Author Topic: Instax everywhere!!! (Read 25379 times)

mcduff · « **on:** December 11, 2014, 10:10:18 PM »

Perhaps it is just because we have an Instax in the family now (and I am just more conscious of them), but I cannot believe how front and centre they are this Christmas. I see them for sale and advertised in stores that have likely never sold film cameras such as Staples (a bigbox office supply chain) or Bestbuy, where the instax is front and centre on this ad. I am pretty sure I have seen them in stores where they are the ONLY camera for sale. And we are not talking hipster stores

A friend (who works at a large camera store in the area) says they are running out of them - in fact he had to backorder me some film for Xmas Stockings!

gothamtomato · « **Reply #1 on:** December 11, 2014, 10:21:16 PM »

They are in stock at B&H: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=fujifilm+instax&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ps

I have one and they are a lot of fun. They are also great to have in your camera bag when you are out (especially travelling) and want to take pictures of someone with you 'good' camera; you can offer the person you want to photograph an Instax pic. People just love them!

Bryan · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2014, 10:29:54 PM »

Going through the shops in the Narita airport in Japan last week I was amazed how many of them sold Instax film and cameras. That's the first time I got a really good look at the cameras, a bit bigger than I was expecting. I'll be there again tomorrow on my way home, 8 hour layover

. I must resist the urge to buy one, I have plenty of Polaroids.

John Robison · « **Reply #3 on:** December 12, 2014, 12:03:09 AM »

That's great! Now with the film available all one needs is a real camera.

You know what I mean. It has a 100mm f4.5 lens that can be focused, and full manual control of shutter speed and aperture. A 'B' setting, standard mechanical cable release, and standard tripod bush. Standard PC fitting that will sync electronic flash. Control of when and where to eject the picture.

I'm thinking of something like a classic 6X9 folder but uses Instax wide film. Built by someone who understands what a camera is supposed to be.

Sorry for the rant, but I just hate to see film available but nothing but plastic toy cameras to use it in.

(And no, I don't want to buy a camera from Fuji and hack a real lens and shutter onto it from my Kodak Tourist folder.)

gothamtomato · « **Reply #4 on:** December 12, 2014, 02:09:30 AM »

Maybe that guy who turned old Polaroid cameras into 4x5's will make a go of it (I forget his name. They were very expensive). Till then, this one has some controls on it: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1009510-REG/fujifilm_16404571_instax_mini_90_neo.html

02Pilot · « **Reply #5 on:** December 12, 2014, 02:27:13 AM »

Building a decent, manually-controllable Instax Wide from a 6x9 folder sounds like an interesting challenge. A quick visit to YouTube shows that the film ejection and roller mechanisms are pretty simple; the question would be how to fit them neatly into a folder body (or back, more accurately). I don't doubt it could be done, but it might take some metalworking and recovering to be pretty.

Now I just need both cameras.

John Robison · « **Reply #6 on:** December 12, 2014, 03:19:30 AM »

Quote from: 02Pilot on December 12, 2014, 02:27:13 AM

Building a decent, manually-controllable Instax Wide from a 6x9 folder sounds like an interesting challenge. A quick visit to YouTube shows that the film ejection and roller mechanisms are pretty simple; the question would be how to fit them neatly into a folder body (or back, more accurately). I don't doubt it could be done, but it might take some metalworking and recovering to be pretty.

Now I just need both cameras.

The Kodak Tourist cameras with better lenses, such as the 3 element 105mm f4.5 Anaston in a Kodak flash 200 shutter, are fairly plentiful on the bay. That lens has front cell focusing to 3.5 feet. You just have to make sure the shutter operates and does not hang up. The main problem is that it's flash sync plug is the old 'ASA post' type and it's very hard to find a ASA to PC adapter these days.
These lenses just clip off the front standard. There is a spring clip at about 1:00, you push it to the front and twist the lens off counter clockwise if I remember right.

