Fuji Instax 500AF [Instant Review]
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- Опубликовано: 9 июл 2024
- Fujifilm's high flyin' wide boy, the 500AF, goes under my microscope in this week's Instant Review. Spoiler alert: me gusta.
Related video - How Polaroid and Kodak Accidentally Gave Birth to Instax: • How Polaroid and Kodak...
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The fact that the 500AF has the option to just turn off the flash makes it a better buy than the newer wide 300. Honestly if they released a newer version with aperture presets like the SQ6 and double exposure it would one of the best wide film camera out there.
Totally! Sucks that the format has been mostly ignored. If they just released another 500AF I'm sure people would be at least moderately happy.
Fujifilm should seriously consider making a new version of this camera.
You're an inspiration, and you are costing me SO MUCH money! After your Impulse AF review, I bought one, then another (the first one had issues with the lens cover not always opening, but I eventually managed to fix it AFTER the second one arrived... now I've got two!)
Okay, so now I want THIS camera too. Ebay here I come! --- I've very much enjoyed using my Instax square printer. Those tactile prints are fun to have and share (mostly share) but I must admit there's something a little more special about having the one-and-only photo that was present, captured and created at that very moment in time. It is (to borrow a word) "MAGICAL" and very special. I'll look forward to seeing what kind of results I get on Instax wide film whenever I'm able to get one of these cameras!
As always, I enjoy your videos. Thank you and keep up the good work. 👍📷 You rock!
Thank you again for the kind words Allen! Part of me is sorry for what I have done to your wallet but the other part of me is...proud of it?? Haha can't wait to hear what your Instax Wide experience might ultimately be when you get there!
How did you fix that problem? My....third...Impulse AF has that problem and it's a pain in the ass.
I just touch the cover lightly and it opens all the way. It’s finicky but not a huge problem IMO
Waking up to this is like waking up to a fun class 😂😀
I THINK that is good so I'll keep at it 😂😂
I would even say a ,,, master class.... this is one of my favorite channels!! Hands down
Ralph Hoskins thank you my man!!
Just got the 300 AF for my birthday last week!! I LOVE the tones of the prints!! SO rich!!!
Yas!! Instax color (when the exposure is just right) can really soar on the wide film. So much real estate.
But what about the vibes
Oh God, how I long for the day that Fuji releases a camera that shoots the Wide format and has the features of the Mini 90 Neo Classic (in love with the mini 90 right now, just *chefs french kiss*)
I found this Fat Boy on eBay from Japan. It’s super clean and smooth. Love the elementary functions. Great camera wish they made more of these today in the US of A. Great video man keep me comin.
It's definitely VERY clean. Doinker status notwithstanding, it's definitely got all the right contours. I wish they produced way more of them!
pushes out some pretty crispy images!
Man your review are amazing! Thanks!
Giulio, much love man!!
Finally! I was looking forward to this video.
Looking forward to get the camera as well (If I can find one).
That's just so weird... I had a dream about this camera last night (probably cos I've been on a hunt for it for some time now) and today you posted this video! Crazy! It had an LCD screen in my dream...! :)
WOW I guess the Inception I've been practicing has been working after all 😂that's nuts! I think if Fuji made a new 500AF today it would definitely have an LCD screen, so maybe you predicted the future??
would love to see you dive into the custom options for the wide 300 in future videos
Dayumn, I didn't know this existed! Buying one now!
"A straight doinker"🤣
A friend of mine has a 500 AF and I've been jealous for years. And now the prices will soaaaarrrr!
The curse of RUclips videos about instant cameras.You want to gush at maximum capacity about the stuff you love but at the same time I know even three cameras going off the market can drive prices when there are so few out there! The solution for you seems to be to "borrow" your friend's 500AF and then say "you got COVID on it" which "doesn't wipe off" so I guess aw shucks it's yours now.
@@InAnInstant This was basically my plan, wow great minds.
Great as always Ben! Might have to pull the trigger on the camera before your video drives the price up!
Smash buy before your next breath!!
Our boi is just teasing the Instax mini 11 to the left. Cant wait for the review, since im on the fence about buying it.
