Fujifilm Instax 99

 

Now that the Polaroid i2 is on it's way to a new home, it was time to fill a void.

As of now, this is Fujifilm's best analog Instax on the market - Mini99.

Compared shots with the EVO Mini which is a hybrid instant camera.

The 99 has a bit more warmth and depth to the photos.  The EVO shots do appear digital (clear and sharp).

Also took a photo with the Mint TL70 - had to attach an ND4 filter (2 stops) and stop down the lens to f/22.  Warm, excellent colors but heavy vingettng.

Each Instax mini has it's own pluses and minuses.

EVO - Digital capture = digital file.  Print when you want.  Looses that INSTANT vibe in terms of the image being a 1:1.

99 = Analog with some effects available.  Good performance.  Don't need filters to shoot bright outdoors.

TL70 = When you want to get serious.  Only wished there was a fully manual TL70 like it's big brother the TL70+

iTried.... iReally tried.... Polaroid i2...

 Well, the journey with the Polaroid i2 has come to an end.

It is on it's way to a new home in Massachusetts.  Sorta fits since Polaroid was based in Cambridge, Mass.

The limitations of it being a non-SLR, the lidar auto focus and the difficulty in just getting to do as I want, even with all the manual controls built in, I finally have said ENOUGH.

The Polaroid SX70s are still an engineering marvel and they are over 40 years old.  I am getting far superior results and the cool factor and immersive feeling from it makes me WANT to shoot it.

I got what I feel was a fair amount (since I use to dabble in the photo retail world for a few years).

In a way I was hoping this new generation of Polaroid and their flagship camera would have delivered the goods. 

It just came up a bit short.  

Starting to understand...

 I've never been the "sharpest tool in the tool shed" person.

I was trapped in that quest of the sharpest, most technically correct photograph with colors or shades that tell a story.

The quest ended up spending tons of money on gear over the years.  I had some of the very best that are out there but like a former photojournalist once told me.... "I've seen a lot of Leica images that frankly are crap".

Believe me I have had my share of crap from gear that is indeed perhaps some of the very best.

Another friend who worked at a camera store told me.... "don't ask what camera or lens, did you like the photo".  He was trying to educate me to go beyond this gear = photo quality.

Well it took me a long time.  I took the advice.  Looked at works.  Looked at paintings.  Look at art. Great works from the greats to those taken by enthusiasts who are accomplished.

I finally understood the importance of imperfection.  

AI is moving in a frightening pace.  In terms of images, it's getting so good, it's hard to know what's real anymore.

I was on a Flickr site devoted to SX70 images.  The rules for this group is that only photos taken with that specific series of Polaroid cameras are to be posted.  However a lot of posers.  You can tell because there is a look to a Polaroid and some of those images are just too perfect or are far beyond the scope of the old and current Polaroid films.

I digress....

The need for analog.  The need for the truth (in light of all the crap in our country right now).

I am still drawn to instant photography because it is TRUE.  Not manipulated.  Cannot be altered.  It's an artifact of that slice of time.

EMBRACE IMPERFECTION.  EMBRACE THE ART.  EMBRACE THE STORY.  EMBRACE THE FLAWS for all this is.... HUMAN.

Analog...

 

Cross the line...