The only Fuji instant film worth trying this with is the larger Instax Wide in my opinion. To adapt the back of a Kodak Tourist I think would take extensive and precise metal work, something far beyond my skill for sure.

limr · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2014, 03:45:57 AM »

Quote from: 02Pilot on December 12, 2014, 02:27:13 AM

Building a decent, manually-controllable Instax Wide from a 6x9 folder sounds like an interesting challenge. A quick visit to YouTube shows that the film ejection and roller mechanisms are pretty simple; the question would be how to fit them neatly into a folder body (or back, more accurately). I don't doubt it could be done, but it might take some metalworking and recovering to be pretty.

Now I just need both cameras.

I've got the Instax Wide AND a Tourist. What's it worth to you, hmmmmmmmmmmm??

02Pilot · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2014, 01:56:11 PM »

Quote from: limr on December 12, 2014, 03:45:57 AM

Quote from: 02Pilot on December 12, 2014, 02:27:13 AM
Building a decent, manually-controllable Instax Wide from a 6x9 folder sounds like an interesting challenge. A quick visit to YouTube shows that the film ejection and roller mechanisms are pretty simple; the question would be how to fit them neatly into a folder body (or back, more accurately). I don't doubt it could be done, but it might take some metalworking and recovering to be pretty.

Now I just need both cameras.

I've got the Instax Wide AND a Tourist. What's it worth to you, hmmmmmmmmmmm??

Well, considering that I gave you the Instax Wide for Christmas last year, I know exactly what it's worth.

And I'm thinking of going beyond the Tourist. Maybe a Soviet Moskva or one of the early post-war German models. John, I have no worries about the shutter - I've rebuilt more leaf shutters than I can count at this point. More concerned about making sure the bellows are light-tight.

Francois · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2014, 02:10:02 PM »

Quote from: John Robison on December 12, 2014, 12:03:09 AM

That's great! Now with the film available all one needs is a real camera.

You know what I mean. It has a 100mm f4.5 lens that can be focused, and full manual control of shutter speed and aperture. A 'B' setting, standard mechanical cable release, and standard tripod bush. Standard PC fitting that will sync electronic flash. Control of when and where to eject the picture.

I'm thinking of something like a classic 6X9 folder but uses Instax wide film. Built by someone who understands what a camera is supposed to be.

Sorry for the rant, but I just hate to see film available but nothing but plastic toy cameras to use it in.

(And no, I don't want to buy a camera from Fuji and hack a real lens and shutter onto it from my Kodak Tourist folder.)

I thought you were describing the Lomo Instant!

Actually, Option 8 makes a lot of mods using the Lomo Belair instant back...

02Pilot · « **Reply #10 on:** December 12, 2014, 02:33:30 PM »

Quote from: Francois on December 12, 2014, 02:10:02 PM

Quote from: John Robison on December 12, 2014, 12:03:09 AM
That's great! Now with the film available all one needs is a real camera.

You know what I mean. It has a 100mm f4.5 lens that can be focused, and full manual control of shutter speed and aperture. A 'B' setting, standard mechanical cable release, and standard tripod bush. Standard PC fitting that will sync electronic flash. Control of when and where to eject the picture.

I'm thinking of something like a classic 6X9 folder but uses Instax wide film. Built by someone who understands what a camera is supposed to be.

Sorry for the rant, but I just hate to see film available but nothing but plastic toy cameras to use it in.

(And no, I don't want to buy a camera from Fuji and hack a real lens and shutter onto it from my Kodak Tourist folder.)

I thought you were describing the Lomo Instant!

Actually, Option 8 makes a lot of mods using the Lomo Belair instant back...

That Lomo Belair back is the perfect starting point: cost is the same as the Instax Wide camera, and it's designed to work without batteries. Sure, it's ugly plastic, but with that as a starting point it shouldn't be too hard to integrate into an old folder. Clearance for the winder is about the only issue I can see.

Chalky · « **Reply #11 on:** December 12, 2014, 04:10:35 PM »

http://www.filmwasters.com/forum/index.php?topic=7062.0

incase anyone hasn't seen this... but looks like you all want to work the other way and out the back onto the folding camera.

