Back in the nineties the instant camera became a real godsend for street photographers thanks to the ability to make a picture printed on paper, but the quality of photos left much to be desired. But the technology does not stand still, and modern photo cameras are very different from the first models.
How does the snapshot camera work?
For many it may seem like a real miracle - from the click of a shutter to a picture on paper, only a half to two minutes. Everyone who wants to purchase an instant-printing camera, it is important to know how it works, to use it confidently. Let's consider in detail the principle of fast receipt of photographs on paper.
Photographic image on paper is obtained by automatic manifestation of the built-in reagents. Before the advent of digital technology, instant photography was the only way to quickly see the image without special laboratory conditions. The photosensitive surface in this camera acts both as a film and as photographic paper.
The photographic material for the device consists of several important layers - protective, sensitive and developer layer. After pressing the shutter release button, the photo paper is exposed, then passes through a roller mechanism in which an alkaline solution enters it, thereby initiating the development process. Completely manifested photo already in the light.
Instant camera - the pros and cons
Like any other technique, a quick-print camera has important advantages and disadvantages. The pluses include the following:
- The finished image is obtained after a few seconds after the shutter is released without using a computer and photo printer .
- Each picture is unique, it can not be copied, for many, this is their special value.
- The weight of such cameras is small, not more than 500 g.
Considering this type of photographic equipment, it is worth remembering about what important drawbacks has an instant photo camera.
- The quality of fast shots is very far from professional photography.
- You can not change the picture, every click of the shutter - one photo.
- Expensiveness in use. Each cassette is designed for 8-10 pictures, and it is not cheap.
In general, with these pluses and minuses, modern cameras with instant printing function are very widely used by street photographers, in medicine, science, and court practice, where high quality of images does not play a big role, but the urgency of obtaining photos on paper is extremely important.
How to choose an instant photo camera?
Choosing an instant camera, it is very difficult to determine which is better. You need to focus on your personal preferences, and also take into account the purposes for which it will be used. Today in the market are two big companies producing high-quality fast-printing cameras - this is Fujifilm and Polaroid.
Camera with Instant Print Polaroid
Polaroid - this is the first company that began to produce such a photographic technique back in 1937. The first camera of instant printing was black and white, there was a light sepia on the pictures. Now it is still believed that the best instant photo camera is Polaroid, and modern models are very different from those released in the last century.
Let's consider in detail the most popular models of cameras with instant printing Polaroid.
- Polaroid 636 Closeup. This is the most famous instant photo camera, the main advantage of which is a complete lack of battery - the cassette itself contains a battery. The camera has already been removed from production, but is actively used.
- Polaroid Socialmatic. This camera like no other is adapted for modern life with virtual communication. When you press the shutter button, you get the image on paper, and when you press the button on the other side, the photo is uploaded to the social network.
- Polaroid SX-70. It has not been produced since 1977, but thanks to the possibility of folding and a reliable chrome casing does not lose its popularity. Retro tones give the pictures a special romance.
- Polaroid Z340. A modern digital camera with the function of instant printing, the time of printing a picture is 45 seconds. The camera is equipped with a variety of settings, filters, image framing effects. The photos are very bright and saturated. The size of the image is 7.6 x 10.2 cm.
- Polaroid Z2300. From the previous model differs only in the type of film used and the size of the image - 5.4 x 7.6 cm.
Fujifilm Imaging Camera
This company began to produce fast-printing cameras much later, and in reliability they are inferior to the famous Polaroid, but Fujifilm wins by producing more modern models of instant-printing cameras.
- Fujifilm Instax Mini 50S. Easy to use, convenient, compact and affordable camera, the quality of the pictures which you will pleasantly enjoy.
- Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic. A model for lovers of strict classical design. The expanded number of photo modes opens more opportunities for the photographer - more exposure, the possibility of adjusting the exposure and much more.
- Fujifilm Instax Wide 300. This camera creates the largest in size pictures - their size is 108x86 mm.
- Fujifilm Instax Mini 50S. According to many, this is the best instant photo camera. The camera is compact, convenient and has a small weight. Several shooting modes offer many possibilities, the huge advantage is the built-in macro mode.
What do you need for an instant camera?
For photography, the camera quickly mourns the device itself, of course, is not enough, it is necessary to acquire also the so-called consumables, which allow you to get fast and high-quality pictures and learn how to choose them correctly. After all, each snapshot camera can only work with certain types of cartridges.
Cartridges for instant camera
In order to use the camera with instant printing of photos, you need a cartridge. What is it, and why is it needed? The cartridge or cassette is selected for each individual model of Fujifilm or Polaroid, they all differ in type and size, there are no universal cassettes and can not be.
You should know that Polaroid company stopped producing cartridges as early as in 2008, and for these cameras the companies produced tapes by The Impossible Project. These cassettes are very different from those produced in the 90's and the emulsion, and the chemical formula, and the number of images. So, the majority of modern cartridges for the camera of instant printing are designed for 8 pictures, less often for 10 frames.
Photographic paper for instant camera
As it became clear, it is not necessary to purchase separate materials for shooting with such a camera. Photographic paper, it is also a film for an instant camera, built into the cassette. The film itself consists of fourteen layers - photosensitive, developing and protecting. For some models, you can use photo paper with an adhesive back side, which makes it easy to paste pictures into an album, on a stand or on a wall.
Buying a camera with an instant photo print, be prepared for the fact that with frequent shooting, buying a special paper requires considerable financial expenses. This is important to consider when choosing a camera model - different paper is used for different devices, and the prices for it are also very different.
How to use the camera?
With the apparent complexity of the design, the camera with automatic printing is very easy to use. To start shooting, insert the cartridge into a special compartment. In no case can you open the cartridge, touch the film with your hands and especially its crumple or bend - this is fraught with not only spoiled pictures, but also a breakdown of the camera.
Next, we use a video detector for shooting, choose the shooting distance, learn how to photograph is not difficult. In some models, there is the possibility of zooming, in most cases the focal length is fixed. Then select the shooting mode, adjust the settings, if possible for this model, and then press the shutter button.
After that, a picture appears on the paper from the special compartment. In the first seconds the sheet will be clean, it will fully manifest itself in your hands. You can take a photo only for the white upper strip, you can not put a picture, bend it, shake it. If all the steps are correct, after a few seconds you will get a beautiful instant photo.