What is an Instant Camera? An instant camera is one which uses self-developing film to create a picture. It chemically develops the print after the picture has been taken. Polaroid is the name that everyone associates with this instant photography. Here is some information about whats available today.
Polaroid Instant Cameras – Past and Present
They made many different cameras over the years and still make instant cameras today. You can even buy the old versions that have been bought back to life.
Nowadays there is a company from the Netherlands called Impossible Project which produces instant film for Polaroid cameras. They have also created their own instant camera plus they refurbish the older Polaroids.
Below you will find a description of some of the instant cameras available today and I will add information that I have found in the current reviews.
I have come to the conclusion that all types seem to have some good and bad traits. Not so much for the super serious photographer looking for sharp clear images. Most say if you want some fun try these. Fun Fun Fun … thats what its all about. Sounds good to me. You just have to have some spare cash for the films. This varies a lot so look around to find what suits you.
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Impossible Project I-1 Analog Instant Camera
This is a new version of the instant camera created in 2016. It has smartphone connectivity, and is designed to work with an App for iOS and Android . This app includes a remote button on your phone. It has manual control for the shutter speed and aperture. It even has fun creative tools like double exposure and light paint. The flash ring adapts to ambient light.
Some of the app features are – a wide range of apertures (f10 to f64) and exposure time to 30 seconds, so you can do a little more experimenting than has been available in the past. Exposures can take between 5 – 10 minutes for black and white and up to 30 minutes for colour to develop, so not as fast as they were in the past due to changes from the original formula of the film due make it more environmentally friendly.
Impossible Project makes the film for them so its readily available.
Impossible PRD4514 Polaroid 600 Film, Color
I haven’t used one myself but have found reviews are varied, but is probably best for the experienced instant photographer as its not as easy as the old originals. Another factor is film is quite expensive so at a couple of dollars per shot you don’t want to waste them.
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FujiFilm has quite a range of instant cameras. Not too expensive and of lightweight plastic construction.
This is your basic point and shoot instant camera. It develops prints like an old Polaroid and gives quite a retro look to the image. It comes in 5 different colours (white, blue, pink, yellow and black). Although basic it comes with five different exposure levels and has a high key setting for a softer look. Probably doesn’t focus close enough for selfies. It’s a great one for kids to start with as everything is easy. It even suggests what setting to put the camera on by determining the brightness of the surrounding area. The flash automatically fires every time.
From what I have researched the Sunny, Slightly cloudy (F22) appears to be the most favourable setting for outdoor shots. It does take a bit of experimenting to work out what sort of pic you like. It’s not digital so you can’t download images from the camera and the pictures are small, about business card size.
Overall this is a basic camera but it will give you lots of fun.
Specifications
| Instant Film | Fujifilm Instant Color Film “instax mini” |
|---|---|
| Picture size | 62 x 46mm |
| Shooting range / Focusing range | 0.6m – ∞ |
| Shutter | Shutter speed: 1/60 sec. |
| Exposure control | Manual switching system (LED indicator in exposure meter) |
| Flash | Constant firing flash (automatic light adjustment) Recycle time: 0.2 sec. to 6 sec. (when using new batteries), Effective flash range: 0.6m – 2.7 m |
| Power Supply | Two LR6/AA-size 1.5V alkaline batteries Capacity: 10 film packs (based on FujiFilm research) |
| Others | Exposure counter (number of unexposed films), film pack confirmation window |
| Dimensions & Weight | 116mm x 118.3mm x 68.2mm / 307g (without batteries, strap and film pack) |
This is a popular little camera which is smaller and slimmer than some others. Easy to hand and easy to use, its a fun camera that is perfect for parties or get togethers where the moment is the thing and not super excellent photo quality.
