The legendary Polaroid SX-70 was invented nearly half a century ago. And in 2020, MiNT is introducing the modern version of the iconic instant camera. InstantKon SF70 takes the best from the retro SX-70 and combines it with modern technology. You get the same instant photo experience, but with full manual control and a couple more improvements over the Polaroid SX-70. So, let’s dive in and see what the InstantKon SF70 has to offer.
When MiNT imagined the camera they wanted to make, they realized that it would have to contain the best features of the SX-70,” but also be better than it in some key areas. “Otherwise, it has no reason for being,” the company writes. So, they took the foldability and portability of the SX-70, its focus control, depth of field, and the square film format. And then they added built-in flash, shutter speed control, and aperture control.
The closest focusing distance is 75cm (29.5 inches) and the widest aperture is f/5.6, going up to f/22. You can also adjust the shutter speed and set it between 1s and 1/500s. There’s also Bulb mode that goes up to ten minutes. Some instant camera light painting, anyone?
ND filters are also available for the SF70, so you don’t over-exposing film in bright sunlight. Speaking of film, the SF70 uses Fujifilm Instax Square.
Here are the full specs:
- Apertures: f/5.6, f/6.7, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22
- Lens: 3-element lens with glass, aspherical lenses, f=93 mm, EFL (Effective Focal Length) (35mm equivalent: 50mm)
- Coating: Multi-layer coated
- Focusing distance: 0.75m (29.5 inches) – ∞ (manual focus)
- Depth-of-field (@ 0.75m and f/5.6): 4.9cm (35mm equivalent: f/2.4)
- Shutter speed: 1/500 – 1sec (A mode), B mode – maximum 10mins
- Viewfinder: Real image viewfinder, 0.44x
- Exposure control: AUTO, A+1, A-1, B, R-flash, 1/500, 1/250, 1/125, 1/60, 1/30, 1/15, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, OFF
- Flash: Built-in electronic flash with auto-brightness balance
- Multiple exposures: Yes, unlimited times
- Film: Fujifilm Instax Square Film
- Adapters: Cable release socket, tripod mount socket, neck strap eyelets, and 2.5mm audio jack
- Battery: 2 AA Alkaline batteries (included)
- Warranty: 5-years
And here are a few sample photos by Antony Hands & Sébastien Poirier
InstantKon SF70 is currently available through Kickstarter, and it’s doing quite well: $135,411 has been pledged of the $32,245 goal, and there’s nearly a month still to go. The camera sure seems like something worth owning, but note that it’s not cheap like most other instant cameras. The Early Bird price is $846 for the camera alone, and you can get a bundle with filters and film for about the same price if you make the pledge super-early. The official retail price will be $891 for the camera alone.
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