JollyLook recently announced its plans to develop an Instax Wide Development Unit—a hand-cranked device that could be used with DIY cameras or customized to fit into various retro analog cameras. Now, JollyLook has announced pre-orders for its Instant Square Film Back, bringing Instax instant film to Mamiya medium-format cameras.
Bringing Instax to Mamiya – No Batteries Required
These new backs are specifically designed to be compatible with Fujifilm Instax Square film, a popular and readily available instant film format. By mounting directly onto the Mamiya RB67’s film back system, they allow photographers to leverage the legendary optics and precise mechanical control of the RB67 for instant photography. This promises a distinct aesthetic, combining the rich detail and shallow depth of field capabilities of the RB67’s lenses with the unique, dream-like qualities of Instax film. This combination offers a fresh perspective on instant photography, enabling more sophisticated compositions and creative experimentation that goes beyond what many hobbyist instant cameras can achieve.
Whether you’re shooting portraits in the studio or simply want to experiment with instant film photography on a medium format camera, there aren’t many simple or inexpensive ways to dip your toes into the proverbial water. That’s where the JollyLook Instax Square Film Back comes in – they’ve been working on Instax film backs for multiple analog medium format systems over the past year and are ready to give analog lovers a taste of what’s to come with the RB67 version of their Instax Square film back. Unlike other instant film backs, the JollyLook Instant Back doesn’t require batteries and can be used anytime and anywhere.
A Bump That Instant Film Deserves
Instant film photography has most recently been associated with more casual styles of photography in large part because of the success of cameras like Fujifilm’s Instax series. And believe me, there’s nothing wrong with a fun camera – but the JollyLook Instant Film Backs will be bringing the medium to more high-quality optics like those found in analog medium format cameras. Many of the consumer instant film cameras on the market today keep costs low by employing plastic lenses, thereby degrading some of the quality the film is capable of. This integration of Instax film with Mamiya’s robust system aims to provide a unique creative avenue, offering a satisfying “bump” or enhancement to the instant film medium by leveraging the superior optics and control of the Mamiya RB67. As I write this, I’m thinking of what’s possible with the RB67 and some of the storied lenses of the system, like the Sekor C 90mm, and it’s something analog lovers everywhere can appreciate.
The JollyLook Instant Square Film Back for Mamiya is expected to be the first of many future hand-cranked instant film backs, and we’re excited that JollyLook is asking its community to decide which backs will be considered for future development (you can vote for your preferred format here). The company also plans to explore compatibility with other Mamiya systems, such as the RZ67, and aims to keep the price point accessible, around or under $150, to make instant analog photography more widely available. This initiative offers a compelling “bump” in functionality and creative potential for existing Mamiya RB67 owners and provides an enticing entry point for those looking to explore the convergence of medium format and instant film. You can get more information or pre-order the Instant Film Back for Mamiya RB67 on JollyLook’s website for a pre-sale price of $129.
