Mint Instantkon RF70 - The Peak of Instax Wide Cameras [Instant Review]

The mack daddy of all Instax Wide cameras finally gets its due in this instant review. Today we discuss the Mint Instantkon RF70
As always you can follow me on the gram @the.instantgram and support our Patreon at Patreon.com/inaninstantchannel
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[@InAnInstant]

Editor’s Note: You can close the camera with the ND filters mounted!

[@IFrickenLoveRamen]

i would surely hate to use mine if you couldn’t

[@InAnInstant]

I can only imagine, Carter.

[@IFrickenLoveRamen]

@@InAnInstant thanks ben. just finished the video, yet another classic

[@InAnInstant]

@@IFrickenLoveRamen My man thank you!!

[@patrickcazer]

its nice to know you can do this, i've watched tons of videos and a lot of people say you cant do that

[@rajvo1]

When I entered the world of instant photography couple years ago, the 350 price tag for a refurbished SX-70 sounded crazy, and I wouldn't even consider them. Now though I totally understand why they cost the amount they cost, and frankly, 900 for Mint's SLR 670 or RF70 is, well, reasonable, given the amount of work that went into them, and that this whole market is so niche

[@InAnInstant]

It’s so true, but yeah as you sort of dig into how this industry functions these prices become less ridiculous - it doesn’t make it easier to buy something like the RF70 😂 but it certainly makes the price justifiable. Frankly it’s insane this camera even exists at all.

[@robiulahmed]

If there wasn't a laundry list of items on my "to buy" list, I'd definitely buy one of these.

[@camerajin]

This camera churns out really sharp prints, I feel meh sharing my RF70 photos online as the scans do not do it justice.

[@NERV0USMONKEYS]

Dream camera. Beautifully built and best instax format. But I’m a Polaroid fan... who hates Polaroid Go. So I bought a Polaroid Dine on ebay.

[@AnastasTarpanov]

Yeaaah finally! I think this is most waited review ever. Nothing new for the camera, but the funny jokes and nice frames are appreciated :)

[@LoveAsiaPop]

Love your side jokes and commentary type of review! I almost choked on my own spit when you announced the price and said you could hear us through the scream😭😂

[@InAnInstant]

I LITERALLY COULD 👂🏻 😂

[@travis_cannady]

First off, awesome review. I have been waiting for this one. And secondly, I have a RF70 and love it. But after a year of use, the sensor for the counter is messed up. Whenever I close down the lens, it sets back to empty. Take note that this is just my copy. I do have a really good warranty on this camera from buying it straight from Mint and I could send it back for a repair, but it personally doesn't bother me. I just keep track of the count manually. I have talked to some others that have this camera and they don't have this problem. Just thought I should mention it, but not trying to discourage anyone from buying this beautifully made camera.

[@Metroretro594]

amazing review! Thank you, the format is awesome

[@thejembalaya]

Benny Bags rhyming & stealing? Oh yeah, we want that.

[@InAnInstant]

Ok this is critical to know

[@hotpinkbulb]

Long awaited and sweeter for the waiting.

[@InAnInstant]

HPB ❤️❤️❤️

[@Shroo0oomz]

You are so underrated, u need your own TV show man!

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you!!! @TV hook me up

[@CragsCorner]

As a Wildwood local, it was crazy to see all the shots you showed off coking from my hometown

[@vekofoto]

I’ve waited for your review! A couple of notes: you CAN close the camera with an ND filter on, it was specifically designed to do so, also the camera will tell you the ND filter it recommends on the LED screen, although I would meter manually to be sure the subject is well exposed. One downside for me with the RF70 is the lens distortion, but it is not a big deal if you do portraits with the subject center framed

[@InAnInstant]

True regarding the ND filter, that was mentioned in a few comments so far. And yeah there is a bit of distortion for sure!

[@NessAmiibo]

Sheesh she’s PRICEY. But I do love me a rangefinder.

[@thomaszhang4765]

Really like the foldout design!

[@sypeiterra7613]

that intro music was FUNKY 10/10

[@janszpregiel1750]

First of al I love your reviews, in my opinion camera is not for everyone, I am not using mine that much because it is hard for me to focus in glasses that's why I am selling mine Second of all I am selling it so if anyone is interested coment or sth idk 😅

[@Markybug-Keira-Cody]

Champing at the bit for a slr670 review !

