Instax
{{Short description|Brand of instant still cameras and films and Smartphone Printers}}
{{Infobox photographic film
|name = Instax
|code =
|image = Instax.svg
|caption = Instax logo
|maker = Fujifilm
|speed = 800/30°
|push =
|type = i
|balance = d
|process =
|format = Mini, Wide, Square
|grain =
|latitude =
|saturation =
|app =
|start = {{Start date and age|1998|11|10}}
|stop =
|replace =
}}
{{Infobox photographic film
|name = Instax Monochrome
|code =
|image =
|caption =
|maker = Fujifilm
|speed =
|push =
|type = i
|balance =
|bw = y
|process =
|format = Mini and Wide
|grain =
|latitude =
|saturation =
|app =
|start = 2016 (Mini) and 2017 (Wide)
|stop =
|replace =
}}
{{Infobox camera
| camera_name =
| image = Fuji instax Wide 300.jpg
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| caption = Fujifilm instax Wide 300
| maker = Fujifilm, Lomography, Polaroid Corporation
| type =
| filmformat = Instax
| filmsize = Mini or Wide
| recording_medium = Instant film
| res =
| lens_mount = Integral
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| footnotes = Various cameras from various manufacturers
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}}
Instax (stylized as instax) is a brand of instant still cameras and instant films marketed by Fujifilm.
The first camera and accompanying film, the Instax Mini 10 and Instax Mini{{cite news |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/is-it-worth-it-the-fujimax-instax-mini-1116582.html | date = 5 September 1999 | access-date = 16 March 2014 | first = Ingrid |last = Kennedy | work = The Independent | title = Is it worth it... The Fujimax Instax Mini}} film, were released on November 10, 1998.{{cite web|title=Fujifilm Instax Mini 10 camera, c2000|url=http://collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co8094242/fujifilm-instax-mini-10-camera-c2000-instant-camera|publisher=National Media Museum|access-date=26 January 2017}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/31/business/company-news-fuji-photo-may-enter-us-instant-film-market.html |title=Fuji may enter U.S. instant film market |location=EUROPE |work=The New York Times |date=1998-10-31 |access-date=2016-01-01}}{{cite web|title=23 "Japanese Historical Cameras" of 1999 Named|url=http://www.jcii-cameramuseum.jp/museum/historicalc_e/1999_e.html|website=JCII Camera Museum|publisher=Japan Camera Industry Institute|access-date=26 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212205510/http://www.jcii-cameramuseum.jp/museum/historicalc_e/1999_e.html|archive-date=12 February 2018|url-status=dead}} The "Wide" film and first accompanying camera were released the following year. The Instax Square film and accompanying camera were released in 2017.
The formats of Instax film give an image size of {{convert|46|x|62|mm|in|abbr=on}} for the Mini, {{convert|99|x|62|mm|in|abbr=on|lk=on}} for the Wide and {{convert|62|x|62|mm|in|abbr=on|lk=on}} for the Square. The Instax colour film is available in Mini, Wide, and Square formats and the black and white Instax Monochrome is also available in Mini, Wide, and Square formats.
Other manufacturers also make compatible cameras and camera backs.
Cameras and printers
{{Main|List of Instax cameras and printers}}
Fujifilm produces a range of Instax Mini Instax Square and Instax Wide cameras, as do other manufacturers. Fujifilm also produces Instax Mini and Square printers and has in the past produced Instax Pivi printers.
Film characteristics
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2016}}
Fuji's instant film products are based upon the improvements made to Polaroid's SX-70 instant film system that the Eastman Kodak Company sold in the 1970s and 1980s – namely the ability to expose the film through the rear of the photograph and the reversal of the dye layers' order so that development in the blue layer is visible first. As a result of these changes, the image does not need to be taken via a reflex mirror in order to reverse the image (as all Polaroid integral film cameras do). Colour balance and tonal range are also improved over Polaroid integral instant films. Fuji's decision to integrate the pressure plate springs and batteries into the camera bodies rather than the disposable film pack itself helps make the Instax system more economical per exposure than Polaroid's equivalents.
