My Instax adventures

[Abbazz]

Thanks and yes I saw that and it looks interesting, a step up from my Instax Wide 300. I’m wondering if anyone’s tried using the Fujifilm Instax Link Wide Smartphone Printer to print from their smartphone? Given the quality of smartphone images it might be a good, cheaper and more compact - albeit different - alternative.

I'm using the Instax Wide Printer with my phone and the results are great.

It's a self-contained unit that is much more convenient than the Canon Selphy when traveling. Of course, Instax film image quality is a notch down compared to the dye sublimation process of the Canon but, if the particular rendering of Instax film is your target, then the Instax Wide Printer is a nifty device which allows you to print any digital picture on Instax Wide film.

As I already own the Instax Wide 300, the Instax Square SQ10 and the Instax Wide Printer, I don't see the Instax Evo Wide as a future purchase. But it could be great for someone needing a versatile device allowing either to shoot directly or to print any stored picture on Instax Wide film.

Cheers!

Abbazz

 

[lynnb]

A few months ago I came across a Polaroid SX-70 in a charity store. I was fascinated by these cameras when they were released but they were very expensive. This one looked to be in good condition and at USD30 it seemed worth a try, so I bought it. The store allowed returns within 7 days if the camera was found to be not working.

What I didn’t expect was the absence of SX-70 film, both in stores and online. I tried all the usual online retailers in Australia, and every camera store I could contact in Sydney and Melbourne. No-one had any stock (despite some sites showing otherwise) and they didn’t know when it would be available.

In desperation I decided to buy a pack of Polaroid 600 film (SX-70 film is ISO100). I thought if I take pictures where the subject is strongly backlit, and dial down the exposure compensation, I might at least be able to check whether the camera works.

Here are the results...

SX70 with Polaroid 600 film #001, no exposure compensation

SX70 with Polaroid 600 film #002, maximum negative exposure compensaion

SX70 with Polaroid 600 film #003, maximum negative exposure compensaion

I see that you can have SX-70 cameras modified to meter either ISO100 or ISO600 film. I’ll think about that. Polaroid film is much more expensive than Instax - more than double the price per shot - so this camera will likely not get a lot of use.

 

[Zuiko-logist]

These are nice results. Can you use an ND filter to help control exposure?

 

[lynnb]

These are nice results. Can you use an ND filter to help control exposure?

Thanks. There’s no thread for mounting a filter on the SX70 lens. Nor ability to fit a push-on filter. The lens folds into the camera when closed. The camera needs to be held with both hands to make an exposure so you can’t hold a filter in front while taking a picture.

 

[robert blu]

Thanks. There’s no thread for mounting a filter on the SX70 lens. Nor ability to fit a push-on filter. The lens folds into the camera when closed. The camera needs to be held with both hands to make an exposure so you can’t hold a filter in front while taking a picture.

For my personal taste the first photo, the one with no exposure compensation is the photo I like moreb than the other twoi. There is "dreamy" look which makes it interesting.
My idea is that Instax is much better if you are for a descriptive look, Polaroid if you accept an unpredictable style which oft can be bad but in some cases interesting.

Of course this is my idea which could be wrong 🙂

Having said this Mint has some ND filter for the SX-70 : MiNT

Maybe they ship to your country.

 

[Godfrey]

The online store at Polaroid.com (or their EU store site) offers SX-70 film in either color or B&W, as well as either white or black frame surround, in various different packagings.

I just had my Polaroid SLR670x by MiNT out on my walk yesterday, loaded with B&W 600 film. I mostly used this SX-70-derivative camera's ability to set exposure manually, using my iPhone with a metering app, and I used a green filter for some of the exposures. I'll have to hunt where I found the filter holder for the SX-70 type cameras ... I bought it a couple of years ago. With B&W film, I often use a green filter to cut the light outdoors since in manual mode the aperture is locked to f/8 and the shortest shutter time is 1/2000 sec. The SLR670x has Automatic exposure setting for both ISO 600 and ISO 100 film, so when using color film with it, I pick either 600 or SX-70 film depending on the expected lighting.

