An instant camera differs from other camera types, as it uses self-developing film and can create printed photography shortly after it was taken. With the growing popularity of digital photography, instant cameras got pushed back to a niche market for a while, but lately, their fame has been growing again.
Why would you buy an instant camera?
So, with all the technical and creative opportunities offered by digital photography, why would someone still opt for an instant camera? There are several unique advantages of these quirky photography makers.
You can hand off a photo to someone immediately – this feature has made instant cameras a hit at parties, weddings, and other events. Posing for instant photos can serve as an ice breaker, a fun side activity, and is a great way to keep memories of the events alive.
It is a way to step away from digital pictures – if you don't want to bother about editing, organising your images, and committing to printing them out, an instant camera is a perfect solution. Instant cameras have become a peculiar opposition to the perfectly polished world you see on social networks, capturing the raw and fleeting beauty of the moment.
Instant images offer greater safety – if someone hacked your computer (or the cloud service you use) and asked a fee, how much would you be willing to pay to get back your precious memories? Sadly, such situations happen. While much can be done to improve the cybersecurity of your data, going back to film photography makes hacking impossible altogether.
Instant cameras allow standing out in the world of photography – while instant cameras have a few technical limitations compared to their digital cousins, they bring their own aesthetics to the game, giving room for new, creative experiments. Several artists have fallen for instant photography as means of self-expression, and you can become one of them.
It is a way to teach kids about photography – instant cameras are not the cheapest way of making pictures (due to the costs of buying films), but they are not nearly as expensive as a set of quality body and lenses. Most instant cameras come with durable housings and straightforward controls, making them very friendly for kids. The opportunity to see the picture taken immediately brings an additional level of excitement.
Instant vs digital photography
User-friendliness
With most instant cameras, there is a button next to the lens for turning on/off and a shutter to press when you want to take a photo. The lens will be adjusted automatically, which makes such cameras extremely user friendly. Modern digital cameras offer by far more opportunities, but properly learning digital photography may take a year or more. If you always shoot on Auto anyway, an instant camera might give you more joy than an advanced digital one. However, if you really want to delve into the possibilities that modern photography offers, you might find instant cameras limiting.
Shutter speed and exposure
Instant cameras usually come with a shutter speed of approximately 1/60 seconds, and most will be able to focus on an object within the range of 0.6m. With a digital camera, you get an option to change shutter speed, exposure, and ISO, giving you options to get enjoyable pictures even in suboptimal light and play with some creative effects. This is even more true if you buy a camera with interchangeable lenses that have various focal lengths.
That said, some instant cameras come with a brightness adjustment dial. There are also instant cameras that can adjust brightness automatically for better picture quality.
Processing time
With an instant camera, the picture is printed a few seconds after it was shot. But you should still allow some time for the photo to be processed and dried without any interference to achieve the best quality. This can vary from 2 to 30 minutes, depending on your camera model.
Digital cameras save the images you take in their memory. Later, you can access them for editing and/or printing. This takes considerably more time but allows achieving better quality photos and choosing the print format and printing settings.
Additional features
While modern instant cameras may look basic, they have a few cards up their sleeve. Flash units are found on many latest models, and some are even rechargeable. There are also instant cameras that have a self-timer, which is convenient for group photos. While digital cameras have even broader extra features, the high-end instant models have become more capable than ever before.
How to create great photos with an instant camera?
The world of instant photography is accessible to anyone, but there are a few small tips and tricks that will make your photos stand out.
Polaroid cameras love well-lit environments. If the light is scarce, use flash and/or the brightness adjustment dial. On the other hand, avoid direct light, as it will result in blown-out photos. You will get the best images if the light is coming from one side or is behind you.
Be aware that no photo will turn out exactly like what you saw through the viewfinder. Even two cameras of the same model may produce slightly different pictures, and unpredictability is part and parcel of instant photography. If your subject is very close (closer than 1-1.2 m), taking a few steps backwards will result in a sharper photo. Trying to place your subject in the centre will also make it look sharper and prevent possible distortions.