=Instax Mini=
File:Fuji Instax mini 8 (16267984790).jpg
Instax Mini is a {{convert|54|x|86|mm|in|abbr=on}} (approximately ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 credit-card-size) integral daylight ISO 800 color film designed for use with Fujifilm instax mini compatible cameras. In Japan the Instax Mini cameras are called and referred to as cheki (チェキ), derived from the English "check it", and instax mini 10/20/... is the model name.{{Cite web|title=インスタントカメラ【instax＜チェキ＞】公式サイト|url=https://instax.jp/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=instax.jp|language=ja}} Instax Mini is available in colour and black and white and themed.
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Film specifications{{cite news |url = http://www.fujifilm.com/products/instant_photo/pdf/instax_mini_datasheet.pdf | date = May 1999 | title = Instax Mini film manual}} | |
| | Film speed | ISO 800/30° |
| | Colour temperature | Daylight type (5500K) |
| | Resolving power | 12 lines/mm |
| | Photos per pack | 10 |
| | Film size (W×H) | {{convert|54|x|86|mm|in|abbr=on|disp=br}} |
| | Image size (W×H) | {{convert|46|x|62|mm|in|abbr=on|disp=br}} |
| | Aspect ratio | 1:1.348 |
| | Film pack size (W×H×D) | {{convert|61|x|92|x|20|mm|in|abbr=on|disp=br|1}} |
=Digital Instax Pivi=
The Digital Instax Pivi line was intended as a digital/analog hybrid. The original intention was to produce a new format to feed a series of digital instant cameras similar in approach to the Olympus C-211, a digital camera with a built-in Polaroid 500 film printer. Fujifilm eventually released the FinePix PR21, a digital camera with a built-in Instax mini printer, in 1999.{{cite news |url = http://www.fujifilm.co.jp/news_r/nrj514.html | date = 1999 | title = FinePix PR21 JP press release}} A stand-alone printer was planned from the start but was not the primary focus, but this changed with the advent of mobile devices.{{citation needed|date=January 2017}} This device made it to market in 2004 (as the Pivi MP-100), after about five years in development.
Instax Pivi film looks physically identical to Instax mini, but it takes a different formulated film producing a color-inverted image when used in a mini camera, making them incompatible.
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Film specifications | |
| | Film speed | 800 ASA |
| | Film size (W×H) | {{convert|54|x|86|mm|in|abbr=on|disp=br}} |
| | Image size (W×H) | {{convert|46|x|61|mm|in|abbr=on|disp=br}} |
=Instax Wide=
File:Fujifilm Instax 500AF Instant Camera Front.jpg
File:Fujifilm Instax 100 camera.JPG
Called Cheki Wide in Japan.
Released the year after the mini film and cameras, the area was increased on this format to create an image size based on the golden ratio.{{cite web|title=23 "Japanese Historical Cameras" of 1999 Named|url=http://www.jcii-cameramuseum.jp/museum/historicalc_e/1999_e.html|website=JCII Camera Museum|publisher=Japan Camera Industry Institute|access-date=26 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212205510/http://www.jcii-cameramuseum.jp/museum/historicalc_e/1999_e.html|archive-date=12 February 2018|url-status=dead}} Upon introduction, this format was simply called Instax without any suffix (making it the normal, not mini, Instax film), Fujifilm gradually embedded the "Wide" moniker into the name of the product. That rebranding pattern can also be seen on the Instax 210 which is now described on the Fujifilm web site as Instax Wide 210, despite not being referenced elsewhere in such a way.{{cite news |url = http://www.fujifilm.com/products/instant_photo/cameras/instax_210/ |date = October 2014 |title = Instax WIDE 210 product pagel |url-status=dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141031234456/http://www.fujifilm.com/products/instant_photo/cameras/instax_210/ |archive-date = 2014-10-31 }} Instax Wide is available in colour and black and white.
Instax Wide 300 has shutter release 1/64 - 1/200 s with exposure compensation ±2/3 EV (Lighten-Darken control) on ISO 800 speed. Film developing time is around 90 s (depends on temperature).