Haha that’s actually the mini 8, crazy how similar they all look. I love that camera, such ridiculously good quality out of something so blobby. I love it.
Wait really? The Instax Mini 8, 9 and 11 looks very much alike.
Also I just want to say that I love your content. You can feel the dedication and love that went into each video.
thank you Fressor!! Yeah those minis look so alike, they barely ever update the casing, basically the same design since 1999.
Yes finally!
such a good, funny, informative video
That Fuji flash thing reminds me of my Fuji Point and shoot (the DL270 Zoom). I’ve definitely had more than a few accidental flashes
Dude... The quality of your videos is spectacular. Please keep em coming. The 500AF is pretty great, especially if you can buy it for really cheap because the guy doesn't realize what it is. Lately, I've been loading the wide film into my 150 roll film camera, and it's some of the sharpest color instant images I've ever seen.
Thanks dude!! And that sounds so dope re: loading it into a roll camera. I’ve def thought about doing something like that! When the Instax Wide format is treated right, it’s magic.
Awesome video, very helpful! After watching this, I'm going with a NONS camera instead. Whats the point of AF if is a f12 aperture lol...
definitely, interesting!
I don't shoot Instax (so far 😅) but it is so nice so see videos about all Instantstuff! Thank you for that!
And don't u got a nice Fuji-Shirt like that polaroidish one?! 😁
Haha @FujiFilm hook a brother up!!
I never used one, started with a 300 but ended up with the Lomo Wide, which I love!!! I am waiting for my Lomo graflock back to finally have full control!!!
That Lomo wide is a treat! CANNOT wait for that Graflock back though, going be such a phenomenal, fresh way to use Instax film.
I have a 500AF and don't see much difference in image quality and sharpness compared to my Instax 100 (which are dirt cheap on the used market). The size of the pictures is quite small so even if you'd be using a high quality glass lens the film doesn't have the resolution to make it visible. So don't expect to be blown away by the image quality of the 500AF compared to the other Wide models. It's certainly not worth paying triple the price for.
And don't forget the 500AF uses these non standard CR123 3V Lithium batteries which you can't simply buy on every street corner like you can with AA batteries.
The only advantage for me is the ability to turn off the flash.
Putting tape over the flash of an Instax 100, 210 or 300 does not work since the camera doesn't compensate for the lower lighting so it uses a shorter shutter time expecting the scene to be lit by the flash and therefore pictures get underexposed. The 500AF uses a longer shutter time when you turn off the flash.
so basically a premium for no flash button, gotta love that.
@@livelifefree7707 Yeah, definitely not worth it.
Thank you so much for this option in this size film. I'm hoping you can tell me what size battery this camera takes if its Japanese made. I'm on the search for one now. Thanks again for the review.
Lol I love your review. Made my day.
Wow thank you Gennie!! 🙌🙌🙌
Oh hey, my exact camera. Thanks for selling it to me!
I owned seven instant cameras, and the 500AF is by far the best.
Thanks Ben, was waiting on your review of this camera and agree. Got first the Lomo’Instant Wide 4 years ago and after that I started looking for the 500AF. It took me more than 2 years and suddenly there were 3 available within Europe (to avoid import taxes, extra duties and VAT when importing from Japan). Took the one from a professional seller for approx 200€ + shipping cost to add. It was boxed with instructions. It’s indeed the best Fujifilm Instax Wide camera. It has been available in some European countries and produced only a few years. Perhaps production cost too high?
Fuji in general seems to have little interest in the wide series. I’ve always said it wouldn’t shock me if they randomly discontinued the format. They very rarely make cameras for it and reaction is always mild (at best), aside from the legend of the 500AF. Hopefully they squeeze out one more respectable piece of hardware before squashing it entirely!
Would you say this is still the best option for a wide instax cam? besides a mint or nons... though nons don't have a wide yet...
Just bought one 😊🎉 also like it's look which you put on cons. Looks like RoboCop of cameras 😂
Found one of these locally this week for a whopping $40, now to have some fun with it!
Wow that's an insane find!
Just bought this certified doinker from Japan after looking at eBay listings for months, right after this video was uploaded. I paid 260 USD (216 euro roughly) including shipping so I'm pretty pleased, the folks are giving me 100 euro for Christmas so I justified it like me buying an Instax 300 😂
Hopefully, it'll last as long as Fuji keeps producing the film!
