|
|
Post by jackie on Dec 4, 2017 4:16:02 GMT
My 18 year old dd just expressed interest in having an instax camera. I don’t own one and have never bought one for any of my kids, but it seems like a great gift idea (she hasn’t given me any “big” present ideas). She’s in her senior year of high school and is thinking about putting together a little scrapbook of her last year. Plus she’ll probably want to give some prints to friends and maybe take it to college with her and use it there.
i May end up getting the instax camera no matter what since she specifically mentioned it and since part of the appeal is how cute and retro the cameras are. I can’t help wondering though if a portable printer might print better pics and make her happier in the long run.
So, I would love to hear from peas who have one or both and get your thoughts and opinions.
Thanks!
|
|
amom23
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,635 
|
Post by amom23 on Dec 4, 2017 4:23:43 GMT
I have one of those cameras and honestly never use it. I just never seem to remember to take it with me and my iPhone is always with me. Also, the prints are pretty tiny so not my everyday preference. I also have an Epson PM-400 printer that I really love. It would be super easy for your DD to use and take off to college next year.
|
|
AllieC
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,129
|
Post by AllieC on Dec 4, 2017 4:27:16 GMT
I have used both for a work project and picture quality on a printer like the Sprocket wins hands down. There is also the wasted pics on the Instax if in the wrong light etc. in the printer you can edit first then print via the app.
The Instax are fun and look cool but if photo quality is important I’d give it a miss.
Film for both the Instax and Sprocket is a similar price.
|
|
AmeliaBloomer
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,842
Location: USA
Jun 26, 2014 5:01:45 GMT
|
Post by AmeliaBloomer on Dec 4, 2017 4:56:58 GMT
These cameras are all the rage with the youngins'. There are lots of accessories (photo albums, photo sleeves to hang on the wall) being made for the Instax Mini print size. The fad is interesting in itself, especially for those of us who lived a lifetime of film (either regular or Polaroid) and would never go back. And there's the whole Millennial Vintage Allure. It'll be interesting to see if it has any staying power.
My 25 year old daughter asked for the Fuji Instax Mini Printer for Christmas. She'd prefer to choose the images from her cell phone or digital camera. She wants the "look" without the haphazardness/risk/expense of whatever the camera spits out. We got the printer for $119 Black Friday weekend and, after some searching combined with coupons, bought film that will be about 43 cents per picture. (Still seems steep to me, but a very good discount.)
I kinda' look askance at the whole enterprise, but it's what she wants and I'm relieved she chose the printer over the camera. Of course, there won't be that instant gratification...but her practical side won out.
(This won't help you at all, since our printer is untested, but I just fell down this rabbit hole last week and felt the need to share. LOL.)
|
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Dec 4, 2017 5:05:14 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by papersilly on Dec 4, 2017 5:35:27 GMT
I have the instax camera and instax printer. The printer is much more versatile because you can print any photo from your phone. The quality of pics on the printer is the same as you get on the camera because it uses the same film. Other portable printers that use photo paper have much better photo quality.
|
|
|
|
Post by gotranch on Dec 4, 2017 6:45:48 GMT
My dd expressed an interest in one of those camera too. I wondered how practical they would be and why she might even want one, but then I realized that the picture size goes with the type of planner she uses -And of course there is the convenience of instant pictures.
After giving it some thought, I decided that a personal printer would be more versatile and ordered her a Sprocket. I figured she would be able to: see and edit any pictures from her phone, so no wasted photo paper. I also thought it would be more convenient to only have 1 device (phone camera). She almost always has her phone with her, but may not always have or remember to take the Instax camera with her. I think the mini printer is a better choice than an instant camera!
|
|
|
|
Post by littlemama on Dec 4, 2017 12:07:17 GMT
I bought ds the HP Sprocket printer for Christmas because I couldn't figure out what else to get him!
|
|
|
|
Post by ihaveonly1l on Dec 4, 2017 12:13:41 GMT
I just bought the camera, purse thing, mini album and film for my nieces for Christmas. They are in first grade and fifth grade. I also plan to send them a new pack of film each month-Amazon has a "subscribe and save" so if I set it up once it will do it automatically.
