Polaroid prices justifyable over Instax?

[Odot]

I want a analog camera, no hybrid so i looked around a lot and besides the fact that Polaroid seems to deliver „better looking“ photos, iam really turned off by the price?

What did you choose and why?

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Although Fuji film is likely more archival and not immediately sensitive upon ejection, I use Polaroid Originals (former Impossible Project) film.

Why? Well, originally I started with Polaroid cameras and want to continue to use them. I like them better than Instax cameras. I also want to reward and support the people who resurrected the Polaroid process so that we can use our cameras again. It is the only way they can continue to improve.

 

[mshchem]

There are tens of thousands of Polaroid high quality cameras out there, sx-70, Spectra auto focus sonar etc. The current Polaroid film is expensive and difficult. It's nothing like the original pre bankruptcy material.
I have a beautiful SX-70 but have really bad experience with Impossible / new Polaroid .
I have an Instax Wide, takes nice photos but is a mass market amateur camera.
Mint camera makes the Instakon RF70 takes wide Instax film has a rangefinder, auto and fully manual with nice lenses. 900 USD.
If I was planning on doing a lot of instant photos I would consider one of these.
The last vesion of SX-70 Time Zero film was amazing.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

I bought my daughter an Instax for $120 It shoots pictures at about a dollar a shot. Fun camera.

 

[mshchem]

I bought my daughter an Instax for $120 It shoots pictures at about a dollar a shot. Fun camera.

Yeah, I really like the Instax camera and film for the fun. The film is outstanding.
I have had real problems with the Impossible film, I had a pod burst which required me pulling out the full film pack to clean up the rollers on one of my SX-70 cameras. Fuji is readily available and makes lovely prints. All the rules still apply, hold steady, adjust the zone focus.

 

[Cholentpot]

I had this debate. I own a SX-70 and it works, however the cost of the film and the unpredictability caused me to buy an Instax Wide 300. It's capable and fun, however it's not the sharpest or best camera I own. It gets the job done for me when I need to take 'polaroids' on a job. I just wish there was a better Instax option that didn't cost $1000. Come on Fuji! Gimme something with a glass lens and some sort of control!

 

[Odot]

I would consider the Wide 300 but I really like the square format and analog look so that’s what im aiming for. The Instax SQ8 is something I am considering right now due to format and affordability of camera (and film). Maybe I am missing something else but this is what I see right now.

 

[Ariston]

This was hard for me, too. I use both. Fuji’s film is so, so much better. But taking a Polaroid, especially with an SX70, is an almost magical experience. Because I am a bit older, nostalgia probably plays a big part in that feeling.

My suggestion is, if you want better pictures that last longer, go with Fuji. If you want a better experience and enjoy unpredictability, go with Polaroid.

 

[Ariston]

I wish wish wish that Polaroid Originals could license Fuji’s chemistry for their products. I would be in Heaven.

 

[jim10219]

...My suggestion is, if you want better pictures that last longer, go with Fuji. If you want a better experience and enjoy unpredictability, go with Polaroid.

That's my thoughts too.

You can load the Fuji Instax Mini into a 2x3 sheet film holder. That allows you to use it with something like Busch Pressman C or RB67. The downside is you have to load the film into the film holder in total darkness, pull it out, and reload it into an Instax camera in total darkness to develop it.

It's too bad they don't make any peel apart instant film. That was the best film and could be used with the best cameras!

 

[Oren Grad]

I just wish there was a better Instax option that didn't cost $1000. Come on Fuji! Gimme something with a glass lens and some sort of control!

If you don't mind manual exposure and scale focus you can get a Wide 300 converted with a view camera lens for a lot less than $1000.

 

[Mackinaw]

I would consider the Wide 300 but I really like the square format and analog look so that’s what im aiming for. The Instax SQ8 is something I am considering right now due to format and affordability of camera (and film). Maybe I am missing something else but this is what I see right now.

I, finally, have given up on my SX-70. I love the square format, but the unpredictability of Polaroid film and high cost is just too much. I bought a Instax SQ6 last year and am totally satisfied. While the square image is smaller than that of the SX-70, the superior image quality of Instax film more than makes up for it. Plus the much lower cost is an added benefit.

 

[Cholentpot]

If you don't mind manual exposure and scale focus you can get a Wide 300 converted with a view camera lens for a lot less than $1000.

I've pondered this before. It comes out to about $500 before you buy the lens and helical. And there's no telling how long it will work for or if the guy who put it together will be around next week. It's a big investment for a what if. I'm fine with manual and scale focus though.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

If only Fuji would make some simple modifications to an Instax camera, such as the Neo 90, they would win the enthusiast market.