That is justified indeed! Hoping the Fuji gods don’t b slap us with a discontinuation!!
Is the 10 second timer an option when shooting? Or it’s default 10 seconds to take a shot?
Can you PLEASE review the Fujifilm Fotorama 91 Ace AF? I see no information anywhere on it.
Can you review the instax wide 300?
Thank you for interesting review! Sorry, I didn’t get it. Is it have a glass lens or plastic? 😅
I'm currently waiting for one of these to get to me in Texas all the way from Japan. I got so fed up with my Lomo Instant wide eating the dark slide and sometimes the first sheet of film.
I have a question I buy it because you recommend it and it's a good camera indeed but I dropped it off by mistake so do you think that maybe something will happen to the camera? I'm scared.......
I want this even more now that I've found out that the "3m-infinity" focus of my wide 200 is actually sharpest at FOUR metres!
The only Instax Wide camera with flash off function
Dmitriy Fedorov you would think they would put that on them ,,,, I have even tried putting black tape over the flash for some mirror pictures,,, that flash is so strong just through the sides of the flash cover ,,, it still shows up,, and ruined every picture,, with that weird bright object thing instax film does...
I recently got this camera thanks to this video and all I have to say that the AF in the name means: sharp As F*ck (For an Instant camera that is...) Thank You for posting this I'm very happy with this camera!
So glad you are digging it!!!
Is there a tripod that works with the 500AF?
Question, please (to anyone more knowledgable than me with instant cameras) : are all instant cameras terrible at night/low light conditions? I recently got a Lomo Square, and it simply doesn’t work at indoor/low light conditions. It retrieves a black film….even with flash and EV up…
Great video, so had to like and subscribe! Could you also maybe do a Instax Wide 300 review / comparison video? Would love the 500AF but am struggling to find one, so am torn between the Wide 300 and the Lomo’Instant Wide which are easily available. Any suggestions?
So glad you liked and subscribed!! I’d suggest the 300 if you want point & shoot functionality and the Lomo Wide if you want more creative options
@@InAnInstant thank you so much and keep up the good work! ⭐
So this is like, in a way, a medium format positive film point and shoot?
Vs the Lomo Wide? (Picture quality wise)
I bought mine from Japan via ebay like two years ago. Pricey but it was worth the expense; the camera looked like new and till today it works wonders.
Yes! They are pretty dense and will probably last a lifetime if they aren't thrown, stomped on, or dropped from great heights into ice cream.
@@InAnInstant oddly specific...
Yeah not that it’s happened to me before 😳
Just snagged one of those in a thrift fair for 70€ and I'm just 🤯🤯🤯🤯
I primarily shoot on the Fuji wide 300 and I have had an amazing time doing so. I am in Scotland and due to the weather, I very rarely will darken the image, I normally lightened it.
I personally prefer the Fuji 300 because it looks a lot more "professional" than the SQ6 and others.
I personally will disagree with you about the view finders, I personally find it a much more accurate representation than my Polaroid 660.
I have only used mine for a few weeks but I noticed I wil need to lighten it too, all mine come out a little darker than I like!
Yeah, truth is these light meters just behave all sorts of ways for different people living in different places, but I'm always dealing with really strong light and trying to keep that blue sky blue! I'm real surprised you have found the viewfinders on the Fuji Wide 300 to be more accurate than the Sun 660! The Sun 660's viewfinder is extremely close to the lens, there's not much parallax correction necessary on that bad boy. The Fuji wide's viewfinders are in a different area code 😂
@@InAnInstant leave my Fuji baby alone!
Anyhow, I personally find using the marked center of the view finder and centring it on what you did want take photo of, really works well for me. When I first got it, I focused so hard on trying to compensate for the viewfinder but believe it or not you don't really have to. Saying that, I take photos of local architecture so I presume there a lot of leeway but I always get it centered.
I will never understand why Fuji sticks view finders in odd places, it's rather perplexing.
