The Best Instant Film For Instant Cameras
While expensive digital cameras are all the rage these days, instant cameras are quickly making a comeback. Capable of producing a physical photo you can share with friends in just minutes, these cameras rely on quality film to give you the best results. And while there are many options out there, we’ve selected a few of our favorites to help you get exactly what you need. Check out our list of the best film for instant cameras below and share your best shots right away.
What to Look For
When choosing our favorite instant films, we looked for ones that produce high-quality images, are easy to load and handle, and are a great value for their price. For easy-to-load cartridges and film that’s great in low light, Fujifilm’s Instax Mini takes the cake. If you own a Polaroid, however, their Instant Color I-Type film produces beautifully vibrant images that pop off the paper. Keep on reading to learn more about our favorite instant films and why we love them.
Fujifilm Instax Mini Instant Film
Share with friends
Passing around keepsakes with your friends can be a ton of fun, and Fujifilm’s Instax Mini film helps you share some of your favorite moments. The prints are 54mm x 85mm, perfectly fitting in most wallets and purses, so you can easily take them home after the perfect shot. The film is ISO 800, making it great in low-light settings. And each of the two cartridges comes with ten sheets, allowing you to take a total of 20 pictures.
Pros:
- It can produce a really neat ombre effect in the pictures
- The cartridge is easy to install
- Works perfectly in low light
Cons:
- Only contains ten pictures in each cartridge
Fujifilm Instax Mini Film Pack
If you find yourself taking tons of pictures, you’ll want this Fujifilm Instax Mini pack. With five cartridges that have ten sheets in each, you not only have more pictures to share around but also save money with the investment. It has the same fantastic quality that you expect from Instax Mini film, with sharp images and great low-light capture. Best yet, the cartridges are easy to handle and install, so you’ll be ready to go within seconds.
Pros:
- More affordable when bought in bulk
- Cartridges are easy to store without degrading
- Also compatible with some Polaroid cameras
Cons:
- They’re not the most robust frames, so you have to store them well
Polaroid Instant Color I-Type Film
The latest from the greatest
Polaroid is a classic name in the film world, and their updated I-Type film has never been better. Made to provide even richer colors and contrast, it produces crystal-clear photos with a warm vintage look. They work great in well-lit settings but can also capture darker settings when utilizing your camera’s flash. Photos develop in just 15 minutes, so you don’t have to spend a ton of time waiting and wondering how they turned out.
Pros:
- The colors are brilliant and seem to pop off the sheet
- Pictures develop very quickly
- They develop quickly without the need for shaking
Cons:
- On the pricy side, but the quality of the photos is fantastic
Fujifilm Instax Mini Film Assortment Set
Fun frames
Fujifilm makes it easy to snazz up your polaroids with their Instax Mini assortment set. It has four different backgrounds to frame your photos: rainbow, color pop, stained glass, and shiny stars. Great for kids and adults of all ages, these sheets add the right amount of pizzazz to give your pictures a little extra pop. Each pack comes with a cartridge with ten sheets, allowing you to take 40 pictures in total. Best yet, they fit conveniently in a small pouch, wallet, or purse so everyone can easily take them home.
Pros:
- Great way to add variety to instant photos
- Last a long time before expiring
- Affordably priced for the variety
Cons:
- Depending on the camera and conditions, some photos may not fully develop
Polaroid Originals Color Film
Iconic images
Polaroid images will never go out of style, and their Color 600 film will keep you shooting on and on. Specifically designed for 600 and i-Type cameras, it has a classic white frame and saturated look. Each cartridge has a small battery making it perfect for older cameras, but it also works on newer ones just as well. And to ensure you have the clearest photos, Polaroid utilizes clean rollers to distribute the image across the film frame smoothly.
Pros:
- Develops very quickly
- Works with both old and new Polaroid cameras
- Works excellently in natural sunlight
Cons:
- If you don’t store the film in a fridge or cool location, it can degrade in quality
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does instant camera film expire?
Instant camera film expires because the chemical quality changes over time. As it degrades, it can negatively impact how well it picks up light and can cause your film to not develop properly. We suggest always using your instant camera film before the expiration date or within the first 12 months of its production.
Why do I need to store my Polaroid film in the fridge?
Storing your polaroid film in the fridge helps reduce the rate of chemical change or degradation. Because chemical changes in the film can lead to poor picture quality or cause the film to not develop at all, slowing the rate of change helps ensure you take the best pictures possible with your film. It’s also important to remember to let your film come to room temperature before using it, however, since super cold temperatures can also cause some image issues, as well.
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