If they were older and had phones, I would have bought the printers because I think that would be a better option.
|
|
|
|
Post by withapea on Dec 4, 2017 14:03:03 GMT
I have a Sprocket and I'm really happy with it.
|
|
marimoose
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,282
|
Post by marimoose on Dec 4, 2017 15:18:24 GMT
My 22yo has the Instax and loves it. I gave it to her 2 years ago for Xmas. I felt the same way as many of you had said about the size and quality of the pics but that isn't what these little cameras are about. I thought it would be cast aside and boy was I wrong. She has an iPhone and a DSLR if she wants to capture better pictures. It is more a social thing with immediate gratification. She takes it when she hangs out with friends and they all love it. her boyfriend liked it so much that he got the slightly larger one. This age group is into anything retro.
I think having to carry an extra thing like a little printer might be a hassle - I know it would be for my daughter. I say if she asked for an Instax to go for it.
Amazon has lots of specials on the film. The other fun thing about the instal is that they put out film that has fun borders - there are colors and shapes and character. My daughter had to have Zootopia and Winnie the Pooh film. I know I saw Beauty and The Beast and princesses too. Always changing. And the picture size is perfect for planners.
|
|
|
|
Post by hockeymom4 on Dec 4, 2017 15:26:40 GMT
Following..... DD is 15, leaning towards the printer.... I figure she will be carrying something extra (camera or printer) so go for the quality.... although the retro look is cute......
|
|
|
|
Post by JustCallMeMommy on Dec 4, 2017 15:28:00 GMT
My DD wants one, too. I suggested that as a gift for her dad to buy since I'm done shopping for her. I don't think my DD would be happy with the printer since she specifically wants the Polaroid-style insta-prints. I think the printer would be more practical though. I do like that this is encouraging the kids to print pictures - the pictures on their phones live there permanently.  |
|
|
|
Post by chrispeas on Dec 4, 2017 15:31:52 GMT
There is the Canon CP900 Selphy. It doesn't print exactly 4x6 but you buy the paper/ink packs all in one. Prints exactly the amount on the box. I think it's 150 prints. I'm currently using it on a grad gift for DD. I've been doing screen shots of her Snap pics for the past few years. I have hundreds of fun pictures for her to look back on. I just tuck them into those project life sleeves, but use Hobby Lobby's brand and get them when they are 50% off.
|
|
|
|
Post by giatocj on Dec 4, 2017 15:32:10 GMT
I actually just bought the Instax printer and really kind of like it. The camera, I hate, but the printer is kind of fun since you can print any picture you want from your phone onto Instax paper. I played with it this weekend and was happy with the results. They are not perfect in any way, but I don't think they're terrible either. The pictures right from the camera were always SO disappointing.
|
|
mallie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,253
|
Post by mallie on Dec 4, 2017 17:00:42 GMT
A friend gave one of my girls the Instax camera. She has never used it, even though she thought she wanted it.
She has, however, used my mini portable printer. It is a Kodak Photo Printer Mini. (I bought it for scrapbooking.)
|
|
caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,025
Location: So Cal
|
Post by caangel on Dec 4, 2017 17:25:29 GMT
My DD wants one, too. I suggested that as a gift for her dad to buy since I'm done shopping for her. I don't think my DD would be happy with the printer since she specifically wants the Polaroid-style insta-prints. I think the printer would be more practical though. I do like that this is encouraging the kids to print pictures - the pictures on their phones live there permanently. Pretty sure the instax printer prints Polaroid prints. I believe it takes the same film as the camera. |
|
|
|
Post by papersilly on Dec 4, 2017 18:45:49 GMT
the thing with the Instax camera is that it is a one and done kind of thing. you take a pic and the film pops out. if you hate that pic you have to use another film piece. you can get deals on the film but you'd be surprised how the price adds if you keep retaking the same pic just to get the right shot. at least with the printer, you can edit your pic before printing it out.
