Do you remember when nobody had a camera? Or the only camera was an instant one? Now, everyone has a camera in their pocket at all times. The digital camera and smartphone revolution of the past two decades has all but killed film-based amateur photography. However, Fujifilm is doing its damndest to make sure film stays en vogue.
The Instax range is doing a fine job of reintroducing punters to film and Polaroid and the latest in the line, Instax Square SQ40 is another excellent product. Escwhwing the colourful pastels and bubbly design of the Instax Mini 12, the Instax Square is designed to look and feel like an old-school pro film camera.
Sleek, black and silver with sharp lines and a high-end look, the Instax Square SQ40 is the grown-up sibling to the Mini 12. And, thanks to the new square film, it takes wider shots than ever before you can fit even more in.
Instax Square SQ40
Where the fun, bubbly-shaped and pastel-coloured Instax Mini cameras are marketed as carefree, whimsical memory savers, the Instax Square SQ40 is positioned more as a higher-end, luxury device for those with fashion, taste and style. Not everyone’s aesthetic fits with the Mini range and it’s clever of Fujifilm to design the Instax Square SQ40 to look to photography’s past for a classic yet sexy design.
Like other Instax cameras, the SQ40 loads film with special cartridges in the back, though this model only takes unique square film. Due to the new film size, the Instax Square is larger than the other Instax Models, though it does seem slightly thinner. It’s an overall bigger design though not bulkier. Loading the film is as simple as ever and requires you to line up the yellow spots and away you go. Part of Instax Square’s features is automatic exposure. This means that the level of ambient light is automatically detected and the shutter speed and flash are adjusted to suit so that images are clear every time.
I have noticed with Instax Minis that some photos can be a little dark, grainy or even blurred, but with Instax Square, this has never been the case. Every single photo taken is clear, bright and sharp. Instax Square also has a selfie mode that optimises photos for close-ups and selfies and with the use of the built-in mirror, you can take great selfies without the need to pull out your smartphone.
The Instax Square couldn’t be easier to use. Simply twist the to either the ‘on’ or ‘selfie’ position and you’re good to go. The viewfinder is clear and easy to use and the photo button feels great, with a nice solid click. Instax Square also comes with a quality strap to complete the old-school photography look and feel. The strap connects to either side of the camera’s housing and allows you to carry it around your neck without any fear of it dropping.
Constructed of a solid, lightweight plastic, the Instax Square feels high quality and it immediately recalls cameras of the past you may have grown up with. If you grew up in the early 90s or earlier. For a camera designed to take polaroids and allow amateurs to get into photography without using their phones, Instax Square is an excellent camera. At only $229 AUD it’s excellent value for money and is a brilliant entry point for photography.
The Instax Square is also compatible with Fujifilm’s Instax Up! app. The app lets users can their polaroids with their smartphone and convert them to digital images. These images can be edited and shared to social media with ease allowing the user of the Fujifilm Instax Square to share their photos with the world.
There’s something nice and nostalgic about photo prints that makes me feel warm and fuzzy. I love taking photos of my son and watching his amazement as they slowly develop in front of his eyes. It’s a magic we don’t really see anymore due to digital photography but it’s one that’s well worth the time and effort. Whether you’re looking for a gift or just a fun new hobby the Instax Square SQ40 is a great choice.
Instax Square SQ40 was provided by Fujifilm.