Have fun with the creative effects. You can use a black-and-white film for more atmospheric photos or play with coloured filters for surrealistic images. It is also possible to buy coloured frames, stickers, and some cameras have even more advanced features like double exposure.
How to store instant camera film properly?
Taking care of proper storage of your films will ensure better colours, contrast, and sharpness of the images.
Unexposed
Store the film in its unopened, sealed packaging. A cool and dry environment is the best (~4 – 18 °C). Avoid high temperatures or freezing; this may result in inferior quality photos. Polaroid films perform best in temperatures ~13-28 °C. Keep the film at room temperature for 1-2 hours before shooting.
Exposed
In lower temperatures (below 13 °C), the images may become over-exposed and/or have a bluish tint. This is especially true with Polaroid films. To minimise this, try to keep your camera, film pack, and photos close to your body.
If shooting on a hot day (above 28 °C), your photos may develop a yellowish tint. To avoid this, keep the film packs and recently taken photos in a cooler environment (such as an air-conditioned room or insulated bag).
Always allow the freshly-taken photos to completely dry out in a cool, well-ventilated environment. Let them dry completely for ~1 month before putting them in an album or archival sleeve. For long-term storage, choose a dry, dark environment, as UV radiation can damage photos and cause fading.
Instant film formats
The film you use will affect how your instant photos look. Both Polaroid and Instax cameras offer several film formats.
- Fujifilm Instax Mini is the smallest format and has become widely popular since its introduction in the 1990s. The size of the image is 6.2 x 4.6 cm, and the total size of the frame is 8.6 x 5.4 cm. Cameras that support Instax Mini typically are also smaller and more portable as they need less space for the film cassette.
- Fujifilm Instax Square has a 6.2 x 6.2 cm image size, and the total size together with the frame is 8.6 x 8.6 cm. Compared to Mini, this format is better for group pictures. There is also a format Instax Wide that measures 9.9 x 6.2 cm and is optimal for landscape photos.
- Polaroid SX-70 is among the first formats developed by the famous instant camera company. The image size is 7.9 x 7.7 cm, and the frame is 10.6 x 8.8 cm. The SX-70 requires longer exposure due to lower ISO than newer formats.
- Polaroid 600 is the most commonly used format in Polaroid cameras. The image and frame size is identical to the SX-70, but the light sensitivity is better.
While knowing the differences between various formats is important (check what film each camera uses before buying), there are some other key differences between Polaroid and Instax films. First is the colours; Polaroid images have their own characteristic vintage look, whereas Instax photos look brighter and, oftentimes, sharper. Polaroid films are also more sensitive to temperature changes (images can get tint, as mentioned above). Instax tends to be a rather consistent performer in all temperatures. Furthermore, Instax cameras have a better dynamic range and perform slightly better in lower light.
However, there is no clear winner. It is best to let your creative spirit decide whether to go for the more contemporary Instax or vintage-like Polaroid look.
Converting digital photos into instant
If you have some special images on your digital camera that you would like to print on instant film, that's possible, too! If you prefer the Polaroid format, check the Polaroid Lab. This printer uses the light from your phone's screen to expose the film and transfer your photos onto it.
If you belong to the Instax crowd, you can use the Mini Link smartphone printer or Share SP-3. As the name suggests, the former uses Mini film and will deliver smaller images, whereas the latter is for Square format photos.
How fast will your pictures fade?
It is a common myth that instant photos are more prone to fading, but the truth is that they will preserve your memories just as well as any other film if stored properly. However, "storing properly" means a dark space; and instant films will fade sooner if you want to put your pictures on the wall. As mentioned before, it is also crucial to let your images dry if you want them to preserve longer.
If stored right, instant photos will preserve their colours for 100 years or even more.
Conclusion
Now, you’re well equipped to start your instant photography journey and choose the best camera for your creative needs. Whether you want a high-end or budget instant camera, this guide will help you to make the right decision.