Instax SQUARE SQ6...

Oren Grad · May 15, 2018

...the long-rumored pure-analog companion to the hybrid SQ10, is finally out:

http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/instax/cameras/instax_square_sq6/

Nothing special feature-wise - similar specs to the middle mini models.

AgX · May 15, 2018

You rather should compare it to Wide camera and there the new model got benefits!

Billy Axeman · May 15, 2018

Still rather big (119x128x48 mm) but finally a nice design.
- Macro, Normal and Landscape mode.
- The text says there is a flash-off switch, the specs say it is always flashing.
- Strange position of viewfinder.
- Standard CR2 batteries, good for 30 packs of 10 photos (specs).

Press release:
http://www.fujifilm.com/news/n180515.html

Edit: The specs on www.fujifilmusa.com (link from OP) are slightly different from the press release.
The former is saying: "... In a mode other than Macro mode: Flash on (unless you use 'Flash off Mode').

Cholentpot · May 15, 2018

I think I may get one. Been out of instant since peel apart bit the dust. Just want the price of the Instax Square film to drop though...

hsandler · May 15, 2018

Looks nice. The specs and controls look the same as the mini 90 neo classic, except the battery is that of the mini 70. What would have bee nice for any of the Fuji Instax cameras is either a switchable neutral density filter or a snap-on neutral density filter, or a higher maximum shutter speed, as none of the cameras can expose correctly in bright sun. I think the square aspect ratio is what they should have had all along, as the minis are awkward to use for horizontals, and the wide cameras are too big. If the cost of the square film comes down a bit, as I would expect if this takes off, I would use this to provide candids hand-outs at events, in addition to the digital photos I take for clients at such events.

Billy Axeman · May 15, 2018

The SQ6 is an attractive alternative to the SQ10 because it is analog, it looks like a serious camera (not a blobby piece of plastic), and it is half the price. So I'm probably going to buy a Fuji instant camera the first time in my life.

I wonder though, if perhaps the quality of the images from the IQ6 is less polished, because I guess it has no possibility to process them digitally, with corrections for color and sharpness.

RattyMouse · May 15, 2018

Billy Axeman said:
The SQ6 is an attractive alternative to the SQ10 because it is analog, it looks like a serious camera (not a blobby piece of plastic), and it is half the price. So I'm probably going to buy a Fuji instant camera the first time in my life.

I wonder though, if perhaps the quality of the images from the IQ6 is less polished, because I guess it has no possibility to process them digitally, with corrections for color and sharpness.

The regular INSTAX cameras actually have very decent image quality. I have shot many sheets of this film and always am impressed with the relative sharpness of the images as well as the color. I seriously doubt that the SQ10 can offer any digital improvements to the images other than culling them before printing.

Billy Axeman · May 15, 2018

Thanks Ratty, that is a reassurance.

hsandler · May 15, 2018

Billy Axeman said:
The SQ6 is an attractive alternative to the SQ10 because it is analog, it looks like a serious camera (not a blobby piece of plastic), and it is half the price. So I'm probably going to buy a Fuji instant camera the first time in my life.

I wonder though, if perhaps the quality of the images from the IQ6 is less polished, because I guess it has no possibility to process them digitally, with corrections for color and sharpness.

The lens seems to be identical to the one in the Instax mini cameras, so image quality should be the same, which is pretty good when subjects are the right distance away (about 2m for the default focus, or about 20m for the "landscape" setting. I actually found the film to have pretty good colour, just slightly on the cool side. The big big downer of Fuji Instax film is the very limited dynamic range. It goes from pure black to pure white in about 3.5 stops.

RattyMouse · May 15, 2018

hsandler said:
The lens seems to be identical to the one in the Instax mini cameras, so image quality should be the same, which is pretty good when subjects are the right distance away (about 2m for the default focus, or about 20m for the "landscape" setting. I actually found the film to have pretty good colour, just slightly on the cool side. The big big downer of Fuji Instax film is the very limited dynamic range. It goes from pure black to pure white in about 3.5 stops.

Yes, it shoots more like a slide film than a negative one.

RattyMouse · May 15, 2018

Billy Axeman said:
Thanks Ratty, that is a reassurance.

Although it sickens me to send one dollar to Fujifilm, I intend to get the SQ6.

wahiba · May 15, 2018

Using the Lomo Square and it works well. Film is fine. Actual picture is 61.5mm square on 86 x 72 backing.

