Tips for choosing an instant camera.

Best value for money

Fujifilm Instax Mini 50S

Instax Mini 50S is an inexpensive, very light and compact, simple and easy-to-use camera, with which you will get the best instant photos among all the cameras we reviewed.

If you prefer a more rigorous and classic design, then buy the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic in a more stylish case. The matte plastic and retro design of the Mini 90 is not so striking in its gloss and looks more solid, more complete. The camera will also appeal to those photographers who like to control their shooting process more due to the expanded number of photo modes, for example, the ability to set a slow shutter speed, double exposure and some more useful settings.

For larger photo

We present to your attention the older brother of the Mini 50S and Mini 90 - Instax Wide 300, which is able to create the largest printed photographs not only from the entire Instax series of cameras, but also from all the cameras currently on the market. The size of cards that nicely creep into your hand will be 108 x 86 mm, although it should be noted that the size of the photo itself will be slightly smaller. Subtract the white margins of the card and finally get the size of the print itself at 99 x 62 mm.

Visual comparison of film sizes for Instax Wide cameras with Instax Mini 50s \\ Mini 90.

What is an instant print camera

Perhaps the most famous and common instant camera is the Polaroid 636 Close Up.

  The most popular cameras in our area are instant printing cameras in the late 80s - mid 90s thanks to Polaroid

The most popular cameras in our area were instant printing in the late 80s - mid 90s thanks to the Polaroid company, which was able to bring to the mass market such technology for developing and printing photographs. The technology was revolutionary and very convenient.

Instead of bringing another reel of film to the laboratory and waiting for it to be developed and printed, and possibly doing it all yourself, if you are an avid amateur photographer, you just have to buy a special Polaroid cassette, insert it into the camera and you're ready to shoot . Hover, press the shutter button and a white square with a black area in the middle comes into your hands at the same moment with a hum. In a few minutes, “something” begins and your cherished color photo appears in place of the black square.

Everything works very simply. Each photo blank contains all the necessary chemical elements, negative for taking photos and positive for printing. All this in total takes about 3-5 minutes. You yourself observe in real time how the development of the image occurs. Friends, this is just magic!

When the quality of pictures fades into the background, creativity comes to the fore.

  Instax cartridges (cartridges) fit 10 blanks for photos

Instax instant print cartridges (cartridges) hold 10 blanks for snapshots. Cartridges are quite easy to find on sale, they are quite common, so with the presence of problems should not arise. Different color options are made for the background of the photo, for example, polka dots, with asterisks or all the colors of the rainbow. The cost of one cartridge at the end of 2016 - the beginning of 2017 is about 500 rubles, so the cost of one print will be 50 rubles. Not to say that this is a camera for every day, but for the best and memorable events - for sure.

You can forget about the ideal colors and shades, there will be no large dynamic range. Digital cameras in the full sense and on all fronts have surpassed this technology of fast printing. Any modern smartphone, and even a simple phone with a 1 megapixel camera will make the photo sharper and better. The point is not at all in the technical specifications. The fact is that in your hands you hold the only physical imprint of the moment you’ve just taken that you can pass on or give to your friend or girlfriend.

Fujifilm is currently the undisputed leader in instant printing with its Instax line of cameras for every color, size, taste and budget.

Who should use such a camera

A good example of the creativity and imagination of a photographer.

  This type of camera is usually bought for unforgettable emotions and for your pleasure.

These cameras are very simple, and using them is a pleasure and it is very fun and funny. People who are shy of a photographic lens, are afraid to be photographed, immediately relax when they see such a camera, more like a toy than a serious thing. This camera is suitable for weddings (including wedding photographers, usually this is an additional service), for parties and gatherings with friends, for walks. In a word, for all situations from your life, especially when you are in a fun company and are used to valuing unforgettable unique moments.

There is nothing more interesting than taking a photo of your friend, passing him an undeveloped card and observing his reaction while the photo is being born!

Why can we be trusted

For this article, we reviewed all models of instant cameras and selected from them several leaders who have a lens with a fixed focal length, a kind of macro photography, the ability to control exposure and have a flash.

The author of the article has been engaged in photography since 2006 and began his career as a photographer with one of the first model of SLR cameras - Nikon D70s. He was visited by several dozen SLR and mirrorless cameras, lenses, and the number of photos taken has long exceeded half a million. He successfully trained two streams in a photo school. Currently owns Nikon and Olympus system kits, as well as Canon’s favorite rangefinder.

Why Fujifilm Instax Mini 50S is the Best Instant Camera

  Mini 50S combines the most affordable photo quality in a compact camera body

Instax Mini 50S combines the maximum affordable quality of photos in a compact camera body, which allows you to carry it with you every day for any meetings, walks and gatherings. It is not difficult to find cartridges with a film for it; they are widespread and available in many stores. At a cost, one cartridge will cost about 500 rubles, which leads us to 50 rubles per shot (10 blanks per cartridge). The ISO value for cassette tape is set to 800 units.

In most cases, the camera calculates the exposure well, if desired, it is possible to adjust it by +/- 2/3 stops, thereby avoiding a strong failure of shadows or a strong overexposure. Naturally, all this will come to you with experience, as You will not have the opportunity to look at a future photo through an electronic display or screen.

For close shots, the so-called macro mode, you need to use a special lens for the lens, which comes with the camera and allows you to focus at a distance of 30 cm. There are two shutter buttons on the camera body: one for portrait mode and one for landscape mode. There is also a threaded socket for a tripod. Power is supplied by two CR2 batteries, which are enough for Fuji assurances for 300 cards. This is worth keeping in mind if you are planning your trip away from major cities. In this case, you should take a spare pair of batteries with you.

Controls Mini 50S: exposure adjustment, shooting mode, self-timer. Plus a small LCD screen and shutter button.

  Photos on the Mini 50S are contrasting, with well-designed colors and fairly detailed

Photos on the Mini 50S are contrasting, with well-designed colors and fairly detailed. Image quality is identical to the more expensive and new Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic camera. In size, they resemble a business card, which can be easily carried with you in your wallet or pocket.

The camera is great for portraits, since, seeing its appearance, any person automatically relaxes and ceases to perceive you as a serious photographer, in the good sense of the word. A portrait photo session begins to be perceived very easily. Taking pictures of her is a pleasure, especially if you present the pictures just taken to the participants of the photo shoot and an image begins to magically appear on their eyes in front of a white rectangle. Many of our contemporaries, and even more so those who are younger so used to modern technology, that for many years (or even never in their lives) have been holding a printed photograph in their hands.

Reviews from other sites

Instaxcameras, a site dedicated to instant print cameras, writes that the Instax Mini 50S will appeal to those photographers who are used to physical control of their camera and people who like the same slightly overexposed retro style in Polaroid style photographs. Mini 50S is very easy to operate, which makes it a wonderful gift for a child or a person who is already fed up with modern electronic cameras.

Wired calls the camera the likeness of Instagram in real life and this is not far from reality. The Lomography site speaks of the Mini 50S as a classic, compact and glossy camera.

Main parameters of Instax Mini 50S

Parameter	Value
Film	Fujifilm Instant Color Instax Mini
Photo size	62 x 46 mm
Lens	60 mm
Diaphragm	f / 12.7
Excerpt	1/3 - 1/400 s
Viewfinder	Optical, 0.37x
Focusing	Switch from 0.6 to 3 m from 3 m to infinity
Flash	Automatic filling Not disconnected Reload time 0.2 - 5 s Effective range 0.6 - 3 m
Self-timer	Yes, a timer for 10 s
Display	Remaining frames Landscape mode Brighter darker Flash ready Self-timer mode
Battery	2 pcs CR2
Dimensions (L x H x W)	112.0 x 96.5 x 49.5 mm
Weight	275 g without cartridge and batteries

Features of use

Instax Mini 50S has the same complaints as other instant cameras. This mainly refers to the rather high cost of the image, about 50 rubles per card at the end of 2016 - beginning of 2017. The photos themselves are far from crystal harsh and often can look strange, unusual (however, this also has its own charming feature). Any cheapest compact camera in terms of settings and parameters can double your Instax in two ways. Nevertheless, all these features are at the same time pluses, and this is where the charm and attractiveness of such cameras lies.

Better and more expensive - Fujifilm Instax Mini 90

Stylish design and higher cost

Spending a little more, you get the same image quality, more rigorous design, built-in macro mode and other additional shooting options similar to Instax Mini 50S.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 is by far the best Hi-End instant printing camera available on the market. With it, you are ready to shoot at any time, the control is intuitive to anyone, shooting settings can be changed by touching one finger. The camera is quite durable, with a good viewfinder, the photos are predictable and high-quality with neat colors and clear details (for instant cards). All this is packaged in a stylish retro design and allows you to completely focus on the moment of shooting, rather than setting the desired parameters on the camera.

  Instax Mini 90 is by far the best Hi-End instant print camera available.

The greatest predictability of the result obtained as a photo can be achieved when shooting with daylight or in a well-lit room. By turning on the flash and setting the party mode, you can achieve quite good results in worse conditions, for example, at night or in poor lighting. Fans of photographing their food will also not pass by, they will be helped by the “L” mode, which increases the saturation and brightness of colors.

This is what the Instax Mini 90 looks like when turned on and with the lens extended.

When turned on, the camera makes a mechanical sound, opens the lens and is ready to shoot in about half a second. It also provides shutdown after 5 minutes of inactivity.

The camera has a small LCD screen that will show you everything you need: the number of frames remaining, battery power, whether macro mode, flash, brightness adjustment, self-timer or shooting mode are turned on.

All controls, except for turning on / off and setting modes, are concentrated on the back of the camera and are very conveniently located in the form of five large buttons with recognizable symbols: turning on macro (close-up shooting from a distance of 30 to 60 cm), adjusting exposure is lighter / darker, self-timer, flash and shooting mode selection.

Of the modes that help you get more creative shots and wake up your photo fantasy, the following are available:

• Celebration

In the Holiday mode, the background and the subject itself are captured with great brightness.

In this mode, it is convenient to photograph fast-moving objects, such as children or animals.

• Landscape

Best suited for shooting distant objects (from a distance of 3 meters or more).

• Long exposure

In the long exposure mode, the shutter remains open (no more than 10 seconds) until the shutter button is released, which allows you to capture beautiful night panoramas and “tails” of light in the photo.

• Double exposure

Keep in mind that the first frame on the final photo will be clearer and better visible than the second one, so pre-calculate and plan the sequence of shooting.

For large photos - Fujifilm Instax Wide 300

For larger photo

If you need a large photo size, then this camera is best suited. With it, you will get the largest prints of all the models on the market, their size will be 108 x 86 mm.

The Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 is a camera that replaced the previous Wide 210 and is capable of printing classic polaroid size cards, which affects its size. The dimensions of the camera are much larger than the other two options we have chosen (50s and 90) and are 168 x 96 x 121 mm, it already weighs 612 g without a battery. The new version received a number of changes, the most pleasant of which are improved ergonomics for a comfortable grip, a modified mechanism for a more flexible macro mode and the addition of a thread for a tripod. The design in many respects resembles the Instax Mini 90 so beloved to us with the addition of a thickening under the right hand for the convenience and reliability of the grip. The larger image size allows you to capture and view more details in the resulting photo. Exposure is selected automatically and it is possible to adjust it with one button in increments of +/- 2/3 stops.

To summarize

Pros of Fujifilm Instax Mini 50S:

• The best ratio of price and quality
• Compact size
• Availability of shooting modes
• Macro lens included
• The perfect gift for a amateur photographer

Fujifilm Instax Mini 50S will be an excellent choice for most amateur enthusiasts who want to try, understand and appreciate what an instant printing camera is. For a reasonable price, the camera provides you with good quality photos and the ability to change shooting settings. If the size of the shots is critically important to you and you are ready to sacrifice their quality a little, then we recommend buying the Fujifilm Instax Wide 300. And finally, if you want to get the maximum breadth of settings and the number of shooting modes, built-in battery and macro mode, then Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic will be happy to give you this opportunity.

  Please write in the comments below - was this article helpful?  What did you like and what remained unrevealed? Ask questions, we will try to help.

Often on the Internet you can see a picture with a small bright camera, which immediately prints the photo you just made. This device is called an instant printing camera and, on average, in Russia   from 4,000 rubles to 16,000 rubles. We will try to find out all the pros and cons of the instant printing camera in this article, as well as find out what the price of such a camera depends on.

Time to stop!

The 21st century is a century of movement, a century that rarely gives us the opportunity to enjoy the moment. We are all in a hurry somewhere, running, constantly late. Sometimes just stopping, breathing out and looking around is a luxury for us. Putting business, work and business at the forefront, each of us loses something very important - the moment. Parents do not have time to see how the child grows up, lovers do not enjoy their feelings, young people do not pay attention to the fact that the happiest years of their life pass by.

Luckily, progress keeps pace with the times. A technique that has become an integral part of modern man’s life is ready to give us his electric helping hand. No matter what you lose sight of and always leave a pleasant moment in your memory, you can use film and photography. Today, by pressing a button on the device, we can forever capture a joyful event, pass on our memories to future generations.

We all come from childhood

Remember, in childhood, in order to photograph us near the Christmas tree, parents had to go through a long preparation process. It was necessary, without removing the film from the camera (so as not to light it up - all the earlier photographs would be lost), to find out if there are still free frames, if there are none, go to the store and buy another film, which was not cheap by the standards of the time.

After all the frames are over, which can drag on for an indefinite amount of time, the film needs to be developed, and this again is worth the material cost. And the camera itself was not just a luxury, but not everyone could allow it. What can we say about our grandparents, who for all their youth had 2-3 photos taken in honor of large and important holidays - graduation, wedding, birth of a child.

It’s good that you and I don’t know such inconvenience. Now it’s easy to get a camera - buy in a hardware store or in an online store, buy used equipment. The camera can be selected for every taste and budget. Depending on your needs, you can buy a soap dish, a DSLR or the aforementioned instant camera.

When the name speaks for itself

The main plus of the instant printing camera is that having taken the photo, we are right there and print it out in a few seconds. This is advantageous in that taking a picture with someone can immediately present your joint picture as a gift to this person.

In addition, the instant printing camera is very small in size (taking it on trips is much more convenient than a professional camera) and almost always has a beautiful modern design. Like it or not, aesthetics is important. The most popular cameras on the Russian market are FujiFilm instant print cameras.

As for the pricing policy - the cheaper the camera, the bigger, heavier it is and the battery lasts for fewer shots. The most popular and budget model of an instant printing camera weighs 307 g, its length is 118.3 mm., Width 116 mm., Thickness 68.2 mm., Battery life is 100 shots, this model costs about 5,000 rubles.

We can safely call the second most popular instant camera Polaroidmost often buy a model Z2300. The dimensions of this camera are slightly smaller than FujiFilm, namely: length 118 mm., Width 76 mm., Thickness 35 mm. Printing a picture with a Polaroid camera takes 30-45 seconds, the purchase will cost in 16 000 rubles.

To decide which camera suits you more - you need to understand why it will be used in the future. If a professional photographer buys an instant printing camera to realize his creative ideas, you should not save. If you need a camera to surprise your friends, keep photographs taken instantly for your memory, or you simply don’t have time to choose the best shots, process them and print them out - a more budget option in this case does not mean worse, a camera purchased for more affordable price, will fully satisfy your requirements.

It’s great to get the photo you just took right away in print! They thought about this in the middle of the last century, and, as a result, in 1948 the world saw the first instant printing camera. It was he who brought Polaroid wide popularity, and the company continued to improve its products: if at first the photos were printed in black and white, then by the 70s they had acquired a more modern look, and in the 80s they were in great demand. But over time, digital technologies appeared that displaced instant printing cameras from the market: users liked the fact that a huge number of photos can be stored on a compact medium, and before printing they can be edited, cropped, eliminated minor defects and flaws. But now the market is so saturated with digital photography that popularity is once again returning to instant printing cameras. They have revived and are now more advanced devices that combine the characteristics that are familiar to everyone and new technologies.

On the modern market of such devices, it so happened historically, there are few manufacturers who present a choice of several instant printing cameras. We will focus on the most interesting of them, but users buying them should remember that they will have to spend money on cartridges and paper. Such a set will allow you to instantly create original photographs to leave them as a keepsake for yourself or your friends.

Instant camera is unlikely to become a full replacement for a professional camera, but it is a stylish accessory and a great assistant in creating vivid photos in seconds. By the way, if earlier the pictures were not very durable, they were subject to a strong influence of moisture and time, then modern technologies have avoided this drawback.

Polaroid has become virtually synonymous with instant printing cameras, and now, after a significant break, is returning to the market again. This time, the company presents to our attention a device that can not only instantly print photos, but also shoot videos, connect to a laptop via Wi-Fi, determine location and much more. Here the front camera and flash appeared, and the new advanced ZINK technology is used for printing: here the image is formed thanks to special crystals, which are painted in different colors depending on the temperature that is transmitted to them. This technology allows you to avoid the use of reagents, cartridges or toner - just use special paper, which, under the influence of a certain temperature, is painted in the right colors. That is why the image is printed very quickly, and the finished pictures are reliably protected from moisture, fingerprints and almost never lose their attractiveness over time. By the way, the photo paper on the back has an adhesive side, so pictures can easily be attached to the surface of a wall or refrigerator.

Thanks to the large touch screen, photographs can be viewed and even edited using the built-in filters before cropping, cropped, they can even be shared immediately on social networks, and videos can be viewed with sound, since stereo speakers are available. To manage all these functions was as convenient as possible, the manufacturer chose the familiar operating system - Android.

As for the cost of each printed image, it varies from 30 to 50 cents, depending on which photo paper you choose.

• finished pictures - 62 * 46 mm;
• built-in flash;
• powered by 2 AA batteries;
• weight 307 g;
• the price is about 4,700 rubles.

This camera, released at the end of 2013, has replaced the previous generation of instant printing cameras. Her appearance is not very solid, and the device is available in several bright colors. Compared to the older version, this camera has become much lighter, and now it receives power from two rather than four AA batteries. By the way, their charge is enough to use exactly 10 cartridges.

In terms of functionality, this device is significantly inferior to the Polaroid Socialmatic, considered earlier, but also costs several times less. It allows you to create and print snapshots for a long time without understanding the settings and features of the work. The camera itself tells the user which mode to choose due to the automatic exposure metering. The camera does not have the ability to select a variety of filters, but there is a special High-Key mode that gives the pictures a slightly glamorous effect, they become more vivid and interesting.

The camera is very compact and can even fit in a pocket of clothes, and the battery is easy to remove and recharge.

• resolution 10 megapixels;
• 3-inch display
• 4 GB of internal memory, support for memory cards;
• finished pictures - 2 * 3 inches;
• built-in flash;
• the ability to record video format 1280 * 720;
• 580 mAh battery;
• weight 818 g;
• the price is about 13,000 rubles.

In fact, two manufacturers appear on the instant printing market today: the pioneer Polaroid and Fujifilm, a company that once obtained the right to use their patents. They try to release devices for every taste to please all users.

This device is ideal in terms of the ratio of capabilities and price, however, a bit large. It also uses proprietary ZINC printing technology, and it takes about 30 seconds from pressing a key to a finished printed image. The camera provides the ability to use the automatic mode, and access to the settings is very limited, you should only rely on the camera itself to select the appropriate parameters. The only thing you can choose is the type of shooting: landscape or macro.

The quality of the printed photos, of course, is inferior to the pictures printed on modern printers, but also quite good. Here, paper is also used, on the back of which there is an adhesive base protected by a special coating, so if you want, you can turn the photo into stickers. The good news is that the pictures can not only be printed, but also saved to a memory card, and then dumped via USB to a computer, and video can also be taken.

Externally, this camera is more like a professional technique, and he got a lot of functions from it. There is a tripod socket and a focus ring, and they have worked noticeably on ergonomics, and now it’s convenient to hold the camera in your hand. You can turn on the automatic or fill flash, adjust the exposure and even use a macro lens to shoot objects from a distance of 40-50 cm, which, by the way, is included. Of the innovations here is the appearance of an LCD screen, which displays the current settings and the number of remaining frames. And due to the fact that the finished pictures are obtained in large format, you can capture the whole company, create a colorful beautiful landscape, etc.

This unit almost duplicates all the functions of the previous one, but it costs a little less. In appearance, it is no longer so solid, but more reminiscent of soap dishes, originally from the 90s. Nevertheless, the camera is equipped with a lens for creating macro images, there is the possibility of turning on the landscape mode, and four batteries are enough for about 10 cartridges.

Device control is as simple as possible, and all the necessary buttons are placed at the ends. At the same time, it is possible to create a selfie, built-in flash, it is possible to adjust the brightness so that the finished pictures are obtained as high quality as possible.

One of the most compact cameras in the Fujifilm line. The manufacturer decided to create something resembling a camera from the 70s, with leather inserts, a characteristic lens, etc. I must admit that the idea is implemented perfectly, and the device looks more than stylish. The development company considered that such a camera is not suitable for the use of batteries, and equipped it with a thin battery designed to take hundreds of shots. Largely due to the use of the battery, it was possible to achieve such a record compact size.

On the back of the camera there is a small screen where the user is offered information about how many pictures can still be taken and which mode is currently selected. Unlike many similar devices, the choice of different modes here is really impressive: children, landscape, macro and party - all this will allow you to create high-quality bright and clear pictures in any conditions. In addition, you can use double exposure and long exposure, so you can create unique photos, looking at which not everyone can tell about their origin.

