Instax Wide Evo vs. Printing

 Decided to do some photo geek stuff today.

Took a photo using the Instax Wide Evo.  The photo is obviously from the Instax and above it is the printed digital file that the Instax Wide Evo used to create the instant photo.

It actually isn't too bad of a digital file and was able to quickly print it on the new Epson since it has a built in SD card slot (also a bunch of wireless ways of getting images to the printer via phone or any other device).

Just to compare, I also printed an image taken from the Fujifilm X100V (f2, 1/125s, ISO3200).

As expected, the Fuji did a far better job.

So what did all this prove?

The dreaded costs.... 

The Instax Wide (3 15/16" x 2 7/16") shot was about $1.10 (pre tariff).

The printed images using the Epson ET8550 (EcoTank) 4x6 was about $0.12

FYI - If printed on the portable photo dye-sub Canon Selphy 1300, cost about $0.57

The Fujifilm Instax Evo Wide is a good alternative for those wanting to have the ability to make an instant print on the go and yet still have the ability to re-print OR to have a digital file that is actually usable to play with later.

The big advantage is the fun factor - seeing it develop, having something tangible (if printed right away) that is now an actual artifact of a physical image taken at that time and that place.  This is something really important that only Instant film photography can give.

The Epson.  Quality, Costs, abilities.... cannot be equaled.

The really good thing about this printer is using a tank versus cartridges and the ability to print the image without having to use an editing software if the desire is a print ASAP.

Will this stop me from shooting Instant?  

NO WAY.

Instant film is indeed still the only TRUE photographic capture of a moment in time.

Granted, in this example I shot using a hybrid camera, but if done right this too can fall into the "one of a kind" photo that is more special than ANY film print OR Digital file.

Just thankful that Fujifilm and Polaroid exists and have even started to gain more traction with younger photographers discovering the medium.

This alone is a good thing ! 

POLAROID B&W and a STUFFED DONKEY?

 NO idea what the story is with this store's display.  One thing for certain is that I do like Polaroid's Black and White versus the Instax Monochrome.

SIMPLE. JUST SIMPLE...

 With all the insanity going on in the world.  Illogic and chaos ruling the day.  Getting ready to turn another chapter in life's journey.... a nice hot cup of cappuccino seems just right.

(Instax Wide Evo - Normal+Vignette)

DAMN TARIFFS...

 

So in the world of Fujifilm Instax you have three sizes - Wide, Square and Mini

Factoid.... Fujifilm makes the most money on INSTAX film.  Specifically, the Mini format.

Reason for that is that Mini generally sells for about $0.90 a shot
Square sells for about the same at $0.90 to $1.00 a shot.
Wide - being the largest format sells for about $1.70-$1.90 a shot.

WELL THROW ALL THAT OUT THE WINDOW.

It is obvious that the USA supply for Instax has been replenished.

Thanks to "Orange Face", "TACO" or whatever name you have for him...

Instax Square went from an average of $0.90 a shot to $1.20 (25% increase)
Instax Mini went from an average of $0.90 to now a whopping $1.38 a shot (40% increase)

Why the Mini format went up so much?  Can only speculate that being the most popular and supply must have been fully exhausted, the price reflects the full tariff in effect.

The Square format most likely still have some inventory in the USA left and Fuji is adjusting the price now so that when the supply is exhausted, the sticker shock won't be as bad at 1st.  It will probably sell at the same price as the Mini format.

BIG SURPRISE HERE - INSTAX WIDE WENT DOWN !!!

Film has an expiration date and Fujifilm Instax Wide has not been as popular.  Existing inventory must still be large and starting to age - thus the discounted price.

Also the new Instax Evo Wide camera has been just a moderate success.

Chances are that when the film supply of Instax Wide is replenished, the price will be over $2 a shot.
Which is close to what the Polaroid film is currently selling for.

BTW - Polaroid B&W film has gone up as well from about $1.80 a shot to now $1.95 (8% increase)

POLAROID B&W

 Photographers appreciate the fact that what was the Impossible Project saved the remaining Polaroid plant in the Netherlands.  It's taken what is now called once again Polaroid to continue to try to improve the invention from Dr.Land and all the great folks in Massachusetts created.

The current batch of Polaroid color film is at least somewhat stable in terms of what you get and the colors.  Still NO leave it and watch it develop before your eyes, TOO sensitive to temperature, INCONSISTENT with the results.

However, there is one film stock from Polaroid that I feel is more than acceptable is by far way better than Fujifilm Instax Monochrome. 

It is the Polaroid Black and White film. 
Images start to appear after about 15 seconds and the quality of the photo is really good.  Dynamic range is acceptable.

I can't wait for Polaroid to come out with an improved Color and Black and White film.

For my photo peeps.... keep buying the film and keep them alive !!!! 

Wide Evo vs RF70

 

The top photo using the Wide Evo with a good dose of vignetting.

The bottom photo using the RF.

Used the vignette feature on the Wide Evo because the Fuji hybrid will make everything in focus so the intent of the vignette is to do some sort of subject isolation.

The Mint RF70 used f16 at 1/500s.
Although f/16, keep in mind that it is shooting on a very wide surface so essentially f/16 is more like f4 on 35mm.

I like the fact that I can isolate the subject better with the RF (there is some control over depth of field).

Still loving the instant stuff.  There's challenge and forces me to think that a digital camera just doesn't replicate as well.  Bluntly the film is limited and the challenge to get what I want is something I have to work at - love it, lotta fun!!!

The meter used on the RF is one of those Keks mini meters (thanks FIRESIDE CAMERA for having the meter in stock).

TAIL...

 Still vastly improved over their initial Polaroid film, they still have a long long way to go to get to the point where the original Polaroid Corporation was able to produce.

The SX70 or in this case the reworked and refurbished Mint SLR670 i-Type Ming Edition (whew) still is king.  The i2 that Polaroid makes is great for the ability to use LIDAR to focus and is fully manual when you want it, the feel of the SX70 and being an SLR and can focus down to 7" is still amazing.