Three new film photography products from Fujifilm

[Don_ih]

I see nothing wrong with Instax at all. Small instant prints with object in focus and fine colors. You description of Instax is total gearhead bias.You are calling yourself as user, but your gearhead statements shows the opposite.

Putting it as "affordable" was just shallow and snobby. In my mother country not expensive, simple P&S cameras were real blessing for millions.
You are turning things upside down, again from your gearhead perspective. Millions used cheap cameras and nothing special labs. It was fine. Majority switched to simple film cameras because it was quick, easy and sufficient. It was good enough without wasting valuable time in the darkroom or paying for non creative technicians a.k.a. professional photographers from film only era.

I'm not sure why you have a chip on your shoulder. However, you missed the point of what I said. I'm not going to explain it in different terms, but I'd appreciate you reserving your comments about me. I'm not the subject here - nor are you.

 

[GLS]

With results which are often mediocre and limited to static.

Large format gives mediocre results? Compared to what? Assuming the photographer is competent enough to use the camera effectively this comment makes no sense.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

Large format gives mediocre results? Compared to what? Assuming the photographer is competent enough to use the camera effectively this comment makes no sense.

In general I find my 5x4 large format camera gives better results than my Mamiya 7ii, even though that is a very highly regarded system. However the Mamiya is usable in a wide range of situations that a large format set-up would be impractical or difficult.

 

[Agulliver]

If the Instax crowd are enjoying themselves while making photographs using film, then more power to them. They're probably keeping the photographic film part of FujiFilm alive so that we can enjoy Velvia and Superia.

I'm not into hip hop at all. But I am grateful to the hip hop DJs who kept the record presses from completely shutting down 20 years ago.

 

[GLS]

In general I find my 5x4 large format camera gives better results than my Mamiya 7ii, even though that is a very highly regarded system. However the Mamiya is usable in a wide range of situations that a large format set-up would be impractical or difficult.

Yes my 5x4 also yields significantly higher quality results than my Hasselblad or Pentax 6x7. I mean, given decent lenses and technique how could it not? And this is before you even consider the additional possibilities that camera movements offer.

Of course a smaller format is more convenient to use and can allow image making in a broader range of situations, no question. I just found the comment on "mediocre results" very baffling, because it implies inferior technical qualities will be obtained.

Anyway, didn't mean to derail the thread.

They're probably keeping the photographic film part of FujiFilm alive so that we can enjoy Velvia and Superia.

If it helps keep the Velvia 50 and Provia 100F lines churning then I'm happy.

 

[abruzzi]

Nice... I think I could use it with my Sinar, then? I’m always confused with Graflok, International and whatever other backs available...

Its not out yet, but:

https://shop.lomography.com/en/lomo-graflok-instant-back?country=us

Originally it was supposed to be released n March, but they had to delay until the summer. It includes a spacer to move your focusing screen to where the instax film plane is, and a film holder that you remove the focus screen and slide in the film holder, take the picture, then eject the film for developing. I think it will be "fun" to play with, so I'm preordered (something I almost never do.)

 

[brbo]

The reintroduced product is the Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof 800 'underwater' single-use camera (SUC). It is loaded with ISO 800/30° Superia X-Tra 800 film with 27 exposures. Which of course also means that Superia X-Tra 800 is back in production.

Well, they must have found that non-existent secret fairy dust that makes 4th layer possible again.



Or...

 

[foc]

Bring back:
- Reala
and market it correctly.

If only...............................

 

[AnselMortensen]

5x7 film, please.

 

[Wayne]

Haha. Dream big. Let's make that 5x7 color negative film.

5x7 film, please.

 

[Ernst-Jan]

Well, they must have found that non-existent secret fairy dust that makes 4th layer possible again.



Or...

I don't know if it Superia Venus 800 had the fourth colour layer, I might be that film instead. Fuji used to have different films for the Japanse market. Also for the 400 speed Superia which used to have this layer.

 

[brbo]

I don't know if it Superia Venus 800 had the fourth colour layer, I might be that film instead. Fuji used to have different films for the Japanse market. Also for the 400 speed Superia which used to have this layer.

Venus 800 also had 4th layer (data sheet).