Note: my avatar was taken on this film.

For UK readers John Lewis on line was cheapest source when I last looked.

David

Oren Grad · May 15, 2018

Billy Axeman said:
I wonder though, if perhaps the quality of the images from the IQ6 is less polished, because I guess it has no possibility to process them digitally, with corrections for color and sharpness.

I have an SQ10. The image quality is pretty crude; the SQ6 should be more pleasing generally, and especially when you hit one of the focus sweet spots as hsandler points out. The SQ10 offers various ways to doctor the image before printing, but not really to improve it in a technical sense. So the main benefit is the ability to choose which captures to print - and to use the print engine as a printer for files imported on micro-SD cards.

Anyway, I'll probably hold off on the SQ6 for now, as both Mini and Wide are much cheaper per picture, and Instax entails a fair amount of trial and error because of the narrow exposure latitude. I hope the price of the Square film comes down pretty soon.

Billy Axeman · May 15, 2018

@Oren Grad. I like the simplicity and the design of the SQ6 compared to SQ10, not a difficult choice for me. Long time ago I had a Polaroid 3500 which had the same narrow exposure latitude so nothing is changed. I hope the SQ6 is somewhat more forgiving with a more accurate automatic exposure.

foc · May 15, 2018

Fuji have decided to push the square format in Photofinishing / printing so this camera is IMO a natural progression. ( I took part in the square trial last year)

The Instax SQ10, the hybrid, wasn't successful. This new SQ6 is better priced, looks good (like the instagram icon) and has a classic look about it. (think the Polaroid One Step White). I always thought the Instax mini 70 has a classic look as well.

I think it will be a success.

Billy Axeman · May 15, 2018

Searched for square monochrome film but can't find it, also no double packs.

Theo Sulphate · May 15, 2018

Tempting, though I still have to use my existing stock of FP-3000B, FP-100C, and I want to give the new Polaroid Originals a chance.

Oren Grad · May 15, 2018

Billy Axeman said:
Searched for square monochrome film but can't find it, also no double packs.

There isn't any square monochrome film yet - Fuji hasn't announced such a product, though Fuji Addict quotes DC.Watch as saying they're considering it. B&H is showing a 20-exposure pack of color Instax Square available by special order, at a slightly lower price per sheet than the 10-exposure packs.

RattyMouse · May 15, 2018

Any word on Polaroid's lawsuit against Fuji for using square film? If Polaroid wins these cameras might not see the light of day.

mshchem · May 15, 2018

Oren Grad · May 15, 2018

RattyMouse said:
Any word on Polaroid's lawsuit against Fuji for using square film? If Polaroid wins these cameras might not see the light of day.

This sort of litigation tends to grind on for years, not weeks.

While you're waiting, you can read Dante Stella's take - he's an attorney, and though his specialty isn't patent law, his experience in litigation informs his writeup:

https://themachineplanet.wordpress....conclusions-about-the-fujifilm-polaroid-suit/

Theo Sulphate · May 15, 2018

Oren Grad said:
...

While you're waiting, you can read Dante Stella's take - he's an attorney, and though his specialty isn't patent law, his experience in litigation informs his writeup:

https://themachineplanet.wordpress....conclusions-about-the-fujifilm-polaroid-suit/

Awesome - thank you. I loved that. Only mistake was that in 1991, the settlement was between Kodak and Polaroid, not Fuji.

My worry is Fuji doing something that would, as Dante Stella remarked, "brick all the SX-70/600 cameras out there".

SilverShutter · May 15, 2018

RattyMouse said:
Yes, it shoots more like a slide film than a negative one.

Well that's because instant film is slide film after all.

ciniframe · May 16, 2018

What kills the SQ Instax for me is the price. Even Instax Wide is cheaper. I know it is relatively new but has been out for over a year and is still over $1 per shot, and, not offered in multi packs. Now perhaps the other Instax formats are priced artificially low, or Fijifilm is making so much film that unit cost have dropped to the point that they can offer volume discounts to dealers. That could be the case and the SQ format represents the true cost of shooting instant film. Regardless the reason, it's too pricy for me, I'd rather shoot Wide for .75 cents a shot than Square for $1.26 a shot.

AgX · May 16, 2018

SilverShutter said:
Well that's because instant film is slide film after all.

???

Instax SQUARE SQ6...

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency