Fujifilm instax SQ40 REVIEW : best INSTANT square camera?
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- čas přidán 14. 06. 2023
- My Fujifilm instax SQ40 review - BEST instant square camera?
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My Fujifilm instax SQ40 review - BEST instant square camera?
Check prices on the instax SQ40 at Amazon: amzn.to/3CumphN // WEX UK: tidd.ly/43JaQza
Square film: amzn.to/3mCy0lv
Buy Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs
Gordon's In Camera book: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ
Cameralabs merchandise: redbubble.com/people/cameralabs/shop
Gordon’s retro gear channel: czcams.com/users/dinobytes
Check MPB to buy and sell used gear: bit.ly/3ULU9yL
Check eBay to find vintage gear: rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=1&pub=5574908462&toolid=10001&campid=5338329149&customid=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg
Lost photos? I recover mine with: www.dpbolvw.net/click-100568658-13808570?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stellarinfo.com%2Fphoto-recovery-software.php
Equipment used for producing my videos
Panasonic Lumix S5 II: amzn.to/3Hf5IcI
Sony A6400: prf.hn/l/pRO0wp5
Sony e 24mm f1.8: amzn.to/2TqWNzk
Rode NT USB mic: amzn.to/3AdHcUp
Rode Wireless Go II mic: amzn.to/3xkCvGo
Rode Lavalier Go mic: amzn.to/3ygzzKY
Godox UL150 light: amzn.to/2VpVbXE
Godox QR-P70 softbox: amzn.to/3yQfGdF
MacBook Pro 14in (16GB / 1TB): amzn.to/3PrKbPV
Music: www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Love your instax reviews! And yes, it'd be awesome to see a Wide 40 in the future as well!
Thanks, finger's crossed!
I got the sun 660 polaroid refurbished by polaroid as a birthday present from my missus when we first moved into our new house. I loved how the body had blemishes. I love the nostalgia of the old polaroids. Got some lovely photos of my daughter . I just purchased the sq40 and another baby on the way. Looking forward to taking lots more photos. It will be nice to look back on them in 20 years, although the Polaroids come put looking 30 years old.😂❤ P.S great review, ultimately what swayed my decision to buy one, would like the sq6 though 😂
i Agree, were its the new Wide format camera fujifilm?
My OCD, control nature says the flexibility of the Link printers are the only sane option.
My appreciation that one-off prints from the SQ cameras presents an entirely different consideration. Take a great photo but it’ll only be the one that exists.
Love the analog charm
I'm glad they're still producing for their instant camera lineups and film. I do, however, wish they would more attention to the instax Wide format, I think it's such an amazing and unique format for instant film. I know it's not as popular as the mini (for obvious commercial and physically practical reasons), but with the right camera (of which there are limited options for Wide...) you can get incredible large photos with containing so much information and detail. A New instax wide camera, even if the only added features were double exposure and self timer, would be appreciated. So yes, you can get an AMEN 🙏up in here! I know autofocus like the 500af is a big ask considering the market size, or even SLR, but one can dream...
I think this SQ40 is essentially meant to be the instax mini 40 "older look" version but for the square format. But I do think they slightly missed the mark with the aesthetics by not having silver coloured accent rails, like the mini40 has. It looks like its from the 2000s, instead. I think highlight/accent rails would have helped avoid that 🤔at least they got the fake/plastic 'leather' look correct, though.
Thanks for your videos on these cameras and thank YOU @Gordon Laing actually including them in your little reviews! I, for one, unlike some other comment(ers), do not think "instant photography" is 'teenage sh*t'. How little they know about the history of photography and photo development... I think some would have a much greater appreciation for instant film such as Instax and Polaroid, and even some old school now commercially defunct types, if they understood just how it works and the history/importance behind it.
Thanks, if we all pray for a Wide camera at the same time, who knows, the instant Gods might listen! I bet it'll be a third party though.
tnx for this review, ill go for instax sq40❤
Do check out the new 99
It doesn't make any sense that they just came out with the Mini 12 a few months ago with a couple improvements, but then later add the SQ40 to the line and don't bother to add any of the improvements they put into the Mini 12.
Looks good sir
Interesting. I´ve been thinking of grabbing a Mini Evo off of ebay... I somehow dig the square analog format. But on the other hand: for $20 I can buy pretty much any roll of analog film for my Olympus Mju 2 or Olympus OM-2N. There I get 36 frames...
don't need to pay for processing or scanning with instax though! :)
One of the biggest features of the SQ6 - 3 focus ranges. Macro 1.5-3ft, Standard 3-7ft, 8ft+
question. does the camera have a manual focus ring?