I put a pack film back on a kodak vigilant folder but it wasnt quite full frame, woked though, but not the tidiest!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mattchalkysmith/6344297803/

camera hacks are fun!

mcduff · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2014, 04:41:28 PM »

I would love it if a new, serious, well built, instant camera was made, but would I buy one? Probably not, because it would be hard to justify: I would guess it would cost at least $300, and there are just too many awesome used cameras out there that I would rather spend that $$ on.

As an example, I think the Lomo LCA is a pretty good ultra compact, but I can get a truckload of XA2 cameras for the price of one new LCA. I don't think Lomo is unfairly pricing an LCA as it costs comparable or less (in real dollar terms) than what the XA2 cost when new. Making reasonable quality new stuff that does not appeal to a broad audience is a hard thing to do these days.

Aside from the LCA I am really not crazy about a lot of the Lomo products, but I think their instax camera is probably as good as we are going to get without a hack of some sort. Fuji has come out with some more serious cameras (like the Neo 90) but they seem to have less features than the Lomo Instax. Beyond these cameras I am guessing that the hacks (such as those suggested or the ones Chalky reminded us of) are gonna be it.

I really liked the work that Eirik shot last month on his Lomo instax – in fact some of his shots were some of my faves from the ‘one camera one month’ experiment. This should not surprise me as a lot of my faves on this site are from lower tech cameras.

Now I said I am probably to cheap to buy a $300 instax camera, but if my daughter cuts me off from using her Fuji Instax, I might consider the Lomo one as it gives me a few things I would like: a) being able to turn off the flash, b) some aperture control, c) focusing (I can live with zone), d) tripod socket, e) bulb mode, etc.

Actually, my main problem with instant cameras is the price of the film - and to be fair I think the current instax film is not out of line for what instant film traditionally cost. I remember shooting it in the 90's and it cost about the same per shot. Perhaps instax is smaller due to inflation

Francois · « **Reply #13 on:** December 12, 2014, 10:46:14 PM »

I know this is going to sound silly but the big problem with new products is the fact that we're so used nowadays to dollar stores.
Back in the early 90's, nobody in their right mind would have thought we could get so much for just a buck. But nowadays these stores are here to stay.
And with the advent of digital technology, the price of everything keeps on dropping. I remember when I first bought a color inkjet printer in the mid 90's. The thing had only 360DPI, gave odd colors and cost me 720$. The printer I'm now using cost me 16$ on sale, has 4 times the resolution and way better color.

Same thing applies to cameras. And as a plus we can now get top quality gear at bargain basement prices because of obsolescence...

jojonas~ · « **Reply #14 on:** December 12, 2014, 11:46:40 PM »

this is getty gloomy!

quick! look at this hello kitty instax camera

Jack Johnson · « **Reply #15 on:** December 14, 2014, 07:18:37 PM »

There's always a baby Graphic:

http://youtu.be/2fxkUpnMfGk

Bryan · « **Reply #16 on:** December 14, 2014, 08:10:56 PM »

Quote from: jojonas~ on December 12, 2014, 11:46:40 PM

this is getty gloomy!

quick! look at this hello kitty instax camera

I was looking at that one in the Narita-Tokyo airport yesterday. The only reason I didn't get one is because they were sold out. I think it's a law in Japan that every item made there has to have a Hello Kitty version. They did have a pretty good supply of Instax film in several stores.

mcduff · « **Reply #17 on:** December 15, 2014, 01:13:30 AM »

Wow that is an amazing amount of film - and especially since it sounds like it is not a camera shop (then again I do not think 'camera shops' are the main source of cameras these days). I like all the crazy frames but teenage daughter thinks they are a bit childish haha.

Hungry Mike · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2014, 01:44:22 AM »

Quote

but teenage daughter thinks they are a bit childish

She's so serious!