[@patrickjclarke]

Man, I really really wanted to support MiNT on this camera or the SF70 as it's exactly what a modern pro quality boutique instant camera should be, but since I have the RB67, a custom FrankenStax back just was a better choice for me. My only real complaint is that I do wish they were a little more clever about the ND filter. Like an internal one or something that also adjusted the light meter. Having an aperture priority mode is the only thing I really miss sometimes with the RB back so far. Great review and I wish you and I were closer, I'd let you play with my FrankenStax, but Oregon is about as far as you can get from NY. :P

[@InAnInstant]

That Frankenstax is a beast! Having used Instax backs before, I’ve seen the sheer power of it and it’s something to behold when a good lens is in front of Instax. Thanks Patrick for your kind words on the vid, wish we were closer too!

[@jeremyholden72]

Nice video! I have struggled with the price since the kickstarter campaign for the RF70. Will probably add to my collection.

[@janszpregiel1750]

If you are still looking for one I am selling mine rn

[@HamburgerMILF]

Yaaayyy! Thank you very very much Ben! ♥️ And yes. Please always rhyme.

[@InAnInstant]

If you say, I will rhyme every day!!

[@HamburgerMILF]

@@InAnInstant Yessss! 🔥🔥🔥

[@benlin2870]

Ooo yes!! You don’t always have to own the camera you review! What a concept! Looking forward to you reviewing a SLR670-S in the near future with that in mind!

[@InAnInstant]

Somehow this feels like an attack, why would you word it this way 😂

[@benlin2870]

@@InAnInstant Oh god, NO! Not attacking you by any means, ahhh!! Perhaps I had just projected my own financial insecurities onto you when it comes to pulling that trigger for high-end equipments. I was just so stoked at the prospect of you being able to review all sort of camera goodies with sky being the limit! Please forgive me o thou sweet In An Instant Overlord with oh-so-sweet fountain of contents! Can we still be friends pretty please? 🙏🏼🥺🤣

[@InAnInstant]

Haha all love Ben!! Certainly I don’t have to own a camera to review it but generally I will review a camera of particular interest to me, the RF-70 being one of the most compelling. I’m sure I’ll get to the 670 one day!

[@sheelios]

shoutout to rice!

[@InAnInstant]

MAJOR shoutout to rice!!

[@inkaststudio]

Wanted this camera for YEARS!!! I just can’t see myself spending that sorta cash for Instax wide. I instead grabbed THE GOOSE and mod the heck outta of it with a Polaroid back from Aaron, a 4x5 adapter again from Aaron, a 120 back from eBay and the peel a part back that came with the cam and surprisingly it was almost the same amount.

[@InAnInstant]

Yeah it’s cray how much you can kit out the Goose and it can come out to basically the price of the RF70 haha, it’s definitely a cash dumptruck.

[@inkaststudio]

@@InAnInstant Yeah, THE GOOSE!!! is extremely underrated!

[@peerlessportraits]

"Does anybody want that?" Wordplay triggers automatic subscription 👍🏾

[@InAnInstant]

Terrance you have pre-heated my heart to the temperature suggested in the baking directions ❤

[@nordmende73]

Thank you!

[@alij0n3s]

I wish more companies did this kinda camera. It's sooooo expensive for what it is makes me sad

[@CrookedNose2131]

Sad, like actually feeling sad? Wow.

[@JacobCarlson]

I appreciate the nonchalant Gatorade reference.

[@InAnInstant]

Is it in you??

[@enmunfi]

Nice Review, but i would love to see a comparison between the RF70 and the Fuji 500af. I love My SLR680 and my lomo instant wide. But i want better results for my Instax wide photos.

[@jonathangordon7542]

I finally got an email from Mint telling me that my SF70 is on the way! I get it 1-3-22 , I screamed like a school girl when I read the email haha.

[@anthonygibbs614]

That camera is beautiful expensive I'll pay that for that Maybe now I will wait the holidays are coming so maybe the price will be a little less than what you said on your show, I love 😍 what can you show your very informative I've been watching you so for few months on KZbin you're very precise

[@jackiedanielsss]

I’ve actually closed mine with the filter on and it fits fine. 🤷🏻‍♀️ one thing that you have to do before you close it is set it back to ♾

[@InAnInstant]

Wow really? I have not been able to do rhat

[@benjamintschetter1544]

I can also confirm, I’m able to close mine with a filter on and focus set to infinity.

