Square is hip

THE death of film cameras has been greatly exaggerated, and instant film is alive and well.
This is evident in Fujifilm’s recent release of its first fully-analogue instant film camera, which uses Instax Square format film.
Fujifilm’s Instax Square SQ6 is an odd thing. It is the second analogue camera in the world to use Instax Square film (Lomography made the first).
And even within Fujifilm, it is not even the first camera to use this film. The first was last year’s SQ10, a hybrid digital camera that prints instant film.
With the SQ6, it looks as though Fujifilm has taken all the best features we have seen in the Instax Mini series of cameras, and put it in one device.
Square, thick, and with rounded corners, the SQ6 looks like a certain app icon you would find on your mobile phone.
Despite its shape and the lack of a full grip, the camera is easy to handle, and fits well in the hand.
Inside the box, the SQ6 comes with everything you need. This includes a strap, three colour filters for the camera flash, and a CR2 battery required to power up the camera.
The film is sold separately. However, Fujifilm is offering a free gift for the first 1,500 buyers, consisting of an exclusive suede case, a twin pack of square film, and a CR2 rechargeable battery (while stocks last).
With a pack of film, enough to take 10 shots, I headed out to test the full capabilities of the SQ6.
The SQ6 is not cumbersome, but it is not as light as it looks. However, while walking around, it comfortably hung from my neck, and never felt unwieldy or unmanageable.
There are seven shooting modes to choose from: Automatic, Selfie, Macro (close-up), Landscape, Double-Exposure, Lighten, and Darken. Most of these modes are self-explanatory, except two.
Lighten mode overexposes a picture, making darker images look brighter. This is most often used with the coloured flash filters to compensate, or in situations where your subject is dark.
Darken does the opposite, and is most useful when taking pictures of a subject with a bright background. The result would be an overexposed background, but an adequately lit subject.
There is also an option to turn off the flash, which is a very welcomed feature in all Instax cameras, and a self-timer that pairs well with the built-in tripod mount, for when you want to take a photo – especially a group shot – with yourself in it.
Practicality aside, the SQ6 is a fun camera. Moments captured with it are tactile, full of character, and cannot be duplicated.
In addition, you can still take photos of the prints using your phone and share it online.
For me, the main hurdle in owning an SQ6 is the price.
The camera itself retails at RM598, and a single pack of film worth 10 shots averages around RM45. It all adds up.
I could see this camera as not only something to pull out on special occasions, but as an accessory as well. It looks good on a shelf and cool hanging on a strap.