Finally

The main defendants in the modern instant printing market have prepared for users not only cameras, but also other interesting devices. So, for example, Polaroid recently presented its mini-printer. PolaroidZip, which prints photos using proprietary technology, but at the same time, the pictures themselves can be taken on a smartphone or tablet, and in a special program to process and print them. Communication is supported via Bluetooth or NFC. Such a printer does not take up much space, but costs about $ 130.

I have about 6 cameras at home, old film ones, for example, Zenith. Modern Sony and Canon 60d. I felt that I was missing something)

And this is "something" Fuji instax 8.Which prints the photos immediately, in place. Say "photos" too loudly). Pictures, here is a sample name. They are not perfect, get ready for it right away. Small size, 62 by 46 mm. With a credit card.

Why exactly 8 model?There are 7s, 25, and so on. It is automatic, unlike 7s, it is only necessary to press a button. + It is more compact. And for other models, older ones have additional functions. There are another 210 models, it is very large, it will not fit into a mini bag .But he also has a bigger photo. Therefore, his price is 3600+, his mini dimensions have done his thing. He is in my collection.

Sold in various colors:Yellow, Blue, Pink, Black, White. + You can order a selfie stick on ebay, covers, etc. But I don’t know how to make a selfie, because its focus is only 60mm. And this is a lot, you only have a nose in the camera will fit.

He has no zoomit has a constant focal length of 60mm to infinity. There is a flash .Photo modeit is installed automatically, but if you wish, you can switch it, the flash is there. There is a Hi K-mode, it makes the image bright, soft.

There is a frame counter at the back.Tk the film cassettes are standard and have 10 photo cards, then the countdown goes from 10 frames, and we see how much is left. In my case, 8.

It works from two finger batteries, it is written that they last for 10 film cassettes, for 100 photos. I probably only made 20 frames.

Laces come to the camera, you can hook it on your hand, it’s so convenient to hold the camera. Yes, and in general it is made of nice plastic with a matte and delicate color.

I’m thinking about buying a case, again on ebee. By the way, you can buy the camera itself and cassettes, cheaper than they sell with us. I also ordered an album for pictures, which I will receive soon and tell you about it.

Also, I do not want to tell you, let it be a surprise to you.How the photo climbs out and how it manifests. Because at first I was scared and thought what was wrong with the camera, but then everything became clear! Tc .. this is a mystery. Who took the first photos, he will understand. Experience the delight yourself.

Minuses,probably only the cost of the film. We have 10 photos worth 450 rubles. But on ebee, you can buy cheaper, and in different frames the film.

In the kit there is an instruction, it is very simple, no one will get confused in it. In Russian + pictures.

If you want to surprise a person, give him this happiness. Perhaps nostalgia. Nothing makes us happy like fond memories.

The once popular instant printing cameras have returned to the Russian market. The production of such devices is engaged in a limited circle of companies - Polaroid and FujiFilm, but their assortment is quite enough to meet the requirements of adherents of instant photography. The models of such devices differ in many parameters, so before buying it is better to study their features and functionality in advance.

Kinds

Digital cameras.The principle of operation of modern cameras differs from the operation of devices common in the twentieth century. Many models are digital cameras with built-in mini-printers that can not only instantly print pictures, but also record videos, edit images before printing, as well as send information via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or transfer materials via a USB cable.



Analog cameras.  Traditional instant print cameras are still available. Pictures created by such devices are not printed, but appear on the white sheets of photo paper for a certain time. Analog devices are in the same price range as digital ones, although some retro models can cost a decent amount.

The principle of operation of instant printing cameras

  Instant printing technology is a process in which a photographic image is formed by automatic development using chemical reagents. At the same time, cameras require periodic replacement of cassettes - cartridges with sheets of photo paper.
Whatever the type of camera, the end result remains the same: the user receives the picture almost immediately after clicking on the capture button. Instant printing devices are common among photo artists, users of social networks, wedding photographers and people who have adopted the tradition of giving snapshots to guests at parties and celebrations.

Camera Specifications

Before considering technical specifications, it’s worthwhile to clearly understand: the quality of photographs taken with this type of camera will not be the same as with photographs taken with classic cameras. There are many reasons: from the unusual location of the viewfinder, due to which the head or top of the torso may not be in the final picture, to the incorrectly calculated focal length. The purpose of such devices is to enjoy the opportunity to capture the current moment and share a tangible photo card with others.

