cause this was a title before it was an article, let me just start by

saying the only thing you need to know about Fujifilm instax
cameras is that they are a fun and easy way to enjoy instant photo
prints. Instax, like the famed Polaroid cameras of an earlier
generation (which still exist today, thanks to the Impossible Project),
pushes out a print that self-develops within a few minutes of its
emergence from the camera. In the digital era, there is little in the
way of practical uses for this system, but since when does
photography have to be practical? Use it to experiment, use it to
enjoy good times with friends, at weddings or parties, and use it to
show your kids that you can actually touch a photograph. Of course,
as soon as I wrote that, I realized there might well be a few
instances in business or even in film and photo production where an
instant print might still be of use; however, I dont think instax would
be the choice tool for that function. But please do let me know if you
use instax for practical applications.

Photographs by Juliana Gonzalez

Two possibly surprising facts about instax are that the camera line
has been around since 1998, and it is currently the most profitable
of all Fujifilm camera systems. Thanks to renewed interest in instant
film photography (and film photography in general), Fujifilm is
expanding production of the camera line, its film, and accessories in
2016. Also, as mentioned, the Impossible Project has rebranded
Polaroid cameras and is producing instant film for old (and new)
models, and the Polaroid brand name has made a reappearance on
instant cameras, although they are actually Fujifilm-made cameras.
Lets take a look at whats available in the instax world.

Film
Two film formats are available for instax camerasinstax
mini and instax WIDE. The wide and mini cannot be mixed and
matched; they are designed for specific camera models. The wide
format, which measures 3.4 x 4.3" with an image size of 2.4 x 3.9",
fits the current instax WIDE 300 and instax WIDE 210 models. All
other instax cameras use the 2.4 x 1.8" instax mini format, as do the
Polaroid 300 cameras. Size is another reason these prints are less
appropriate for practical applications. The mini print, which is
basically the size of a credit card with the white borders included, is
too small to reveal much in the way of intricate details, and while
the wide is closer in size to standard 3 x 5" or 4 x 6" prints, it is
still not a preferred method for instant documentation. In addition to
the standard white-bordered prints, instax offers prints with playfully
designed borders, including the multi-colored rainbow pack. Both
formats are housed in disposable black plastic cartridge that
contains 10 sheets. The cartridge inserts easily into the back of the
camera.

Fujifilm instax instant film for the mini and the WIDE cameras

Integral film, the kind of instant film used by instax, works because
it contains layers of emulsion dye and layers of developing dye
sandwiched within its sheet. Developing and fixing chemicals are
stored in the sack of white border on the bottom of the image and
when the film is pushed out of the camera the developing process
begins. For instax there is no need to peel off the negative image
and no shaking or putting it under your arm (for proper
temperature) required. Within an ambient temperature range of 41104F, just wait about two minutes and your image will appear,
although it would be fun to experiment with different development
temperatures.
Both sizes of film are daylight balanced, ISO 800 with a 10 lines/mm
resolving power, and can expose indoor and outdoor shots equally

well. However, if you are expecting the saturation of a Velvia film

stock or the dynamic range of the X-trans sensor, youre in the
wrong article. Given the minimal amount of exposure, aperture, and
flash control offered by the cameras, be prepared for (and excited
about) lo-fi image quality with a glossy surface. With minimal
experience, the right light on bold color and proper distance to
subject, you can expect pleasing results.

The instax mini Lineup

Currently, B&H offers four distinct instax mini models, three of which
are available with color choices. In order of their complexity, from
very simple to quite simple, there is the instax mini 8, with a range
of candy-color options, the instax mini 25, the instax mini 70 and
the instax mini 90 Neo Classic.
Based on ease of use and color options, it would seem that the mini
8 is earmarked for the kiddies, although it does offer a nice black
model for the serious shooter. There is little one needs to know
about the camera, as it offers only the most basic adjustments. It
features a fixed 1/60-second shutter speed, a built-in flash that
always fires and, like all minis, it has a 60mm f/12.7 lens. On the
side of the lens there are four aperture settings, which correspond to
Indoor light, Cloudy/Shade, Partly Sunny, or Bright Sun. There is also
a high key mode setting. Figuring out which to use is pretty
straightforward, although there will be a margin of error. When I shot
on a sunny but cloudy day the first time, it became clear that the
proper exposure should have been Cloudy/Shade. Fortunately, you
can immediately see the result of your exposure choice and adjust
accordingly.

Fujifilm instax mini 8 Instant Film Camera

One aspect of the Fujifilm design, compared to Polaroid, is that the

power source for the camera and film is in the camera and not the
film pack. The mini 8 uses two AA batteries, whereas the mini 25
and mini 70 use CR2 batteries, and the mini 90 uses a rechargeable
lithium-ion battery.
The instax mini 25 is slightly smaller than the mini 8, uses two CR2
lithium batteries, and features more control over exposure, including
auto-variable shutter speed, exposure compensation, flash control,
and a motor-driven close-up lens setting. It also has a small mirror
next to the lens for easier composition of selfies.

Fujifilm instax mini 25 Instant Film Camera

The instax mini 70 has a fully retractable lens and is the most
compact of available models, even slightly resembling familiar pointand-shoot digital camera form factors and colors. It is marketed as
ideal for selfies and also provides a mirror next to the lens. It
features a Selfie Mode, which automatically sets appropriate
brightness and focus distance. A self-timer mode and tripod socket
are also featured. Auto shutter speed varies from - to 1/400second. Focusing options are more advanced on the mini 70, with
three distinct modes including a macro mode that focuses as close
as 11.8". An LCD screen displays the exposure count and shooting
mode.