For example, the Instax cameras already meter the light and set exposure automatically. What Fuji could do is replace the existing lens with a manual focus one (this is very simple - look at a Polaroid Super Shooter). They could add a simple manual aperture and let the light meter control the shutter (maybe with the same technique as the Olympus XA).

 

[locutus]

I'd love a Instax Wide back for 5x4 (or given the mechanics maybe easier for a 5x7).

I've seen some conversions popup once in a while, but the prices are just out there or too clunky.

Loading 2x3 holders while not any less convenient then using normal sheetfilm also makes it lose its real advantage, not very useful for portrait sessions....

Aargh

 

[AgX]

My Instax Wide showed a massive light leak at the barrel after the 20th film, which so far I could not locate let alone close. Useless camera at the moment.

 

[belichten]

I would consider the Wide 300 but I really like the square format and analog look so that’s what im aiming for. The Instax SQ8 is something I am considering right now due to format and affordability of camera (and film). Maybe I am missing something else but this is what I see right now.

hi odot
i did have a similar problem years ago and been shoting instax ever since.
the convenience(price and availability) was a big factor and since 2 years there is a bw option too

if you want to shoot wide or square in a better way look at what option8 is doing with conbersions or try the instakon from mont camera. for instax square there is a lovely system form ninmlab https://www.ninmlab.com/ , i have the back for a nikon fm2 but they have it for a variety of brands

hope this helps

 

[AgX]

With a view/field camera such adaotations are rather sinple. With other cameras the focal plain is located recessed within the body. The only way to get access to it then is a relay optice. Two approaches had been developed in the long past (macro lens and fiber array).

 

[Ces1um]

Impossible's original film was pretty hit or miss. Maybe 2 shots out of 8 would produce something acceptable. When they rebranded to Polaroid they also switched to a newer generation of film. The current stuff is remarkably better than anything they had done in the past. That being said, in my opinion instax is still the superior film provided richer, more vibrant colours. I do prefer the aspect ratio and size of Polaroid's film however. I find the instax mini film a waste of time to shoot, instax wide or square are definitely the better options. The cameras that Fuji offers however are bulky and feel quite cheap in the hand with poorer quality plastics. I have no experience with Mint's cameras but they look to be a better offering. The new Polaroid onestep 2 from impossible is a very nice successor to the original with a powerful flash. I do wonder about the archival stability of the polaroid offering though. Their black and white film definitely takes on a sepia tone with time and their colour film continues to wash out if left out (like when stuck to the fridge with a magnet). Kept in the dark the black and white will still sepia but the colour film seems to retain it's colour better. I've heard that the polaroid film is not daylight balanced with a distinct colour cast bordering on an orange/yellow. This may be an oversight or intentionally done, as it does remind one of those 70's colours.

 

[Ste_S]

I had this debate. I own a SX-70 and it works, however the cost of the film and the unpredictability caused me to buy an Instax Wide 300. It's capable and fun, however it's not the sharpest or best camera I own. It gets the job done for me when I need to take 'polaroids' on a job. I just wish there was a better Instax option that didn't cost $1000. Come on Fuji! Gimme something with a glass lens and some sort of control!

Lomo's offerings ? They don't give you the control of a mint, but they do a couple of instax cameras with glass lenses. One with bellows that shoots both square and mini, and a one with the multi coated 38mm f4.5 from the LC-A 120.

https://www.thephoblographer.com/2017/06/12/review-lomography-lomoinstant-automat-glass-magellan/

 

[Cholentpot]

Lomo's offerings ? They don't give you the control of a mint, but they do a couple of instax cameras with glass lenses. One with bellows that shoots both square and mini, and a one with the multi coated 38mm f4.5 from the LC-A 120.

https://www.thephoblographer.com/2017/06/12/review-lomography-lomoinstant-automat-glass-magellan/

With all that the Wide300 gives results that are just about as good. That's why I ended up with a Fuji...if you can't beat 'em

 

[Kodachromeguy]

if you want to shoot wide or square in a better way look at what option8 is doing with conbersions or try the instakon from mont camera. for instax square there is a lovely system form ninmlab https://www.ninmlab.com/ , i have the back for a nikon fm2 but they have it for a variety of brands

hope this helps

This is really interesting, like the old SpeedMagny back. How well does it work? And how do you compute exposure?

 

[EdSawyer]

Or, just get old-stock FP100c, the latest stuff will still be good for at least another 5+ years if not longer.

 

[OrientPoint]

I modified an old Polaroid 110a with a Lomography Wide back (they used to sell those a few years back for use with the Belair I think). The back is crappy plastic with a little crank to turn, but the image quality is wonderful.

 

[Cholentpot]

Or, just get old-stock FP100c, the latest stuff will still be good for at least another 5+ years if not longer.

At $50 a pack? No thanks.