Review of the Lomo'Instant Wide Camera with Sample Photos | Instax Wide Film vs. Instax Mini Film

(By using the links and/or codes below it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

Lomo’Instant Wide “Victoria Peak” Edition

In my opinion, the Lomo’Instant Wide Camera doesn’t get enough attention. Many of the Lomography instant cameras, like the Lomo’Instant Automat, take Instax Mini Film, while the Lomo’Instant Wide takes Instax Wide film. Personally, I find the Instax Wide photos to be much more satisfying, better quality and more along the lines of traditional, old-school polaroids. The frame size is nearly twice the size of the Instax Mini’s and have an overall classic vibe to them that I can never seem to accomplish with the Mini film.

I don’t use my Lomo’Instant Wide as much as I’d like, because it is quite a large camera. You can watch my YouTube video about the Lomo’ Instant Wide to get a better idea of it’s size, but if this is the only camera you plan to carry around with you, then you’re good to go. My problem is I tend to bring 10 cameras with me every time I leave the house, so this one doesn’t end up making the cut most of the time, sadly. Not because I don’t love the photos, but because the camera simply doesn’t fit in my bag!

When I have photo shoots inside my studio at my house though, this camera always makes an appearance. I have the “Victoria Peak” edition of the camera and I love the black sparkles it has on the front. There are a variety of styles to choose from, which is part of the fun of Lomography cameras.

5 of my favorite features of the Lomo’Instant Wide

1. You can do multiple exposures!

If you follow my work, you know that multiple exposures are a necessity for me when it comes to buying a camera. The Lomo’Instant Wide is actually SUPER easy to do multiple exposures, and even comes with a fun splitzer lens to experiment with.

Kate Bollinger

Santi Castro

2. The flash is optional!

With some of my older, vintage polaroid cameras, you don’t have control over whether the flash goes off or not. If I’m photographing outside, I don’t always want to use a flash because it can easily wash out or overexposure your subject. I love that the Lomo’Instant Wide has a button that easily turns off the flash for ultimate creative control.

With Flash

Without Flash

Without Flash

3. The images are more detailed than the Instax Mini Film

I scan all of my own film at home and I find that the Instax Wide Film looks much sharper and more detailed than the Instax Mini film. This makes the images themselves more usable for prints, social media, etc. There is a lack of clarity that the Instax Mini film has, probably because the images are just so small to start off with.

INSTAX WIDE FILM:

INSTAX MINI FILM:

4. The Color Tones of the film are better than the Instax Mini Film

This may just be a personal preference, but I find the overall color tones of the Instax Wide film to be more pleasing to look at. The tones are natural and warm, more reminiscent of the polaroid film from the 70s and 80s.

5. The Camera Itself Offers a Ton of Creative Control

In comparison to the original vintage Polaroid cameras, the Lomo’Instant Wide offers a LOT more creative control. Vintage Polaroid cameras are more or less point and shoot cameras, with very few features other than adjusting for lightness/darkness. The Lomo’Instant Wide is great because it comes with a selection of tools to help make your photos more unique such as a close-up lens, a splitzer, a self-timer remote, auto/bulb/slow shutter options, ultra-wide attachment and colored gel flash filters.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This camera is super fun and really offers a lot for the price point. I’ve had mine for years and have never had a problem with it. As with all instant cameras, it takes some patience when learning the controls and the best distance for photographing your subjects. But personally, sometimes I like the images that end up a bit blurry because they are completely unique and memorable and have that classic “Polaroid” vibe. If you’re looking for more creative control than the standard Instax Mini cameras, then this is a perfect upgrade. The images themselves are larger and sharper and you have more control over the outcome of the photo.

Where to buy the Lomo’Instant Wide Camera and Film:

Camera:

Amazon

B&H Photo

Adorama

Ebay (Victoria Peak Edition)

Film:

Amazon

B&H Photo

Adorama

#CommissionsEarned

You can watch my unboxing and initial thoughts about the Lomo’Instant Wide on my YouTube Channel, and get to see some of the first images I ever took with it!

If you found this post helpful or if you’d like to see more of my work, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards film & processing. Find out more here!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Feel free to leave any questions or comments below. Have a great day!

