Lomography’s new Instax rival is being called the ‘best instant camera in the world’ by Lomography
Lomography has unveiled a new addition to its instant camera range, calling the Lomo Instant Wide Glass the ‘world’s best instant camera’. That’s a bold claim when the market is otherwise dominated by Polaroid and Fujifilm Instax – do instant photography enthusiasts finally have a viable alternative?
It seems that the best claims about instant cameras are based on the quality of the Wide Glass lens: a 90mm multi-coated glass lens, with an effective focal length of 35mm and a minimum focusing distance of just 0.3 meters. It’s a lens that Lomography says is the sharpest in any instant camera. That really sounds like serious glass, especially when you compare it to the simpler optics of the Fujifilm Instax Wide 400, for example.
Like the Instax Wide 400, the Lomo Instant Wide Glass shoots on the readily available and reasonably priced Instax Wide film. Aside from the film format, the Glass Wide has more in common with the Polaroid I-2 and the Fujifilm Instax mini 99, being more of a photographer’s tool with plenty of shooting modes and manual controls to sink your teeth into.
The Lomo Instant Wide Glass costs $279 / £249 and shipping starts in November (international shipping is available, but keep in mind Australian prices). Fujifilm Instax Wide film costs around $24.90 / £21.90 for a double pack of 10 sheets – that’s 20 shots in total.
A photographer’s instant camera
The Lomo Instant Wide Glass looks good with its classic retro brown leather finish and metal effect finish. As you can see in the product image above, it’s compatible with accessories like color gels for the built-in flash, plus lens mounts like Lomography’s ‘Splitzer’ for creative multiple exposure effects, which, by the way, have more room to breathe on the wider Instax Wide film.
In addition to the multiple exposure effect (which works with or without lens mounts – see the example below), there’s semi-manual control over aperture and shutter speed (or ‘advanced auto exposure’), including a bulb mode with long exposures, while you can You can also adjust brightness manually using the ±1EV exposure compensation switch.
Elsewhere there’s zone focusing with a minimum focusing distance of 0.3m, allowing you to capture fine details. There is the option to attach an external flash, although the Wide Glass is already equipped with a basic flash. Add a color gel to the flash and you can get creative with funky color effects. There’s also a self-timer and a tripod mount, allowing for hands-free selfies and group shots.
As you can see, there’s plenty of room for creativity, and because it’s Wide Instax format, there’s plenty of room to breathe in your shots. We are currently reviewing the Lomo Instant Wide Glass and will share our experiences with you soon. The first signs are positive, Lomography could be a winner here.
