Got an instant camera? Here are the best Instax and Polaroid films and accessories to try out for different looks
Are you thinking about purchasing an instant camera for the holidays as a fun and inexpensive Christmas gift idea? A wise move, because they are great. But did you know that there is also a wide choice of instant film for them, plus accessories such as filters that give you a varied look? No? Well, let us explain.
The best instant cameras make excellent gifts, and you're spoiled for choice when it comes to bodies from mainstays Polaroid and Fujifilm Instax (check out our Polaroid vs Instax article if you need help choosing). Or maybe you already bought an instant camera like the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 or Polaroid Now+ during the Black Friday sale and now you want to get more out of it.
Most people get an instant camera stick with the standard color film with a white border, but one way to get more creative when photographing these precious keepsakes is to try some of the different instant films and accessories. But where to start with so many options ranging from Polaroid's 'Reclaimed Blue' to Instax Mini film types with multi-coloured borders?
We tested the best instant cameras from Polaroid, Fujifilm Instax and Canon, almost always trying out the different film types available, plus accessories such as lens filters. And we've used that experience and expertise to put together our favorite film types for Polaroid and Instax. Enjoy breaking the mold!
Fujifilm Instax film
Perhaps the most widely used instant camera film is Instax Mini – adopted by a number of Instax and Leica instant cameras, such as the Leica Sofort 2 and Instax Mini Evo, plus the Fujifilm Instax Mini Link printer. The standard color film with white border currently costs $13.98 for 20 sheets at Amazon in the US or £14.99 for 20 sheets at Amazon in Britain, and it may even be cheaper to buy those individual packs rather than in bulk. However, there are also two commonly available alternatives; Monochrome or custom border styles (other than plain white).
Instax Mini has the largest selection of border styles, but there are also quite a few of these options available for Instax Square film and Instax Wide film formats, and the same buying advice below applies. Make sure you purchase the correct paper size for your instant camera or Link printer.
Instax Minifilm black and white
Instax Mini Film Rainbow
Polaroid i-Type, Go and 600
Polaroid has a wide variety of instant cameras and film types, so make sure you choose the right one for your camera; the information is clearly indicated on the Polaroid website. i-Type includes the Now series of cameras, including the Now+ and the new and advanced Polaroid I-2. The Go series is a scaled down version with its own smaller film size, while the 600 and SX-70 film is for the vintage models. We'll focus here on the new i-Type and Go series of instant cameras.
Polaroid i-Type and 600 film are the same film, but the main difference is the cameras they are compatible with. i-Type film packs do not have a built-in battery and only work with Polaroid's new cameras like the I-2 and Now+, while 600 film packs have the battery built-in and work with battery-free vintage Polaroid cameras also as i-Type cameras.
Polaroid i type
Polaroid Go
Polaroid600
Not in the US or Great Britain? Find the best Instax and Polaroid film deals in your region below.
Follow Ny Breaking on TikTok for news, reviews, unboxings and great Black Friday deals!