parents?

Well I don't really know what to get for a 1 year old.
It's really for all of them. They can take pictures of him whenever they want and think it's important to keep and store around the house, like at important milestones, etc. Figured it'd be more valuable than something material since everyone else will probably be getting clothes or toys anyway.
It'd be good for them to look back on without having to sift through thousands of photos (in the future).

 

[Judge]

No one really goes to get digital photos processed and printed anyway. Any thoughts?

Exactly. No one goes to have digital pictures processed because it is done in the camera, and the images can be shared through wireless, online technology.

In a largely paperless society, unless you're my age you aren't likely to find many people who see the value of images printed on paper. Particularly involving Polaroid technology that demands an absurd cost of film per image, apart from the camera itself.

Intimate and appealing? I don't think so. No more than a telephone with a rotary dial. The most "intimate" photos I ever took were done with a film camera. The trick? I did my own b/w developing many years ago. And a girlfriend anxious to pose for them. Though much later thrilled to be able to do much better work digitally.

It's why my Polaroid Spectra I got for free has remained in my closet for decades. A poor value given the cost of film.

Amazon.com : polaroid spectra film