Polaroid Studio Shootout with iconic instant cameras [Instant Shoots]

Matty Ice enters the In An Instant dojo for a shootout between cornerstone Polaroid cameras. We talk studio shooting, unique results from each camera, and deliver some high octane analysis.
Follow Matt on insta at @whoismattlucier and myself at @the.instantgram!
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[@kulecarson]

My dude, why are you so good at film editing??? Your show seriously looks better than most talk shows on tv. How much time was put into the intro!? That logo is so crisp I’d totally wear a shirt with it on. I feel like people who don’t even like Polaroid would watch this show for the aesthetics alone.

[@InAnInstant]

Carson whaddup! My day job is directing and editing so I'm trying to keep that high-effort quality going on KZbin! I spent a lot of time before the channel launched designing the various segments, graphics, and intro to come out of the gate very hot. I appreciate your kind words on it!

[@kulecarson]

In An Instant oh shoot that’s awesome! What do you direct and edit for your day job??? Yea your dedication definitely shows!

[@InAnInstant]

@@kulecarson I do sports docs (not now tho lol), internal commercial productions for brands, music videos, some external advertising, etc. And thank you!!

[@jasoneastman9403]

Yeah I dont even like instant, I shoot 35 120 & digital. literally never shot a Polaroid in my life. I watch because its about photography and it has superb quality.

[@InAnInstant]

Jason thank you! That is so cool to hear 🙌

[@AnchorTH]

I love Polaroid and instant film but man those medium format images were UNREAL! I love love LOVE medium format!

[@InAnInstant]

I have a very soft spot in my swole heart for 120 and it's quite insane to see them aside instants when used in the same scenario! But as a different commenter noted, seeing that comparison made him appreciate the instant format even more - so different strokes, but I'll keep shooting both 😂

[@TheLily97232]

Medium format are amazing honestly

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you!!

[@w.t.5136]

This is ran like a $10,000 budget TV show but I know its something you guys create lovingly!

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you!! All for the love of the game ❤️

[@CrystalAngelaTranquilino]

i dont even have a functioning polaroid camera and I still binge watch your channel.

[@InAnInstant]

That’s incredddd thank you for peeping regardless!!!

[@srad.]

one of the best film channels out there

[@InAnInstant]

HUGE thanks!!

[@michael_177]

Oh wow this is deffo one of my favourite videos i've seen on the channel, love all the comparisons towards the end and you guys discussing them, awesome format

[@InAnInstant]

Thanks so much Michael! Matty Ice’s first video and he did amazing

[@lugallagher6193]

This channel deserves to be so much bigger than it is. Love the video! I finally bought a Polaroid camera recently and can't wait to start shooting

[@InAnInstant]

Lu Gallagher thank you Lu! Best of luck with the new camera!!

[@planetfemjoi200]

Love the 80s aesthetic

[@gusmahn111]

Amazing video. Not only the contents, but the shooting style, video edition and idea. I love instant photography and I use it both for some of my work and hobby. Big thanks for all this info!

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you Gustavo, these kind words are deeply appreciated and thank you for being a supporter of the channel!

[@MarcusA.Dawson]

The wild difference between insta and the 120 format is laughable. So beautiful

[@InAnInstant]

Yeah it’s stark asf but that’s why we love both!!

[@potatopotato9411]

your content just keeps on getting better and better, Ben! I love the comparison! In conclusion, shoot everything (if you have money lol)

[@InAnInstant]

Haha yeah I may be the type of person that rarely condemns a camera or method entirely, after all they're all just light boxes and all of them have unique uses! Thank you for peeping the vid!

[@potatopotato9411]

@@InAnInstant always a pleasure

[@mileschun143]

9:16 in defense of the autofocus 600 series, you can see that it chose to focus on the mug in the foreground instead of the subject. Still nice and sharp!

[@joepgottemaker1890]

Littttt that cigarette🤣

[@InAnInstant]

🔥🥶🥶🥶

[@billpolitis2831]

The Best Episode!

[@InAnInstant]

Ooooooh thank you Bill!! We're shooting another one soon 😜

[@burendasan]

Nice to meet you, Matt! Ben: a very entertaining and informative video. More collabs like this, please!

[@InAnInstant]

Matt will be happy to see this and he's very pleased to meet you too I'm sure! More collabs coming soon!