The maximum flash range.This setting gives you an idea of \u200b\u200bthe distance the flash can illuminate to produce a high-quality photograph. As a rule, instant printing cameras are equipped with not very powerful flashes, so the maximum range of many devices does not exceed 2.7 meters.
The size of the photo.  Analog cameras make mostly miniature photographs, the size of which is comparable to the dimensions of a business card: 62x46 mm (the whole photo with white edges has a format of 86x54 mm). Digital cameras print both thumbnails and larger format photographs: from 50x75 mm to 86x108 mm. Devices that print relatively large sizes of images are more expensive than miniature devices.
Focal length.  This characteristic shows at what minimum distance you can get a sharp image. The indicator of 50 mm is taken as a unit, i.e., the distortion of sizes is practically absent. Miniature models of analog devices have a focal length of 60-95 mm, thus approximating the subject. A similar indicator of most digital models is 46 mm and almost does not change the real parameters of people and objects.



Exposure  In instant printing cameras, this parameter is controlled by the time the button is pressed. The lower the shutter speed, the better the result of shooting well-lit or moving objects.
Matrix ResolutionThe quality of photographs directly depends on this parameter. The resolution of the matrix of instant digital cameras varies from 2 to 18 megapixels. The larger this parameter, the higher the price of the device.
Type of food.Instant printing cameras run on batteries or rechargeable batteries. The last charge lasts for 300 or more photos, after which the device must be charged. Many models have a runtime indicator, which avoids the sudden discharge of the device. Battery-powered cameras require the installation of 2 to 4 AA batteries, rated at 100 frames, and are usually cheaper than battery models. The most compact are models with a battery.



Time taken to print the picture.Cameras with different operating principles take pictures for a different period of time. Photos taken with modern analog cameras appear in 2 minutes. In retro-devices, a similar process is much slower. As a rule, the development of black and white images takes about 7 minutes, and color - half an hour. Digital instant cameras are the fastest: they can print a picture in less than a minute.

Cartridges

  Depending on the tasks, you can purchase cartridges with photographic film for printing color or black-and-white photographs of various sizes and quality. Manufacturers produce photographs with a classic white frame around the edges of the picture or a frame with a thematic pattern. One cassette allows you to make from 8 to 20 frames (written on the packaging). The cost of one shot is on average 25-60 rubles.

Additional functions

Some models of instant cameras are equipped with a number of useful functions for the convenience of users. Among them:
• LCD screen  - this part is often equipped with both digital and analog devices, it displays the number of remaining frames, charge level, type of shooting, and other indicators;
• memory card support- allows you to save photos and videos to digital media;
• automatic brightness control- makes pictures better;
• availability of Zoom  - allows you to zoom in on far objects;
• flash presence  - makes it possible to shoot in low light conditions;
• frame counter  - with it, the user can navigate the timing of replacing cartridges;
• video recording  - a function necessary for many modern users;
• the possibility of high-speed shooting  - allows you to catch moments inaccessible to ordinary perception;
• built-in photo editor  - helps to eliminate red eyes and other image defects before printing;
• tripod mount- It is provided, as a rule, in expensive models to ensure high-quality shooting, including group shooting;
• the presence of a mirror for a selfie;
• high-key mode- to increase the brightness of the image, it is especially popular among fans of photographing food.
The more such functions are implemented in the device, the higher will be its cost.

The cost of instant printing cameras

  For the purchase of the simplest instant camera, 4-5 thousand rubles will be enough. They are compact devices weighing about 300 g of a variety of colors with built-in flashes, a focal length of 60 mm and the ability to take photographs of 62x46 mm in size. As a rule, inexpensive devices run on 2-4 batteries and have an indication of frame rate.



Devices for 6-8 thousand rubles. more functional: they can be equipped with retractable lenses, batteries, have several shooting modes and a focal length of 60-95 mm. Some models take oversized photos, and some devices are equipped with displays on which you can see the number of remaining frames, the self-timer and the set shooting mode.
The cost of more functional instant printing cameras ranges from 9 to 20 thousand rubles. Relatively inexpensive models are equipped with 10 megapixel sensors and memory card slots. In expensive devices, there are touch displays, built-in memory, the ability to record video and edit photos, as well as data transfer via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or GPS.
If you want to instantly print your photos, but do not want to put up with the image quality of traditional instant cameras, pay attention to