<3 Myles Katherine

Is the Canon 5D Mark IV worth the money? | Starting a Photography Business with the Best DSLR For Your Budget

REAL WORLD REVIEW OF THE CANON 5D MARK IV BY A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER

(By using the links and/or codes below it supports Myles Katherine Photography. We may get a small kick back by you doing so.)

I’m not going to lie, it’s not a cheap investment to buy a Canon 5D Mark IV (the body itself is currently priced new at $2099), especially if you want a professional lens to go along with it. But if you’re ready to start a business or to start working as a professional photographer, it’s an absolute necessity to buy an incredible full-frame DSLR camera and lens. And if you buy a used 5D Mark IV on eBay or KEH camera, you can save yourself a LOT of money. I will be the first person to recommend buying used gear, but always make sure that the company is reputable (KEH Camera is great for used gear). eBay is more of a risk but I’ve gotten some amazing deals through eBay. Just make sure the seller has good reviews and ratings, and a LOT of them. Ask the seller questions if you need to and make sure to look at the photos of the item closely for scratches, dings or imperfections and check the return policy. 

The Canon 5D Mark IV is the main camera I use for weddings, portrait shoots, events, etc. For my main lens, I use the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens which currently prices new at $1699. Again, buying a gently used one on eBay or KEH Camera can save you tons! This is an incredible zoom lens with great low-light capabilities and sharp, stunning images. With the 5D Mark IV and the 24-70 L lens, this set-up can set you back $4198. BUT, consider buying gently used options to save some money, or buy one of Canon’s more budget friendly lenses. But in my opinion, the lens is the MOST important part of your camera set-up and the L series lenses are WORTH it. Canon also released an RF line of lenses that are supposed to be EVEN BETTER. I just haven’t been able to justify spending the money on them, especially when I have these amazing L lenses at home!

WHY I LOVE THE CANON 5D MARK IV

My very first full-frame DSLR was a Canon 5D Mark II - an earlier version of the 5D Mark IV. I bought it while I was finishing up college as a studio art major. Immediately after college, I created a website, started uploading my best photos and blogging consistently and before I knew it, I was booking photo shoots in my hometown. However, a year after graduation, I decided to move to Portland, Oregon with my boyfriend and two friends. I was thrown into a sea of photographers and had no idea how I was going to stand out. But I kept blogging and began advertising on Craigslist with low prices, and before I knew it, I had booked 20 weddings for my first year. Back in my hometown, I had been working as a second shooter for a few photographers and was using my 5D Mark II. I used these images to help advertise my business and to be honest, I definitely attribute my first bookings to the 5D Mark II. The images were high quality, professional and straight up beautiful, especially compared to the more affordable line of cameras that Canon offered at the time. 

Over the next 5 years in Portland, the 5D Mark II made ALL of my money. I was photographing weddings, portraits, fashion, music, food, events. Because of the 5D Mark II, I was able to be a full-time professional photographer, pay all of my bills AND have fun doing creative shoots. Flash forward to today, my 5D Mark II was feeling outdated and it was time to sell it. I’d found myself choosing to use my Canon 6D over my 5D Mark II, simply because the low-light capabilities of the 6D were much better. While I was incredibly sad to let go of my beloved camera, I was so excited to upgrade my main camera to the 5D Mark IV. And I’m 100% glad I did. I also tried out the Canon EOS R for a bit, to see if that would be a sufficient replacement for the 5D Mark II, but I was never able to feel comfortable with the controls and set-up within the camera. There was something not so intuitive about it. When I finally got the 5D Mark IV, I felt right at home again. It felt exactly like the 5D Mark II, but better. Better quality in low light, dual memory card slots, sharp and beautiful images and that professional quality that I love. While overall, I would say the EOS R is technically better in low light, and tends to have sharper images, the 5D Mark IV creates images that are more balanced, natural and eye-catching, in my opinion. Especially when paired with the 24-70mm L lens, that camera set-up is flawless. I use my EOS R as my secondary camera at weddings, with a Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens. I find this set-up to be best for the EOS R anyway, because the combination of the low-light capabilities and sharpness of the camera with the extra wide aperture and quality of the lens, is an amazing portrait set-up. It’s taken me years to determine what my ideal dual camera set-up is, but THIS is it. Just know that you will need an RF adapter for the Canon EOS R if you plan on using EF lenses with it.

from a professional standpoint, is the CANON 5D Mark IV worth the money?

