Lomo’Instant Wide Glass instant camera improves sharpness and colour accuracy on Instax Wide film
Instant cameras’ popularity streak, which started with Fujifilm’s affordable Instax series, seems to be continuing unabated, with new models still being launched by a number of brands. The latest to throw its hat in the ring is Lomography, with the launch of the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass. The name refers to its use of the larger Fuji Instax Wide film, but it's the ‘Glass’ part of the moniker that's new and sets this camera apart from others in the lineup.
For its 90 mm (equivalent in 35 mm format) lens, the Lomo’Instant Wide Glass ditches cheap plastic for multi-coated glass, thus reducing optical and chromatic aberrations to produce sharper and more colour-accurate images. This is interesting given that Lomography has typically been all about charmingly flawed photos marked by vignetting, blur, light leaks, and other distortions.
In any case, this camera is said to be “optimised for studio and fashion photography”, although it doesn’t exactly offer the most exhaustive set of manual controls. In auto mode, it can adjust shutter speed from 1/125 to 8 seconds, with a Bulb mode stretching that to 30 seconds. Auto mode also selects between the two available apertures—f/8 and f/22, of which the latter can be fixed in manual mode.
One can also set a ±1 EV exposure compensation for trickier lighting conditions. The 90 mm lens offers zone-focusing, with selections between 0.3 m, 0.6 m, 1–2 m and infinity. There is an in-built flash as well as a PC sync port for external lighting solutions, and coloured gel filters are included for creative lighting.
Speaking of creative options, a multiple exposure mode is now practically a must-have for the kind of photography instant cameras are all about, and the Lomo'Instant Wide Glass makes the most of it. An included Splitzer lens attachment enables you to split the frame into sections which, paired with the unlimited multiple exposures, can create interesting or delightfully chaotic effects.
The camera also comes with a cleverly designed lens cap that doubles up as a remote controlled shutter release. A release timer switch is also available. The Instax Wide film it uses is relatively cheap and easily available on Amazon and elsewhere.
Pricing, Availability and Alternatives
The Lomo’Instant Wide Glass is available now on the company’s website for $279 or £249. In terms of competition, it goes up against the Fujifilm Instax Wide 400, the Instax Mini 99 and the ever popular hybrid Instax Mini Evo. For the more discerning instant shooters, premium options like the Polaroid I-2 Type and the Leica Sofort 2 are also good options.
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