Build the Biggest, Tiniest Instax Camera

Everything about the Fujifilm instax Pal camera is odd. It has no LCD, no viewfinder, and, oddest of all, it has no in-camera instax print capability. So, exactly, how is the thumb-sized Fujifilm instax Pal camera an, well, instax camera? Basically, its output can be directed to an instax printer. Voilà, it’s an instax camera.

Now, enter the Fujifilm instax Link WIDE™ printer. This printer uses the biggest of the instax format films. So, what does one have to do with the other?

Simple, marry the Pal to the Link WIDE printer and you have the “biggest, tiniest” instax camera. A true “odd couple“. Now, before you roll your eyes and scoff, “WOW, you’ve really jumped the shark with this project!” Consider this: “normal” instax WIDE cameras, like the Lomography Lomo’Instant Wide Glass camera are cumbersome and unwieldy when used in the wild.

Conversely, the diminutive Pal when properly combined with the Link WIDE printer forms an instant bond that is low cost, pocketable and adorable, all, at the same time. So, cue the lightning bolts and thunder, let’s build the “biggest, tiniest” mash-up camera.

A Monster Mash-Up

If you’ve always dreamed about “hacking” a couple of products together into one grand DIY project, then this article is for you. Anybody and everybody can successfully build this DIY project. You will only need a handful of products and a couple of hand tools.

• Fujifilm instax Pal for $117
• Fujifilm instax Link WIDE printer for $189
• Camvate Hex 1/4″-20 Threaded Stud w/Lock Nuts for $5.96
• Threaded Tripod Screw for $5.99

Total Cost for the Biggest, Tiniest camera: $317.95

And the tools that you’ll need are a pair of pliers and a hand drill. While you could use a power drill, it is NOT advised since you could melt the plastic and mar the finish of the completed project.

There’s no need for step-by-step instructions with this project. All of the work required for building the camera involves just drilling one hole and attaching the tripod screw with nut. And that’s it!

The ideal spot for attaching the Pal camera to the Link WIDE printer is located inside the back door of the film loading spot. Just pop the film door open and look at the white plastic area between the two lower film pressure plates. A circle in the white plastic marks the spot where you’ll drill a 1/4-inch hole for receiving the tripod screw.

Thread the tripod screw through this newly made hole and tighten it into place with a nut from the Camvate package. Once the nut is secured with finger-tightening, thread the Pal onto the exterior portion of the tripod screw. Orient the Pal’s camera lens toward the film exit slot and grasp it firmly while using the pliers to tighten the interior nut on the tripod screw. Done!

Your camera is now ready for operation. Load a pack of instax WIDE film into the camera and switch on the printer. Ensure that the bottom switch of the Pal is in the “L” position and then turn on the camera. In a moment a green LED will indicate that the two Fujifilm products are properly paired and ready for photography.

Point, Shoot, and Be Happy

Harkening back to the days of early Polaroid Spectra instant cameras, the biggest, tiniest camera is easy to “grab-and-go.” Plus it’s definitely an attention getter. There’s also the ability to disengage the Pal camera and wander away from the “mothership” printer for some quick, remote candid snaps.

Enjoy.

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