[@awalden]

Hi, Ben! This was a very interesting and informative episode... thank you! I enjoyed this entire concept to contrast and compare actual results, rather than camera options and features (aside from plastic vs glass lenses). Matty's input and perspectives were great and I enjoyed the interaction between the two of you. You should have him as a guest again. --- As always, after watching one of your videos, I feel motivated and inspired. I wish continued success for you! ~ Allen (PS: I like the motor noises too!)

[@InAnInstant]

I loved getting Matty Ice in the studio and especially his admiration for the shutter sounds 😁- he will 100% be in a future video coming up! Then there might be a logistical gap between his next appearance after that but I'm sure he'll be return eventually! So glad this video could inspire you, I love hearing stuff like that, thank you Allen!

[@AbdullaYusef]

Great episode, great job guys

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you Abdulla!!

[@joanmichel]

Ahhh love the comparisons ~ Yay for Matt’s input: LOVE THE FLASHHH, but maybe he can play as flash too 😂

[@InAnInstant]

Matt playing the "Tall Flash" is a show I would watch WITHOUT HESITATION

[@DeeSnow97]

Seconded on the flash, IMO it's just part of the Polaroid character, but it's super hard to balance a background with it. Usually it likes to lift out the subject and just darken the background a bunch, kind of like bokeh on a camera with an actually wide aperture (wish that was an option on a Polaroid).

[@MrChrodo]

- The "Now" tends to overexpose easily in bright sunlight. For reasons i don't understand either, my "Now" works best in the evening when using the flash or in the shades without a flash. Also the switching between the close-up and wide-lense tends to take a while and it might not always be easy to newcomers. The trick is to half-press the button, point on the floor and then at the distance. You can then hear a click and thus get a feeling when which lens is being equipped right now. - I've noticed it yesterday again, the SX-70 still takes sharper images overall and handles exposure much better. However, i still got awesome pictures out of the one, maybe it really is the best "party-portrait"-polaroidcamera for beginners. Great Shootout! However, where are the 35mm pictures? :P

[@InAnInstant]

Yeah the SX-70, SLR-690, and SLR-690s will absolutely never be beat until someone makes a comparable glass lensed camera (and Polaroid’s the only company manufacturing cameras for the format, so ball is in their court). In the end cameras are just light boxes, the lens is everything! Still, the Polaroid Now can work well for most folks and is definitely the entry level camera as you described.

[@EmilyGallagher]

Fantastic video Ben and Matt, thank you for the education.

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you Em!!

[@EmilyGallagher]

@@InAnInstant My pleasure Ben!

[@stapledtogether]

great video dude! love a good camera comparison vid

[@InAnInstant]

Might have to fire off more in the future, thanks dude!

[@kian8382]

Super satisfying. The moment I saw the Pentax 645 image I knew why people shoot instant films.

[@InAnInstant]

It really is such a stark difference! Instant film is truly provides something completely different, not only in its obviously different chemical process but in how that serves the art.

[@bobsears4762]

Great episode. The comparisons were very informative.

[@InAnInstant]

Big thanks Mr. Sears!!

[@jasonmiller.mp4]

Love your videos! Amazing set designs, lets see some merch!!!

[@InAnInstant]

I want to fire off some merch but trying to be delicate about potentially hecking up copyrights and all that. Hopefully in the future!

[@laluenbaires]

I loved this video! And regarding the noise, you probably heard of the software "Poladroid" a program that emulates polaroid shots. You drag the image to the polaroid camera, it makes the noise we all love and then it starts "developing" the images. Another thing I wanted to mention is that I got the Instax 100 back in the day and I never liked the colors compared to Polaroid, I'm glad they upgraded that and made it so much better! Thanks for this episode! Real fun

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you Lalu! Yeah those Instax colors are certainly poppin. Also hilarious that there's a program that simulates the process and makes the sounds. We're sound lovers what can we say.

[@laluenbaires]

@@InAnInstant Yeah, unfortunately they stopped upgrading the software so the last time I used it I had to set my mac to a 2016 date, but then it worked! The pictures are similar to the instagram filters and so close to the real Polaroid film but it's fun to use. It can be downloaded from their website poladroid.net =)

[@InAnInstant]

Awesome! You love 2 c it

[@256k_]

just a recommendation for the channel which i am in love with. totally re-ignited my love for polaroid and got me to bring back out my old polaroids, add your social likes in each video description, for example you just spoke about instagram, so i figured oh great let's follow him on it but i couldn't find any info on the video or on the channel about. just giving feedback, really love the top tier quality content on this channel. excellent work.

[@InAnInstant]

Hey man! My instagram handle is in the description of every vid, including this one. Maybe click the "show more" in the description? Thanks for the kind words!!