True about parallax, correcting for it is a true artform. Sometimes at large distances you don’t have to do much at all, and then sometimes it’s a tremendous correction. All about feeling it out and becoming one with the camera, fusing it into your face and transcending into the 5th dimension.
@@InAnInstant Do you ever use little tricks for that? What I started to do on my Impulse AF is moving the camera about an inch left and right while looking into the viewfinder, observing how things change, lets me know how much I'll have to compensate for each object in the scene. But that's an Impulse with an awesome viewfinder, haven't shot anything yet where it's far off from the lens.
1:35 glad to hear it comrade
Never seen this camera before.... I think it’s kinda sexy ,,, in its own way,,, definitely sexier than the standard instax wide I have.... I was hoping you where gonna delve into that Kodak ek series I see on the table Ben,,,sorry I’m fascinated by the Kodak instants...I almost bought some expired Fuji ace film yesterday.... lol
Yeah I think of all the Instax wideboys this one is the most handsome, though I suppose that isn’t saying much. There’s a lot to say about the Kodak of it all so I’ve really been sprinkling that history into a bunch of videos (origin of Fuji being a big one, and one coming up in the next vid!)
Any chance they ever made a instax wide printer? I can’t seem to find one online if so.
Hey Jeff, Fuji seems to largely ignore the wide format, so they haven’t made a printer for it. Seems like an easy way to sell more film, I don’t exactly know what their apathy toward Wide stems from.
Wait, so the older version comes with a self timer?? I have the newer version, bought back in 2017 and the flash stays on & it doesn’t have a self timer
Yeah unfortunately they did it better 21 years ago :-/
I guess I’m going to Japan!
No choice now!
the photos are tack sharp! 📌
Yeah you could slice all kinds of stuff with'em!
@@InAnInstant haha I wanna get my hands on one now!!
I’m gonna probably pick up a wide camera (I saw one for £60 with film on a local film store’s site...) soon... Especially after Spectra...
Yeah we widebois have been left with no choice!
In An Instant it’s a real shame, but I can’t wait to experience those Fuji Colours!
What would you say is your all time favorite instant camera?
Hands down no question about it, the Polaroid SLR 680!
@@InAnInstant why if I may ask
Are you telling me that there’s a chance to find it in Japan though???
Absolutely telling you that!!
TIME TO BOOK A FLIGHT!
Whoo hoo
Would taping a CTO gel in front of the lens affect the autofocus?
I’ve put filters in front of the lens before and didn’t experience any problems!
@@InAnInstant Do you know how the 500AF autofocus? How would you compare its speed and limitation to Polaroid's sonar?
Does anyone know what camera that is on the right above the orange ish one (sorry Im not good at camera names)
That is the original Polaroid Spectra!
@@InAnInstant thank you. it reminds me of maxes seccond camera in life is strange
Wow, i just checked the price it’s 3x as much as the 300 wide 😩
""It's got autofocus. It's a plastic rectangle. And it's......expensive as fuck."
Lmaooo
is the instax wide film same size with polaroid film?
The image is a different aspect ratio on Instax Wide, but the entire print including the borders are the same dimensions.
Stop making me want to buy more and more cameras, I'm already drolling over the Lomo'Instant Automat and I still blame you for my Impulse AF (although Max Caulfield does share that blame)
Also, what's the tiny Polaroid OneStep next to that Kodak thing? I've noticed it show up in other videos too, is it just a model or is that a real camera? It's kinda cute either way
Haha that little guy is a motorized miniature Polaroid camera that was a keychain (but I removed the keychain part). Look up "World's Coolest Polaroid Camera" on Amazon!
@@InAnInstant That's amazing. Thanks! Gotta get one of those now too...
I thought I'm the only one who bought instax because of Life is Strange...
Should I buy this one (if I can find one) or an RF70, regardless of the price?
Ooof, really different cameras. If you're more interested in ease of use, go with the 500AF. If money is no object and you want ultimate creative liberty, go for the RF70.
@@InAnInstant I really just want the sharpest possible picture. 😅
If that’s all your after, with no fuss, go for the 500AF. The RF70 can produce sharp images as well but with more work put into every exposure to get there.
I got one to sold
thoughts about the instax wide 300?