[@InAnInstant]

Good to know!

[@spadelump]

Just bought one

[@mjones410]

they should include small matching filters which slip in front of the meter for auto exposing with the ND filters on.

[@InAnInstant]

That’s a good call!

[@StephenPruitt]

FYI, any lighting shop that sells Lee or Rosco lighting gels will carry ND gel. If they have sample books, you can pick one up and use those to slip in front of the meter to match the filter you're using. Not super pretty, but handy if you use the filters a lot and don't like doing the exposure math.

[@crucial800]

Yes, I speak for everyone when I say keep the rhyming.

[@skaramicke]

The rhymes. I want that.

[@bobakdota]

Damn that’s nice

[@aaronblair9583]

I just cut out and gels and stickem on with poster tack putty. Do the same when I shoot 600 on my sx70 instead of a packfilter

[@JessieLeTV]

Is the logo wide a good alternative to the mint? I have a fuji 210 super old but the photos still look great. It’s just missing some of the bells and whistles. Is the lomo worth it? It’s around $200, or do you recommend saving up for the mint?

[@InAnInstant]

I'd say the Mint is not worth the cost unless you have the supplemental income to easily support it. The Lomo offers significantly more creative options than the 210, but will have a steeper learning curve and occasionally not function properly.

[@cookieemcflinger]

I’ll watch even if you start with slam poetry!

[@InAnInstant]

This is fueling me

[@quadrupleheart]

Charming and witty as ever Ben, truly B4B!

[@InAnInstant]

Speaking of heart!! 😭😍😍😍❤️

[@57Stratmann]

You’re a poet, and didn’t know it

[@InAnInstant]

Seems to be the likeliest scenario

[@ppknr336]

Looks: awesome. Probably resembles type 100 camera of 21 century. Price: sadly. Meanwhile in my garage: (making the instax wide one-shot holder for classic type 100)

[@HansBrooymans]

Intriguing camera, would almost replace my 500AF by the RF70, BUT why does it have a wide-angle lens, just as the 500AF? This would have been such a great opportunity to get back the SX70 look and feel in terms of perspective (thanks to those cameras carrying a 50mm-alike lens)!

[@InAnInstant]

Completely agreed Hans!

[@mikamo]

I picked up a grimy old Graflex Crown Graphic 4x5 for $30. Didn’t matter, it’s mahogany under the leatherette. And the actual movements worked perfectly. Stripped it, used $10 worth of sandpaper and linseed oil, and was left with a beautiful camera. Then Lomo came out with the LomoGraflok. I preordered mine a year ago for $140. So all in, less than $200, and I’ll be able to go all the way down to f4.5 and use any goddamn ND filter mount I want. I already own a bunch of step-up rings (so I could put a big honkin’ telephoto lens on it, needed 4 step-ups to go from 42mm to 63mm), or you can just use a Cokin system. I 100000% recommend ignoring this camera and picking up a fucked-up GCG and an LG instead. Hashtag not sponsored.

[@InAnInstant]

Haha Mike congrats dude you got a great deal on the Crown Graphic. I own a Speed and love it!!

[@michaelpetersenfilm]

Yes, I want that rhyming business. And musical sequences! Where do you take that 'Fuji will not produce higher end Instax Wide cameras'. Isn't at least a flash-off 300 overdue since they were once capable to produce the 500AF? My 500AF was nice but not perfect at infinity. So, will a better Instax Wide ever come? Your RF70 shots are beautiful, but you are very kind to that FR70. How about barrel distortion and that too wide focal length much too similar to the snapshot cameras! If it had at least 110mm (opposed to that wide 93mm) I would eat dry bread and water to get one.

[@InAnInstant]

I'm not sure if Fuji even will produce another wide camera. Here's to hoping! Agreed about the distortion being iffy, but I do kind of like the look of that (this is instant film after all, and unique characteristics are welcomed). Agreed I think I would have preferred a 50mm equivalent instead of a 35.

[@skaboa]

am i missing something here, if you want the best image on the instax wide format, why not shoot with expensive camera then print on instax wide printer? anything i am missing in this thinking?

