Which instant camera should I buy?
Both instant cameras and films are still being produced. So there is no reason not to get an instant camera. This type of photography is simply enjoyable. Whether for events like a wedding or parties, there are many uses for this type of camera.
However, you should be aware that it is not a bargain. The films consume the majority of the cost. Per picture, depending on the format, you pay between €0.70 and €2.50. Of course, that is a lot of money, but you don't take a hundred photos a day with an instant camera.
There are still two producers of films: Fujifilm and The Impossible Project.
Fujifilm manufactures Instax films, and the Japanese company also makes the corresponding cameras. Additionally, Fuji produces peel-apart films for some old Polaroid pack film cameras.
Polaroid itself no longer produces films. The Impossible Project / Polaroid Originals can be considered the Polaroid successor. In their factory in the Netherlands, they produce films for the old Polaroid 600, SX-70, and Image/Spectra. The films are developed from scratch and currently do not necessarily match the old Polaroid films.
In short, if you want reliable results, in my opinion, you should go with Fujifilm films, and if you are more experimental, Impossible films are a good choice.
Instax Mini
The Instax Mini format is an instant film format from Fujifilm. The color images are about the size of a credit card.
Fujifilm itself offers a fairly large range of cameras (overview of cameras) that are still being produced. The cameras and film are easy to use and can be used without much prior knowledge. For the Diana F+ and the Lomo LC-A+, Lomography offers a back for this instant format.
Under the Polaroid brand, specifically the Polaroid 300, an instant camera from Fujifilm and Instax Mini film are offered. A film pack contains 10 pictures. For a double pack of 20 pictures, you pay between €13 and €16 (Instax Mini Film*).
Instax Wide
The Instax Wide format is the second instant film format from Fujifilm. It is twice as large as an Instax Mini image. The format is well suited for landscape or group photos.
Instax Wide film delivers very good color images and is also easy to handle. New, you can only get one camera from Fuji, the Instax 210. Used, you can easily find the predecessors with the same feature set, Instax 100 and Instax 200, usually for a bit less. A pack of 20 pictures costs about €17-20, so about one euro per picture (Instax Wide Film*).
Polaroid 600
Most people associate instant photography with the Polaroid 600 format: square image and characteristic frame. Films for this format are available from Impossible.
Here you have the choice between color and black and white. Notable are Polaroid Color Film for 600* as a color film and Polaroid B&W Film for 600* as a black and white film.
In handling, Impossible films are a bit more demanding than Instax films. But if you read up on the films, you can achieve good results. A suitable used camera can be found for around €10. Per film (8 pictures), you pay around €20; about €2.50 per picture.
The battery for the camera and flash is in the film cassette, so you don't have to worry about that.
SX-70
The SX-70 format has the same form factor as the 600. However, the films have a lower sensitivity, among other things.
The most famous camera for this format is certainly the Polaroid SX-70, a folding SLR camera. This camera is really impressive and a true masterpiece, and it also takes excellent pictures. For that, it is also quite expensive; if you can get it used for under €60, you can be happy.
There are also cheaper models for this format, like the Polaroid 1000, although these don't have many advantages over a Polaroid 600. As with the 600, you have a choice between black and white and color. For example, for color images there is Polaroid Color Film for SX-70* and for monochrome images Polaroid B&W Film for SX-70* from Polaroid Originals.
A pack contains eight pictures and the battery for the camera comes with the film. Price-wise, it is at the same level as the 600 films, around €20 per film pack.
Image/Spectra
Polaroid Image/Spectra cameras are usually more sophisticated than the 600s. For example, some models allow double exposures.
Films for this format are also available from Impossible. You have the choice between color, Polaroid Originals Color Film for Image & Spectra*, and black and white, including Polaroid Originals B&W Film for Image & Spectra*.
A pack contains 8 pictures. For a pack of Impossible film, you pay €20.
The power for the camera comes from a battery in the film pack. The cameras can only be bought used.
Type 100
For the old Polaroid cameras (list of compatible models) for Type 100 pack film, Fujifilm still produces suitable film. You have the choice between color film, Fuji FP-100 C (Amazon), and a black and white film, Fuji FP-3000 B (Amazon).
A film pack contains 10 pictures and goes for around €10. If you still have such an old camera lying in the attic, this is certainly not a bad option. Unfortunately, they are no longer available new as they are no longer produced, but you can still find them used frequently.
However, you should be a bit careful here, as the battery is not in the film like with other Polaroid cameras and you usually need it separately. But since the batteries are often no longer manufactured, you would have to retrofit if possible.
What should I buy now?
In the end, it depends on the purpose and budget. But if I had to decide, I would say an Instax camera. They are easy to use, cameras are still being produced and are easy to get, you know they work, and if not, you still have a warranty. The film is easy to obtain and the results are solid. They are also a good choice for instant photography at a wedding.
Although the cameras are relatively expensive to purchase, the fairly inexpensive films quickly make up for it. Whether Instax Wide or Mini is essentially irrelevant. You should just take the one you like best.
Do you have any questions about the topic? Which camera or system would you recommend?
