Fujifilm Instax – It’s like crack for camera users! Part II

In my previous post about Fujifilm Instax I mentioned how to obtain the best results from this format.

If you want to control Exposure/focus and aim to get more keepers then the only way (at present) is the Hybrid method of transferring digitally via wifi to a Instax printer.

Sacrilegious I know for those Instant film purists but stay with me…

I’ve been using the Instax Share SP2 and when using a compatible Fuji camera you can print nice little photos with a couple of clicks.

My main reason for buying a SP2 is that its small,compact and quick to print off a photo for someone whenever i’m out street shooting…which is an excellent ice breaker.

I currently use a (vastly underrated) Fuji X30 along with the SP2.

I have also had a test with a X100T which does a great job.

You have to sync your camera to the printer but once done you then can take your shot and go into playback menu..

connect…

 and print!

As you can see it prints off a pretty accurate copy of your photo

Now I know its technically not instant and the original photo is digital but the printing process is still chemically based (the printer hits light to the paper and it rolls the chemical out when dispensing)  so the end result looks filmic even if the source is digital.

I enjoy using it a lot and also use the Fujifilm Share App to transfer my film scans and other digital photos with nice results. Using the App is a much slower process however.

So a great alternative for using Instax film.

I wish Fuji would make a printer version for Instax Wide but then I guess the printer would have to be large to accommodate this.

So to sum up.

Pro’s

Full control of your image and less chance of wasting film.

Lovely Fuji colours!

Con’s

Not Instant in the purist sense!

If you want genuine instant film experience then embrace the unpredictability and surprise when you take that shot.

Get a cheap Instax camera.

If you want full control of your Instax prints then get an Instax Share.

Or do both like I do! 🙂

One more thing…

Fujifilm SQ10

There is a new kid on the  block called the SQ10 which shoots digitally and prints out using the new square format.

Initially I was interested in this camera (especially for my daughter) but then looking into the reviews there seems to be a few issues with focus and exposure.  It had potential in that you can control your image better and see what your shooting (via LCD) but the results looks mixed.

I also like it can be used for left handed people!

In the end its overpriced for a camera which is effectively a mobile phone camera with a printer strapped the back.

Time will tell if the hybrid camera will be as popular as Fuji’s past Instant cameras.

“A regretful sale” NIKON V1

Much to my wife’s annoyance I have gone through a lot of cameras over the years and even though I have slowed down somewhat (partly due to Brexit & the ludicrous increase in prices of camera gear in the UK) there are some cameras that I have fondly owned and sold that I kind of regret selling…so begins a section entitled “A regretful sale”

So onto the NIKON V1…

This camera has had a lot of negativity in the photographic community. I think this boils down to a combination of the silly prices they were at launch and the 1″ sensor (which has become quite accepted now thanks to the Sony RX series) many also dismissed the 1 system without actually physically giving it a try.

I never any have these issues as I bought one when they were “out of date” and under £100 and the “small” 1″ sensor wasn’t that far off from micro four thirds cameras I had been using before.

Sure the camera can deliver a noisy image 800 iso onwards but the noise is more like film grain than blotchy and can be aesthetically nice especially for B&W photography.

I actually loved the 10.5 megapixels images it produced. Sharp and nice small manageable RAW files with decent enough dynamic range to play with.

10.5 megapixels seemed pathetic to many during the megapixel wars that was being fought at the V1’s release.

It was bold for Nikon to go against the trend. For me a high megapixel count is only useful for cropping and printing photos in billboard size. More megapixels really does not automatically mean better image.

I feel Nikon wanted to replicate a more film look with their 1″ sensor and comes with the limitations that film has. Sadly dismissed in this spoiled digital age.

Self portrait with the V1

Something I like a lot about the camera is its SOLID…im clueless if they were weather proofed but I felt confident using the V1 in all kinds of conditions.

The AF on these are fast and the cameras have very large buffers for burst shooting. Great for sports!

The SB N5 is a neat little flash and bounce works well.

The V1 (and its siblings) are superb for street photography as they can be used completely silent thanks to their electronic shutter…something that is quite common now in mirrorless cameras..but the V1 was one of the first. The black model is also quite unassuming so it doesn’t draw attention to itself.

I’m in a minority but I actually liked the ergonomics of the camera..kind of a future/retro simplistic look.

Battery life is very very good indeed and comes with a nice high capacity battery which unfortunately Nikon decided to ditch for a weaker one in the later models.

Here’s some examples taken with the V1

Sadly it looks like the NIKON 1 system is going to die out as Nikon seems to be abandoning it. A shame but as long as there are them around they can be used to capture great images.

Why did I sell?

Mostly down to being drawn towards the Fuji x100 series and needing the money to buy one…which ironically I also sold (and regret)…but thats another story 🙂