InstantKon SF70 instant camera is a Polaroid SX-70 on steroids

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.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mintcamera/instantkon-sf70-instant-camera

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.