Finally!! The instant camera we want!

[Godfrey]

I'm afraid that one thing that Gary Ho posted in Update #3 (Feb 26) raised a yellow flag for me:

There is one point I have to make clear: InstantKon RF70 will not be as good as the custom Polaroid conversions in terms of lens quality and image quality.

There's certainly plenty of room for the lens to be better than the ones on the Fuji 210/300 and the Lomo Wide while still not being so good as a 127mm Ysarex, let alone the late-model view camera lenses that end up on some conversions. But if it's not a lot closer to the Ysarex than to the plastic lenses on the low-end cameras, I think price starts to become an issue.

Here's hoping...

The "custom Polaroid conversions" lens he's referring to is the SX-70 lens: a premium quality 4-element 116 mm f/8 lens with manual focusing. It's a very good performer, on par with many high-end view camera lenses. He's not trying to compete with that, I suppose because it would make the RF too expensive.

G

 

[taemo]

You can see on the youtube video and Mijonju's IG (https://www.instagram.com/mijonju_official/) that at f/5.6, the picture comes soft and glowy but at f/8 it is pretty good and sharp.

Did not know the camera came with a shutter dial too, nice bonus

I'm more concerned about ND filter, as the front filter thread looks to be 37.5mm, I wonder if they will supply a proprietary 3-stop ND-filter.

 

[zuiko85]

Since Instax photos are not (usually) enlarged, would a lens for them need as much resolution as a regular lens for a 4x5? Not trying to cause trouble, just curious about that.

 

[Oren Grad]

Since Instax photos are not (usually) enlarged, would a lens for them need as much resolution as a regular lens for a 4x5? Not trying to cause trouble, just curious about that.

Even apart from enlargement, the Instax print material has relatively low inherent resolution. But even so, it's not hard to tell the difference between pictures made on Instax material with the cheap plastic lenses in the Fuji Wide 210/300 and Lomo Wide cameras, and pictures made on the same material with an adapted view camera lens. Part of the difference is the inherent quality of the lenses, part of the difference is that the crude zone-focus systems on the low-end cameras mean that much of the time you're not even getting the best of what their cheap lenses can deliver.

When you get lucky and the focus and exposure settings of the Fuji Wide cameras end up being a decent match to the subject and shooting conditions, then at least to my eye the result can be very pleasing in an impressionistic sort of way. (The only sample of the Lomo Wide that I've owned was a dog.) But a high-quality lens allows making pictures with a different flavor, and assuming full manual focus control with a well-calibrated helical, it can achieve technically good results much more consistently.

How much that matters is entirely up to you, and the kinds of pictures you want to make.

 

[zuiko85]

Thanks Oren,
Part of the reason I asked was I intend to disassemble my kickstarter Jollylook camera, (yes, a very tiny print I know). I want the developing unit to mate with a 75mm f6.3 Novar from a Nettar. I figure that little triplet will certainly be better than the single element plastic lens they come with, also a more useful angle of view than the supplied 110mm lens. If that doesn’t work out I’ve a 101mm f4.5 Anastar from a Kodak folder to try but I’d rather have the wider angle 75.

 

[Oren Grad]

Part of the reason I asked was I intend to disassemble my kickstarter Jollylook camera, (yes, a very tiny print I know). I want the developing unit to mate with a 75mm f6.3 Novar from a Nettar. I figure that little triplet will certainly be better than the single element plastic lens they come with, also a more useful angle of view than the supplied 110mm lens. If that doesn’t work out I’ve a 101mm f4.5 Anastar from a Kodak folder to try but I’d rather have the wider angle 75.

I have a Jollylook on the way too, and for the same reason - so I could get one of the boxes to play with. 🙂

Funny, I've got a Nettar too, with a 75/4.5 Novar. I like your idea - the Novar should be a very nice candidate for trying with Instax Mini, plenty sharp enough and maybe with an interesting character too. If you do cobble it together with the Jollylook, let us know how it works out!

 

[zuiko85]

I have a Jollylook on the way too, and for the same reason - so I could get one of the boxes to play with. 🙂

Funny, I've got a Nettar too, with a 75/4.5 Novar. I like your idea - the Novar should be a very nice candidate for trying with Instax Mini, plenty sharp enough and maybe with an interesting character too. If you do cobble it together with the Jollylook, let us know how it works out!

Thanks, I will. I’ve also asked the Jollylook creators if they would do a run of just the developing unit with crank for the DIY crowd. They said they might consider it after their current Kickstarter is complete.