She needs to embrace her inner Japanese school girl and learn to enjoy the kawaii (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kawaii).

tkmedia · « **Reply #19 on:** December 15, 2014, 02:48:29 AM »

There has been many versions of the Hello Kitty Instax mini, one has been made for every generation of the instax mini cameras since the beginning. Most were just a color and branding differences. But the latest one seems to be based on the instax mini 8 but with a modified shell enclosure.

limr · « **Reply #20 on:** December 15, 2014, 04:20:15 AM »

Quote from: Jack Johnson on December 14, 2014, 07:18:37 PM

There's always a baby Graphic:

http://youtu.be/2fxkUpnMfGk

Just watched that. I'm not entirely sure I agree with him when he says his camera juggling is less hassle than developing film! I might have to buy a pack of the mini Instax film to try it, but I don't have the regular Instax camera (just the wide), so I'll be rolling the developer myself instead of putting it back into an Instax in a changing bag. Might be interesting.

Oh yeah, my baby Graphic is arriving tomorrow!

Verian · « **Reply #21 on:** December 15, 2014, 11:54:07 AM »

I was in Urban outfitters on Saturday (because I'm a hipster, or old, you pick) and they had a lot of Instax mini film, some impossible and some limo, as well as lomo cameras and a lot of Instax mini cameras, must have been 50 of them.

Ezzie · « **Reply #22 on:** February 03, 2015, 08:37:01 PM »

Hello Nate, good to see you here!

My 110A / G00SE conversion is very much inspired by your work.

Option 8 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 04, 2015, 03:48:26 PM »

Quote from: Ezzie on February 03, 2015, 08:37:01 PM

Hello Nate, good to see you here!

My 110A / G00SE conversion is very much inspired by your work.

Thats awesome. I would love to see some photos.

If you ever need an Instax film back for it...you know how to find me.

LT · « **Reply #24 on:** February 04, 2015, 07:52:17 PM »

Quote from: Option 8 on February 04, 2015, 03:48:26 PM

If you ever need an Instax film back for it...you know how to find me.

Are you giving them away? I'll have several if you are.

Option 8 · « **Reply #25 on:** February 04, 2015, 10:08:10 PM »

Quote from: Leon on February 04, 2015, 07:52:17 PM

Quote from: Option 8 on Today at 08:48:26 AM<blockquote>If you ever need an Instax film back for it...you know how to find me.
</blockquote>
Are you giving them away? I'll have several if you are.

Unfortunately, Lomography doesn't give the backs away, and neither do the people I purchase the adapters from. So my altruism just doesn't extend the Instax Wide backs.

Ezzie · « **Reply #26 on:** February 05, 2015, 07:39:08 AM »

Quote from: Option 8 on February 04, 2015, 03:48:26 PM

Quote from: Ezzie on February 03, 2015, 08:37:01 PM
Hello Nate, good to see you here!

My 110A / G00SE conversion is very much inspired by your work.

Thats awesome. I would love to see some photos.

If you ever need an Instax film back for it...you know how to find me.

Sure thing Nate. I have thought of giving it a go myself, but may come around to the conclusion it is too much fuss for a one-off.

Pictures from Lucy the Hybrid? Must admit I am ashamed I have not more to show from it. But here is an album on flickr with shots from both pack and roll film: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ezzie0304/sets/72157648329307393/

Skorj · « **Reply #27 on:** February 12, 2015, 11:02:07 AM »

I picked up a Neo Classic a few weeks ago, and the pseudo exposure & shutter control are pretty neat. Definitely the recommended Instax version for a filmwaster:

Plus, if you're an Instax fan, you should jump on Jones and his Instax review: http://instagram.com/p/y7nRrWDyEW/ See ya! Skj.

Option 8 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 12, 2015, 03:20:39 PM »

I just wish it didn't cost $150.

jojonas~ · « **Reply #29 on:** February 12, 2015, 10:38:06 PM »

Quote from: Option 8 on February 12, 2015, 03:20:39 PM

I just wish it didn't cost $150.

there's always the instax mini 8 or lomo'instant if you want something newly made but easier on the wallet

Option 8 · « **Reply #30 on:** February 12, 2015, 10:46:49 PM »

I love my Lomo Instant!

