While the world grows increasingly digital, there’s something that draws humans to the physical gratification of analog media. Whether it’s the surge in vinyl record or cassette sales or the cult VHS collectors, it’s clear that there’s a deep-seated nostalgia that draws many of us to physical mediums. That nostalgia inspired Fujifilm to make the Instax Square Film that’s now being utilized in the quintessentially retro, “Lomo'Instant Square” from Lomography.
Millennials and Gen-Xer’s grew up in a time where technology matured and developed faster than they did. The technology that we use on a daily basis is no more than a few years old—sometimes becoming “obsolete” within months. The quest for quality becomes nothing but an obsession with staying up-to-date instead a true appreciation of your equipment.
So what’s the reaction to this? Media and technology that work to evoke a time, a place, and feel over quality.
Before you rant about quality, take a moment and recognize that this is the exact purpose of all of our photographic and film efforts. Time, place, and feel are inextricably tied to story—image quality isn’t. This might not be something that professionals use, but it's incredibly important for us to recognize what makes a photo immediately relatable and powerful to our audience.
All of that aside, the Lomo'Instant Square looks to be the first fully analog camera to capitalize on Fujifilm’s Instax Square Film. The design of the body itself hearkens back to the days of your parents and grandparents, complete with a lens that folds out and collapses for easy transport. As it’s a camera primarily used for spontaneous capture, it’s upgraded, programmed auto mode makes it a more reliable option.
Lomography is currently running a Kickstarter where you can purchase the Lomo'Instant for an early bird discount of $129 that will ship in February 2018. After the campaign ends you’ll be able to purchase for $199, so if you’re already sold, you have until September 29th to lay down the cash.
[via The Verge]
Hipsters will love this.
Hey Bob! I understand you're just trying to keep me honest, so to clarify:
Many place the end of Generation X in the early 80's. I didn't want to leave them out as that is definitely within the range I'm referring. However, you are right. The majority of Gen-Xers reached maturity in an analog world.
I'm not arguing against quality or progress at all, I am merely indicating that, as storytellers, we can learn plenty from what makes these types of products popular.
Often, the word nostalgia is used outside the bounds of personal lived experience and instead to describe the feeling of yearning for the forgotten or manufactured past. In fact, I've even heard it argued that nostalgia, more often than not, refers to memories not based in reality. It's easy to make the correlation between that and the desire to use technology to, in some way or another, place you in those times.
Hopefully that helps!
Also, I had no idea the word, "vinyl" bothered people. You learn something new every day, I suppose.
Can't please everyone!
I think its worth mentioning that the square prints are (in Australia at least) more than double the price of the Instax Mini and Wide film. That's right...more than double.
They're pretty close to that here in the states too. Mini is about $0.63 a piece (in a value pack), Wide is about $0.90, and the Square is about $1.40 per shot. However, if you want square photos, that's still a lot cheaper than the over $3 per square photo for impossible film.
Great point guys. Thanks for bringing that up.
Why would i buy this if i can just get an instax?