Which Instant Camera is Worth Buying in Singapore?

Do you miss the days of snapping vintage pictures that you can easily put inside your wallet? These pictures can be displayed in an album or in a frame to beautify your home. If you are yearning for this, you will find a lot to enjoy with today’s best instant cameras.

While the Instax Mini is one of the most popular choices when it comes to instant cameras in Singapore, there are other great options out there.

Let’s begin by defining what an instant camera is and highlighting the things to consider when purchasing one.

WHAT IS AN INSTANT CAMERA?

You do not need to apply advanced developing techniques to print your photos through instant cameras. You see, instant cameras use film that self-develops.

These instant cameras have a few buttons that can be easily used by everyone, typically consisting of a flash and a shutter button. In terms of its physical features, each camera differs based on size, quality and style of the photos, type of films, and other unique features. Features that may be good for you, may not suit your friend’s personal preferences. One size does not fit all!

Apart from these, instant cameras have a maximum number of films that can be held inside at once. Instant cameras are entertaining, and it takes practice to shoot beautiful photos, but the results are worth it.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO CONSIDER AS A BUYER?

#1: PRICE OF THE FILM

When doing your research to compare which instant camera suits your budget, do not forget about the cost of the film. It is important to keep in mind because films can be expensive, and they get used frequently.

For instance, a pack of Fujifilm Instax Plain Mini Film can go for S$10.50 as of writing. You will be surprised that this number quickly adds up!

#2: QUALITY OF THE PHOTO

Just like any other camera, the photo quality of instant cameras varies depending on the film ISO, the built-in settings, the distance between you and your subject, and other factors.

Photos from Fujifilm seem to be consistent when it comes to the colors and white balance. On the other hand, Polaroid film brings unique style and colors to its photos. It is important to know your personal preferences.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#3: STYLE OF THE PHOTO

Identify the photo style that you desire. For instance, Polaroid cameras provide a vintage-style photography, which is what many people are looking for in their first instant camera. This makes your photos look different in each setting in which you are shooting.

In comparison, Fujifilm does a fantastic job in getting accurate coloring each time you snap a photo. It may not be able to give you that “vintage look” that you are looking for.

#4: BATTERY LIFE

Instant cameras can last a long time because they do not need to power a bright, high-resolution display or other complex features that drain the battery.

While some instant cameras need batteries, other models charge via USB. Often, they last for around 100-300 shots.

WHICH INSTANT CAMERAS ARE WORTH BUYING?

#1: FOR BEGINNERS WHO OPT FOR EASY-TO-FIND FILM

You cannot deny the popularity of Fujifilm Instax among the instant cameras in Singapore. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 is a good choice for creating memories with your family or for snapping travel-friendly photos with your companion.

Despite its size, the high-performance flash can calculate the brightness in the environment and adjusts shutter speed. You will always have quality shots, even in the dark. Unlike the other models on this list, this camera is easy to find, and it comes with an array of fun film presets such as comic strips or pastel borders.

Price: from S$95 at Carousell

Film: Instax Mini Film

#2: FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE RETRO PHOTOGRAPHY

The retro looks of Polaroid OneStep+ would make a delightful addition to your collection of vintage cameras. This camera comes with close focus so you can seamlessly switch between landscape and portrait shots.

It can also be connected to your handphone via Bluetooth for creative shots that use double exposure, light painting, and so on. You can even digitally scan your photos to keep them if you do not want to print them yet.

These modes can be accessed through the Polaroid Original app, which includes other features such as enabling shots to be taken with a noise trigger and using different flash options. With a self-timer and a variety of flash options, what is not to love?

Price: from S$195.69 at Amazon
Film: i-Type and 600 film

Image Credits: unsplash.com

#3: FOR PEOPLE WHO ENJOY THE CONVENIENCE OF PRINTING FROM MOBILE

You can enjoy the convenience of printing photo through your phone with the Kodak Mini Shot 3. This instant camera is a 2-in-1 device, which has photo-taking abilities as well as the ability to print any photo from your phone via Bluetooth.

It uses LED display with self-time and auto-flash mode. You can also select options for filters and borderless photos, giving you a freedom to choose your preferred style.

Price: from S$148.00 at Lazada
Film: Kodak Instant Print 3” x 3” Cartridge

Sources: 1 & 2

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Free Photography Apps To Amp Up Your Social Media Presence

As health scare infiltrates the Red Dot and its neighboring countries, navigating through the world is different these days. While most Singaporeans defend themselves with constant sanitation and proper hygiene, many have been practicing social distancing. Many people are isolating themselves in their own homes once their schooling or their work is done.

To occupy one’s time, you may turn on your social media apps. Sharing your own thoughts and photographs in social media is a common pastime to many. Before you scavenge through gallery to post your previous travel pictures, consider these free photography apps to perfect your pixels!

FOR VINTAGE CAMERA LOVERS

NOMO is arguably my favorite photography app right now. Its concept is to store some of the best vintage cameras in the olden years. Recall the times when you have to hold up the negatives up in the light to scan each frame one by one!

While some of the cameras here are tagged with a fee, you will not be disappointed with the ones you are left with. My NOMO app has five free vintage cameras that vary from a cinematic black-and-white camera to a disposable Fujicolor camera. It mimics some of the most iconic cameras with its filters. See for yourself!

It is free on Apple and Google Play.

FOR EDITING PROFESSIONALS

VSCO is not only part of the Millennial pop-culture, but also a household name for photography enthusiasts. Its slogan is “for creators by creators” after all! The VSCO’s community members can use a single app to creatively edit their photos using preset filters or editing tools. There are a lot of free VSCO presets that can help you save money and streamline your workflow.

Simply import your raw image from the gallery and edit it with 10 free VSCO presets or various editing tools such as grain, fade, contrast, and saturation. Play around with perspectives using crop and skew. Lastly, you can save your favorite edits with “recipes”.

It is free on Apple and Google Play.

FOR SELFIE ENTHUSIASTS

For people who love taking the perfect selfie or groupfie, you may want to download Polarr. Polarr lets novices and pros to enhance their photographs using face-editing tools and a vast suite of touch-ups.

Photography newbies will appreciate the auto-enhance tools and sophisticated filters available on the app. While, professional photographers may take delight on layer support and curve tools.

It is free on Apple and Google Play.

FOR COLLAGE ADDICTS

I, for one, am using collage apps on a daily basis. To make your life easier, you may download the Moldiv app. It is a photo editor that can turn your set of photos into magazine pages. Let the magic happen by browsing through their collection of templates.

Image Credits: unsplash.con

What’s more? You can edit your selfie through Moldiv’s beauty camera touches like smooth skin or enlarge eyes. Then, there is a plethora of filters that you can experiment with.

It is free on Apple and Google Play.

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