|
|
|
|
Post by Flowergirl on Dec 4, 2017 19:34:48 GMT
My 22yo has the Instax and loves it. I gave it to her 2 years ago for Xmas. I felt the same way as many of you had said about the size and quality of the pics but that isn't what these little cameras are about. I thought it would be cast aside and boy was I wrong. She has an iPhone and a DSLR if she wants to capture better pictures. It is more a social thing with immediate gratification. She takes it when she hangs out with friends and they all love it. her boyfriend liked it so much that he got the slightly larger one. This age group is into anything retro. I think having to carry an extra thing like a little printer might be a hassle - I know it would be for my daughter. I say if she asked for an Instax to go for it. Amazon has lots of specials on the film. The other fun thing about the instal is that they put out film that has fun borders - there are colors and shapes and character. My daughter had to have Zootopia and Winnie the Pooh film. I know I saw Beauty and The Beast and princesses too. Always changing. And the picture size is perfect for planners. This is the reason my DD18 asked for one for Christmas. It's more of an immediate gratification, fun thing to do with friends than a picture quality thing (for her and a lot of her friends anyway). A lot of the dorm decor ideas center around arranging this type of pic in an aesthetically pleasing manner and then adding some little mini lights and a succulent plant or 7.  She doesn't ever print the pictures she takes on her phone--the closest they see to the light of day is Instagram. She wouldn't bother with printing with the Instax printer. |
|
marimoose
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,282
|
Post by marimoose on Dec 4, 2017 19:49:33 GMT
My 22yo has the Instax and loves it. I gave it to her 2 years ago for Xmas. I felt the same way as many of you had said about the size and quality of the pics but that isn't what these little cameras are about. I thought it would be cast aside and boy was I wrong. She has an iPhone and a DSLR if she wants to capture better pictures. It is more a social thing with immediate gratification. She takes it when she hangs out with friends and they all love it. her boyfriend liked it so much that he got the slightly larger one. This age group is into anything retro. I think having to carry an extra thing like a little printer might be a hassle - I know it would be for my daughter. I say if she asked for an Instax to go for it. Amazon has lots of specials on the film. The other fun thing about the instal is that they put out film that has fun borders - there are colors and shapes and character. My daughter had to have Zootopia and Winnie the Pooh film. I know I saw Beauty and The Beast and princesses too. Always changing. And the picture size is perfect for planners. This is the reason my DD18 asked for one for Christmas. It's more of an immediate gratification, fun thing to do with friends than a picture quality thing (for her and a lot of her friends anyway). A lot of the dorm decor ideas center around arranging this type of pic in an aesthetically pleasing manner and then adding some little mini lights and a succulent plant or 7. She doesn't ever print the pictures she takes on her phone--the closest they see to the light of day is Instagram. She wouldn't bother with printing with the Instax printer. This is true of my daughter too.The pics that get printed are the ones she sends to my laptop. Has your daughter discovered the filters that you can get for the instal cameras. They change the colors of the pics or put a shape on them. They sell them on Amazon (and at Michaels too I believe) and make great stocking stuffers. I also got her one that looks lie a bunny so she can easily do selfies with her friends - it somehow enables the user. |
|
|
|
Post by Flowergirl on Dec 4, 2017 22:31:55 GMT
This is the reason my DD18 asked for one for Christmas. It's more of an immediate gratification, fun thing to do with friends than a picture quality thing (for her and a lot of her friends anyway). A lot of the dorm decor ideas center around arranging this type of pic in an aesthetically pleasing manner and then adding some little mini lights and a succulent plant or 7. She doesn't ever print the pictures she takes on her phone--the closest they see to the light of day is Instagram. She wouldn't bother with printing with the Instax printer. This is true of my daughter too.The pics that get printed are the ones she sends to my laptop. Has your daughter discovered the filters that you can get for the instal cameras. They change the colors of the pics or put a shape on them. They sell them on Amazon (and at Michaels too I believe) and make great stocking stuffers. I also got her one that looks lie a bunny so she can easily do selfies with her friends - it somehow enables the user. She's not getting it until this Christmas, but thanks for the filter idea! Off to check out Amazon... |
|
|
|
Post by jackie on Dec 5, 2017 1:56:09 GMT
Thanks for all the feedback! I knew the peas would have opinions. I honestly still don’t know what I’m going to do.
The Polaroid Pop looks really good, but that’s getting higher in cost than I want to go. Right now, it’s between the Instax camera and the Sprocket printer (which is about twice what the instax go for and is probably as high as I would go). I go back and forth on it. The printer is actually a little lighter than the camera, so I don’t think the hassle of carting it around shouldn’t be a big deal. It seems the printer has better quality as well as opportunities to edit before printing. But the cameras are so cute!
My dh thinks it’s kind of silly. He thinks she should just send her prints from her phone to Walmart’s 1-Hour lab like I do. I get his point, but it’s about instant gratification, sharing prints right away with friends. The small size of the prints isn’t an issue either. I think she prefers those as she wants to make small scrapbooks.
