The Lomo’Instant is an instant camera. It was introduced by Lomography from May 27, 2014 and the first own camera of the Viennese company for instant films. The camera was financed via the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. 8448 backers contributed $1,118,333 for the success of this project.
The Lomo’Instant works with Fujifilm Instax Mini film. It handles two exposure times, N and B (Bulb), for long exposures and light painting. The maximum aperture is f/8. The Lomo’Instant is focused manually; the closest focusing distance is 0.4 meters.
Operating modes that the photographer can choose from are three.
Automatic flash
In this mode, a sensor measures the light situation and, based on this measurement, selects the appropriate flash intensity, which can be adjusted with exposure compensation. The aperture is set to f/16 in this case.
Manual flash
In this mode, the exposure time can be set N or B and the flash flashes.
Manual mode without flash
Like manual flash, except that the flash does not fire.
Power is supplied to the camera by four AAA batteries (eBay / Amazon*). This also powers the built-in flash. The included color filters can be used to color the flash or subsequent images as desired.
Other features include a switch for multiple exposures, a thread for a tripod, a connection for a cable release and a mirror on the front of the camera, for self-portraits/selfies.
Included, depending on the edition, are the camera, lens caps, the color filters and instructions and tips for taking pictures with the instant camera.
Films for the camera
The Lomo’Instant is designed for the Instax Mini format. The instant films are still produced today and are quite easy to get. For color photos, there is the Instax Mini Film*. To take black and white pictures, you have to buy the Instax Mini Monochrome*. Ten pictures are possible per film cassette.
Accessories for the Lomo’Instant
Lens Combo
The Lomo’Instant offers the possibility to attach attachments in front of the actual lens. Currently, Lomography offers three different attachments.
The Close-Up attachment allows for shots at a distance from the subject of 10 to 15 centimeters and has a fixed aperture of f/16.
The Fisheye attachment allows shooting at 170 degrees with the typical fisheye look.
The Portrait attachment is equivalent to a 35mm lens on a 35mm camera and therefore stands out a bit from the normal wide angle lens of the Lomo’Instant.
Depending on the edition of the Lomo’Instant, the lenses are included directly in the package.
Splitzer
As was the case for the Lomo LC-A+ and the Diana F+, there is also a splitzer. The Lomo’Instant Splitzer is attached in front of the lens of the camera and covers part of the frame. This way you can create a picture with two different faces of two different people.
Technical datasheet
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Type of Camera | Instant camera |
| Film format | Fuji Instax Mini |
| Film transport | Automatic |
| Film transport mechanism | Motor |
| Picture format | 62 mm x 46 mm |
| Focal length | 27 mm |
| Biggest aperture | f/8 |
| Minimum focus distance | 40 cm / 1.312 ft |
| Focus | Manual |
| Exposure times | 1/125 second, Bulb |
| Bulb mode | Yes |
| Date imprinting | No |
| Double and/or multiple exposure function | Yes |
| Flash | Integrated flash |
| Flash sync speed | 1/125 s |
| Tripod mount | Yes |
| Cable release thread | Yes |
| Self-timer | No |
| Wireless remote control | Yes |
| Power supply | 4x AAA batteries |
| Country of production | China |
| Estimated value / Used price | 128,53 Euro Estimate based on used prices of 4 offers (possibly with different scope of delivery and/or condition). As of 12.5.2023 |
| Average used price in the year 2023 | 113,42 Euro (122.31 US-Dollar) |