A World of it's own...

While waiting for the bewitching hour (aka... time to go home), I decided to fire off a couple of quick shots with the Mint SLR670 (aka... Polaroid SX70) versus the hybrid Fujifilm Mini Evo

Let me know which one you prefer - Mint/Polaroid OR Fuji?

 

Polaroid on Polaroid / Fuji

 i2 shot - f/8 - 1/15s - Flash

Fujifilm Instax Mini EVO - 1 stop

Beyond the very limited dynamic range of the films, I am starting to agree that the Polaroid formula at present does seem to have a bit more range in terms of detail and has a bit of that Kodacolor feel.... although their Black and White formula is close to $2 a shot, it might be worth a try.

The big downer with Polaroid is having to shield the film from light so you miss out on the magic of it appear before your eyes and that it takes a long time for the image to appear and will take at least a day before you get something of a finished work.

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The Fuji formula is vibrant, contrasty, bright and clear.  The big plus for Fuji is the fact that the integral film magic is there.  Take the shot, sit the print down and watch it develop.  You have a good enough image within a few short minutes.  The finished product also takes hours but you have an image to view and enjoy a lot faster than the Polaroid.

Hybrid world and Contrast...

 

Paper and Fountain Pen and Instant Film VERSUS Digital Image and Smartphone

Baby Polaroid...

 The Extreme -Polaroid  i2 and the GO-2

SX70 Soul...

 The image above doesn't do justice to the final result.  The Polaroid app doesn't have the ability to remove reflected light - oh well.

There is just something about using this 50 year old design of a camera that still turn heads and no one has been able to replicate.

The opening of the camera and even the look of the camera is something of a wonder even today.  The ability to focus to 7" and with the Mint Time Machine - help tell the camera what you want.

Loving it.

Finding treasure???

 Expired in 1984.  I doubt the 41 year old packs of Type 107 Polaroid film is any good.  I may open one to give it a try.  Sadly it now has to go into the display cabinet for history sake.

To Hybrid or Not to Hybrid...

Here's my thoughts....
                                                    

So there's a debate among Instant Photography folks about the hybrid cameras from Fujifilm.

Some feel that it's not genuine because the image is captured digitally and then printed onto instant film just like the Instax Link printers.

Because the image isn't captured onto film straight from the lens, it's no longer an instant shot.

The advantage of the hybrid is that you can apply effects and do things that our loved analog instant cameras either have a really hard time or can't do.  The hybrid (EVO's) can get really close.  About 4" away.  The i2 can get only 27" close to a subject and you have to fight the parallax issue with the viewfinder to compose the shot.

The SX70 natively can get about 7" away and with the close up filter about 4" - damn.

With my TLR - Mint TL70+ with close up filter - about 7"

The Rangefinder - Mint RF70 - only 3'

Advantage EVO.

THE INSTANT THANG...

Among photographers these phrases, "the best camera is the one on you", "get close", "f8 and be there" and what Dr. Edwin Land said decades ago.... "it will be become part of the human being, press the button and have the picture"

At present, I work with a bunch of great people from all walks of life.  So while I was in our breakroom, one of my peers loves unique bags.  So she had this one on the table...

I thought.... so cool and took the EVO out and snaped the photo.

Several "tick boxes" have been checked...

1.  The EVO is light and small so I had it on me.

2.  It is a point and shoot so there was nothing to set up

3.  I was able to take the picture and print it and gave it to her.

The Magic of Polaroid has been several things.

1.  You get a 1:1 copy (which the EVO falls short being a digital image, so it can be edited)

2.  You have a physical copy to share or keep.  It is this physical copy that makes it special - it reminds you each time to touch the print of the time you took the shot.  The print what there when the image was taken.  (EVO falls short because you can print it later - but that too is an advantage since instant film hates extreme temperatures - thus, print it later)

3.  Seeing it appear - still super cool.

4.  The smiles and instant gift - can't be beat.

So yes, if I am being 100% analog, this EVO is not it.  However, if I am being an instant shooter and need something that an analog instant camera can't do OR this EVO is on me.... it wins.

The big win is this..... it's FUN!