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The test devices: huge differences in weight and prices from 100 to 700 euros

Photo: Gerd Blank

I used to meet two salespeople in Hamburg's bars.

One had roses for sale, the other took photos with an instant camera.

Nowadays everyone with a smartphone probably has a good camera in their pocket and the business with pub photos is no longer going well.

That's a shame, because a picture like this captures a moment in a special way.

A recording like this doesn't end up in the memory of a smartphone alongside thousands of others, it is a memory that you can pocket, immediately, analogue, unique.

The year before last I took such a camera with me to a Christmas party and passed it around.

It was great fun for everyone, but because my camera always spits out its shots straight away, the pictures are now only mine.

If you want to see them, you have to come by.

It doesn't have to be that way, because there are now instant cameras that save their recordings before outputting them.

This means you have the option of having images ejected as desired – even multiple times.

But that has its price: you have to expect costs of around one euro per photo.

The question remains as to which of the devices tested is worth it.

Leica Instant 2

The Leica is something like Apple's iPod Nano back then: the most affordable product from a luxury manufacturer.

Compared to other instant cameras, the angular Sofort 2 is still expensive.

One disadvantage of the design: the shiny surface attracts fingerprints.

The Leica takes photos through a lens with a 28 millimeter focal length and around five megapixels.

Around 40 images can be stored in the internal memory, which can be expanded using a microSD card.

The term “immediate” is relative here.

Only after you have selected them on the three-inch monitor are the photos printed on photo paper measuring 6.2 × 4.6 centimeters.

The quality of the photos is good.

Unusual: In addition to the shutter button on the top, there is a second one that is inconveniently located between the selfie mirror and the flash.

The built-in battery, which is charged via USB-C and provides enough power for several packs of films, is practical.

The Sofort 2 offers ten shooting modes and just as many filters.

For example, you can select double exposure, various exposure effects and fisheye optics on the lens ring.

The wheel on the top can be used to set the look of the recordings with settings such as retro, sepia and monochrome.

Last but not least, you can adjust how bright the images should be output.

The camera offers many possibilities with on-board resources.

This also includes the fact that you can transfer and output photos from your smartphone to the Leica via Bluetooth or – conversely – save images from the Leica to the smartphone using the app.

Conclusion

The Leica Sofort 2 offers everything that makes an instant camera as well as many extras and setting options.

The modern design and intuitive operation are fun, but the high price is less so.

Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo

The Instax Mini Evo looks like a classic retro camera.

The large lens has a focal length of 28 millimeters.

The metal casing looks pleasing in combination with the black plastic, but doesn't feel as high-quality as it looks.

Nice: The camera has a hot shoe and the memory can be expanded with a microSD card.

Not so nice: The test sample uses a micro-USB cable for charging, a standard that has long been outdated.

According to the manufacturer, newer models have USB-C.

This already mentions all the main differences to the Leica Sofort 2, because in principle it is the same camera.

Both have an almost identical inner workings, which extends to the software.

That's why I can mention a few features here that I left out of the Instax's photo cousin.

It has a self-timer, but can also be controlled remotely using the smartphone app.

It takes approximately 90 seconds for an image to be output.

When the lighting conditions are optimal, the photos are very good.

The many filters and image modes also ensure a lot of variance here.

The option to transfer and output smartphone photos to the camera is a welcome added value.

Conclusion

All the advantages of the Leica Sofort 2 also apply here.

However, there is one crucial difference: the Instax Mini Evo is significantly cheaper.

If you prefer retro charm to a modern look, you can save a lot of money here.

Lomo Instant Wide Camera

In pictures the Lomo looks dainty, but in person it's quite a stunner: my kitchen scales show 830 grams.

The design looks like it comes from a time long gone.

If it weren't so heavy, the Instant Wide would be the perfect accessory for a 1930s-themed dress-up party.

And that doesn't just apply to appearance.

There is no battery; instead you have to insert four AA batteries.

