Instant Photography for Beginners, Part II: All About the Cameras

There are many types of instant cameras on the market, and the most important thing to know is how to identify what kind of camera you are buying so that you know what features it sports and what kind of film it takes. For this post, I will be discussing Polaroid and Instax models, since they are the most popular and beginner-friendly.

Polaroid:

There are several types of Polaroid cameras you can choose from, and they all come at different price ranges and have their pros and cons when drawing comparisons between models. It is worth noting here that I will not be discussing Polaroid’s cameras that took roll film or pack film, nor will I be discussing the Spectra, since film is no longer in production for these cameras.

SX-70:

Polaroid produced SX-70 model cameras from 1972-1981. Artists such as Ansel Adams, Helmut Newton, Andy Warhol, and David Hockney created photographs with SX-70 models, and the camera maintains a certain degree of popularity among Polaroid artists today.

The most important thing to note about SX-70 models is that there are two main types, and they come at very different price-points: there is the original SX-70, and there is the Land Camera 1000, known stateside as the OneStep (not to be confused with later OneStep models, which I will discuss momentarily).

The original SX-70 is unique amongst all other Polaroid cameras because it folds down into a compact square, making it easy to carry and to store. All original SX-70 models come with manual exposure compensation and focusing knobs, though it is worth noting that later models include a split-image rangefinder prism so that the user can more easily get their subject into focus. These cameras are, barring collector’s editions of other types, the most expensive Polaroid cameras one the market, due to their more complex design.

The SX-70 OneStep models, which is where the ever-popular white-with-rainbow-stripes design originated, were created in response to the public’s complaints that the original SX-70 cameras were too expensive for the everyday consumer to purchase. With a release price of $40 US in 1977 (which is the equivalent of roughly $170 US today), The OneStep was the best-selling camera model of the ‘77 Christmas season. These cameras are significantly less expensive to purchase than original SX-70 models.

There is one more model of the SX-70 that makes a great segway into the next type of Polaroid we will be discussing, because it is something of a hybrid model — the Polaroid SLR 680/690. This model is the most expensive, clocking in around $700, and is popular mostly among professional photographers due to its more advanced features.

600:

The 600-model Polaroids are easily my favorite, and most of the Polaroid photographs you see floating around Instagram are created with 600-type cameras. 600-model Polaroid cameras, while having the same basic features, have the most variation when it comes to colors and designs. Being less expensive and more readily available than SX-70 models, I would argue that 600s are the most popular Polaroid cameras on the market. I myself have two 600-model cameras — one from the 80’s and one from the 90’s — and, speaking from experience, I think that Polaroid 600s are the best Polaroid cameras for a beginner who is interested in a true-vintage experience without a high price tag. All 600-type cameras have a slide bar that you use to control the exposure — for example, if it is sunny and you want lower exposure, you will slide the bar toward the white arrow to the left, and, if it is darker and you want to increase the exposure, you would slide the bar toward the black arrow to the right.

There are many 600-type cameras to choose from (to save time, here is a list that breaks down different 600 models and their individual features), but there are some basic features shared by many of the models that are important to look for when choosing your camera. One such thing to note is whether or not the model you are looking at has built-in Autofocus; Polaroid has made this easy, since they will put “AUTOFOCUS” on the body of the camera if it has this feature. Another point to note is that some cameras are Close-Up models, which means that there is a close-up lens that you can slide over the normal lens when you are closer than 4 feet from your subject. I think it is worth stating that I have found the close-up lens on my close-up model to be largely useless, but it creates a cool blurring effect and is fun to play with nonetheless.

Most cameras will have an electronic flash that fires automatically, but you will find a few models without this feature: The Amigo, Quick 610, the Spirit, and OneStep/Pronto 600, which have the option to install a flashbar, and the One600, which gives you the option to control whether or not the flash bar fires and also gives the option for red-eye reduction if you are taking a flash portrait.

i-Type:

The i-Type is the most recent release from Polaroid, and it is unique to all other Polaroid models in that the camera has the battery built into it instead of the film. It is extremely important to note that, while you CAN use 600 film in an i-Type camera, you CANNOT use i-Type film in a 600 camera due to the lack of a battery within the i-Type film (I will go into more detail on this topic in my next discussion, which will be about the film). i-Types are, in my opinion, a great option for beginners, especially if you don’t care too much about an authentic vintage experience and are just here to make cool instant pictures without the added price that comes with using vintage cameras. These cameras are the least expensive (non-thrifted) ones you can buy, and the film for these is also less expensive because you aren’t having to pay for the inclusion of the battery. All of these things combined make them the ideal choice for most beginners.