If you’ve been dreaming of starting a photography business and committing yourself fully, then yes, 100% this will be the BEST investment you can make for your business. These cameras last FOREVER. They’re incredibly sturdy and reliable. I’ve dropped my cameras onto a concrete floor and they’ve survived. In my opinion, they are worth every penny. Think about it this way, if you were starting a restaurant or boutique or other small business, you would need to make an initial investment into the business. I’ve made thousands and thousands of dollars with my camera over the years and have gotten my investment back ten-fold. Now, if you’re looking for a camera just for hobby purposes, there may be more affordable options that can yield amazing results - like the Canon EOS R ($1399) ( check out my video about the Canon EOS R here!), for example, which is substantially cheaper than the 5D Mark IV. Or the Canon 6D ($1399), which I place below the EOS R in terms of quality and sharpness. The 6D is now my back-up back-up camera and is typically used by my second-shooter at weddings. You could even get a 5D Mark II or 5D Mark III - both incredible cameras that are SUPER affordable now, as they are earlier versions of the 5D Mark IV.

WHY DIDN’T I GO WITH OTHER BRANDS?

My first 35 mm film camera was a Canon, so I’ve definitely always had an affinity and loyalty to the brand. However, before purchasing the 5D Mark IV, I spent DAYS comparing every brand and model of camera in a similar price range to see if I wanted to completely switch over. I was truly considering selling all of my lenses and cameras and converting to a new brand. However, for my personal needs as a photographer, none of the cameras were up to par. For example, one of the features I cannot go without is a multiple exposure feature. This cut out all Sony cameras for me, which was one of the bigger contenders for my possible switch. Then there was Pentax, but overall the battery life with the pro level Pentax cameras aren’t great and the cameras themselves were typically quite heavy. And lastly, I was seriously considering switching to Nikon. However, Canon is generally cheaper and in comparison to the Nikon D850, is lighter in weight, does better in low light AND has better video features, which was important for my YouTube channel. And, maybe I’m biased and missed the comfort of the 5D Mark II. I could use that camera with my eyes closed. After years of using that camera under stressful conditions like a wedding, your fingers learn how to quickly switch between settings. Anyway, I finally feel at home again with my 5D Mark IV and I know this camera will last me many more years before I feel the need to upgrade or change again. And I feel better knowing that I weighed every single camera option and brand out there and still ended up coming back to Canon. I don’t think Canon is the best brand for everyone, but in my world it’s the best for me, hands down.

WHERE TO FIND THE CANON 5D MARK IV

NEW:

Amazon 

B&H Photo

Adorama

For used options:

eBay

KEH Camera

MY FAVORITE LENSES

Canon EF 24-70mm F 2.8L II USM and the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens

NEW:

Amazon 

B&H Photo

Adorama

For used options:

KEH Camera

eBay 

Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens

NEW:

Amazon 

B&H Photo

Adorama

For used options:

KEH Camera 

eBay 

MORE AFFORDABLE CAMERA OPTIONS

Canon EOS R Mirrorless Camera

NEW: 

Amazon

For used options:

eBay

KEH Camera

Canon 6D Mark II

NEW:

Amazon

B&H Photo

Used options:

KEH Camera

eBay

CANON 5D Mark II

KEH Camera

Canon 5D Mark III

KEH Camera

I hope this helps in your quest to find the perfect camera! I recommend writing out a list of what your ultimate needs are with a camera BEFORE you start hunting for one. That way, you can immediately start crossing some off your list when they don’t meet the necessities. It can be overwhelming when you consider every brand and every camera out there all at once. As a full-time professional photographer for the last 11 years, the Canon brand has been my bread and butter. You definitely can’t go wrong with the 5D Mark IV. People will argue that there are better cameras out there, but not for me and my personal aesthetic and technical desires as a photographer. Everyone is different and I wish you the best in finding your perfect camera set-up!

If you found this post helpful or if you’d like to see more of my work, I’d love it if you considered signing up for my Patreon! For as little as $1 a month, you’ll get early access to all of my YouTube videos, plus tons of photos that I don’t post anywhere else. Depending on which tier you choose, you could also receive seasonal prints and/or discounts! I always use all of the proceeds towards cameras, film & processing. Find out more here!

Thank you for stopping by! Feel free to leave questions & comments below!

<3 Myles Katherine