Fujifilm Instax 210 camera: description, specs and reviews

No more wasting time to take the footage to the laboratory and wait for it to be printed. The Fujifilm Instax 210 camera does this right before our eyes. The cartridges used to create instant photos belong to the professional class, resulting in bright and clear images. To take a picture, it is enough to select a frame through the viewfinder, to press the shutter button and to be fascinated to see how the image appears on the blank sheet. This will certainly attract the attention of others who will be excited to watch the exciting process. This really can be seen rarely.

Today everyone has access to a digital camera or smartphone. Everyone is so accustomed to viewing photos on the screen display that the device from which the finished image comes out will be unique and impressive. The biggest obstacle to owning such a remarkable device is its price. The camera is much more expensive than any Polaroid in the commission store.

History of the model

In the days when Polaroid conquered the market of instant photography, Kodak decided to try its hand at creating its own line of cameras of this type. "Polaroid" sued, and a patent war broke out, which would make even Samsung's Apple blush. When everything was settled, Kodak was ordered to close the film production for instant photography, which left thousands of cameras without consumables. Polaroid received a record compensation and retained a monopoly on the market.

In the company Fujifilm went a little different way. They decided to get a license for some of the Polaroid patents to create their own production. The company did not manage to achieve the results of the market leader, but in 2013, when the Polaroid actually ceased to exist, Fuji continued to conscientiously produce the Instax cameras.

Photographic material

This review is devoted to the Fujifilm Instax 210 camera, but it's impossible to avoid the question of consumables used by him. The Instax Wide Format film is amazing, strong, has good colors, almost like a real Polaroid. Some users, however, believe that the colors are boring, and the blue tint prevails. Pictures are good, with very few drawbacks. For wedding photographers and people who need a physical image carrier that can retain it for a long time, the Fuji Instax Wide Format film is quality and reliable. Therefore, many chose it as a replacement for Polaroid.

So, the supplies are excellent, but what is the camera in which they are used? This is a completely different story. Fujifilm Instax 210 is an awkward, cheap and stupid looking, highly functional camera. This is the price to pay for using Fuji's magnificent film, which, perhaps, will force someone back to their comfortable Polaroid.

Ergonomics

Users almost always complain about the lack of many features in consumer Polaroid cameras, especially flash units. The camera Fujifilm Instax 210 offers extensive functionality, which, however, is not very successful. First, all the control buttons are on the side surface in a place that the user does not see because it is already occupied by his hands. Some may argue that this is done in order to control the camera by touch. But the thing is that there is also an LCD screen that displays what the camera is doing at the moment. It's uncomfortable, impractical and crazy.

Worse, the display has to look constantly. Each time the camera is turned on, the lens extends forward, and the macro mode is turned on by default. But why? According to users, they spoiled a lot of photos, forgetting to press the button to go to the focal length from 3 m to infinity. You can not just leave the camera in this state, since the extended lens remains uncovered and can easily be damaged. Owners recommend to write a reminder on the back of the camera that each time after switching it on you should switch the focal length.

Controls

Other controls include a three-position brightness switch and a flash on button. According to the owners, the last function, although necessary, is meaningless, since if the camera thinks that the flash should be used, it will use it regardless of the photographer's desire. Setting a light, normal and dark frame works without failure, but the display is very difficult to see what is set at the moment, since the display is done using small dark triangles.

Fortunately, the shutter release button is located on the other side of the camera. It is large and beautiful, placed on a grip of pleasant form. The Fujifilm Instax 210 cartridges can be easily inserted on the rear panel. After exposure, the picture appears from above, and the camera sounds like a portable video recorder.

Optics and Exposure

The lens is not bad, but, according to users, it would be better if it simply covers the entire focus range without having to switch between macro and normal mode. If the camera was not adjusted to macro photography every time it was turned on, it would be much better.

Perhaps Fuji's engineers suggested that taking pictures at close range is a priority, because the landscape photography and the fill flash are not very well implemented here. The backlight is not bright enough and is suitable only for near objects. If it is used in a room or at a distance, then there will be no effect. In the dark, the camera sets the shutter speed to flash only (even if the user wishes to turn it off), and the photos simply remain dark. This is very disappointing and makes the camera useless when shooting indoors. In the street, with good lighting exposure is determined correctly, the pictures are clear and error-free.

Viewfinder

In addition, it should be noted that the Fujifilm Instax 210 viewfinder is located quite far from the lens, so do not expect that it will give a good idea of the actual frame boundaries. Fuji Instax does not have mirror cameras, so you have to accept this situation. The unusual location of the viewfinder forces the user to constantly look for it, but with practice, it probably should pass.

Fujifilm Instax 210: Design overview

Compared to the Instax 210, even the cheapest Polaroid cameras seem refined. The case is made of cheap plastic, giving the camera a toy look. The biggest miscalculation is the battery cover, which barely holds, produces a terrible crack at the opening and closing and is not very reliable. This is a simple thing, because of which it seems that the whole camera was created in a hurry.

The dimensions of the Fujifilm Instax 210 Black are giant. Polaroid cameras are not small, but seem pocket-sized compared to this model. The reason for this is the way the cartridge is placed in the camera. использует зеркала, которые позволяют расходному материалу находиться в нижней части блока, поэтому у него корпус компактный. "Polaroid" uses mirrors that allow the consumable to be at the bottom of the unit, so it has a compact body. Fuji is more like a large flat plate. The cartridge is located directly behind the lens, which should slide out when the machine is turned on. The volume of the camera manufacturers is the same, but the Instax 210 looks more frightening, and it is more difficult to cope with.

Polaroid or Fuji?

That is the question. Which is better - take the old Polaroid camera and (and often unreliable) Impossible Proj film or expensive Instax 210 with Fuji supplies? It all depends on what it's for. For wedding photographers or reporters who need reliability, Fuji is more suitable. Impossible Project is simply too unpredictable to be able to rely on it, and old Polaroid cameras are constantly failing due to their age. However, the artist or amateur with great pleasure and interest will use them. These cameras are more ergonomic than the Fujifilm Instax Wide 210, and you can invest in high-end mirror models for maximum quality images. In addition, the unpredictable nature of the Impossible Project for some users is the main reason why they even contacted an instant photo. In the world of Instagram and cheap digital imitations, you need to have a good reason to spend the time and money that this technology requires.