 

[GarageBoy]

I like the mamiya 7ish top deck. The price is a hard pill to swallow, though

 

[jsrockit]

https://photorumors.com/2018/03/24/coming-soon-instantkon-rf70-rangefinder-camera-for-instax-wide/

 

[taemo]

Gary replied to a question I had about the RF70 on Instagram regarding when this will be available and his reply was

probably ready by mid-2018!

Really hoping to have it in my hands before my trip late October.

 

[Fjäll]

Pre-orders open.

https://mint-camera.com/about-instantkon-rf70

 

[taemo]

I'm pre-ordering but I'm confused on the difference between the RF70 and RF70 package.

I'm assuming both options comes with the lens set, so the package is the one that comes with a neck strap and a pack of WIDE film?

 

[brbo]

I'm assuming both options comes with the lens set, so the package is the one that comes with a neck strap and a pack of WIDE film?

I understand that this is the case.

I'm tempted but can't really afford it right now. Please, folks, pre-order all the available cameras so the temptation goes away...

 

[taemo]

I understand that this is the case.

I'm tempted but can't really afford it right now. Please, folks, pre-order all the available cameras so the temptation goes away...

I messaged them on facebook and they confirmed that the RF70 package is indeed the one that comes with strap and film.
Not worth it IMO so I ordered just the RF70.
Now time for the waiting game but as long as it gets here before end of October, I'm happy

 

[Godfrey]

Ordered.

I know they've done a good job of it and look forward to having one to work with. 🙂

G

 

[mich rassena]

I have a perfectly good rangefinder that took large photos on Fuji instant film, the Polaroid 250. It cost me about $20. Worked ok until Fuji discontinued their film. I wouldn't risk $1000 on a film format that might become obsolete at Fuji's whim.

 

[Godfrey]

I have a perfectly good rangefinder that took large photos on Fuji instant film, the Polaroid 250. It cost me about $20. Worked ok until Fuji discontinued their film. I wouldn't risk $1000 on a film format that might become obsolete at Fuji's whim.

I agree, that is a risk. But ...

Rumor has it that the Instax film and camera sales is most of what's making profit for Fuji these days, and a good bit of that profit goes to funding the development of their digital camera line. Seems the Instax is a runaway hit in many markets. So I felt the risk was acceptable, same reason I went for the Lomo Instant Square camera.

Dare I say it: if the instant film packs went away, I guess someone could convert the camera to film... LOL!!!

If you want to be perfectly safe these days, buy a good, high end digital camera and use it until it's completely worn out. Based on my experience with my Olympus E-1 (manufactured in 2003 and priced at $2200 for the body; bought it in 2008 for $400; 25,000 exposures and a decade later it's still working perfectly...), that may take longer than my expected lifetime. 😀

G

 

[mich rassena]

I agree, that is a risk. But ...

Rumor has it that the Instax film and camera sales is most of what's making profit for Fuji these days, and a good bit of that profit goes to funding the development of their digital camera line. Seems the Instax is a runaway hit in many markets. So I felt the risk was acceptable, same reason I went for the Lomo Instant Square camera.

Dare I say it: if the instant film packs went away, I guess someone could convert the camera to film... LOL!!!

If you want to be perfectly safe these days, buy a good, high end digital camera and use it until it's completely worn out. Based on my experience with my Olympus E-1 (manufactured in 2003 and priced at $2200 for the body; bought it in 2008 for $400; 25,000 exposures and a decade later it's still working perfectly...), that may take longer than my expected lifetime. 😀

G

I think you're right on about how to buy digital cameras. I may never buy a new camera again simply because the used stuff is so much cheaper a few years down after release.

As far as instant goes, the world is littered with instant cameras, many of which never shot more than one pack of film. I don't see why this camera wouldn't meet the same fate.

 

[Mackinaw]

.......As far as instant goes, the world is littered with instant cameras, many of which never shot more than one pack of film. I don't see why this camera wouldn't meet the same fate.

At $900.00 USD, this is an expensive camera aimed at the more serious photographer. The person who buys one will use it.

The cheapo Fuji Instax cameras are meant for the more casual photographer. Buy one for $55.00, shoot the occasion pack of Instax Mini film, then forget about it.

Two totally different type of photographers.

Jim B.

 

[jsrockit]

At $900.00 USD, this is an expensive camera aimed at the more serious photographer. The person who buys one will use it.

But are the results serious (or only in theory)? Genuinely curious...