Hello from Canada

[Twiggy]

Hello,

What can I say, I am a new beginner hobbyist photographer.

I bought an Instax Mini 40 and 20 exposures off Amazon last night, they are coming in later today.

I chose instax over polaorid, because you get more exposures per cartridge, and they also cost less. I also saw a comparison video and the instax appears to have truer colors and better contrasts.
Also, not wanting to break the bank either, I went with the Mini 40 as my first beginner camera, instead of the EVO or 99.

One thing I may want to fix is the flash, I hear it always go off no matter what, which can sometimes be an issue, maybe I can find a way to cover the light, or maybe modify it and put in a switch to turn the light off/on since I have some basic electronics knowledge.

Luckily living in Niagara, there's a lot of beautiful places in the rural area here, as well as Canals, waterfalls, and historical towns and buildings to photograph just in my area.

I'll probably be getting some sort of digital camera too soon, to be my "daily driver", I saw one at a thrift shop a couple months back, but I passed it up because it was 720p, I would like 1080p.

Anyways though, hello.

 

[cowanw]

Welcome from Hamilton

 

[loccdor]

Hello from the other side of Niagara. You may see me across the gorge waving. This is a great forum, the best place for photographic information I've found.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Welcome to Photrio! I sometimes drag out my Grand Father's SX-70, and stick some colour or B/W in it. The current generation of their films have vastly improved.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to photography and Photrio!

Catch some rainbows at and around Niagara Falls for us.

 

[Twiggy]

Thanks for the warm welcome.

my instax came in, I took a picture of my father for the first test shot and it turned out well the second time. The first time it didn't turn out, because while on, the lense was still closed lol.

I will be interested in seeing how a building or a pole, or something turns out now, and what things will look like if I find a way to cover up the flash.

 

[Helios 1984]

Welcome from a town nearby Montréal

 

[Rob Skeoch]

Welcome from the middle of no-where between Orangeville and Fergus.

 

[gordrob]

Welcome from the foothills of Alberta

 

[mshchem]

Welcome!!!!!

 

[bluechromis]

Welcome!

 

[bluechromis]

I haven't used Instax. I heard a theory that Fuji believes that all Instax pictures need flash to look the best. https://instantcamerablog.com/tips-and-tricks/how-to-turn-off-instax-mini-9-flash/

 

[Twiggy]

I haven't used Instax. I heard a theory that Fuji believes that all Instax pictures need flash to look the best. https://instantcamerablog.com/tips-and-tricks/how-to-turn-off-instax-mini-9-flash/

I've taken a total of 4 photos with it right now, and from experience so far it does indeed seem flash is needed most times.

Only time I will want to cover the flash would be while outdoors on very bright days,

 

[Don_ih]

Only time I will want to cover the flash would be while outdoors on very bright days,

The film itself doesn't need flash. The camera is set to use flash, which means it has the aperture stopped down to f16 or something (the speed of Instax film is iso600 or something, I think). So, if you cover the flash, very little light gets through the lens unless, like you said, you're in a place that's as bright as the flash illumination. When you use Instax, you need to embrace the associated aesthetic (high-contrast, pretty saturated, soft-focus, poorly framed, unevenly lit) - then you'll be happy!

Keep looking at thrift stores for a cheap digital point-and-shoot that fits your needs. I regularly see Lumix cameras that shoot 1080p for about $10. No one wants those things, anymore. But check that the battery hasn't swollen inside the camera.

 

[Twiggy]

The film itself doesn't need flash. The camera is set to use flash, which means it has the aperture stopped down to f16 or something (the speed of Instax film is iso600 or something, I think). So, if you cover the flash, very little light gets through the lens unless, like you said, you're in a place that's as bright as the flash illumination. When you use Instax, you need to embrace the associated aesthetic (high-contrast, pretty saturated, soft-focus, poorly framed, unevenly lit) - then you'll be happy!

Keep looking at thrift stores for a cheap digital point-and-shoot that fits your needs. I regularly see Lumix cameras that shoot 1080p for about $10. No one wants those things, anymore. But check that the battery hasn't swollen inside the camera.

I found a hand-me-down Cannon Powershot SX240 HS at home, as well as the battery charger for it, and the box, guess my dad or older brother must've used it once upon a time. Says it is 12.1 megapixel and full HD.

Hey can't beat the cost of free.

 

[Don_ih]

Hey can't beat the cost of free.

That's true. Such a camera is a good gateway drug.

 

[Twiggy]

That's true. Such a camera is a good gateway drug.

Thanks, The battery just finished charging, may take some test shots later.
I just got back from Downtown St.Catharines, where I took 4 shots of buildings there with the Instax they came out well. The Instax has it's place, but I think a more versatile digital camera with settings and zoom abilities will help me get a wider variety of shots as well.

 

[Daniela]

Welcome!
Happy shooting and exploring around that beautiful area!