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TTArtisan to release mechanical, manual Instax Mini camera

analogwisdom

Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2023
Messages
145
Location
KY
Format
Large Format

From the article:


Pretty neat, and totally unexpected. It looks based around the Seagull 203.

I wonder these things:
  • Is the lens glass?
  • Is the film ejection manual as well? (looks to be, hand-cranked)
  • Does it have a coupled rangefinder?
  • Is this a sign for a future 120 folder? Instax Mini is about the same size (image area 46x62mm) as a 645 frame.

I know this won't be for everyone, especially being instant film and even then, the smaller Instax Mini, but I think it's pretty neat and depending on price, I'll probably be interested in getting one.
 
Interesting! I've not been interested in Instax before now, but if this camera turns out to be decent and the price isn't insane, I'll give it a try.

Chris
 
Interesting camera, but the Instax Mini film size is just too small for my use.

Jim B.
 
Interesting camera, but the Instax Mini film size is just too small for my use.

Jim B.
Valid! It's certainly a small format as far as final image goes.
Interesting! I've not been interested in Instax before now, but if this camera turns out to be decent and the price isn't insane, I'll give it a try.

Chris
Instax is great when exposed with proper optics. Of course, it's fundamentally impossible for instant film to ever be as sharp or color accurate as traditional film, but Instax can be certainly much better than what any camera from Fuji can provide.

Here's a shot on Instax Wide I took this past weekend with my 4x5 and Schneider Symmar-S 210mm. Scanning is never as good as the real thing:

 

I have no doubt it's good in a good camera. Most of the cameras I've seen look more like toys though.

Chris
 
I have no doubt it's good in a good camera. Most of the cameras I've seen look more like toys though.

Get a 4x5 and the Lomograflok and you can use whatever optics you like on instax wide, from a 1860 Petzval to a modern Nikkor Large format lens.

TTartisans makes pretty good budget lenses for mirrorless digital cameras. I'm definitely in on one of these. BTW, instax mini is close to the same frame size as 6x4.5.