 

[AnselMortensen]

Haha. Dream big. Let's make that 5x7 color negative film.

I'm not picky...color transparency, color neg, B/W...I'd be happy with anything made by Fuji.

 

[George Mann]

Imagine an Ektachrome AND Provia 400.

 

[Henning Serger]

With the basically terrible cameras Fuji makes to expose Instax, they're catering to people who fully expect an analogue product to generate inferior results to smartphone photos.

No. They are catering to people who
- like the wonderful magic when the picture is slowly developing and appearing in front of their eyes
- want to have a real, tactile picture in their hands directly after the shot.

And as I have explained in my posting No 28 in this thread, the quality you get with the Fujifilm instax cameras can be quite good. I have used instax wide successfully during the last decade in my prof. wedding orders. The customers were very satiesfied with the results. Guests regularly came to me asking for additional pictures for them. I also very often use instax photos as little presents for my models in portrait- and fashion shoots.They love it!
But as also explained above, I would be very happy if Fujifilm would offer more sophisticated, higher quality instax cameras. Because the film itself is really very good, and deserves better cameras to fully exploit its quality potential.

Back to the original topic: New Fujifilm film products.
They have just introduced another new instax product in cooperation with Nintendo:
https://petapixel.com/2021/04/21/fu...e-an-instant-photo-printer-for-switch-gamers/
I am not into gaming at all, I don't know anything about it. Therefore I have no idea whether this is a smart idea. At least Nintendo thinks so, and they should know their market .

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Henning Serger]

They produce these cameras cheap and sell expensive (and in big quantities). Why would they produce better cameras that cost more to produce but can not be sold at much higher prices than the ones they are selling now?

Of course they could sell higher quality cameras at higher prices. Those photographers who want that better quality - like me and lots of other photography enthusiasts and professionals (especially wedding photographers) - would pay the higher price.
The evidence for that is there in the market: The Mint cameras for instax and the new instax medium format backs like the Zinstax. The demand for them is there, they are bought.
But Fujifilm could do that even much better, on a higher quality level and at lower productions costs compared to these very small companies.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Henning Serger]

Well, they must have found that non-existent secret fairy dust that makes 4th layer possible again.

No, not necessarily. Because
1. Film - especially colour film - is extremely complex. There are about 100 - 130 different substances in a colour film. And the interactions between these different substances are very complex.
Superia 800 is quite different in its characteristics compared to Pro 400H. Despite both originally being films with the 4th layer technology. That could mean that also the 4th layer is partly different (with partly different substances). It is a possibility. Possible that 1-2 substances needed in Pro 400H 4th layer, which are meanwhile not available anymore and caused the Pro 400H stop, are not needed for Superia 800.
2. It is also possible that this new Superia 800 is a changed design without the 4th layer technology. Fujifilm removed the 4th layer 2007 in Superia X-Tra 400. The film worked perfectly after that. So nothing new for them. This is probably the most likely case.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Helge]

Of course they could sell higher quality cameras at higher prices. Those photographers who want that better quality - like me and lots of other photography enthusiasts and professionals (especially wedding photographers) - would pay the higher price.
The evidence for that is there in the market: The Mint cameras for instax and the new instax medium format backs like the Zinstax. The demand for them is there, they are bought.
But Fujifilm could do that even much better, on a higher quality level and at lower productions costs compared to these very small companies.

Best regards,
Henning

- They should stop the Teletubby design and leave it in the nineties where it originated.
- They should have a fast-ish normal lens on the camera, at least a triplet. Not some stupid dublet zoom.
- They should make it an Instax Wide (naturally).
- Cheapest would be a fixed, plastic-cast close focus range finder for the nearest portrait setting. Noting mechanical, nothing to go out of alignment. For further away, you can get away with guessing.
- Standard flash shoe and PC plug.

That is it.
Should cost the same to make as the current cameras.

 

[Don_ih]

The customers were very satiesfied with the results.

They were satisfied because they fully believe it can only be an inferior product. It's delusional to equate "Instax Camera" with ".Quality". Yes, Fuji is catering to people who want a real photo in their hand, people who want to see the magical development of it - but then it's nothing more than a curiosity. The serious fact is Fuji knows the majority of their customers are not only ok with an inferior product, Fuji counts on their customers expecting an inferior product.