If only fuji would make a WIDE camera that was decent...

Skorj · « **Reply #31 on:** February 12, 2015, 10:58:50 PM »

Quote from: Option 8 on February 12, 2015, 03:20:39 PM

I just wish it didn't cost $150.

Indeed! I nearly passed on them, but found a little outlet shop in Akiba that has them cheaper. The last few I bought were only JPY10,000 or so.

Quote from: Option 8 on February 12, 2015, 10:46:49 PM

If only fuji would make a WIDE camera that was decent...

Agree! Notably one that did not use special film, which even in Japan is more expensive, and not available everywhere... Skj.

Francois · « **Reply #32 on:** February 13, 2015, 03:05:22 PM »

Too bad Fuji doesn't read filmwasters... I could draw them up a cheaper and better instax wide in about five minutes!

Option 8 · « **Reply #33 on:** February 13, 2015, 03:32:19 PM »

Quote from: Skorj on February 12, 2015, 10:58:50 PM

Agree! Notably one that did not use special film, which even in Japan is more expensive, and not available everywhere... Skj.

Huh?

Ezzie · « **Reply #34 on:** February 13, 2015, 08:05:12 PM »

Don't know about pricing and availability in JP, but it is surprisingly easy to get hold of here in Norway. Any old camera or imaging shop has it, the cameras too. But the price is horrific. $30 for a two x 10 pack is not unheard of. $25 for a 10pack of the special bordered versions. Needless to say the bay is my friend in this respect.

Skorj · « **Reply #35 on:** February 13, 2015, 11:42:16 PM »

Quote from: Francois on February 13, 2015, 03:05:22 PM

Too bad Fuji doesn't read filmwasters... I could draw them up a cheaper and better instax wide in about five minutes!

They used to. Many years ago, we approached them with a proposal to remake the Fujipet, taking with us FW pages etc, and had dialog over a few months with them. Not sure what happened, but either they got cold feet, or the team they passed it on to could not deliver. There was a shin-Fujipet webpage and a few goodies available as pre-prod release, but the date came and went...

Quote from: Option 8 on February 13, 2015, 03:32:19 PM

Huh?

Sorry! In Japan, we get a 'wide' version of the Instax:

More here: http://fujifilm.jp/personal/filmandcamera/filmcamera/instant/instaxwide300/.

Quote from: Ezzie on February 13, 2015, 08:05:12 PM

Don't know about pricing and availability in JP, but it is surprisingly easy to get hold of here in Norway. Any old camera or imaging shop has it, the cameras too. But the price is horrific. $30 for a two x 10 pack is not unheard of. $25 for a 10pack of the special bordered versions. Needless to say the bay is my friend in this respect.

The regular stuff is 900 yen a pack. Buying in triples a little cheaper at certain places... More than viable! Skj.

Option 8 · « **Reply #36 on:** February 14, 2015, 02:36:08 AM »

I am confused...in Japan you have the Instax Wide...right...and so does everyone else too...?

Ive got the 210. And the 300 is "better" but theyre still Fisher Price looking cameras. Black and silver dont change that.

moominsean · « **Reply #37 on:** February 14, 2015, 04:57:39 AM »

i've tried messing around with Instax Mini a few times, and I can't really get into it. Too small, I guess. Tried a Fuji camera and have done a few hacks including a Fujipet Instax camera. I have the new Lomo camera, but still haven't felt like shooting the format again. I really like the Instax Wide film, but hate the cameras. Big plastic point and shoots. would love to see SX-70 focus control with Instax Wide... I should try to hack an Instax Wide back out of a camera someday and put it on something better, like a Crown Graphic, but my electronic skills are pretty low (in taking apart a Fuji camera and it still working). I'm better with mechanical things that I can see and manipulate.

