How do 35mm point-and-shoot cameras compare with instant cameras for casual shooting and scanning?
Asked 9/4/2018
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My friends and I use disposables and cheap 35mm point-and-shoot cameras for skating trips, biking, punk shows, and zine work. We like the look and simplicity, but we don’t love waiting to finish and develop a roll only to discover that many shots didn’t turn out.
We’re considering an instant camera, such as a Fujifilm Instax model or a Leica Sofort, because the immediate feedback would help us know whether we got the shot. We’re not looking for pro-level gear—just something fun, portable, and easy to use.
What are the main image-quality differences between 35mm film cameras and instant cameras? Are instant prints suitable for scanning or enlarging later, or is 35mm still the better option if we may want to use the images in a zine or on a computer?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
7y ago
2 Answers
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but I'm wondering if I will see either a difference in quality if I were to use something like a Lecia Sofort, or one of the (newish?) Fujifilm instax?
There's actually quite a bit of difference between instant cameras and those that shoot film.
Film, the negative, is designed to be an intermediary process. It's designed knowing full well that someone will be using that negative to create a print that is much, much larger than the negative. As such, lenses are designed to resolve detail at an incredible level and negative emulsions can capture a range of brightness values. The negative itself is also, generally speaking, a thing that we try to archive and to keep it around for a good long time.
The Instax print, on the other hand, is not designed to be enlarged later. It's designed for instant feedback. It has less range than a negative, which will show as higher contrast with less detail in the shadows and highlights. Because of their small size and non-need to blow them up, lens resolutions are not prioritized. Many Instax cameras use plastic lenses - which provide a soft looking image. I'm using Instax for a project of mine, but it's not something I'd recommend you use to scan, as the quality just isn't that good to begin with. Instax are for quick checking of light/style and for remembering a time - not for scanning and blowing up on a computer.
I just feel like I would benefit more from being able to have instant feedback of a photo. So if we're filming a trick while skating, I can snap a photo and know for sure whether I got it or not, and not rely on a luck.
Instax are great for instant feedback, but so too is digital. I get it, you've found a look that you really like and you want to stick with it. (I'm using Instax for a baby book and I convert digital images into transparencies for making cyanotypes with them. Trust me, I get it!) But, I want to strongly encourage you to get a used DSLR. Here's why:
You're photographing skaters. I did just this thing back in High school. One skater to another, SLR's FTMFW!. You need the ability to use decently high shutter speeds to get stop motion on a fast moving board. Or, you need the control to drop the shutter speed to induce motion blur. With an SLR, you'll have this control.
Part of me really wants to point you towards a Canon 1V, as they're the flagship 35mm SLR of the day and cheap to get now. But alas, I think you'll be just better off with a used Rebel or 40/50/60/70D.
As for your comment on getting no useable shots...if you want to be a good photographer, you need to learn a thing or two about shooting. How to meter a scene, what ISO is, what the Exposure Triangle is, and what the limits of your gear are. Frankly, you should know whether or not you've got quality in the camera, even with a disposable. If you don't, it's because you haven't actually learned how to use the camera...yet!
As far as no usable shots, some might have to do with ISO or aperture, some might do with light hitting the film by accident, while others are due to trying to time someone doing a trick
No disrespect intended by my comment above. It sounds like you're really taking this seriously. As such, I cannot more heavily recommend the SLR for what you're doing (over an Instax). And if you insist on sticking with film, Do lookup the different offerings from Kodak and Fuji and look up how those films react with Pushing and Pulling and even Cross-Processing. I think you'll find these processes fun and experimental.
Originally by user67377. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user67377
7y ago
0
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Yes—there’s a meaningful difference. A 35mm film camera makes a negative that’s meant to be an intermediate step before printing or scanning. Because of that, 35mm negatives usually hold more detail and tonal range, and they’re generally better if you may want larger prints or higher-quality scans later.
Instant film is designed to produce the final print directly. The print itself is the end product, not something optimized for enlargement. That means instant photos are great for immediate feedback and the unique instant-film look, but they typically offer less flexibility and lower image quality for scanning or blowing up than 35mm negatives.
So the tradeoff is:
- 35mm: better for archiving, scanning, enlarging, and overall image quality
- instant: better for immediate results, fun, and quick creative feedback
Yes, instant prints can be scanned, but they usually won’t enlarge as well as a good 35mm negative. If your priority is checking results right away and keeping the casual aesthetic, instant can make sense. If your priority is better image quality for zines or digital use, 35mm is usually the stronger choice.
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