Fujifilm instaxSquare SQ6: back to the past with an instant photo camera and analog

what Is the technology “retro” fashion? Is there a nostalgia for the analog, and is demanding devices that seemed to have been totally forgotten? In the great market of technological products, there are pitches and behaviors of buyers that indicate that, yes. This has been the case in the music industry, where sales of vinyl have continued to grow in recent years, or in the mobile telephony market, in which firms such as Nokia are animated even to launch new versions of older phones like the 3110 with which it is not possible to connect to the Internet through wifi or consult the social networks.

In the world of photography is going through something similar. Become fashionable cameras snapshots as the classic Polaroid of all the life that you were doing a photo and, at the time, were getting a paper copy. Fujifilm instaxSquare SQ6 is one of these new models inspired in the technology is more traditional and which is characterized, moreover, by being 100% analog: does not have a display (so that it is not possible to preview the images), and also you can edit before printing the photographs.

Analysis and valuation Fujifilm MORE Fujifilm instaxSquare SQ6, available on Amazon

the exterior boasts a distinctly retro, with a square design quite attractive, a size large enough to not fit in a pocket and controls to make adjustments. It is available in three different finishes: gold red (which we tried), graphite grey and white.

TECHNICAL SHEET

Movie: Instant Fujifilm instaxSQUARE

image Size : 62 x 62 mm

Objective : Lens retractable 2 components, 2 elements, f = 65,75 mm, 1:12,6

Viewer : Viewer Galileo invested, 0.4 x, with point objective

Focus : Choice of three ranges for engine (0,3 m – 0,5 m / 0,5 m – 2 m / 2 m and more), Macro mode (0.3 m – 0.5 m), Normal mode (0.5 m – 2 m), Landscape mode (2 m and more)

Trigger : Auto, programmed electronic, of 1.6 sec. - 1/400 sec.

exposure Control : Auto, range-of-deadlock (ISO 800): LV5 - LV15.5, exposure Compensation: ±2/3EV

Dimensions: was 118.7 x 128,1 x to the tune of 58.1 mm

Weight : 393 g (without batteries or film)

Power: Two lithium batteries CR2/DL CR2, with autonomy for approximately 30 packs of 10 instax Square

Other : Include confirmation window in the cartridge of film, close-up lens, and tripod socket. Development time: 90 sec

As this model has no screen, the framing of the photographs is done by looking through a small viewfinder is located on the right side of the camera. This location, combined with the absence of a grip, make that needed an extra hand to take the pictures correctly. If to this we add that this viewer does not incorporate guidelines for the framing, we find that more of a catch does not come out as we would have liked and you have to repeat it. These errors —and at the beginning we give faith that you will make many costly: each reel of ten photo papers costs about 12 euros. To get an idea, during our tests with the different modes have been really acceptable about eight snapshots of the twenty-first that Yorkbet we have done.

These modes we refer to allow you to perform certain adjustments that help to correct and customize the images (always before you press the shutter-release button) and selected manually by clicking on a button in the back of the camera.

Custom

So, in addition to the automatic mode in which the instax are in complete control of exposure and focus, offers the option of choosing a exposure lighter or darker. It also has a macro mode to capture people and objects at a short distance, which limits the approach between 30 and 50 centimetres; another for landscapes that focus from two meters to infinity; and one of double-exposure that superimposes two shots into a single photo.

The most striking of all is the mode selfie for autofotos made at a distance of between 50 centimeters and two meters: it includes the possibility of setting up a self timer with a delay of 10 seconds and to mount a tripod. In addition, to facilitate the framing incorporates a small mirror in which, more or less, we can see ourselves reflected, to know if we well.

COMPETITION

Polaroid OneStep 2 Viewfinder: Inspired by the Polaroid OneStep, 1977, its large viewfinder allows you to frame more comfortable catches.

Leica Sofort: Available in orange, white and mint, offers the option of using film in color or black and white.

The flash works in all these modes, adapting to each one of them, although you can turn it off manually. It is also possible to customize it with three color filters that come included.

In a minute...

Place the reel in the camera is very easy and very fast: you open a lid in the rear area, and placing the cartridge in its interior and is closed. A great details and totally retro is that it includes a counter to see at any time how many photos are left, as in the classic models of reel. Once the image is captured, it goes through the top in a time that ranges between a minute and 90 seconds depending on the outside temperature —the colder, the longer it takes to come out—. With their batteries (included two battery) there is enough for about 300 shots.

The resulting images have a size of 6.2 x 6.2 inches —square like Instagram— and a very good quality, always taking into account that it is an analog camera snapshot to which, in any case, we can ask the same thing as a digital or, even, to our mobile. The exception is in environments with little light, since the brightness of this camera is not too high, and it shows.

THE BEST, THE WORST AND CONCLUSION

best: The square format of the photographs and ease of use.

What's worst: cartridges for recharging are too expensive, especially taking into account that the photos does not always go well.

Verdict : instaxSquare SQ6 is not a camera to replace a digital; without even the mobile phone. It is a device very curious for art photos or time, a feeling supported by the high cost of the cartridges and paper for printing.

PURCHASE ONLINE

Fujifilm instaxSquare SQ6. Instant camera, analog with square format and white pearl; mode double exposure and automatic exposure control; model selfie; image size 62 X 62 mm; used film instant intax square.

From€ 125 in Amazon

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