Decisions, decisions!
|
|
|
|
Post by NanaKate on Dec 5, 2017 2:59:49 GMT
My granddaughters (12 and14) have the Instax and love it.
|
|
twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,248
|
Post by twinsmomfla99 on Dec 5, 2017 3:34:06 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by jackie on Dec 5, 2017 7:50:13 GMT
Thanks for the info on the Polaroid photo printer. I’m still undecided but at that price and with the deal expiring in minutes I had to go for it! I figure I can return if I change my mind. Amazon buyers rank it slightly lower than the HP Sprocket printer, as does PC Magazine, but CNET ranks I slightly higher—go figure!
Anyone own the Polaroid Zip printer that can weigh in?
|
|
|
|
Post by ihaveonly1l on Dec 5, 2017 11:30:02 GMT
Thanks for the info on the Polaroid photo printer. I’m still undecided but at that price and with the deal expiring in minutes I had to go for it! I figure I can return if I change my mind. Amazon buyers rank it slightly lower than the HP Sprocket printer, as does PC Magazine, but CNET ranks I slightly higher—go figure! Anyone own the Polaroid Zip printer that can weigh in? I have it. The prints are fine-not as nice as you would want for long term scrapbooks, but fine for a fun shot. I've mostly used the prints in my planner. I like that there is adhesive on the back. |
|
|
|
Post by littlemama on Dec 5, 2017 13:11:38 GMT
Thanks for all the feedback! I knew the peas would have opinions. I honestly still don’t know what I’m going to do. The Polaroid Pop looks really good, but that’s getting higher in cost than I want to go. Right now, it’s between the Instax camera and the Sprocket printer (which is about twice what the instax go for and is probably as high as I would go). I go back and forth on it. The printer is actually a little lighter than the camera, so I don’t think the hassle of carting it around shouldn’t be a big deal. It seems the printer has better quality as well as opportunities to edit before printing. But the cameras are so cute! My dh thinks it’s kind of silly. He thinks she should just send her prints from her phone to Walmart’s 1-Hour lab like I do. I get his point, but it’s about instant gratification, sharing prints right away with friends. The small size of the prints isn’t an issue either. I think she prefers those as she wants to make small scrapbooks. Decisions, decisions! Costco has a Sprocket bundle for $139 that includes the printer, a case, and some paper. The printer alone is usually $129, so this is a good deal. |
|
|
|
Post by jackie on Dec 5, 2017 14:21:31 GMT
It dies appear that overall the HP Sprocket printer has better reviews on it so I will look into finding a deal on that. I figure the print quality on the Zip has to at least be as good or better than the Instax camera. And because it’s printing from a better camera (her iphone) they’ll look better overall. If I decide to go this route..still thinking. She does want to use her prints in scrapbooks, but just fun little books, probably not books to pass through the generations.  How much paper does that Costco bundle come with Marianne? I tried to look it up online but didn’t see it. I don’t have a Costco membership but I have a friend that does. For the zip orinter I got the printer and 30 sheets of paper for $93. The case will be another $12 I think, so for $105 I have that same bundle with 30 sheets. The bundle you’re describing sounds like a good deal, but still a decent amount more unless it comes with a crapload of paper. 🙂 It’s making me think though. |
|
|
|
Post by littlemama on Dec 5, 2017 14:43:20 GMT
It dies appear that overall the HP Sprocket printer has better reviews on it so I will look into finding a deal on that. I figure the print quality on the Zip has to at least be as good or better than the Instax camera. And because it’s printing from a better camera (her iphone) they’ll look better overall. If I decide to go this route..still thinking. She does want to use her prints in scrapbooks, but just fun little books, probably not books to pass through the generations. How much paper does that Costco bundle come with Marianne? I tried to look it up online but didn’t see it. I don’t have a Costco membership but I have a friend that does. For the zip orinter I got the printer and 30 sheets of paper for $93. The case will be another $12 I think, so for $105 I have that same bundle with 30 sheets. The bundle you’re describing sounds like a good deal, but still a decent amount more unless it comes with a crapload of paper. 🙂 It’s making me think though. I'll have to look at home later tonight! |
|
|
|
Post by hockeymom4 on Dec 5, 2017 15:54:10 GMT
In Canada Costco has printer, 50 pics and case for $159.
|
|
She doesn't ever print the pictures she takes on her phone--the closest they see to the light of day is Instagram. She wouldn't bother with printing with the Instax printer.