[@256k_]

@@InAnInstant damn dude my bad! I could’ve sworn I opened and looked! I think my eyes were scanning for a link. Well I’m glad it’s there now 🙂 hope you didn’t take this in any way negative 🙂 love your channel. Glad your preaching the love for Polaroid and instant film. It’s my favourite medium to shoot for. The photos you end up with are instant memories.

[@InAnInstant]

No prob dude! Thanks so much, I appreciate the support 🙌🙌🙌

[@3Gee]

Love the phone case, brother!

[@InAnInstant]

NAMASTE!

[@m4nif3stor]

Love this video! Which film did you use for the Polaroid cameras?

[@aidantanny7230]

Amazing video. I absolutely love this channel. You should review the Diana Instant Square, real cool Lomography camera.

[@InAnInstant]

I think that camera is awesome, would love to try it out! Thank you for supporting the channel Aidan!

[@aidantanny7230]

@@InAnInstant of course! absolutely love this channel, keep up the amazing work!

[@teresafischer1272]

Amazing channel, keep it up. Saying hi from Chile!

[@InAnInstant]

Hi from NY!! Thank you for watching Teresa!!

[@DeeSnow97]

Okay, that was awesome. Loved seeing how you set up the lights and the reasoning behind them, there is just so much to learn from this video... As for the focus problems, I don't think either the 660 or the Now had an autofocus issue. You just got a bit too close. The minimum 2 feet (60 cm) focusing distance is deceptively long, especially when you're seeing through a Polaroid's viewfinder, you can't really get a face to fill out the frame and still stay in focus. I ended up 3D-printing a close-up lens holder for my Impulse AF, that's the only way I know of, short of just switching to a 680. (Well, the Lester Dine Polaroids also exist but idk if they can be used as regular cameras too.)

[@InAnInstant]

Yeah I agree it was most likely a minimum focus issue - meant to mention it in the analysis but forgot 😂

[@AeromaticXD]

Oh nice!

[@rustjockey]

Good stuff Mr. Ben! Surprised you didn't pull out an SX-70 too, just to show what film speed does in those situations. I know the 680 is essentially the same thing, but... I'm sure you noodled it. 👍 Got my One Instant last week... aaaaaaand it's pretty nice for a grand experiment...😁

[@InAnInstant]

Considered it! But SX-70 film simply wouldn’t have worked with this lighting setup. The low ASA would have forced us to use strobes for only that camera and that would have kinda defeated the purpose of the comparisons. But I def want to do a future vid on specifically SX-70 vs 600 film. So hype you got your One Instant film!!

[@rustjockey]

@@InAnInstant I got a bunch...18 shots left. Did you get on on it, or are you not planning on touching this stuff? It's a little wonky (being handmade and such a compromise), but so meticulously done and it seems to be really consistent. It's ungodly expensive, but... if it can be honed in to a more refined process... and there are some options... this could be viable. Even this first attempt is THAT promising...

[@InAnInstant]

@@rustjockey I am definitely interested to a degree, I have kind of just been waiting on it until it was off the pre-order/crowdfunding stage and I could just buy/receive it without a crazy wait. I'm for sure down for the cause.

[@rustjockey]

@@InAnInstant time to link up... you should try this. It's a little weird, but the best "rough draft" of something like this you could hope for.

[@ppknr336]

Awesome concept, and awsome pictures. I loving it. By the way, i shoot some instax wide films with old automatic 360 with 'proper' holder. It looks well. I'll call it 'the swag of polaroid.' Aaaaaaaaaand.. yes. Re-loading to instax cartridge one by one is little bit pain in the microwave oven. But it worths.

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you so much!! And yeah that single loading system is kind of a dummy fat headache but the results are also incredible!

[@mockermartin8725]

Loved this video Ben, the first time I've seen anyone doing a real proper side by side comparison of instant cameras with the results shown below, thought that was perfect. Also love that you weren't using the flash across the board (apart from the one or two unavoidable ones) as I rarely find myself using flash now. Really really surprised at the results from the NOW, being an sx-70 aficionado I'd totally written it off but it looks a great party camera. You know I'm no big Instax guy but that 500af takes some nice shots, my wife Ali has been using a lomo'instant and it does take some nice pics albeit they are very wee! Would you consider doing an sx-70 film Vs 600 film video in a similar format, sx-70 Vs 680? P.S Matt sounds like Christopher Walken, cool as!