Hard at times to find the SQ film in places in the US…😿
Really disappointed that this is just a slightly different looking, more expensive SQ1. This would have been a great chance at a more feature rich, manual control friendly square camera. Where are the new Wide cameras? Fuji is sure getting lazy with their Instax camera line which is a shame, it used to be quite good.
I agree, I'd like to see a more feature-rich series in each of the formats, or in Wide at the very least.
The first square camera was better, it had more controls than these 2.
@@SourojitBhattacharya you mean the SQ6? I mention it in the video.
@@cameralabs Yes, I meant the SQ6. It's got better controls and the flash can be turned off too. I watched your review of it from 5 years ago, but sadly the SQ6 was already discontinued and SQ1 had been released in place of it. I think the SQ6 looks better too.
Gordon, Gordon, Gordon, people don’t watch the video, they rush to the comments to complain or say “first” you should know that by now! 😜
Excellent review, thanks! Fujifilm should bring the 100shots boxes back in stock, maybe 200shots boxes too. Buying 20 shot boxes don't make sense for enthusiasts, who use these cameras regularly.
Yep, a bigger volume option would be great
I actually like these. And yes, I know, they are not for serious photography, but I think they are fun.
That said, I do have a Nikon Nikomat that I walk around with all the time.
I am however waiting to see what MiNT releases for their new instant camera, which is now in development.
That being said, those that *do* take instant photography, while expensive, they can make some incredible stuff and techniques. I really like emulsion lifts and transparencies with Polaroid for example. I've made a few transparencies myself but you gotta get the timing just right, to separate the positive from the negative, with black and white film - it creates such a beautiful, see-though image!
A great review of a rather uncompelling offering. I sure hope they bring the digital hybrid "evo mini" style concept to square format soon.
SQ20.
@@juiciness Edited for clarification, thank you. The SQ20 is... not great to the point I forget it exists.
i wished we had options like on the SQ6! that would've been great!
Yeah, shame that's mostly gone now.
Is it possible to use rechargeable CR2 batteries with the SQ40? I have the little 12, and I would love the SQ40, but the CR2 batteries are simply unacceptable to me. Thank you for the cool review.
That's a good question, but I'm afraid I've not tried - or even seen - rechargeable CR2 batteries on an Instax camera, so I'm not sure if they'd work. If you have one, you could go into a camera store and ask to try it in the camera to see what happens?
Thanks!
thankyou!
Amén for they Instax Wide 40
6:11 I STILL NEED A SEAGULL PIC!!! one day i'll manage to get close enough 😩
Just visit Brighton, you'll have one in minutes!
Next up *Canon Zoemini 2* ?
sorry, can i ask smth? i have instax mini evo before but i think thats not that vintage so i want to buy another one, instax mini 90 or instax square 40. do the quality do u prefer instax 90 or sq40 like the most vintage?
The quality is the same on all of the analogue models, so choose them on the body design, print shape and price.
@@cameralabs pls help me i need the opinion
@@rivaniiz9956 as I said, the quality is the same on all of the analogue models, so choose one based on the body design and print shape YOU like the best. I can't tell you that red is better than blue, or triangles are better than circles. YOU have to choose! In the video I say I prefer square to mini, so that's my choice.
The low-light shots look like the kind of thing someone would have tacked to a corkboard in a detective movie
That's all part of the aesthetic appeal!
As someone that grew up without owning a Polaroid, when several of my friends did, there is a very strong desire for me to buy one of these just to play around....
If you haven't already, just do it my friend! Money spend on a good time is money well spent
I do like the look of it, but I am sorry they basically left behind the SQ6 style camera with more features and a self timer!!! The only current Fuji Instax camera with a self timer option is the hybrid EVO!!!
I know, it is annoying they're focusing on the lower-end of the instant concept these days, but there are the NONS cameras as an alternative as a high-end option.
@@cameralabs I have the Nons mini camera, but use it the least of my instant cameras ... can't explain why!!!
@@brineb58 I'm going to try and review one of their more recent square models soon.
Mini 90 and the new Mini 99 have a self timer function
@@patrickwilson1440 Well, my Mini 90 died after 2 years, same with my EVO ... I distrust the cameras with rechargeable batteries ... I have more dead Fuji cameras than any other instant, won't waste money one the 99!!!