Specifications
| Film | Fujifilm Instant Color Film “instax mini” |
|---|---|
| Picture size | 62 x 46mm |
| Lens | Move in/out type lens, 2 components, 2 elements, f=60mm, 1:12.7 |
| Viewfinder | Real image finder, 0.37x , with target spot |
| Focusing | Motor-driven 2-range switching: 0.6 – 3m/3m – ∞, Shooting range: 0.6m – ∞, Landscape Mode (3m – ∞) |
| Shutter Release | Programmed electronic shutter release, 1/3 – 1/400 sec. shutter speeds, 2 shutter buttons (vertical shooting/horizontal shooting) |
| Exposure control | Automatic, Interlocking range (ISO 800): LV5.0 – LV15.5, Exposure compensation (Lighten-Darken Control): ± 2/3EV |
| Film Feeding Out | Automatic |
| Flash | Built-in, Automatic electronic flash, Auto mode (Intelligent Flash for Brighter Backgrounds), Fill-in Flash Mode,0.2 – 5sec. recycle time (when new batteries are used), with flash charging lamp (red), effective flash lamp range: 0.6 – 3 m |
| Self-timer | Electronically controlled, approx. 10 second delay, Continuous shooting mode, can be stopped mid-run |
| Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) | Exposure counter (number of unexposed films), Landscape Mode, Lighten-Darken Control, Fill-in Flash Mode,Self-timer Mode (1 frame/2 frames continuous shooting) |
| Power Supply | Two CR2/DL CR2 lithium batteries, Capacity: 30 film packs*
|
| Others | With film pack confirmation window, tripod socket, stylish illumination indicators |
| Dimensions & Weight | 112.0 x 96.5 x 49.5 mm(W x H x D)/275g (without batteries, strap and film pack) |
The Instax Mini 70 is a little bit more versatile than the Mini 8, so it’s more for someone who is a bit more serious about instant photography. It has a wider angle lens and some more controls including multiple exposure and self timer. It also has a tiny mirror next to the lens so you can check your framing on your selfie. It does have an automatic flash which it adjusts according to the surrounds. There is also a Hi-key mode which brightens the picture.
Specifications
| Film | Fujifilm Instant Color Film “instax mini” (separately available) |
|---|---|
| Picture size | 86mm x 54mm |
| Lens | Retractable lens, 2 components, 2 elements, f = 60 mm, 1:12.7 |
| Viewfinder | Real image finder, 0.37x , with target spot |
| Focusing | Motor-driven 3-range switching (0.3 m – 0.6 m/0.6 m – 3 m/3 m and beyond), Macro Mode (0.3 m – 0.6 m) Normal Mode (0.6 m – 3 m) Landscape Mode (3 m and beyond) |
| Shutter Release | Programmed electronic shutter release, 1/2 sec – 1/400 sec. |
| Exposure control | Automatic, Interlocking range (ISO 800) : LV 5 – LV 15.5, Exposure compensation (Hi-Key): +2/3 EV |
| Film Feeding Out | Automatic |
| Flash | Built-in, automatic electronic flash, Charging time: 0.2 sec – 7 sec (using a new battery), Flash charging indicator, Fill-in Flash Mode, Effective flash lamp range: 0.3 m – 2.7 m |
| Self-timer | Electronically controlled, approx. 10 second delay, Continuous shooting mode, can be stopped mid-run |
| Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) | Exposure counter (number of unexposed films), Shooting mode (Selfie, Macro, Landscape, Fill-in Flash, Hi-Key, Auto), Self timer Mode (1 frame/2 frames continuous shooting) |
| Power Supply | Two CR2/DL CR2 lithium batteries Capacity: Approximately 30 INSTAX mini 10-pack film packs with new CR2/DL CR2 lithium batteries * |
| Others | Film pack confirmation window, tripod socket (tripod sold separately) |
| Dimensions & Weight | 99.2×113.7×53.2mm (W x H x D) (not including protrusions) / 281g (without battery, strap, and film pack) |
After reading a lot of reviews it seems this camera is a good one to start on if your new or just an old Polaroid fan, and anyone wanting to have a bit of fun with a camera. It has come up as one of the most popular in reviews I have found. You are able to have some degree of control over the photos with some settings and features such as bulb mode, multiple exposure and macro mode – short-distance photography as close as 30-60cm. From what I understand, some of the modes don’t seem to make much of a difference, like the Light and Dark modes. There is still no way to judge exposure before taking a picture.