[@InAnInstant]

Totally, not a flash guy but Matt is certainly a strobe bro so glad we got a couple examples of those too!! And definitely agree about the Polaroid Now, besides the focus distance issue on the closeup shots I am very happy with those results! Also definitely considering an SX-70 vs 600 video. In fact, I recorded one but have since thrown it away since I didn't love the lack of entertainment value. It's an important subject that not everyone is super clear on so I hope to revisit that in a different style of video! Love the Walken comparison for Matty Ice I'm sure he's never gotten that before lmao

[@mockermartin8725]

@@InAnInstant flash defo has a time and a place, don't get me wrong, some folk have made a career on it, it's just not my strong point. so true, re the lack of understanding generally re 70/600 film. Really hope you re shoot that one, shame you've binned your original as I bet it was great, we are always our own worst critics! Wish I had an ounce of your showmanship!

[@InAnInstant]

@@mockermartin8725 Thank you dude! Trying to be as clean as possible with the releases so sometimes, here and there, something's gotta go. But I'll be back on that topic soon I'm sure!

[@MichaWha]

I really like the Instax studio shots, such a cool camera, shame it's so rare...

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you Micha!! Agreed, big oof with how few they produced and how pricey they are now.

[@jamesbrockett786]

i love you ben ❤️ keep these video up please

[@InAnInstant]

I love you too James!! Will keep these videos WAY UP

[@jamesbrockett786]

In An Instant This is certified big for business.

[@mistermars1479]

The Kodak-Logo made me thaught that this video would end up in court 🤯

[@InAnInstant]

LMAO the ghost of Edwin Land was jabbering about his rear pick patents the entire shoot 😂😂

[@Kankugal159]

i like that you have the same strap on your slr680 se that i have on my slr680 se very good though i have a black button instead of blue on mine! always curious about that

[@InAnInstant]

Hashtag TWINNING! The blue button on my SLR 680 is because this is the SE edition (Sears) - Sears edition cameras all had some form of blue variation whether in the logo, button, etc.

[@Andrehubbardproductions]

What’s old vintage camera did use for the beginning the beginning?

[@Potiyop]

Concerning light, I recommend to be particularly careful with "light temperature". Indeed, if you use standard light bulbs from your local DIY store, you will end up with yellowish photographs (you can't change the white point afterward on analog) Btw, super interesting episode as usual

[@InAnInstant]

Hey mate! Agreed, definitely worth mentioning Polaroid is daylight balanced and tungsten lighting will cast a very orange hue on shots. However this is also something to play with as you can get hits of warm light while keeping the rest of the lights at 5000-5600K. That is the way shots at 2:48 and 2:54 are set up (warm rim lights, daylight keys) but in the former example it overpowered the key light temperature (which I actually like for that shot).

[@jenos83]

Thanks for bringing back "jabroni"

[@InAnInstant]

Oh it's BACK baby!

[@brineb58]

Wondering, are they all for the most part no flash?? I usually thing the Fuji Instax is better for color, but this makes me rethink it!!!

[@InAnInstant]

Hey Brian! Lighting setup discussed at 2:39, all photos taken without flash except the one accidental fire noted at 10:00.

[@JustAnotherChris]

Have you experienced when shooting with external lights indoors that your cameras light meter doesn’t register well and over exposes the image? My theory is that the light is directional and pointing to the subject and not pointing to the camera to hit the light meter so the camera thinks it needs to do a longer shutter speed. Any thoughts or tips?

[@InAnInstant]

Yes! That's what I'm referring to at 4:49 - I agree the light meter is mostly concerned with average lighting, and in the darker space of a studio it is confused and often overexposes. This happens probably 75% of the time and so I always exposure comp right off the bat, but weirdly it wasn't as much of a factor in this shoot, possibly because our entire scene had 5 lights, making it quite LUMINOUS!

[@JustAnotherChris]

In An Instant hmm great insight thanks!

[@petepictures]

Very entertaining

[@InAnInstant]

Thanks Petko@

[@w.t.5136]

The Sun 660 looks like it could be an album cover!

[@InAnInstant]

That would be dope! We’re open to licensing 😂

[@TranscendentalAirwaves]

Should have used some Lomo cameras in there. The difference between Fuji cameras and Lomo'instant cameras is night and day. The Lomo takes much warmer, less contrasty photo's and they generally do a lot better in low light situations without flash.

[@romerpedronphotography7612]

Great Video!! How did you guys get to shoot with the fuji instax wide without the flash?

[@InAnInstant]

Hi Romer! The 500AF has a flash override option.