It does what it sets out to do, but nothing to write home about. Will produce good results.
Can you send a link to the camera
Hi there, this is a camera you would have to acquire via ebay.com or equivalent second hand marketplaces.
I have the instax wide 100. Any tips??
Look for the light! Practice with two scenarios, one where your foreground and background are equally well exposed, and one where the foreground is bright and the background is very dark. Play with that, shape it, and through that you'll master the camera.
what is your opinion on the sp-3? now im confused with all these options, haha. at first i was looking at the mini 90, wide 300, now this . . .
Hey mate! The SP-3 is a printer, not a camera (which I'm sure you know) so for me personally I just don't have interest in that.
@@InAnInstant hi! yeah i know, i guess it takes some of the fun out of the immediacy/analogueness of the photos. i thought its a bit easier to avoid screwing up shots and wasting film haha.
@@stringsnare Depends on what you like film for! If you just want a print-out, it's great for that! But if you want to do instant photography, I'd go for an instant camera.
@@InAnInstant ty!!!
I would *"Party Like It's 1999"* If the Instax wide cameras where cheaper and *"Glass lenses"*
...
And not going to lie I wish there was a camera company that would make a camera that was extremely "modular"
like I can use 35mm and 120 film And there would be something like an accessory for Instax Wide, Square and Mini but most likely this will never happen because "Fuji wants people to buy more cameras"
I mean that more or less exists in the realm of interchangeable backs on many medium format cameras. And in the world of Instax, there are options out there for adapters and what not. Maybe worth a look!
@@InAnInstant Maybe but I wish a company like lomography could do this, I know coyote camera works but it's a very small business. It just seems like a good opportunity Like why wouldn't anybody want a new camera that has a lot of modular features idk man ¯\_(._.)_/¯
The Lomo Instant Square, for example, has an interchangeable film door so that the camera can shoot Instax Mini and Square! So it’s out there, but I hear ya bud
@@InAnInstant I've heard lomography used to make a lot of different backs for there cameras in the past, But they stopped producing most of their backs making them "rare", Right now they just have four camera backs for sale.
FYI, Instantkon RF 70 has A glass element. it is not ALL glass. It has a glass element and then plastic stuff. As a result, wide open, image quality is absolutely soft. Some people say it is due to depth of field. It is not. It is soft. blurry. Spherical aberrations. Also, the build quality is painfully bad. I don't mean by its plastic. Plastic can be good. I had 2 of them, one the leaf shutter stuck, and the other, the film eject mechanism broke. Go to instagram and you will rf70 owners at least having one moment where they had to send their camera in for repair. They will say customer service is great, which they are, but not good enough that they do not cover the cost of shipping the camera back to them. Which is EXPENSIVE (its in Hong Kong).
Do yourself a favor, and get a Polaroid 110, 110a or 110b, and mod it to instax wide. Get tack sharp images wide open at f4.5 on large format instant film. Check out my instagram if u don't believe me @theweekendlight
Those kinds of mods can have great results, the Instax square backs on medium format bodies are also beautiful. The RF70 has its own place on the market but there are definitely some caveats, still compelled by the Mint team and they’re impact on the industry.
I bought one of this for 25 dollars
Wow, WHERE? You straight up ripped someone off lmao
I got in online drone Facebook marketplace. I’m in another country not us or Europe so it was easy
@@InAnInstant I also was lucky enough to find one on Facebook Marketplace (Portugal) for 50€. Happy enough about it that I have to brag ;)
Im here because i found one in marketplace for 50 $ yes !!!:)
Amazing get!!
@@InAnInstant hopefully works fine tho🙏🏼
제발 제발 제발 후지야 이런거 새롭게 출시해주면 안되겠니…제발!!!
Spectra cameras are so handsome. /sigh
They are lil binocular boys
Truly just gorgeous cameras,,, I would love to see instax make a new wide that opens like a spectra
Would you make a video on the Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 (2015) also ? A comparison to the Instax Wide 210 (2009) would be cool.
