Kodak EK4 Instant Camera

Kodak EK4 Instant Camera

Kodak EK4 Instant Camera and Kodak EK4 Instant Camera are not known names these days but these old cams has a colorful history and a sad ending. After seen how successfully Polaroid cameras, Kodak had decided to try tapping into instant camera market. But those days in early 70s no body else was trying to complete with Polaroid. 

In 1976 they released this Kodak EK4 Instant Camera and after a little while there was another model related with much improved features. It's called Kodak EK6. These cameras had become a overnight hit among consumers. Kodak was able to take over 30% market share from Polaroid just in few months. Polaroid was not pleased with this at all.

Kodak was far more better company than Polaroid when it comes to cameras. So this new instant cameras were so much better than what Polaroid had to offer in same period of time. Polaroid realized this would become a massive disaster for their future. Also Kodak had made one very costly mistake.

Polaroid has sued Kodak over patent-infringement and after a decade long legal battle Kodak had to pay about 900 million usd has damages. Financially this didn't help much Polaroid either. Also it was technically blow for Instant camera market since only competitor was driven out of business.

Kodak instant cameras were much more batter than their completion those days. Polaroid was managed poorly and they didn't make any significant improvements to their Polaroid cameras. Once digital cameras hit the market only few who had any interest in buy these instant camera. Polaroid it self had to file bankruptcy in 2001.

Today there are plenty of better quality instant cams in market. Fujifilm Instax cameras have been around for decades and they are keep improving photo quality. Polaroid has moved to make Instant digital cameras. There are plenty of cheap Polaroid camera models out there in market today.

If you want a cheap instant camera for less than $100 then check Instax Mini 8, Instax Mini 9, Polaroid Snap  and Instax Wide 300 cameras. There is a really cute Instax Model for girls which is called Instax Mini Hello Kitty.

FujiFilm Instax 8s Instant camera

FujiFilm Instax 8s Blue

If you are looking for the cheapest instant camera in market but also one use cheap instant film then you should try FujiFilm Instax Mini 8 camera. You can get this camera for around $70 from Amazon and Film cost is around $0.70 per exposure. This is the cheapest option you have if you consider both camera and film.

This Instax Mini 8 camera comes in 5 colors. Yellow, White, Blue, Pink and Black. Price will vary depending on color. At Amazon White model is the cheapest one and Blue model is the most expensive one ($76). But it's just few dollars difference so buy the color you really like to have.

This camera is smaller than old Instax 7s model and use 2 AA batteries to power it up. I think it's really a great news. It's easy to find AA batteries and cheap too. But I think it's lot better if you buy 4 rechargeable AA batteries with a  charger. This kind of instant camera use lots of juice to print photos of batteries might not last long. So using rechargeable batteries will save money. Also those last longer than disposable batteries. Specailly if you going to use this camera for an event like a wedding or party where you will need to take lots of photos you need long lasting batteries. Buy Sanyo Eneloop rechargeable batteries. These are the best and long lasting batteries in market. Better than all other types.

Features

• Slimmer and lighter body 10% smaller than the Mini 7S.
• Automatic exposure measurement.
• High-Key mode for taking brighter pictures with a soft look.
• New improved viewfinder.
• CLose-up lens
• Powered by 2 AA batteries.

The camera use Fujifilm Instax Mini film which is one of the cheapest instant film in market. Film with white borders will cost you only around $0.65 per exposure. Always buy a bigger pack or price will be cheaper. There are Mini film packs with various theme borders like Hello Kitty, Winnie the Poo, Micky Mouse etc. These will cost you more than the type with white borders. But sometimes it's fun to use these Mini Instant film with color borders.

If you have a bigger budget then I recommend you to check Fujifilm Instax Mini 90s camera. Now this camera is the best instant camera in market today. Probably the best instant camera ever made so far. It cost you around $180 at Amazon with free shipping and uses same Instax Mini film. But it has more manual controls any instant camera ever had. If you can spend $180 then it's totally worth going for this camera.

Fujifilm Instax Mini Hello Kitty Instant Camera

Fujifilm has released another new Instant photo camera which is called Fujifilm Instax Mini Hello Kitty Instant Camera. Now it's pretty much same as Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 camera from inside but outer design is totally different. You can see in image its not the usual Instax Mini camera design. This camera was designed and released for fujifilms 80th anniversary and Hello Kittys 40th anniversary. It won't be cheap but Fuji plan to sell millions of these camera in Asia alone. Since there are millions of Hello Kitty fans in Asia alone they will probably able to do that. Any Kitty fan would love to have this one and it's a perfect gift for a fan too. So This will have a big success if the price is affordable.

This Instax Mini model has come cool features like High-Key mode to give your photos a soften look and also you get a macro lens to take cool closeup photos. Also there is a mirror to take easy selfie photos. This mirror you can see next to the lens will show you how the photo will look. You don't find these features in old Instax Mini 8 camera. Not it's not just the old camera with a different design. Instax Hello Kitty does have some new features too.

Even thought this Fuji Instant Photo camera can be a great treasure Kitty theme fan it will probably come with a high price tag. Making it's not worth for average user to buy this model. For someone who want just a cheap Instant camera the best option is Fujifilm Instax 210 or Instax Mini 8 which you can get for less than $70 from places like Amazon. Also if you can spend around $170 you can go for the Instax Mini 90 camera or even for Polaroid Z340 digital instant camera which cost only $250 At Amazon.

All other features are similar to the Mini 8 model. You need 1 AA batteries and you can print around 20 photo prints with fresh batteries. But for a party of for a trip it's lot better you buy several pairs of  rechargeable AA batteries. These stay long and also cheaper in long term use. Since you have to spend money for Instax Mini film buying rechargeable will save at least little bit of money.

You get a pink color shoulder strap and 10 Mini photo prints with cute pink borders along with camera if you get the original package.

Fuji Also released a Instax Mini 25 Hello Kitty model. Don't get confused these models. Mini 24 model just had pink color and a Sticker on it. Like in video below.