There are a few different i-Types you can choose from, and each one comes with its own unique features. The OneStep2, clocking in at $90, is a fantastic option because it is easy to use and easy to find; I have seen this camera for sale at Target, Barnes & Noble, and Office Depot, and it is available from a variety of other websites in a variety of color ways. There is even a special-edition Stranger Things version of this camera that is available for $100. This camera is styled like the original SX-70 OneStep, but is even easier to use; it is a simple point-and-shoot model with a flash button to turn the flash on or off, and the camera has a built-in rechargeable battery that you charge via USB.

The OneStep+ takes the idea of the OneStep2 even further by adding Bluetooth connectivity to the camera, which, when connected with the Polaroid Originals app, gives extra control options such as manual, double-exposure, and timed photo modes, among others. This camera will run you around $140, is a great option for photographers looking to add some modern touches to their instant photography experience, or for more advanced photographers looking for additional features.

The Polaroid Now, which costs $100, is a lot like the OneStep 2, but it has a few additional features, such as a 2-lens autofocus system (the camera decides which lens to use to give you the sharpest image), a double-exposure mode, and a self-timer.

Another camera you may find floating around and that is worth mentioning is the Impossible Project I-!, which was released in 2016 and was Impossible Project’s (now Polaroid’s) first venture into creating a new instant camera. This camera is relatively cool in that it can function as a point-and-shoot camera, but it has an app (that is still available for download) that you can connect it to to unlock additional features that are much the same as those of the OneStep+. This camera has a unique flash ring, an autofocus lens, and a detachable viewfinder. This camera is a rare find and can be pretty expensive (one site has one for sale for $280), and, other than the flash ring, is a lot like the OneStep+; I thought it was worth mentioning in case you come across one, but I would not recommend that a beginner spend the money on this camera.

Fujifilm Instax:

Instax cameras are newer to the market than Polaroid cameras, but this does not mean that they don’t have a place within the instant market. My first instant camera, as I mentioned in Part I, was an Instax Mini 8, and I still use it to create photographs to this day (though I must admit that these photographs are Instagram-exclusives and are not part of my professional portfolio — maybe one day, though).

There are three main types of Instax cameras to talk about, and all of them come at reasonable price-points, especially if you are comparing them to Polaroid-brand cameras.

Mini:

We have ALL seen photographs created with the Instax Mini. These cameras hit peak popularity with the 2012 Instax Mni 8, and have gained quite a following with younger photographers who want in on the instant trend. Instax Mini photographs are recognizable by their credit-card shape and size.

You can pick up a new Instax Mini 11 for $70 (though they are currently on sale at most locations for $60) at Best Buy, Urban Outfitters, Target, Amazon, etc., and the film generally runs around $10 for a pack of 10 photos, making it the least expensive instant photography option (you can pick up older models for less than this on Amazon and other sites, if you choose). These cameras also come in a variety of colors and are exceptionally easy to use, making them a great option for kids and adults alike who want a fun way to capture instant images. These cameras have a couple of basic functions; there is an on-camera flash that cannot be turned on-and-off, and an exposure ring around the lens that has an indicator light, which indicates what the camera believes to be the best exposure setting based on your environment, and a selfie mirror and a button which triggers the camera’s selfie mode (this is available on the Mini 9 & 11). The Mini 11 also comes with what Fujifilm describes as a “high-performance flash,” which is supposed to take care of the problem that previous models had with blacked-out backgrounds due to the flash not being bright enough to light up the whole scene. I have not used an 11 for myself, so I cannot attest to how much better the flash really is, but it is worth noting that it has been updated, if you have seen images from older cameras and been unimpressed by the blacked-out backgrounds. The Instax Mini 11 uses 2 AA batteries (older versions use 4), which can be a downside if you do not prefer them.

The Mini 90 Neo Classic runs somewhere between $113-$130 depending on who you are purchasing the camera from, and it is a great option for people who are looking to upgrade from the traditional Mini or for those who already have a knowledge of photography and want to play around with small-format instant photos. It includes bulb, macro, and double-exposure modes, in addition to a couple of other niche modes, as well as a “high-performance flash” (again, I can’t attest to how well this actually works) and 4 brightness modes: normal, bright, brighter, and dark. Lastly, the Neo Classic has a tripod socket, which comes in handy when using the bulb or double-exposure modes. This camera comes with a rechargeable battery.

