What instax or polariod film is closest to a 6x7 medium format aspect ratio?

Seth7583 · Jul 13, 2020

I'm interested in purchasing an instant camera that takes a film stock closely resembling the aspect ratio of a mamiya rz67. I don't want to actually use real medium format supported polariod film though, like can be already found with the mamiya polariod backs, instead i just want an instant camera that has a border ratio closest to the mamiya 67 backs which is 56mm x 68.4mm dimentions. It's very similiar to the aspect ratio of a magizine. It doesn't have to be a large polaroid film, i just care about the ratio.

From what I've found from instax and polariod, their dimentions are either too square, or too wide. I've currently got an instax wide 300, and I should have done more research before buying, because its a pain to use in professional situations, (i know duh). My biggest issue with it is not having enough control, I can't even turn the flash off, it just fires at will when it needs light, which i should of assumed because you can't determine exposure (also duh). So referencing scenes with a higher lighting ratio is quite unusable.

In short i'm looking for an instant camera that offers some what professional manual control, takes a film stock that is affordable (around $25AUD for 10 to 15 exposures), and with an aspect ratio closely resembling the aspect ratio of a magizine.

Thank you.

Donald Qualls · Jul 13, 2020

Simple answer: there is no Fuji-built Instax camera that gives you any greater degree of manual control than what amounts to one or two stops of exposure compensation.

Mint makes a couple models (a TLR that uses Mini, IIRC, and a folder that takes Wide) that have more control, but I think the folder is also "mostly automatic".

If you want full manual control, you're stuck with either hacking a lens onto a Fuji camera (and then you want Wide, it's close to 6x9, while Square is close to 6x6), or hacking a Fuji back to mount and focus on your chosen medium format body. Lots of YouTube videos on the latter, a few on the former (which is easier).

ic-racer · Jul 13, 2020

I put the Instax film in either a standard Polaroid back (one shot) or in 6x9cm film holders. I put the film back in a Instax cartridge and fire them off in the camera to 'process' them. This does require a light-bag in the field.

mshchem · Jul 13, 2020

Buy a Instax Share printer. Get the one that takes the mini film. You can then send a digital photo to the printer. I have a Fuji X Pro 3 I can print directly from the camera to the battery powered printer.
If you use a cell phone all you need is the little printer. In the states around 100 usd for the printer 70 cents a shot for the film. Way better than any instant camera.

mshchem · Jul 13, 2020

Here's what I have.

Fun

Donald Qualls · Jul 14, 2020

If you want an analog solution, you're pretty well stuck with the film transfer methods given by @ic-racer or hacking the cameras in some manner. There's the Coyote back, but it's specific to RB67 with the P adapter.

peter k. · Jul 14, 2020

ic-racer said:
I put the Instax film in either a standard Polaroid back (one shot) or in 6x9cm film holders. I put the film back in a Instax cartridge and fire them off in the camera to 'process' them. This does require a light-bag in the field.

Hmmm .. The Grafnatuc Film Holder "23" Graphic fits on the RB67, and we use it to shoot B&W sheet film on that camera. But the 6 holders would also most likely take the Instax mini,, will have to give that a try, and let ya know.

Alan Edward Klein · Jul 14, 2020

I have an NPC Polaroid film back for my RB67. Is there any film available? (I still have a box of Fuji that's about 5 or more years old. Any value?)

Donald Qualls · Jul 14, 2020

Fuji dropped the last peel-apart (FB100c in 3x4 packs) about two years ago.

Alan Edward Klein · Jul 14, 2020

Donald Qualls said:
Fuji dropped the last peel-apart (FB100c in 3x4 packs) about two years ago.

That's the whole box I still have left. Any recommendations how to use it since it expired?

Donald Qualls · Jul 14, 2020

Best I can suggest is just use it. Don't do like I did, and wind up with Polaroid and Fuji packs expired up to 20 years ago. Most of those are no good any more...

Nicholas W · Jun 23, 2022

Seth7583 said:
I'm interested in purchasing an instant camera that takes a film stock closely resembling the aspect ratio of a mamiya rz67. I don't want to actually use real medium format supported polariod film though, like can be already found with the mamiya polariod backs, instead i just want an instant camera that has a border ratio closest to the mamiya 67 backs which is 56mm x 68.4mm dimentions. It's very similiar to the aspect ratio of a magizine. It doesn't have to be a large polaroid film, i just care about the ratio.

From what I've found from instax and polariod, their dimentions are either too square, or too wide. I've currently got an instax wide 300, and I should have done more research before buying, because its a pain to use in professional situations, (i know duh). My biggest issue with it is not having enough control, I can't even turn the flash off, it just fires at will when it needs light, which i should of assumed because you can't determine exposure (also duh). So referencing scenes with a higher lighting ratio is quite unusable.

In short i'm looking for an instant camera that offers some what professional manual control, takes a film stock that is affordable (around $25AUD for 10 to 15 exposures), and with an aspect ratio closely resembling the aspect ratio of a magizine.

Thank you.

Polaroid Spectra would be my answer.

Donald Qualls · Jun 24, 2022

Nicholas W said:
Polaroid Spectra would be my answer.

Too bad new Polaroid dropped that format around three years ago.

What instax or polariod film is closest to a 6x7 medium format aspect ratio?

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