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Film specifications{{cite news |url = http://www.fujifilm.com/products/instant_photo/pdf/instax_datasheet.pdf | date = May 1999 | title = Instax Wide film manual}} | |
| | Film speed | ISO 800/30° |
| | Colour temperature | Daylight type (5500K) |
| | Resolving power | 10 lines/mm |
| | Photos per pack | 10 |
| | Film size (W×H) | {{convert|108|x|86|mm|in|abbr=on|disp=br}} |
| | Image size (W×H) | {{convert|99|x|62|mm|in|abbr=on|disp=br}} |
| | Aspect ratio | 1.6:1 |
| | Film pack size (W×H×D) | {{convert|115|x|92|x|20|mm|in|abbr=on|disp=br|1}} |
=Instax Square=
File:Fujifilm Instax SQUARE SQ10 20 apr 2018a.jpg
Called Cheki Square in Japan.
Instax Square is a square size of Instax film released in 2017, available in colour.{{cite news|access-date=2018-05-21|title=Fujifilm Instax Square SQ10|url=https://www.techradar.com/reviews/fujifilm-instax-square-sq10|newspaper=TechRadar}}{{cite news|access-date=2018-05-21|title=Fujifilm Instax Square SQ10 review: digital downer|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/2/15725890/fujifilm-instax-sq10-review-instant-polaroid-digital-camera|newspaper=The Verge}} Fujifilm initially only offered a hybrid digital camera/printer. Later, a separate printer and cameras offering fully analog exposure became available.{{cite news|access-date=2018-06-07|title=Fujifilm announces square-format Instax Share SP-3 SQ photo printer|url=https://www.dpreview.com/news/6657531268/fujifilm-announces-square-format-instax-share-sp-3-sq-photo-printer|newspaper=Digital Photography Review}}{{cite news|access-date=2018-06-01|title=Fujifilm's Instax Square SQ6 is a square-format analog instant camera|url=https://www.dpreview.com/news/0067965594/fujifilm-s-instax-square-sq6-is-a-square-format-analog-instant-camera|newspaper=Digital Photography Review}}
On September 25, 2018, Fujifilm launched the Square SQ 20{{Cite news|url=http://www.fujifilm.com/news/n180925_08.html|title=Fujifilm launches new hybrid instant camera "instax SQUARE SQ20"|work=Fujifilm Global|access-date=2018-10-23|language=en-US}} which has a configurable "Motion Mode" function that allows recording of video (max 15 seconds), and the selecting and printing of a frame.
In September 2020, Fujifilm announced that Instax Square would be available in black and white in mid-October.{{Cite web|title=Fuji Unveils Instax Square SQ1 Instant Camera and Two New Film Varieties|url=https://petapixel.com/2020/09/16/fuji-unveils-instax-square-sq1-instant-camera-and-two-new-film-varieties/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=petapixel.com|date=16 September 2020 }}
| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2"| Film specifications{{cite news |url = https://www.dpreview.com/news/9921150745/fujifilm-working-square-format-instax-camera-and-film | date = 19 September 2016 | title = Fujifilm working on square format Instax camera and film | website=Digital Photography Review | first=Allison | last=Johnson}} | |
| | Film speed | ISO 800 |
| | Color temperature | 5500K |
| | Resolving power | 10 lines/mm |
| | Photos per pack | 10 |
| | Film size (W×H) | {{Convert|72|x|85.6|mm|in|abbr=on|disp=br}} |
| | Image size (W×H×D) | {{Convert|62|x|62|mm|in|abbr=on|disp=br}} |
| | Aspect ratio | 1:1 |
| | Film pack size
(W×H×D) |79 mm × 91 mm × 19 mm |
History
=Pre-Instax=
Kodak ceased production of instant film cameras when it was successfully sued by Polaroid for patent infringement in 1986. Fujifilm, through an agreement with Polaroid specifying they could not officially distribute in certain territories (such as the US) until the original patents expired in the mid-1990s, continued to manufacture and market their own line of films. As such, Fuji produced several lines of instant films starting in the early 1980s.{{Citation needed|date=April 2022}}
=Release=
Instax was released to consumers in 1998 and was based on those earlier instant film systems, having the same film speed and dye order.
Fujifilm originally wished to release the Instax series worldwide including North America and Europe simultaneously,{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/31/business/company-news-fuji-photo-may-enter-us-instant-film-market.html | date = 31 October 1998 | title = Fuji may enter US instant film market| work = The New York Times | agency = Bloomberg News | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120910035038/http://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/31/business/company-news-fuji-photo-may-enter-us-instant-film-market.html | archive-date = 10 September 2012 }} but chose to work with Polaroid on the mio camera based on the Instax mini 10/20 for the US market. The mio product was discontinued after a few years.