[@jacopoabbruscato9271]

God I want one so much, if I go on yearning like this my other cameras will probably pack their bags and leave

[@InAnInstant]

Or they’ll unionize and stage a demonstration outside your house

[@mrdasboot45]

Good review something you should have mentioned, the filters are proprietary bayonet, so you can’t use 3 party filters. It would have been nice to have color filters for black and white shots . Also getting the filters on and off can be fiddly ,I am always afraid of dropping the thin filters they don’t have al lot of grip with my fat fingers. Other minus worth mentioning is the lack of close focus (it is a rangefinder after all)

[@randomname9709]

Do you think you’ll ever be doing a one step + review?

[@InAnInstant]

I don't quite think so, but you never know!

[@Murtagh653]

it's a nice camera but the price for the extra features over the lomo instant or the fuji is just not justified at all. i checked the price in my country and it is 1300 dollars, which is only 300 dollars less than i paid for a d7500

[@robcicca]

Will you be testing the SF70 any time soon?

[@InAnInstant]

Currrntly doing so!

[@cal_cur]

also keep the rhymes make that a reoccurring intro

[@areallyrealisticguyd4333]

I'm ready to take out a loan if Polaroid does decide to make a new sx-70 🥵🥵

[@ralphhoskins2115]

Me too!!!!! Alllll fucking in on that one

[@differentlyabledmuslimjewi4475]

That would be nice. Imagine how nice having the bluetooth manual mode of the onestep+ on a SX70 would be. Literally if nothing else changed, I'd be happy. But if I could request more, I'd hope for maybe the ability to change the f stop. 3 levels would be great. maybe a f4.5, f8 and ~f16-f22 for different scenarios? I'd pay the price. Especially now that I'm shifting back to shooting more sx70 film as I'm kind of over the 600 speed film except for the fun stuff like duochrome and when they come out with a nice special edition frame. Shot an old pack of sx70 film and really loved the smoother look. Imagine paying i-type prices for a pack of sx70 film if they made a new one with internal battery though.

[@markjones3213]

whats the difference between the RF70 and SF70

[@MotoMoto136]

I just want an slr style instax wide camera, so I can frame things precisely

[@InAnInstant]

The LomoGraflok back with a large format camera is a good option for that, though obviously not a point & shoot 😂

[@jean-francoiscloet3337]

How do you scan the pictures

[@brineb58]

I so WANT one, but I do need to sell a kidney first!!! I will have to be content with the Lomo Graflock back until I can!!!

[@InAnInstant]

Kidney gang rise up!!

[@tacticaltome]

Another user here that closes their RF with the filter mounted 👍 You point about not being able to auto with filters attached can be partly addressed by looking at the counter display as you run through the shutter speeds. When you get into the over exposed speeds it will show a 2/4/8 to indicate which filter it recommends you use for the shutter speed set, so you can use this backwards by mounting a filter and choosing a speed that corresponds to that recommendation 😉

[@InAnInstant]

It’s clear everyone is inclined to comment that 😂 - noted!

[@cal_cur]

holy balls

[@jasonscott6171]

I have my RF70 on a Polaroid strap

[@InAnInstant]

Heresy

[@paulg7002]

Great video as always, but I am sorry, the lens quality and overall feature does not justify the price. It looks like a nice camera, but since I have the Lomo Wide, there is no reason to jump up to this camera, since I shoot 35mm and 120 as well. For 120 I use a Zeiss Ikon Ikonta and that is a nice folding camera with superb lens quality. I would buy this camera in a heartbeat if it was in the 300 Euro area, but at the current price it is ridiculous. If I wanted to shoot high quality instant, I would go pick up an old 4x5, get a polaroid back and shoot peel apart instant film and then you get superb image quality and I wouldn't be paying this price. Sure, it is a lot more to carry, but if I was a pro, I would have my assistant carrying my gear around.

[@InAnInstant]

If you want to shoot high quality instant that is still produced, pick up that old 4x5 camera, a LomoGraflok back, and shoot Instax Wide on THAT. Can't get any better at this point. And trust me, you'd be paying WAYYYYYY more for that packfilm lol.

[@PeteBoyd]

It's disapponting to learn that the lens is soft wide open at f/5.6. Manually focused sharpness with shallow depth of field (and f/5.6 is not particularly shallow) is the main reason I would choose this camera.