Specifications
| Film | Fujifilm Instant Color Film “instax mini” (separately available) |
|---|---|
| Film size | 86mm x 54mm |
| Picture size | 62mm x 46mm |
| Lens | Move in / out type lens, 2 components, 2 elements, f=60mm, F=12.7 |
| Viewfinder | Real image finder, 0.37x, with target spot and parallax adjustment for macro mode |
| Focusing | Motor-driven 3-range switching, 0.3m – ∞ (macro mode: 0.3m – 0.6m, normal mode: 0.6m – 3.0m, landscape mode: 3.0m – ∞) |
| Shutter release | Programmed electronic shutter release, 1.8 – 1/400 sec. shutter speeds (macro mode: aperture automatically fixed at F22, bulb mode: maximum 10-second shutter open time) |
| Exposure control | Automatic, LV5.0 – 15.5 (ISO800), lighten-darken control ±2/3EV, +1EV |
| Film feeding out | Automatic |
| Flash | Automatic electronic flash (with brightness adjustment function), forced firing mode (with brightness adjustment function), flash off mode, red eye reduction mode |
| Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) | Exposure counter (number of remaining shots), Macro mode, Brightness control, Self timer, Flash ON / OFF, Mode button(Party / Kids / Landscape / Double exposure / Bulb) |
| Power supply | NP-45A lithium-ion battery.charge capacity: 10 film packs (based on FujiFilm test conditions) |
| Accompanying items | shoulder strap, Warranty, NP-45A Rechargeable Battery, BC-45C Battery Charger |
| Dimensions & Weight | 113.4mm x 91.9mm x 57.2mm, 296g (excluding the battery, strap and film) |
The Instax Wide 300 is a little more heavy duty and bigger than most other Instax cameras. It has a small black and white LCD on the back which displays the number of frames remaining, also has a really nice grip and is simple to use. Quite popular due to the larger size image, its comparable the Lomography Lomo’Instant Wide which would probably be my favourite.
Specifications
| Instant Film | Fujifilm Instant Color Film “instax WIDE” |
|---|---|
| Film size | 86 x 108mm |
| Picture size | 62 x 99mm |
| Lens | Retractable lens, 2 components, 2 elements, f = 95 mm, 1:14 |
| Viewfinder | Real image finder, 0.37 x, with target spot |
| Focusing | Motor-driven 2-range switching (0.9m – 3m / 3m – ∞) Normal Mode (0.9m – 3m) Landscape Mode (3m – ∞) |
| Shutter Release | Programmed electronic shutter release, 1/64 sec – 1/200 sec. |
| Exposure control | Automatic, Interlocking range (ISO 800) : LV 10.5 – LV 15 Exposure compensation (Lighten-Darken Control) : ± 2/3EV |
| Film Feeding Out | Automatic |
| Flash | Built-in, automatic electronic flash, Charging time: 0.2 sec – 6 sec (using a new battery), Flash charging indicator (LED lights in red), Fill-in Flash Mode, Effective flash lamp range: 0.9m – 3m |
| Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) | Exposure counter (number of unexposed films), Lighten-Darken control, Fill-in Flash Mode |
| Power Supply | Four size AA 1.5 V alkaline batteries (LR6), Capacity : 10 film packs (Based on FujiFilm test conditions) |
| Others | With film pack confirmation window, close up lens, and tripod socket included |
| Dimensions & Weight | 167.8mm x 94.7mm x 120.9mm (not including protrusions) / 612g (without battery, strap, film pack, and close up lens) |
[nextpage title=”Lomography”]
Lomography Lomo Instant Camera
A popular camera with a great retro design. It came about as the result of a crowdfunded Kickstarter campaign. Its popular due to the features such as removable lenses, different shooting modes, aperture control and multiple exposure capabilities. Other great controls are, you can have the flash on, off or on auto and the sensor will set the flash to the most suitable level based on the light around you. You can get the bundle which gives you extra lenses. This also has the tiny round mirror on the front of the camera which is great for getting selfies just right. Again its not going to take the sharpest photos around but for the fun of shooting and getting the pics straight away its alright.
___________________________
Film Format: Fujifilm Instax Mini Film
Exposure Area: 42mm X 64mm
Shutter Speed: Bulb – 1/125S
Exposure Compensations: -2 / +2 Exposure Values
Ejection Mechanism: Motorized
Multiple Exposures: Yes
Built-in Flash Guide Number: 9
Automatic Flash output: Yes
Tripod Mount: Yes
Cable Release Mount: Yes
Aperture: F8, f11, f16, f22, f32
Battery Supply: 6V (4x AAA Batteries)
Lomography Lomo Instant Wide Camera White
Reviews are again all over the shop. It seems to have some handy features. It is quite large, some say too big. Features include a focus selector that has three basic settings: mountain, body and face. A special feature of this camera is the package with the add-on lenses and Splitzer. You can uses the regular lense, 35mm or add the much wider 21mm wide lens. It uses Instax Wide film is big—3.4 by 4.25 inches including the border, with an image that’s 2.4 by 3.9 inches.
The camera runs off 4X AA batteries and does work with rechargable batteries (The FUJI 300 camera has trouble with rechargables)