File:Black and white boxed instant film for Fuji Instax cameras.jpg
=Polaroid withdraws=
With Polaroid ceasing production of instant films in 2008, the Instax system was the only integral instant film system in production until Impossible Project (now Polaroid through brand acquisition) launched their integral film in early 2010. The Instax Mini system is also sold in some markets by Polaroid itself through the Polaroid 300{{cite web | url = http://www.polaroid.com/products/pic-300-instant-camera | access-date = 4 September 2016 | title = Polaroid Pic-300 Instant Print Camera | publisher = Polaroid Corporation | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033452/http://polaroid.com/products/pic-300-instant-camera | archive-date = 1 December 2017 | url-status = dead }} and Polaroid 300 Film{{cite web | url = http://www.polaroid.com/products/PIF-300-film | access-date = 4 September 2016 | title = PIF-300 Instant Film for Pic-300 Instant Cameras | publisher = Polaroid Corporation | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171204082153/http://www.polaroid.com/products/PIF-300-film | archive-date = 4 December 2017 | url-status = dead }} brands (in reality, rebranded Instax Mini 7S and Instax Mini film).
=Reception and growing popularity=
{{More citations needed section|date=December 2014}}
In 2014, it was reported that the Instax Mini 8 was outselling flagship models like the Fujifilm X-T1{{Cite web|date=2014-09-12|title=Instax Rules Them All: massive sales of Fuji's instax film. Instax Cameras sell better than Fuji X-T1 and Sony A7r!|url=https://www.fujirumors.com/instax-rules-them-all-massive-sales-of-fujis-instax-film-instax-cameras-sell-better-than-fujifilm-x-t1/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Fuji Rumors|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2014-10-30|title=FUJI EARNINGS REPORT: Instant Cameras + Fujifilm X-T1 save the imaging business and keep it profitable!|url=https://www.fujirumors.com/fuji-earnings-report-instant-cameras-fujifilm-x-t1-save-the-imaging-business-and-keep-it-profitable/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=Fuji Rumors|language=en-US}} and Sony α7R.
In 2016, it was reported that sales of Instax cameras had risen to 5 million units the previous fiscal year, up from 100,000 units in 2004.{{Cite web|last=Mogg|first=Trevor|date=April 5, 2016|title=Fujifilm's Instax analog camera is outselling its digital devices by nearly 4 times|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/photography/fujifilms-instax-analog-camera-outselling-its-digital-devices-by-nearly-four-times/|access-date=2020-10-06|website=www.digitaltrends.com}} Also that year, Fujifilm released a monochrome formulation of the film.{{cite news|last1=Fisher|first1=Jim|title=Fujifilm Instax Mini Monochrome|url=https://petapixel.com/2016/09/06/fujifilm-unveils-black-white-instax-mini-film/|access-date=17 January 2017|publisher=PC Magazine|date=19 December 2016}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- {{Cite web|url=http://www.fujifilm.com/products/instant_photo/pdf/instax_mini_datasheet.pdf|access-date=March 2, 2018|publisher=Fujifilm|title=Data Sheet: Fujifilm Instant Color Film instax mini}}
- {{Cite web|url=https://www.fujifilm.com/products/instant_photo/pdf/instax_datasheet.pdf|access-date=January 25, 2020|publisher=Fujifilm|title=Data Sheet: Fujifilm Instant Color Film instax wide}}
External links
{{Commons category|Fujifilm Instax cameras}}
- {{Official website|instax.com}} (US)
- {{Official website|www.instax.co.uk}} (UK)
- {{Official website|www.instax.in}} (India)
- [http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Fujifilm_instant_photography#Instax_series Fujifilm instant photography – Instax series] at Camera-wiki.org
- [https://fotojoker.pl/blog/nowa-jakosc-zdjec-natychmiastowych/ Instax SQ10 –] [https://fotojoker.pl/blog/nowa-jakosc-zdjec-natychmiastowych/ Nowa jakość zdjęć natychmiastowych]
{{Fujifilm}}
Category:Fujifilm photographic films