[@InAnInstant]

I totally agree

[@Ryan-lc4bl]

You have to consider that it's basicly a 6×9 camera, and apetures wider than f/4 aren't at all common for this size of format, f/5.6 is then acceptable. Yes, it's quite a basic lens on a very expensive camera, 3 elements and f/5.6 don't seem like much, but you shouldn't expect to get sharp focus wide open with any medium format camera either. Almost anyone knows that you NEED to stop your lens down to get sharp corners and the best of any lens, so shooting wide open defeats the purpouse of a bigger format, even if that was the main reason to get the camera, the simple construction limits itself to smaller apetures being the solution to the "softness", dissapointing.

[@InAnInstant]

I understand what you’re saying Ryan but I use 5.6 on medium format and LF all the time. The plane of focus is thin, but most definitely useable and produces stunning background separation (when you need something like that). I wouldn’t say it’s a great excuse for this lens not cutting it.

[@Ryan-lc4bl]

@@InAnInstant I know, and agree. It's very unsharp for a medium format lens, I guess I was just being optmistic in this case, lol. You're right, it's soft, mainly because it's a simple construction (most lenses would be 5-6 elements), combined with the fact that it's unlikely that MiNT makes their own glass elements, (and only one of them is actual glass, the others are plastic).

[@anthonybrunotheodd]

I’m converting an old Polaroid Land Camera that uses the old instant roll film to use modern Instax film and it costed me $500. So I feel like I got a bargain.

[@InAnInstant]

That’s gonna be so fun to shoot with!

[@anthonybrunotheodd]

@@InAnInstant thanks!

[@GnartotheBone]

For me, the lomo has way more options.

[@toulcaz31]

At this price point, the RF focusing and lens seem to render images way too softly.

[@InAnInstant]

I’d say definitely wide open I’d like to see better performance out of the lens, especially at this premium price.

[@user-tj3vi3fm9p]

Like instax mini evo lever😂

[@VariTimo]

Not having regular filter threads is a big no no.

[@AeromaticXD]

It does look nice - but out of my price range unfortunately!

[@bhbvuvocxzhrzrx]

hey how can i send you peel apart film?

[@InAnInstant]

Wow, you’d like to send me film? That is incredibly generous. Please DM me on Instagram @the.instantgram

[@diegoochoa572]

*laughs in pathfinder conversion*

[@InAnInstant]

🥵

[@diegoochoa572]

@@InAnInstant hey if you ever wanna borrow one of my conversions just lemme know. Got a lot of different back and lenses to use 👌

[@InAnInstant]

Oh sweet, thank you Diego I’ll let you know!

[@mattlucier6493]

THE SUN DOES NOT PAUSE FOR NO ONE

[@InAnInstant]

NOT ONCE (except for clouds which we’re not gonna talk about)

[@mistermars1479]

Hmmm, rice!

[@InAnInstant]

Right!?!?!?

[@anthonygibbs614]

I looked at the price for a camera that you mentioned forget it , I have a Fujifilm Instax sq6 And soon will be getting the Polaroid Now plus I'm not rich and I'm not poor

[@torellikid1]

I kinda liked the rhymes. I think you should do whatever makes you happy in your videos. Wanna drop a rhyme? Do it up. Still loving the videos!

[@InAnInstant]

Joel this is the sort of unwavering support we all need in life!!

[@ajorsomething4935]

That's cool... too bad that price reminds me more of used medium format film cameras that I have high on my "want" list.

[@RikoGonzalez]

You can definitely close the camera with the filters on!!!!!

[@RikoGonzalez]

Nevemind carry on , just saw the editors note 😂

[@RikoGonzalez]

It would have been nice if you had mention the suggested ND filter display while metering a scene!

[@alij0n3s]

Fuji makes me so mad 😅

[@buzzfilm3929]

868 dollars for plastic body.. yea right!

[@cubiclerecords]

It’s so upsetting seeing this body and finding out that it’s for a Instax film and not 120film. Was ready to buy it but then realized that it’s for Instax

[@matejphoto]

Nah, still not buying it. I will patiently wait for the lomo instax wide back for graflok and the shoot Instax on my crown graphic. The biggest downside of the RF70 for me is that the lens is wide angle, so not great for portraits.

[@yourfamilydocter]

Am I the only one who thinks the instax wide film is chronically underexposed?

[@InAnInstant]

You mean generally? Or the shots in this video?

[@FrankJacobbs]

I Also have difficulties here. Even with the use of a lightmeter. Any suggestions of What I could be doing wrong?

[@michaeltuffin8147]

shill