A real wide Instax camera. Amen Gordon
Thanks for the review! Is the quality of the S40 better or equal to the SQ6? Can I use black & white films for SQ6? I would like to buy one of them (found the SQ6 on the internet) but I'm hesitant. Thank you!
The quality is dictated by the film type
Picture quality should be the same for both cameras as they both use the same lens and film which can be either colour or black and white film. The SQ6 just has more shooting options.
I am actually so pissed they gave us another square instead of a new square hybrid. What is it going to take for them to drop the square version of the mini evo?
I'm sure one is on the way,
Exactly! If there was a sqaure evo I'd jump all over it instantly!
Ive had my wide since the year they released it and it blows all instant models out of the water still. Its held up so well idk why they havent made another with a rechargeable battery yet 😭
However i try alllll analogs i can afford.
Polaroids recently line is so aeful its insane . They gave us everyrhinf most people would want with a polaroid (a timer doible exposure apature control and rechargeable batteries and an app to control when you take the photo from a distance )
But the film itself is so inconsistent and nothin ever come out no matter what .
Fujis instax film has been the most consistent ive ever worked with . Its craxy how they absolutely rule the polaroid world while polaroid thensekves have failed epically the past few years .
Does the analog Instax cameras have better image quality? Because the hybrid one EVO uses a terribly small 1/5 inch sensor. I’m guessing analog May be the way to go for quality. Can anyone confirm?
It's a good question and certainly a modern phone will take more detailed images than the EVO with a higher DR too. But once they're printed, many of the noise and DR issues of the EVO digital images are hidden or reduced, or at least become less noticeable. And what you're left with actually looks quite similar to analogue instax. There's not much difference in detail, noise and DR. That said, there is a slightly electronic look to the printed EVO images that I'm less fond of. Technically they might actually be a bit better than the analogue instax, but do they look better? That's a personal choice. I try and take photos of similar subjects in my reviews, so take a look at my EVO review to see what you think vs some of my analogue reviews.
@@cameralabs Thank You!
Hi ,which one would you say is better fujifilm instax sq6 or mini 2
Do you mean Mini Link 2?
@@cameralabs yes
@@bellewaters1346 well the mini link is a printer for your phone and the SQ40 is a camera by itself, so depends what you want. You also need to choose if you want mini or square shapes as you can't mix these. They do printers and cameras for either shape.
@@cameralabs I just got the INSTAXSP-2 PRINTER BUT as many video's I have watch the frame come out but not the photo
I got a deal I got it for 140 with film and a extra 12 pack of film
CR2 batteries are nt affordable or recharchable as AA BATTERIES
Good point, I'll bring that up with them and in the next review, as the Minis use AAs
They should make one that's an interchangeable lens SLR but with instant film instead of 35mm film.
NONS do something like you're suggesting and I hope to try one out in the future.
@@cameralabs yes, and it would make the camera and the resulting images too expensive for most people, and take out the fun part of instant film. It would turn into serious photography like we do with normal cameras.
You mean NONS Camera? They're pretty much that but very expensive!
@@Poorgeniu5 actually I think they're priced about right for what they are and the size of the company making them. I'm keen to try one out, they look cool!
Amen.
which one is better, SQ40 or mini evo?
They're different. Please see my reviews of both models
For a person with not that much photography skills, but wants instant photos in a large size, would you suggest the sq6 or the wide?
which one would be better for mostly indoor family photos? And is the inability to turn off the flash on the Wide make it hard to get good photos?
I initialy liked the sq6 but am afraid i will be overwhelmed with the control options as I am not a pro photographer
It's hard to buy an SQ6 now, so it's not a common option anymore. I'd get the SQ40 or SQ1, or if you like your phone photos, get an instax printer instead.
@@cameralabs are the sq40 photos better than the wide300?
@@sunfloweralkh same quality, just different shape
@@cameralabsin the same vein of square instax square film cameras. Would you consider the lomo instant square glass a viable option or would you say the Fuji square cameras are a better option?
@@iamhereblossom1588 I've not tested the Lomo ones BUT I just received a NONS for testing!
What is the zoom like with this camera
It doesn't have one. Did you watch the video?
@cameralabs I ain't watched the whole video but I think I should have before I bought the camera. But I guess its a decent camera for beginners
@@Bobbythebuilder789 you may find some things useful in the video. Enjoy the camera!
Bring back the Wide!!