When it comes to operation, manual work is required and no automatic devices of any kind are used.

The photos exposed on Instax Mini film look very opulent in the large photo format of 62 × 99 millimeters.

However, you have to make compromises when it comes to quality.

There is a clear lack of dynamism.

But perhaps the photos are meant to look like relics from days long gone, complete with a slight patina.

If so, this project has been successful.

Conclusion

The Lomo is a wonderful toy for lovers.

Because of its heavy weight, however, it is more often left on a shelf as a piece of jewelry instead of being taken away.

If you don't mind that, you'll definitely have an eye-catcher.

Polaroid I-2

When you think of instant cameras, you always think of Polaroid.

With the I-2, the brand wants to show that it is still active in this area.

Everything professional photographers could want is built into the large camera, which is not exactly light at around 560 grams.

The high-quality housing fits well in the hand and the viewfinder extends far back.

When you look through it you can see a digital display for the aperture setting.

This is adjusted directly on the fast lens, as is the distance to the subject.

Above the power button there is a tiny display and a function button with which you can make settings for aperture, timer, double exposure and shutter speeds.

The battery is charged via USB-C and can easily last through several packs of film.

In the test I went through two packs and the battery was still half full afterwards.

The square format of the photos is 79 × 79 millimeters.

The film material appears to be of high quality and the quality of the instant images is exceptionally good.

However, a few details are missing that cheaper models from other manufacturers offer.

For example, a monitor to check the images before output.

With the Polaroid, the exposed image is ejected immediately after pressing the shutter button.

There is also no memory for printing images multiple times or transferring them wirelessly to a smartphone.

Polaroid has developed an app for the camera, but it only serves as a remote control.

The app's scanning function is very unusual: it allows you to scan the printed photos with your smartphone camera and collect them digitally.

This is a bit like printing out an email and sending it by fax, so that the recipient can then scan it and store it in a database.

Conclusion

Anyone who sees photography as a craft will be well served with the Polaroid I-2.

They can be used in photo studios and street photography.

Anyone who uses this camera for party photos also drives the Ferrari to get bread rolls.

Polaroid Go

With the Polaroid Go you can now move from serious photography to fun pictures.

The Go looks like a toy compared to the I-2 and at 239 grams it feels like one.

But it's great fun to take photos with the little camera.

Here too you look through an elongated viewfinder.

There is no further display because you cannot set anything.

It's a point-and-shoot camera: point it, shoot, done.

The almost square image format is tiny at 47 × 46 millimeters and that's why it's great.

Unfortunately, the photos are always a little pale, even with optimal lighting.

This is forgivable with this type of photography.

The weak battery has enough energy for two to three packs of film.

There is no app for this camera.

Conclusion

The Polaroid Go is the ideal camera for taking photos at parties and family gatherings.

It is small, light and easy to use.

The fun retro look suits the Go perfectly.

Canon Zoemini S2

Strictly speaking, the Zoemini S2 is not a typical instant camera.

She prints images on photo paper, while the other test candidates chemically develop them on special paper.

The S2 is more of a printer with a camera function or a digital camera with printing functions - whatever you like.

The flat camera is roughly the shape and size of a smartphone, doesn't seem particularly high-quality, but fits well in the hand.

The 35 millimeter lens takes photos with 8 megapixels.

The recordings are saved on a microSD card.

The battery is charged via micro USB and creates around 25 prints.

Up to ten sheets of photo paper measuring 5 × 7.5 centimeters fit in the paper compartment.

The image quality on the Zink photo paper is similar to that of photo booths.

What's strange is that the camera doesn't have a display on which you could select which photos should be output.

At least you don't have to print photos straight away.

This is where Canon's smartphone app comes into play: it lets you choose which images you want on paper.

Conclusion

The Zoemini S2 is an exciting camera-printer concept.

If you need a quick paper photo on the go, this can come in handy.

However, it doesn't have the charm of a classic instant camera.