Introduction
In the world of medium format photography, the Mamiya RZ67 is legendary, known for its versatility and image quality. But what if you could combine the classic charm of the RZ67 with the instant gratification of Polaroid-style film? Enter the Zinstax Instax Back – a clever accessory that lets you shoot Fuji Instax Square film on your Mamiya RZ67.
In this post, I’ll discuss why instant images are essential for studio shoots, lament the demise of Polaroid 660 cartridges, and the discontinuation of Fuji FP-100C cartridges and dive into the Zinstax Instax Back.
The Need for Instant Images in Studio Shoots
Creativity and Workflow
Instant images play a crucial role in studio photography. They provide immediate feedback on lighting, composition, and styling. Photographers can adjust settings on the spot, ensuring the perfect shot. Plus, clients appreciate seeing instant proofs during the session, enhancing collaboration and client satisfaction.
This is easily achieved in digital photography with tethered computers that allow stakeholders to view shots in real time. But not so easy when shooting on film. Instant cameras can give an impression of the shot, but they don’t show what the actual camera sees.
Enter the Polaroid Back for the Mamiya RZ67, completely interchangeable with the film backs this back allowed the photographer to shoot images on Polaroid 660 instant film switch the back and take the same shot on film. However, these versatile backs have become obsolete with the demise of Polaroid 660 film and the discontinuation of Fuji FP-100C film.
The Demise of Polaroid 660 Cartridges
Nostalgia and Loss
Remember the days when Polaroid cameras were synonymous with fun, adventure, and capturing life’s moments? The Polaroid 660 was a popular choice during the ’80s and ’90s, producing square images that families cherished. Unfortunately, Polaroid as we knew it ceased production in 2008, leaving us with memories and a longing for those iconic prints.
The Discontinuation of Fuji FP-100C Cartridges
A Bittersweet Farewell
Fujifilm’s FP-100C instant film was a lifeline for vintage Polaroid-type cameras. Its peel-apart format allowed photographers to create high-quality images and recover negatives for printing. However, in 2016, Fujifilm dropped FP-100C due to declining demand. The film’s demise marked the end of an era for Type 100 cameras and the Mamiya RZ67 Polaroid Back. Enter the Zinstax Back
The Zinstax Instax Back
What Is It?
The Zinstax Instax Back is a Mamiya RZ67 accessory back designed by Han Chen, in Germany. It allows Mamiya RZ67 users to shoot Fuji Instax film, bringing back the joy of instant photography. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and compatible with Fuji Instax Square film.
Features and Performance
The Zinstax Instax Back seamlessly attaches to the RZ67, replacing the standard film back.
The back’s sole connection to the camera body is the standard attachment mechanism. This results in there being no feedback on LED monitor lamps. Similarly, there are no interlocks to prevent you shooting with the dark slide in place. Yes, my first shot was black where I left the dark slide in place.
Speaking of the dark slide. The Zinstax back has a storage pocket for the slide meaning that it shouldn’t get misplaced. However, the large grip on the slide means that the camera can’t be set down on its base with the slide in. This can be overcome by rotating the back 90 degrees, but this results in the winding crank interfering with the view finder.
With the lack of mechanical and electrical connections, the Zinstax back requires the body to be in multiple exposure (‘M’) mode. The cocking lever then being used just to cock the mirror and shutter, and the film being advanced separately using the crank on the back.
The Zinstax’s own internal mechanicals mean that it does have a shot counter. Which, unlike standard backs, counts down showing the number of shots left in the cartridge rather than the number that have been taken.
Conclusion
The Zinstax Instax Back bridges the gap between nostalgia and modern technology, allowing Mamiya RZ67 users to once again embrace instant photography. While we mourn the loss of Polaroid 660 cartridges and Fuji FP-100C, we celebrate the return instant of photography to the iconic Mamiya RZ67. So, whether you’re shooting in the studio or reliving the past, instant images continue to captivate photographers and evoke a sense of wonder.
Learn more
The Zinstax Instax Back, and the Binstax Instax Back for the Mamiya RB67 are available to order from Han Chen at https://zins.tax/
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