 

[Helge]

The truth is as usual probably in between (or above).
People don’t expect much. But if you gave them more/better and let them compare side by side, or with what they already tried, they’d be delighted.

 

[fdonadio]

They were satisfied because they fully believe it can only be an inferior product. It's delusional to equate "Instax Camera" with ".Quality". Yes, Fuji is catering to people who want a real photo in their hand, people who want to see the magical development of it - but then it's nothing more than a curiosity. The serious fact is Fuji knows the majority of their customers are not only ok with an inferior product, Fuji counts on their customers expecting an inferior product.

Aside from pixel-peepers and hi-resolution film aficionados, most people don’t care that much about quality in a quantitative way. I mean, we count “line pairs per millimeter” and “megapixels”, but most people just want a snapshot of their significant others to remember that moment. In this case, “good enough” is good enough.

It’s obvious (from my observation) that most Photrio users (including yours truly) are not in Fuji Instax’ target market. I’m more than OK with that.

As long as Instax helps subsidize Velvia, Provia, Pro 160NS and Acros II, I don’t give a damn about it being “not for me”.

 

[Henning Serger]

They were satisfied because they fully believe it can only be an inferior product.

Sorry, but that is completely wrong and has absolutely nothing to do with reality.
Do you know my customers? No, you don't!
Have you been there when I gave them the instax pictures? No, you have not!
Have you seen the excitement in their eyes? No, you have not!
None of them has expected an "inferior product". And they have not got one.

It's delusional to equate "Instax Camera" with ".Quality".

Wrong again. Look at the Mint instax cameras and the instax backs like Zinstax for example.

Yes, Fuji is catering to people who want a real photo in their hand, people who want to see the magical development of it - but then it's nothing more than a curiosity.

No, it isn't just a curiosity for them. If that would be the case, instax would not have been so successful for such a long time (it was introduced in 1998). If photographers think it is only a curiosity then this product would have been a short trend, and would have been vanished from the market long ago.

The serious fact is Fuji knows the majority of their customers are not only ok with an inferior product, Fuji counts on their customers expecting an inferior product.

Again wrong. If that would be the case they would not have implemented some advanced features like double exposures in some of their cameras.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Henning Serger]

- They should stop the Teletubby design and leave it in the nineties where it originated.

If you don't like the design, just choose one of the instax cameras with a conventional or retro design, like the SQ6, Neo 90 Classic, Mini 40 or instax 300 wide.
Very different designs for very different tastes are offered.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Henning Serger]

If the Instax crowd are enjoying themselves while making photographs using film, then more power to them. They're probably keeping the photographic film part of FujiFilm alive so that we can enjoy Velvia and Superia.

I'm not into hip hop at all. But I am grateful to the hip hop DJs who kept the record presses from completely shutting down 20 years ago.

Exactly.

Best regards,
Henning

 

[Don_ih]

most people don’t care that much about quality

That would be why Fuji's cameras are "good enough". It's why Instamatic cameras and fixed focus cameras were "good enough". But people can tell the difference between something sharp and well-defined (you know, the photos they see on their cell phones for 8 hours out of a day) and something blurry and poorly lit and waxy. It used to be people thought, "I can't take pictures like a professional" so the "good enough" cameras were, actually, good enough. But now, as I'm sure a great many photographers are aware, everyone with a cell phone thinks they can take photos that are just as good as a professional. So, if they keep buying something that generates a clearly inferior result, it's because they expect it to.

Mint instax cameras and the instax backs like Zinstax

Are not made by Fuji. I'm talking about the cameras made by Fuji, not the film itself.

it isn't just a curiosity

You said Fuji was catering to people who want a real photo, who want to see magic develop in their hand, and I said that, if that were the case, Fuji would be indulging a curiosity - because you had characterized it as such.

advanced features like double exposure

That would be indulging a curiosity.

Moreover, calm down. I'm talking about the fact that they make lousy cameras. They are capable of making excellent cameras but won't do it. They sell the majority of this film to Asian kids who use it for fun - they know who they sell it to - they know it's being used for fun - and that's what they are aiming to provide. Go ask anyone if the instant photo you hand them would've been better using a phone camera and a digital printer.