- Fujifilm Instax SQ6 Review, best instant camera for travel?
- Instant cameras compared, travel photographer’s view
- Never Travel Without An Instant Camera! (Instant cameras review)
Why on earth would you use an instant camera in the digital age? I would say, that we tend to remember the things we can touch and feel better. We buy actual physical souvenirs from the places we liked and keep photos of people we love in our wallets.
This is my first post dedicated to the art of instant film. Here, I will tell why (in my opinion) this kind of photography matters and what kind of value it can bring to a traveler. Everything here is based on my personal experience and many frames. This is my review of Instant cameras for travel photography.
Table of Contents
Very Brief History
In Instant photography, a print is developed within a few minutes. In modern terms, it isn’t actually instant, but in the film era that was a breakthrough. The consumer market was pioneered by Polaroid. First cameras came out in 1947.
- The instant film, the way we all know it, was introduced in 1972. It was called an integral film and it develops itself (without human interaction).
- Fujifilm started producing instant cameras in 1998.
- Later, sales went low due to the rise of digital photography.
- In around 2014, instant cameras rose in popularity again.
- Polaroid re-entered the market (brand bought by a Dutch company in 2010).
- Fujifilm, in 2014, has several instant cameras for mini and wide films (square film comes in 2017).
- Eventually, Lomography and later Leica enter the market.
People on Instant Film
Let me tell you something, Most of the portraits I took on instant film, are magnited to a fridge or are hanging on a wall surrounded by postcards and other memories. Often, I take pictures o people who helped me on a trip, a little gift always makes them happier. There is a lot of things to do with photos beyond digital.
With my Instax, I think the coolest case was in Vilnius. We were stuck in a hostel during a rainy Christmas. No one has seen such a camera before, and it was quite unusual for people to pose, knowing they only have one chance to get it right. I gave a shot to everyone.
Memories on Instant film
When I travel, a digital camera is my priority. But I try to picture the most memorable impressions on instant film as well. If I stay long enough – I take a series of photos from a destination. Because there is the same color scheme – the film works great for series.
For instance, in Finland, I love the fact, that I live in the countryside but at the same time close to the capital’s downtown. My district is surrounded by fields, forests, and farms. To make things look different from a postcard, I decided to take minimalist or macro shots.
(Related post: Pictues of Finland)
Instant film, price, and value
I personally shoot Fujifilm Instax Square, which you get for around 0.75-1.25 per shot. If you add a 10 shots pack to your trip cost – it isn’t much. But think how much value it creates. You bring home your memories (on film) and leave some small lovely gifts to people you value.
The price for modern instant film varies depending on the brand, size and the amount of film (more packs decrease the price). Cheapest is Fujifilm Instax Mini, which you get for around 0.5 Eur per shot to Polaroid film, which is the largest, but costs around 2 Eur.
Remember that it takes time to get used to an instant camera. You may lose some of the first shots.
Instant film, analog or digital?
Why digital, you may ask? Well, some modern cameras actually “print” instant film, instead of taking a photo. They have an LCD screen on the back, where you can preview, apply filters and run print for multiple copies. I am not sure I am into that…
In my opinion, adding a “digital step” makes the experience worse. Not all shots are perfect, and it will for sure help you to avoid wasting film. But I often give instant shots as a gift and the fact that there is only a single possible copy greatly increases its value.
Overall, I think that instant film isn’t the best “paper” for printing. The film wasn’t designed for that, there are cheaper and better-quality printing alternatives. You can take a picture using your smartphone and print it on a tiny portable printer. It uses zink paper, which is much cheaper.
My Favorite Instant Cameras
Keeping all the abovementioned in mind, I would like to suggest a couple of truly great Instant cameras. I will not get technical, but I would rather tell, what kind of experience they bring you.
(technical comparison is coming in the next post)
There are affiliate links to cameras and film. Buying those from the links doesn’t cost you extra, but I get a small % from the sale. It helps me run this blog.
Fujifilm Instax SQ6
It is the one I own and my favorite! I love that it uses square film, has a brilliant classic design and a good amount of functions. I think, what I like the most is that people tell “Whoa, this is beautiful!”, when they see the camera.
It isn’t without flaws. They are particularly limiting for landscapes (problem with most instant cameras). But the camera’s beautiful design and square format retro feel are enough to forget about it. They play a significant role when you picture people.
The camera is priced at around 100 Eur.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 90
This one is closely similar to SQ6, and costs around the same. But it shoots rectangular-shaped Instax Mini format, the film is the size of a business card. It is too small for me but it is cheaper and there are more film variations on the market (black and white film, different frame colors).
Fuji tells that the camera has a Neo-Classic design and it is indeed is really pretty. Something that would have the attention of people photographed. Apart from that, it has the largest amount of functions of all the analog Instax Mini.
The camera is priced at around 100 Eur.
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