By Gear Patrol Reader Michael Grady

If you’re a gearhead like me, then you’re always about the next best thing, but sometimes it’s important to take in the goodness of vintage. And this doesn’t just apply to style and decor, but to electronics too. This weekend, or next, skip the digital camera (gasp), spend a few bucks and pick yourself up a vintage Polaroid camera. Everyone will love the instant gratification of your desaturated, haphazard photos. And seriously, who doesn’t like to shake it like a Polaroid pict-cha?

With some casual web searching you can come across a lot of stores specializing in repurposed and refurbished cameras, like The Collector Detector, which has this Vintage Instant Polaroid 230 Land Camera kit for just $60. The film is a little tough to find, so make sure you order a decent supply of rolls (eBay is a good place to start), get familiarized with the manual, and just start shooting. Yes, it’ll take more effort than your Sony point & shoot, but hey what’s the fun without a little elbow grease. If you’re looking for some inspiration, you can check out some instant photo goodness here on flickr.

Cost: $60