Finally!! The instant camera we want!

[Skiff]

I am looking for a serious, more sophisticated and better quality instant camera for Fujifilm instax wide format for years.

Looks very promising:
https://www.thephoblographer.com/2018/02/09/mint-instantkon-rf70-shoots-instax-wide/

and

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

That could it finally be......let's hope so 🙂.

 

[retinax]

This looks awesome. I hope for MINT that other people are more willing to spend serious dough on instant photography than I am.

 

[Mackinaw]

This is interesting. For instant film shooters (me), something to keep track of.

Jim B.

 

[retinax]

Thinking about it, they could probably sell more if they also offered a 120 film version or, even greater, a 120 back for the Instax camera. In the latter case I'd be willing to cash out.

 

[BillBingham2]

Interesting but it looks very early in the design/testing phase. The wind/shutter release looks more for show than use. Shutter speed dial is somewhat suspect too.

B2 (;->

 

[zuiko85]

It would probably be hard to get the film plane in the same position as a film holder but it would be nice to have a back for Instax Wide for 4X5. I'd like to see an all manual print eject with crank too. Just one less complication.
I've seen quite a few conversions of Fuji's Wide 300 instax cameras, hacking a 4X5 lens with helical onto them, probably a lot less expensive as this is sure to be but no RF of course.

 

[farlymac]

All I'm seeing on the "About Instantkon RF70" page is the title on a grey background, and if you go to the Mint home page (which isn't linked to the new camera page), there is no mention of the RF70.

I do like what I see in that video though. It will be about a$500 camera from what I see of the other models.

PF

 

[brbo]

Looks like it's got a separate viewfinder and rangefinder windows. Not too big of a problem. With instant film you tend to slow down even more than with 120 film and it should keep the costs down. But with the hinted price of around $1000 it will test the Instax enthusiasts'... enthusiasm.

 

[Skiff]

All I'm seeing on the "About Instantkon RF70" page is the title on a grey background, and if you go to the Mint home page (which isn't linked to the new camera page), there is no mention of the RF70.

Just use this:
https://mint-camera.com/about-instantkon-rf70

Write your email address, and just some minutes later you'll get a link to a page with much more information!

 

[Out to Lunch]

I believe it when I one in my hands.

 

[brbo]

Video reveals it's got a 90mm f5.6 glass lens.

 

[BillBingham2]

I believe it when I one in my hands.

Kickstarter, Indegogo, and TheCrouwdFundingCenter all have funding pipelines open wondering when they will get their product.

https://www.kickstarter.com/project...xpected-digifilmtm-camera-by-yashica/comments

Cool but I also remember Digifilm from some years back.....

B2 (;->

 

[B-9]

I'm game if this becomes reality!

Something I know a lot of us have been waiting for.

If they can keep it under 1000$ USD they've got atleast one sold!

 

[Huss]

5.6 lens with the Instax 800 ISO film is fine.
If this camera is a high quality piece, then the $1000 price is not out of line. Even though I would like it to be $500! The last offering of the Fuji GF670 sold for $2000. Just because a camera uses instant film does not make it cheaper.
I have several Instax mini cameras and they are fun, but the images are too small. And the Instax Wide film begs for a serious camera to make full use of that film size. Hopefully MiNT is the answer.

 

[retinax]

I believe it when I one in my hands.

They have brought that Instax TLR to the market. It seems plastic-y and too expensive, but they are definitely able to make stuff... they've got the back figured out etc., so with this one, I'm more inclined to believe it'll happen than some other projects.

 

[retinax]

Kickstarter, Indegogo, and TheCrouwdFundingCenter all have funding pipelines open wondering when they will get their product.

https://www.kickstarter.com/project...xpected-digifilmtm-camera-by-yashica/comments

Cool but I also remember Digifilm from some years back.....

B2 (;->

Wait, do the MiNT-people have anything to do with that?

 

[BillBingham2]

Wait, do the MiNT-people have anything to do with that?

I don't know, frankly I hope not.

My concern is that less than reputable folks see a pattern and copy it. It's not hard. The MiNT folks might have figured out there is a niche with a bit larger pocks interested in this sort of camera.

When I look at the pictures with a critical eye I don't see but a very thin wire connection between the body and the lens in the front. I see a shutter release inside the wind lever on the body (looking early Leica M-ish) and a shutter speed dial next to it. So if you select the shutter speed on the dial it needs to signal the shutter speed around the lens. Not impossible, but pretty fancy engineering. There was some technology that flipped an LCD panel from opaque to transparent a few years back, that could work as an electronic shutter, but I doubt the thin wire could be power and signalling.

With the exception of the approach of the old Mamiya Six, I don't see any way to focus with the help of what appears to be a rangefinder.

It just feels very similar to the silliness.

From the opposite side, they could just be testing the water to see how much interest there is in this sort of camera before they throw a lot of time and money into the engineering.

I bet you could spend a lot less cash on getting a fuji back made for a baby speed graphic (2.25x3.25). A few finder masks and you have a bit bigger but very functional camera.

B2 (;->

 

[Huss]

Interesting that the shutter speed dial seems to be sourced from a digital Leica.
And what is the film wind lever for? To cock the shutter?

 

[aizan]

it’s to eject the film.

 

[G Dogg]

Nate does a very good job with conversions. I routinely use the 110B polaroid converted for Instax Wide. See: http://www.instantoptions.com/shop/instax/ if interested in his work. I am a fan.