[@romerpedronphotography7612]

@@InAnInstant So sorry i meant to comment on the other video where you used the Instax Wide 300 ! I noticed there wasn’t flash in that one

[@InAnInstant]

@@romerpedronphotography7612 Ah, I don't own an Instax 300 so I think you've only been seeing the Instax 500AF.

[@romerpedronphotography7612]

@@InAnInstant Thank You so much , and for your beautifully done fun videos!

[@InAnInstant]

@@romerpedronphotography7612 Thanks again for your support my man!!

[@DannyBlocher]

Would have been interesting to see how some of the Lomography cameras would have compared, like the lomo'instant square.

[@InAnInstant]

Could happen in the future, who knows!?

[@StickPeopleAndPuff]

The instax is odd in this case. Anytime I've used instax inside or out, I've always gotten really really nice colors and creamy saturation......

[@InAnInstant]

Yeah very surprised in particular by the outdoor results, though we did get those really punchy blues inside!

[@dreed1267]

What were your settings for lights? How much power etc.

[@InAnInstant]

Hey D, I wish I had a meter reading for ya, but we were using continuous lights with nebulous settings. Mostly it is about balance in this situation - the settings don't inherently matter as long as you have a high enough volume of light for the narrow apertures of the Polaroid cameras and balance them against one another.

[@Jamie-ux2lw]

That flip tho

[@InAnInstant]

Yeah we're gonna have to GIF that 😂

[@Jamie-ux2lw]

@@InAnInstant Nice

[@StuartTrenholmArt]

Imagine doing this with the i2

[@samuelwiggin7854]

Sun 660 video coming soon???

[@InAnInstant]

This is probably as much limelight as the Sun 660 is going to get for a while. It is essentially the same lens as the Impulse AF (which I'd already reviewed). The only difference between those cameras is the Sun 660 has flash override and the Impulse has a 10 second timer. Pretty big features but perhaps not enough to justify a whole vid,

[@robbonavco1610]

Do you find the off centre view finder of modern Polaroid cameras a source of irritation?

[@InAnInstant]

A little bit, but I’ve gotten really used to how to correct for it so it’s not an issue for me

[@robbonavco1610]

@@InAnInstant Cured that irritating, off centre problem, found myself an SLR 680!.. I note it has an inset thread for a tripod. Can you recommend a tripod for a vintage 680? Regards, Roberto

[@sonvapritch]

Matt with glasses looks like if Martin Brody from Jaws was younger and better-looking.

[@InAnInstant]

Wow I’ll make sure Matt hears this, what a compliment!!

[@sonvapritch]

@@InAnInstant Absolutely! Btw, love the channel. I'm more into shooting 16mm movie film, but I stumbled on your channel through the Polavision video. I'm taking the deep dive into instant film now!

[@MiamiMillionaire]

Mom, i don't smoke 🤣

[@Argo-F-Ur-Sef]

A 680 for $250? Dang, a few years, inflation, and popularity have drastically changed that price! Great comparison!

[@InAnInstant]

Truly crazy to look back on. Thanks Rex!!

[@SnowmansApartment]

can‘t you technically convert any old 120 film camera to shoot polaroid photos?

[@InAnInstant]

Not really, only a select few 120 film cameras can have their backs swapped and those can only only shoot as large as Instax Square (with full coverage). Polaroid film is much larger than 645, which is comparable to Instax Mini in negative size. A 67 could be converted (like with packfilm backs) but would leave large unexposed areas of black on the Polaroid.

[@GnartotheBone]

Strobe-bros unite

[@InAnInstant]

Strobe bros stick together till the grave!

[@Velldog]

How are your videos such high quality, yet you have hardly any viewers...

[@InAnInstant]

I just launched the channel in March and I knew it would be slow to build a following, but I didn't want that to stop me from coming out of the gate as hot as possible. I am a video director/editor by trade so this is a natural extension of what I do day-to-day, and I always want to keep that quality as high and consistent as it can be!

[@Velldog]

@@InAnInstant I really love it. The only other channel I watch within the same subject is Analogue Resergence. Please consider a collaboration! I'd love to see him at your studio. Keep up the good work.

[@InAnInstant]

@@Velldog Thanks dude! We actually did *kind of* do a tiny collab where I sent him some Polavision cassettes (re: the Polavision video on this channel) and he talked about the channel in a couple vids, minor crossover but hopefully more in the future after COVID!

[@WhoIsSerafin]

I think someone is a Ayn Rand fan like 😂