Topic: New Instax square format (official now)

[clagom]

It seems Fuji is getting creative with the Instax, after the B/W we might see a square format soon:
http://www.fujirumors.com/new-square-instax-film-announced-photokina/

[jharr]

That will be smaller than the current format. It will be like a postage stamp.

[imagesfrugales]

I have the impression that Fuji is regarding instant film only as a cash cow. The mini format is ridiculous imho, I will never waste only 2 cents on it, and of course they will never ever again do someting usable with old Polaroid cams. Call me a moron if they only should release one new instax wide product.

I'm really pissed by this company since they discontinued Neopan 1600 and even more since they burned the Polaroid peel apart format.

The Leica Sofort (cool name btw and imho) is the biggest joke since - name it, I'll sign it.

[clagom]

I understand the feeling. I think Fuji just see instant market as consumers' toy, and that the 90% of Instax users don't even know about peel apart film. They wouldn't probably even use it. That's why I don't really think Fuji discontinued the FP in oder to push Instax, as Instax dosn't really need to be pushed as it sells like crazy.
It's anyway interesting that they invest in this instant film even more now, b/w and other formats. They wouldn't need to. Clearly they want to reach another type of target group, but if they don't release a camera that is not as limited as the current Instax line (and the Leica copy too) I wonder if it makes any difference.
But yes, discontunuing great film, and then release a (mini!) b/w Instax doesn't bring those film's users back to you, not all of them at least.

I have the impression that Fuji is regarding instant film only as a cash cow. The mini format is ridiculous imho, I will never waste only 2 cents on it, and of course they will never ever again do someting usable with old Polaroid cams. Call me a moron if they only should release one new instax wide product.

I'm really pissed by this company since they discontinued Neopan 1600 and even more since they burned the Polaroid peel apart format.

The Leica Sofort (cool name btw and imho) is the biggest joke since - name it, I'll sign it.

[John Robison]

How do we know the size? From that brief paragraph I didn't see anything about size. I think that the instax wide is about right for cost vs results ratio, or perhaps it is an entirely new size.

[Francois]

Just imagine Large Format Instax! 

Not probable by any stretch of the imagination but still...

[thatguychad]

It's no longer a rumor, but nothing on new hardware for the format.

[Bryan]

Looks like SX-70 film.  Lets hope it's that size then we can figure out how to load it into old Polaroid cameras.

[Francois]

Looks like SX-70 film.  Lets hope it's that size then we can figure out how to load it into old Polaroid cameras.

And get a mirror image...

[Chalky]

will be watching this with interest... the camera will be the decider here...

[Bryan]

This is from New55 on Facebook:

Desperation? So strong is The Impossible Project's format, and installed base of millions of SX-70 type cameras, that Fujifilm felt the need to pre-announce (by months) a "new" square format instant film. Its tiny size is dwarfed by a recent Impossible shot on the left. If the instant film market is such a good one for Fuji, I would think they'd get their mojo by innovating and less by copying. On the right: The actual size of the "new" Instax Square. It has been clear that the Instax Mini is too small, and the Instax Wide too wide. Now a whole new line of cameras for this format will keep Fujifilm, Leica and Lomography pretty busy.

[Indofunk]

Looks like SX-70 film.  Lets hope it's that size then we can figure out how to load it into old Polaroid cameras.

And get a mirror image...

My first thought too

[Indofunk]

Is that 2 Instax minis cut and pasted together? How does New55 know that that will be the size of Instax square?

[hookstrapped]

I miss circular photos

[Bryan]

Is that 2 Instax minis cut and pasted together? How does New55 know that that will be the size of Instax square?

This article reports it as being 62 x 62mm
http://www.finanzen.net/nachricht/aktien/Quadratisch-und-Schwarzweiss-Fujifilm-praesentiert-instax-Square-und-instax-monochrome-Neue-instax-Sofortbildkamera-und-zwei-neue-Sofortbildfilme-FOTO-5090913

[Francois]

And Wikipedia says Polaroid Integral was 3.1 inch square... or 78.74mm.
So it won't be Polaroid compatible unless somebody figures out some adapter to fit the film in a 600 series box...

[AJShepherd]

Fujifilm are remembering the immortal words of Mr. Huey Lewis and the News, "It's hip to be square".

Maybe I should forget about the 90 Neo Classic or Leica Sofort and wait for this.

It'll be interesting to see what the actual camera looks like.

[JoeV]

And Wikipedia says Polaroid Integral was 3.1 inch square... or 78.74mm.
So it won't be Polaroid compatible unless somebody figures out some adapter to fit the film in a 600 series box...

Polaroids were exposed on the front side of the print via a mirror. Instax are exposed through the backside of the print, that's why they come out of the Fuji Instax cameras with the image side facing rearward. And why the Instax camera need no mirror.

[Indofunk]

I miss circular photos

Impossible Project has you covered!!

[jojonas~]

well if you like 6x6 contact prints this is pretty cute

[zapsnaps]

I might be up for this. All my (successful) work is scanned these days, so a decent hi-res scan of a 62mm x 62mm original will be plenty large enough for me (I get quite good results from the old 24x36 format film. Anybody remember that?). Also, since shooting MF, I have started to 'see' square pictures, so much so that my point & shoot d*g*t*l camera is set to a 1:1 ratio. Sure, I'm losing some of the digits, but again, at screen size (and I have a large monitor), the results are fine.

[This-is-damion]

The instax film is bound to be super reliable so might possible play a factor for me.  Im starting to like the impossible film - but at over GBP 15 a box its still a luxury  -especially when its a bit fragile and needs a lot of handling

If the Instax comes in a lot cheaper - then could be a winner for me

[jojonas~]

it's good that TIP also have their own camera now instead of all the old ones kicking about with meters not as reliable

[tkmedia]

i also made a mock up the other day! haha.

[Ed Wenn]

I like this sentence from the New 55 article, "It has been clear that the Instax Mini is too small, and the Instax Wide too wide."

Clear to who? I don't think the wide is too wide....I just don't think it's tall enough 

Having said that, I would love this new Instax format to have been larger, but it's an interesting development.

[Francois]

Instax is already pretty darn good. Just imagine a 4x5 or 8x10 version!
That would be the ultimate wow!

[jojonas~]

with how this is developing, a 6x12 might be more realistic. that would be way cool though!

[Sandeha Lynch]

If you're really into Instax film then shurely this is the camera you need ...

https://mint-camera.com/tl70/guide/

And it's only £285. 

[tkmedia]

I bought the tl70, but had qc issues.

[thatguychad]

I bought the tl70, but had qc issues.

What are the lenses made of and how was the quality of them?

[tkmedia]

What are the lenses made of and how was the quality of them?

This was with the original revision in 2015, I never used it fully to give an impression. Newer 2016 models have improved I was told.

[thatguychad]

Are they plastic lenses or glass? They don't specify in their literature, so I'll assume plastic/polycarbonate. Regardless, there are many more cameras I'd buy for the money before I'd get this, even though I do like the idea.

[hookstrapped]

Are they plastic lenses or glass? They don't specify in their literature, so I'll assume plastic/polycarbonate. Regardless, there are many more cameras I'd buy for the money before I'd get this, even though I do like the idea.

The Mint lens "has glass elements"