The last Mini model I am going to discuss is the Instax Mini LiPlay, which goes for $160 (currently on sale for $150) and is essentially a digital point-and-shoot that prints the images on Mini film. This camera is unique in that it has a micro-SD card slot and can be synced up to your phone via Bluetooth so that you can print images from your phone or use your phone as a remote trigger for the camera. This camera also has a sound mode that can be used to record your voice; the sound waves are then converted into a QR code and printed on the image, which can then be scanned by you or your friends to hear the recording. This camera is, in my opinion, more gimmicky than the other options on this list, but I figured I would include it because it does seem like a fun camera if you just want a modern digital camera that will print on Mini film.

Wide:

The Wide model is to Fujifilm what the Spectra model is to Polaroid — the film is wide-format (Fujifilm states that the wide film is twice as wide as their Mini film), which makes it the perfect option for landscape work or for group photos. The Instax Wide 300, the only Wide model available for purchase, goes for around $90, and film for $20 for a double-pack, making it a relatively affordable option. This camera is also exceptionally easy to use; there are two focus options, 90cm-3m and 3m-infinity, a flash-control button which enables you to turn the flash on or off (note that the flash will always fire if the camera senses the lighting is too low, and there is no way to disable this), and an exposure-control button that allows you to toggle between light, normal, and dark modes. This is a great option for photographers who either want a wide-format photo experience or for those who are looking for an alternative to the Polaroid Spectra. This camera takes four AA batteries.

Square:

Lastly in the Instax lineup, we have the Square models. The photos created with these cameras, of course, mimic the look of the classic square-format Polaroid, and there are two options you have when picking a Square model camera.

The SQ6, which can be purchased for $100, has controls that are similar to that of other Instax models we have already discussed, including a selfie mirror and mode, macro, double-exposure, and dark, normal, and light modes, as well as a landscape mode that is meant to help capture subjects that are further away. This camera takes two CR2/DL CR2 lithium batteries.

The SQ20, which is for sale at $200, is described by Fujifilm as a hybrid instant camera and has all of the same features as the SQ6, as well as several additional image modes, such as split-image and collage modes, as well as the option to add in-camera filters to your images before you print them. In addition, this camera has a 4x zoom lens (this is the only Instax camera to have this feature) and a Frame Grab feature that allows you to take a 15-second video, then choose which frame of the video you want to print. All of these features are accessible through a monitor on the back of the camera, which also allows you to perfectly frame your image, and this camera has a micro-SD slot for image storage. Lastly, this camera comes with a rechargeable battery. While I think this camera is fairly gimicky, I believe it would be a fun camera to play around with, and is great for someone who wants something modern that prints a square-format image.

Lomography:

Although I will not be going into a deep discussion about these cameras today due to their more niche and advanced nature, I did want to quickly touch on Lomography’s instant camera models, which you may see floating around while you are on your search for an instant camera.

All of Lomography’s instant cameras take Instax film, which is a major plus for instant photographers who already shoot a lot of Instax, and, not only do they have a lot of cool designs to choose from, but they have unique features, such as add-on lenses and filters, that make them stand out from the traditional Polaroid and Fujifilm offerings. These cameras are perfect for artists who are looking to get more creative with their instant photography, but, if you are a beginner and you want to dive into the deep-end, these are great cameras to get creative with.

If you are interested in checking these cameras out, here is a link to Lomography’s instant camera webpage, where you can research and purchase cameras from their range.

Conclusion:

I hope you enjoyed this long-ish post about the different instant cameras that are available for you to purchase. I know I left out a few models, and, if there is anything you would like to discuss one-on-one, you may comment down below or contact me using the “contact” link at the top of this page. If I got anything here wrong and you notice, don’t hesitate to reach out about that as well, as it is possible that, with this much information to research and condense into one post, I may have missed out on something in editing.

I would like to point out that I pulled the information about the various cameras from product descriptions on both Polaroid and Fujifilm’s product pages, as well as tidbits about the brands and cameras from good ol’ Wikipedia, as long as their sources were cited. I also included links to the images I used, but did not post links to purchase the cameras pictured, in an effort to encourage you to research and choose the cameras on your own.

Lastly, my next post in this series will be much shorter, as I will be discussing the different types of film that go to the cameras I discussed today. That post will not be nearly as involved as this one, and therefore should also come out much sooner than this one did.

Again, I hope you enjoyed today’s post, and I will see you next time!