Amen!
Pass, still staying with my SQ6 which lets me control a few things like, for example, flash. Why won't they just make a proper instant camera, with a glass lens, parallax correction and a few control buttons (flash and exposure at least!). It's another dumb point and shoot for parties, obvious cash grab. Sigh...
Have you seen the NONS cameras?
@@cameralabs havent heard! Something decent?
@@Frantixj it's a third party using instax film but in an SLR style camera, check them out
Great review but I still don't understand why this exists. Why not just an HP Sprocket or something: much smaller/lighter, cheaper and you get significantly better photos printing from an iPhone.
Can Fuji make some X100V so I can finally get one 😩
Yeah, there's a lot of people who are hoping for more. I wonder if they'll just skip to the next one, or skip that one and just make more Vs since they're in such demand.
@@cameralabs I think you're right with skipping to the 6 or maybe an iPhone-style 'S' model, since they'd have to change a few components because of the shortage that is making the V so hard to produce.
Either way, we need something, and soon.
@@VektorVirus it's so frustrating as it's such a good camera, there's lots of demand and they could do well out of it, but can't due to supplies.
@@cameralabs truth
SQ40 or SQ1?
As I said in the video, they're essentially identical cameras but with different cases.
I wish they’d name a new hybrid camera + printer without the screen and a non childish looking body. The EVO is nice but not quite there imo. Most of these look like toys
the ISO of insta film is 800...shutter speed has NOTHING to do with over exposure!!!
@@f8haus I know the exposure triangle very well and at a certian point....shutter speed is NOT going to change your exposure when you have a fixed ISO like the film has
it only makes your moving subject not blurry when you make your shutter speed faster....
all it can do for exposure is make a light trail when longer exposures are taken...
you cant make a picture brighter by increasing shutter speed with a fixed ISO...you do that with aperture NOT shutter speed
@@f8haus instax is locked at 800 ISO...you cant use it in harsh light without filters or higher f stops...no matter how fast your shutter speed is for the lens...it is still limited by the sensitivity of the film...
you cant magically increase the speed of a lens some how...they are limited by their size....
claiming you cant just increase the shutter speed to make up for over exposed pictures makes no sense if the lens is not swappable...
@@f8haus If I am capturing a moving object...I need a faster shutter speed....yes it makes the picture darker but only according to the f stop of the lens...
that is what I am trying to say...
so you are limited by how fast your subject is moving...and if you push the film by changing the shutter speed just to make it darker then your subject cant be moving or else the picture will be blurry...
yeah maybe hacking for a higher shutter speed would darken the picture....but because the film is locked at 800 ISO this will just result in a grainy picture unless you decrease your f stop on the lens...
If the ISO and aperture are both fixed, then shutter speed is the ONLY thing that can adjust the exposure. A faster shutter speed will make the exposure look darker, and vice versa. Yes, it can also be used to freeze or blur motion, but it can also be used to control the exposure.
@@cameralabs if the aperature is fixed then you are limited to ony certian shutter speeds before it messes up the picture entirely...
most people "push or pull" film during development to over come locked ISO by using longer development times...
this can be done with instax only by tempterature..which is why it develops fast in heat and slow in cold...
and over ecposes when developed fast and in light and is perfect when developed in dark and colder temps...
FUJI COME ON FUJI, MAKE THE DESIGN BETTER.
Too bad there's no SQ EVO
Another one to avoid,Fuji you’ve failed agin
Fujifilm, please stop reinventing the same camera over and over again 😩
Do you always put your big thumb right in the middle of photos 🤣.
Yeah always. Ha ha. But while you mock, do try and make a video review of something like this and you'll notice some challenges you may not have realised as a viewer. In this case, the prints kept moving as they were placed on the surface, so I had to keep refilming and placing them more deliberately, hence the thumb moving more into a place that allowed the video, but became more compromised for how you'd actually handle them in real life. It sucks.
They are playing with teenage sh** instead of a decent mark II for the 18mm f2, availability for X100V, new iteration of XE4 or even XF10… What a pity…
This teenage sh** is actually what makes the most money in their camera division, and without it, they almost certainly would find it difficult to fund all the X series projects. So if you're a fan of X and GFX, you should embrace Instax as funding a great deal of that company.
Calm down. It's like the auto industry. Every City Golf or Tiguan sold to a housewife funds the R&D for the next R8 or 911. The reason you will get the next iterations of the XE or whatever is because these sell and have great margins.