Shouldn't there be a new Instax Wide camera due for release soon at Fuji ? Hope they bring that late-nineties to mid-noughties blobby-look seen on the Instax 100/200/210/500AF back to the Instax Wide. They've continued to develop that look for the Instax Mini 7/8/9/11. Their focus these days really seems to be maintaining the Instax Mini, but also trying pretty hard with the Instax Square cameras and format in general. The Instax SQ1 looks pretty decent to me aesthetically in regards to form-factor-I don't like the colorways-and practically. Are they phasing out Instax Wide ? or are they too busy with Instax Square and might release a new Instax Wide next year ? Interested to hear what you think :•)
-Alex
Hi Alex! You’ve rightly observed that Fuji has basically ignored Instax wide as they continue to push the square format aggressively and always push the mini too. It’s been a fact the entire existence of Instax Wide unfortunately, it’s never been a priority for Fuji. You’d think a new mid-century styled wide in the same vein as the SQ1 would do nicely on the market, but who knows, it doesn’t seem worth it to them. Generally I just don’t recommend many Instax Wide cameras, so I wouldn’t really review the ones I don’t think are relevant. The 500AF is obviously top dog but cameras like the Mint RF70 and Lomo’Instant Wide are at least doing something unique with the format. It’s a shame! Such a waste of the Fuji chemistry.
@@InAnInstant Thanks! I'm about to buy my first instant camera any day now and *your videos have really helped* ! I wanted a Polaroid around the time the impossible project started when I was in high school. I'm Icelandic and sourcing a camera, buying the film and having it shipped here was just too much hassle (also too expensive for me at the time). Around a decade later: lots of options both local and online. I'm interested in both the Fuji Instax Mini 9 which is portable and the films are cheap. But also the Polaroid Impulse AF (would you reccomend the Impulse AF over the Sun 660 AF for a beginner ?)
I'd also like to shoot another question your way: In your experience, how much of an advantage is auto-exposure on an instant camera like the Instax Mini 11 vs. 9 and the Polaroid OneStep 2 vs. Now ? I guess I'm intermediate when it comes to photography so I could easily get used to manually adjusting the exposure settings. Also: Iceland is super dark in the winter, which Instant camera do you recommend for places with less lighting in general ?
Btw: *good job with the channel* 🙌 cohesive and sincere in its nerdiness; ultimately making it cool. The intro is super, can I ask where the sample is from ("The kind of photography which would become a part of the human-being.") and may be who made the tune itself?
@@alexjeanedvard So glad the vids have helped! Sorry the camera/film biz in your area has made it so damn expensive up until now, that VAT rate is ridiculous. In terms of the Impulse vs 660, I get this question a lot so I might have to make a video on it! The main difference is the Impulse always has the flash on and has a 10 second timer, vs the 660 which doesn't have a timer but does have flash override. So if you don't mind the flash-on aesthetic, the Impulse is awesome with that timer feature. If you don't care about the timer, may as well get the 660. In terms of light metering, both the Instax and modern Polaroid cameras are similar. Won't always be 100% accurate but generally both are pretty solid, and exposure comp is really nice to have on the Polaroid OS2/Now. I think the decision between Polaroid and Instax usually comes down to price. The films are quite different looking, but it all depends on if you're willing to pay the additional cost for Polaroid's magic chemicals. And thank you for the kind words about the channel! The intro vocal element is from Dr. Edwin Land himself, the inventor of Polaroid; an excerpt from his film "The Long Walk" about Polaroid's factory construction. The music is by the extremely talented Isaac Joel!
"Wide boy" :)
This looks like the camera they based off for the instax wide 300.
I see no similarities between that camera and the 200 or 210.
damn... I need money for this camera
Easily one of the most annoying aspects of cameras.
what about the film?
It’s great
In An Instant like what kind does it take and how available is it?
Instax Wide! Which, per its namesake, is WIDELY available!
In An Instant NICE
You can turn off the flash!!!! I need one!!!!!
lmao I got mine for $30
I'll give ya $35 for it 🤣
Honestly, I think all Fuji Instax cameras are certified doinkers. They all look so ugly to me. They have really good internal components, but it’s like they almost forgot to design the outside.
Fuji is the number one producer of doinkers worldwide! And yet they produce gorgeous digital cameras, they should port some of that design to the instant market 🧐
That is the biggest cheap looking camera I have ever seen.