Taking photos on your phone is all very well, but how often do you actually look back at those images, or print them out and stick them on the fridge? Instant cameras have seen a bit of a retro resurgence in recent years, with shoppers enjoying snapping a single moment in time, capturing a memory, and getting to see it in print almost immediately. It’s fun to do, and you end up with something solid to keep.
Amazon is currently selling the instax mini 11 instant film camera for £69, down from £79.99 – a decent 14% off. The 4.6 starred piece of kit has more than 10,000 five-star reviews with the dinky, AA battery powered camera producing pics that are the size and shape of a credit card rather than the square instax photos you might think of. It even takes selfies.
READ MORE:Amazon slashes ‘excellent’ headphones to only £32 leaving shoppers ‘pleasantly surprised’
READ MORE: Debenhams reduces £53 makeup box that ‘looks great in any bedroom’ to £19
As the name suggests, this is a very portable camera that weighs less than 500g, so it’s perfect for little fingers, family holidays, and Sunday trips to the park. It even comes with a hand strap, two customisable shutter buttons, a user manual and two AA batteries, so once you pick up some film you’ll have everything you need to get started.
One happy Amazon customer said: “What you see is what you get. A cute, colourful ice white camera which is VERY easy to use. The quality performance of the pictures are really good and bright as it also has flash. You’ll definitely get that nostalgic feeling when it’s being printed out!”
A second added: “I am very, very happy with my camera. Easy to use. Very light and easy to carry around,” adding that using the instax is “really fun, and great pictures in the end.”
Another reviewer added some helpful tips for first time users: “I would recommend looking online at some YouTube videos about how to use this camera because there are some useful tips that I wish were in the user guide. For example, you do not need to shake the Polaroids like in the olden days!”
Another shopper said: “We don’t travel anywhere without our instax mini now. Takes great photos with an excellent photo quality. Great for our little scrap book we are making of our travels. Something different from the usual photos taken on the phone. Creating ever-lasting memories.”
However, one customer flagged that lighting can really affect your pictures: “This really is a great instant camera. There are a lot on the market to choose from, but I think this is a great entry level option. Looks good, easy to use and the photo quality is decent. Photos can be hit and miss depending on lighting, but I think you’ll have similar issues with any instant camera.”
Another highlighted the price of each picture: “A great camera for having some pics that you can give immediately to your friends and family. Camera price is fair and totally worthy. However, the average of each photo can cost 1 pound.”
Instax might be the big name brand, but there are other instant camera alternatives tempting shoppers to go old school, The POLAROID Go Gen 2 Instant Camera Set – White from Currys costs £94.99. Meanwhile, Debenhams has the Denver Fun Camera With Printer for £47.99 – designed for kids and coming in pink, but the photos taken are printed in greyscale on thermal paper, rather than on glossy photo paper.