The Lomo'Instant Square is the first classic camera for
Fuji Square film. Fuji makes the SQ10, an electronic camera with a
built-in printer, which exposes Fuji Square Instant film. The Lomo
Instant Sqare has many features, similar to other Lomo cameras for
Instax film, as: B mode, long exposure times, filter
thread, remote control, multiple exposure and a variety of
accessories. The form of the camera is largely inspired by the old
Kodak Instant cameras. The 900 series looks similar and folds the same
way.
Technical Specifications:
Film Format: Fujifilm Instax Square Film Exposure Area: 62mm x 62mm Lens Focal Length: 95mm (45mm equivalent) Auto Exposure Type: Programmed Automatic Aperture: Automatic f/10, f/22 Shutter Speed: Bulb Mode up to 30 sec, Auto Mode 8s to 1/250 Exposure Compensation: +1/-1 Exposure Values (Ambient Exposure) Film Ejection Mechanism: Motorized Multiple Exposures: Unlimited Built-In Flash Guide Number: 9 (m) Built-In Flash: Automatic Flash & Flash Off Mode Closest Focusing Distance: 0.8m Zone Focusing Setting: 0.8m / 1-2.5m / infinity (pre-set at 1-2.5m) Tripod Mount: Yes Remote Control Transmission: Infrared (front & back sensors on camera) Self Timer: Electronically controlled countdown to 10 seconds Film Counter: LED indication, counting down Battery Supply: 2 x CR2 batteries (6V) — please note that batteries are not included Remote Control Battery Supply: CR2025 (3V) — please note that batteries are not included Filter Thread Diameter: 30.5mm Size: 15 x 12 x 4.5 cm Weight: 503 gr. with batteries and flm
The
pledge from Kickstarter, a Lomo'Instant Square, an extra Mini back plus
2 goodies, a camera filter and color filters for the flash.
What's in the box. The camera, instructions, info cards and gadgets to present your pictures.
What
you need to start, no film and batteries furnished. If you want to use
the remote, you will need an additional CR 2025 battery.
The camera front.
Left side..
Back side with control panel.
Right side.
Seen from above. Ejection.
Seen from below. Tripod mount.
Back open.
Cartridge installed.
Control panel lit. 9 photos left.
Remote conrol integrated into the housing.
Remote control for self-timer, remote shutter and long time "B" exposures.
Size comparison to Fuji SQ10. The Fuji is smaller, but heavier.
Just to give you an idea, some photos, taken with this camera:
2m, flash.
0.8m, flash.
2m, no flash. Coour test.
∞, sunny winter day.
My first camera had a problem. There was a black border to the right of each photo, a kind of black bulge. It
appeared on all photos. Probably the bellows were faulty.
I have sent the camera to the Lomo service and they replaced it without
a problem. They even sent a film as compensation the faulty photos and
a second one as reimbursement of the sendind fees. The service was
friendly, quick and responsive. This is what the problem looked like:
And here are 2 pictures, taken with the SQ10 for comparison:
Colour test.
2m, no flash.
The Sq10 has a wider angle. Its pictures appear sharper to me.
The
Lomo'Instant Square is a lightweight camera, easy to handle. The finder
is o.k., as with all classic Fuji Instants, there is no rangefinder and
it's approximative, but you get easily used to it. You have to remeber
to set the distance, it starts with the 1-2m range. Flash is on by
default, but you can switch it off. The flash is fine up to 2m. Inside
photos are well exposed, with or without flash. Outside photos in
winter are a bit dark, but I will have to wait for summer to make a
final judgement. Setting the camera to EV+ is too much. It's quite
different to the classic Fuji Instant cameras which tend to overexpose
in sunshine. The possibility to have long exposure times for night
photos is a big advantage, multiple exposures are possible as well. A
filter thread is a big + either, as is a tripod socket. Picture
sharpness is fine for a non-professional camera. So this camera is well
conceived, it's fun to use.
Some
gereral words about Lomography and their service: There is a 2-year
warranty, at least in Europe. My personal experience with their service
is very good so. As most of their cameras are made of (cheap) plastic,
there is no repair, they just exchange your defective camera. You have
to send it in to their Vienna office at your expenses, which is not cheap
if you are not based in Austria, but they try to compensate by adding
film or so to the return. You absolutely need a proof of purchase,
there was heavy abuse by fraudulent customers they told me. So if you
buy second hand or your camera is gift, be sure to put your hands on
the proof of purchase. After the 2-years warranty period it's over.
They will try to help for the expensive not-so-plastic cameras like the
LC series, but for the rest there is no repair. Keep this in mind for
the prices you pay for older gear.
There is a very useful accessory, a glass wide lens. You can find it here.