Option 8 · « **Reply #38 on:** February 14, 2015, 05:58:41 AM »

Quote from: moominsean on February 14, 2015, 04:57:39 AM

i've tried messing around with Instax Mini a few times, and I can't really get into it. Too small, I guess. Tried a Fuji camera and have done a few hacks including a Fujipet Instax camera. I have the new Lomo camera, but still haven't felt like shooting the format again. I really like the Instax Wide film, but hate the cameras. Big plastic point and shoots. would love to see SX-70 focus control with Instax Wide... I should try to hack an Instax Wide back out of a camera someday and put it on something better, like a Crown Graphic, but my electronic skills are pretty low (in taking apart a Fuji camera and it still working). I'm better with mechanical things that I can see and manipulate.

If you can work with the MUP or 600SE system, you can have Instax Wide for it.

Ezzie · « **Reply #39 on:** February 14, 2015, 06:41:12 AM »

Yeah, the Lomo Instax wide back is probably the way to go, no electronics to take into account. Most importantly can be bought separately.

sgt.brimer · « **Reply #40 on:** February 15, 2015, 10:38:07 PM »

I wish Fuji would make B&W Instax film.

Option 8 · « **Reply #41 on:** February 16, 2015, 02:36:47 AM »

I once had someone ask if there was a desaturate filter to make their color film B&W.

I said...yes...its called Photoshop...oh, wait...you meant like an actual glass filter in front of the lens!? Ummmm, I wish.

Ezzie · « **Reply #42 on:** February 16, 2015, 02:02:23 PM »

So do I. The loss of the last instant BW pack film is more devastating than the loss of most other films/emulsions.

sgt.brimer · « **Reply #43 on:** February 17, 2015, 01:31:38 PM »

Wonder if we could get the folks at Impossible to do it ;-)

jojonas~ · « **Reply #44 on:** February 17, 2015, 02:55:33 PM »

Quote from: sgt.brimer on February 17, 2015, 01:31:38 PM

Wonder if we could get the folks at Impossible to do it ;-)

they don't have the machines and I think they want to focus on their integral stuff.

but hey, if they can make 8x10 integral, maybe they can make packfilm-sized? that'd be interesting!

Ezzie · « **Reply #45 on:** February 18, 2015, 06:46:52 AM »

As I understand it the 8x10 is peel apart. However you have to have an external processing unit where negative and print are mated and cranked through. Same as for the original 8x10 Polaroid, uses the sam processors.

Francois · « **Reply #46 on:** February 18, 2015, 01:56:47 PM »

I have no idea as I always thought it was just a large sized integral that had a dark sleeve so that you can take it out of the processor...

Maybe someone should ask Matt on the fpp as I think he tried it before?

Kai-san · « **Reply #47 on:** February 18, 2015, 05:12:16 PM »

Quote

As I understand it the 8x10 is peel apart. However you have to have an external processing unit where negative and print are mated and cranked through. Same as for the original 8x10 Polaroid, uses the same processors.

Impossible only makes integral film, so the 8x10 is integral as well. But they are made to fit the old Polaroid processors.

https://shop.the-impossible-project.com/shop/film/8x10inch/fi_8x10_1_imp_3_mum

Adam Doe · « **Reply #48 on:** February 18, 2015, 06:16:42 PM »

Quote from: jojonas~ on February 17, 2015, 02:55:33 PM

they don't have the machines and I think they want to focus on their integral stuff.

but hey, if they can make 8x10 integral, maybe they can make packfilm-sized? that'd be interesting!

I wonder if they could make an entirely mechanical integral with some sort of pull tabs so that they could be used with Land Cameras. Pack integral would be neat.

mcduff · « **Reply #49 on:** February 21, 2015, 07:04:14 PM »

I have a friend in the biz that claims fuji is making a boneheaded move - well boneheaded for some markets but likely irrelevant for Japan. My pal claims that fuji is going to stop production of any instax film with plain white borders. While I can't see that effecting the "hello kitty" part of their market, I can't see Eirik's pics with rainbow unicorns around the periphery!!