Instant film has its appeal, but the camera options were never as large as those using regular film (Polaroid pretty much had the monopoly for a long time). It’s still true today (Fujifilm has taken over where Polaroid left off), but Lomography has added a new offering: an instant camera accessory that’s designed to work with one of its film cameras.
The Belair Instant Back is an add-on for the Belair X 6-12 cameras that prints photos instantly onto any Fujifilm Instax Wide film. The Belair X 6-12 is a medium-format camera that shoots photos on 120 film, in 6 x 12 panoramas, 6 x 6 squares, and 6 x 9, and uses interchangeable lenses (it comes with a 90mm and 58mm lens). An auto shutter allows for proper exposure. With the new Instant Back, you can now churn out those medium-format photos instantly. Unlike Polaroid or Fujifilm instant cameras, you have to manually crank the photo out after it has been exposed. And a small modification to a Belair X 6-12 camera is needed; the Instant Back will make the camera feel larger when held.
At $250-$350, the Belair X 6-12 is pricey as far as Lomography cameras go. Throw in the Instant Back and it’ll cost you another $89 (plus, Instax Wide film isn’t cheap). Compared to a medium-format digital camera, it’s pennies. You won’t get the same image quality, but you’ll get that warm analog photo that digital cameras have a hard time achieving without filters.
Check out Lomography’s site for more info.