Lucky - Santa Clara 2025
Polaroid SLR670x by MiNT
Polaroid 600 B&W, Green filter
Scanned on Epson XP-7100
Rendered in Lightroom Classic


Empties - Santa Clara 2025
Polaroid SLR670x by MiNT
Polaroid 600 B&W
Scanned on Epson XP-7100
Rendered in Lightroom Classic


Olive Tree Orchard - Santa Clara 2025
Polaroid SLR670x by MiNT
Polaroid 600 B&W, Green filter
Scanned on Epson XP-7100
Rendered in Lightroom Classic​

It's about time to order some more SX-70 and 600 film packs ... I think I have three 600s left ... but I have a lot of Instax film in stock so maybe I'll deplete some of that before I place an order. I've been shooting more 35mm and 120 film than Instant Film for the past year or so.

enjoy! G

 

[Godfrey]

Ah yes: the three photo limitation of RFF's server ...

Psychic - Santa Clara 2025
Polaroid SLR670x by MiNT
Polaroid 600 B&W, Green filter
Scanned on Epson XP-7100
Rendered in Lightroom Classic
​

G

 

[lynnb]

Thanks for the info and pictures guys.

Another with the SX70: Late afternoon sun in a park. Polaroid 600 exposed at ISO100 in SX70, February 2025. #SX70-004

 

[lynnb]

I have a quite a large backlog of Instax prints to add to this thread. Starting with the Instax SQ6...

Picture #435 with the SQ6. Sunset, Sydney, early 2025.

 

[lynnb]

Picture #438 with the SQ6. Sunset at Collaroy rock pool, Sydney, early 2025.

 

[lynnb]

Picture #450 with the SQ6. Curl Curl beach dusk, Sydney, early 2025

 

[lynnb]

Picture #458 with the SQ6. Offshore cloud, Sydney, April 2025.
You might have noticed I like how Instax film records clouds 🙂

 

[robert blu]

Picture #458 with the SQ6. Offshore cloud, Sydney, April 2025.
You might have noticed I like how Instax film records clouds 🙂

dramatic look , well done

 

[Rick Waldroup]

I have enjoyed viewing this thread and there are some outstanding images here. I have not shot an instant camera since the late 1970s and this thread brings back nice memories. Thanks to all who participate here.

 

[lynnb]

Picture #433 with the SQ6. Cloud at sunset over our back yard, Sydney, Feb 2025

 

[lynnb]

Picture #436 with the SQ6. Sunset at Collaroy beach, Sydney, 2025

 

[Out to Lunch]

My only issue with Instax Wide: I already fly with film and to add bulky Instax cartridges to the handinspected mix would be a PITA.

 

[robert blu]

My only issue with Instax Wide: I already fly with film and to add bulky Instax cartridges to the handinspected mix would be a PITA.

I understand, I had the same problem whrn traveling with the Polaroid 340 and the Fuji Peel Apart film...🤷

 

[Godfrey]

My only issue with Instax Wide: I already fly with film and to add bulky Instax cartridges to the handinspected mix would be a PITA.

I understand, I had the same problem when traveling with the Polaroid 340 and the Fuji Peel Apart film...🤷

Never mind what you do with all the waste bits from the peel-apart film packs...!

When I carry an Instax or Polaroid camera with me on travel, I usually set a limit for the trip of four packs per week to shoot with in order to keep the space and weight down to a minimum. It's rare that I travel for more than three weeks, so that all fits in my usual camera bag. Of course, if I pair the instant camera with the Light L16, that opens up a lot of instant film media space since the L16, charger, and tripod plate is very compact set.

G

 

[lynnb]

I’ve been going through my scans and found quite a few more Instax pictures to share here, going back to January 2020. So without further ado...

Picture #140 with the Instax Mini 9. Clouds off the Sydney coast with an orange filter held in front of the lens (the picture would have been very overexposed without the filter).