Instant cameras are a type of camera that produces prints almost immediately after you take a picture.
If you’re reading this, I believe you own an instant camera and might be looking for low-budget film for it.
In this post, you’ll find cheap Polaroid and Fujifilm Instax instant film that you can get online.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Instant Film for Polaroid Cameras
One of the most popular instant cameras is Polaroid. They have their own specific instant film which can be easily found online. They are good quality but the original Polaroid film is quite expensive.
Here are the most popular types of Polaroid instant film that you might be looking for.
Polaroid 600 Film
- Comes with a small battery
- Backward compatible
- Understandably expensive but cheaper when buying larger packs
A 600 film pack normally comes with a small battery, which makes this film type the most common in the vintage camera community.
What makes this film so special is its versatility. The film pack comes with two sets of color 600 film, letting you take 16 photos in total.
Plus, the instant camera film doesn’t take more than 10 – 15 minutes to develop your photos. Just place it upside down to protect it from the light. Plus, make sure there’s enough light around while capturing a photo. The film works best with more light.
In addition, the instant film is backward compatible, which means it works with:
- Polaroid 600
- Polaroid Impulse
- Polaroid SLR680
- Polaroid i-Type one step 2 cameras
Overall, the film will do what’s it supposed to do: Take you back in time and give you a nostalgic feel.
However, it’s understandably expensive.
Polaroid Color Film (For I-Type Cameras)
- Designed for I-Type cameras
- Results in vintage/retro style photos
- Nice frame
This Polaroid instant film is specifically designed for I-Type cameras. The pack contains two packs of 8 photos, allowing you to capture 16 photos in total.
Moreover, your photos are going to develop within 15 minutes. You’ll have to protect them from light and place them on a clean surface upside down.
The film produces the best results when there is more light exposure. This is because the film needs time to capture all of the details in the image.
When there is not enough light exposure, some of the details may be missed and the photograph may appear blurry or dark.
But, if there’s less light, it’s recommended that you use the camera flash for the best results.
However, keep in mind that these images are supposed to look and feel vintage.
And, for best results, you need to take care of the film, like storing them in the refrigerator and protecting them from the sunlight.
Probably the only problem is that the delivery package isn’t waterproof and can get damaged during delivery.
Instant Film for Fujifilm Instax Cameras
Let’s now review the best instant film for Fujifilm Instax cameras.
Regular (Mini) Instant Film
- Easy to load
- Compact, fits into a pocket or wallet
- Cheaper than other film
This one is specifically designed for the Instax Mini line of cameras.
Plus, you’ll not wait for this film to get developed either.
Just press the shutter and wait for your photo to develop almost instantly.
Moreover, it’s a small, credit-card-sized film (5.4 x 8.6 cm) that you can easily carry in your pocket or wallet.
And there’s that classic white frame at the corners that you can write fun and memorable messages on.
In addition, the film cartridge is pretty easy to use. It’s labeled and designed for convenience.
On top of all that, the film is one of the cheapest ones on the market.
So, if you’re looking for the most cost-effective option, this regular instant film from Fujifilm is for you.
With that said, it does come with a couple of small drawbacks.
For instance, you need more than normal light to get acceptable quality photos from it.
Plus, although it’s one of the most inexpensive ones on the market, you might have a hard time reaching your wallet.
Wide Instant Film
- Good temperature stability
- Easy to use
- Large size (almost twice as large as the mini film)
If you’re looking for a wide Fujifilm instant film, this is the one.
The wide format (10.6 x 8.4 cm) of this film is going to help you capture a wider scene in your vintage photographs, including landscapes and group photos.
Plus, you won’t have to worry about the temperature damaging this film either. It’s highly stable and will work fine in the temperature range of 5 – 40 degrees.
In addition, it’s super easy to use and develops almost instantly. You can use it with all Instax wide format cameras (200, 210, 300).
However, keep in mind that the size of the film is almost twice as large as the mini film we reviewed before.
Square Instant Film
- Vibrant and good quality pictures
- Compact size
- Gets printed quickly
The Fujifilm Instax square twin pack comes with 20 exposures, which means you can snap 20 photographs with it.
And as the name suggests, the photos you get are in square format.
This means if there’s no border (which is the actual photo), the dimensions of the film would be 2.4” x 2.4”.
With the border, it’d be 3.4” x 2.8”.
So, keep in mind that the square instant film will produce pretty small photos.
The image quality, contrast, and color reproduction are all good. Plus, you get them developed right in front of your eyes.
However, the only small drawback could be that it’s expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What to look for when buying instant film for instant cameras?
When buying instant film consider the size of the instant film, image quality, and development time before buying one. The biggest mistake you should avoid is buying the wrong size of instant film and later finding out that it is not the right size for your camera.
How much is Polaroid film?
Polaroid instant film costs around 15$ – 20$ for a pack of 8 instant photos. Additionally, a pack of 16 photos would cost around 30$ – 33$. So basically the more you buy, the cheaper it is.
Where to buy instant film?
If there are no local stores around you that sell instant film, the best place to buy it would be online. For example, Amazon or you can buy online directly from the brands.
