MiNT camera
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Native name | MiNT Camera |
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| Private | |
| Industry | Instant Photography |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Gary Ho |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Professional Instant Cameras, Accessories, Refurbish & Repairing Service |
| Slogan | Instant Inspiration |
| Website | Korea: mint-camera.co.kr |
MiNT Camera is a company specializing in the Polaroid™ instant film cameras and its accessories. Founded in 2009, it covers wide range of products and services for Polaroid™ Photography. Its principal activities are the refurbishment and repair of Polaroid™ cameras, with two MiNT Polaroid™ Warranty Centers located in Causeway Bay and Kwun Tong, Hong Kong. Refurbishment, Cleaning and Maintenance service are provided for customer worldwide. They have been partnered with The Impossible Project, the manufacturer of the instant film used by Polaroid™ cameras nowadays,[1] as Polaroid™ stopped its production a few months before their bankruptcy.[2]
In 2015, MiNT Camera released InstantFlex TL70, the world's first twin lens reflex instant camera; it revolutionizes the instant photography world and experience. MiNT is now the world's greatest inspiration for instant cameras. Its products can be located in many parts of the world including the US, UK, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, China, etc.
History
When Polaroid™ was going through bankruptcy, MiNT started as an online store in 2009, in which they met customers in a coffee shop and taught them how to use the camera. Half year later MiNT opened their first physical retail store, located in Causeway Bay, the shipping center of Hong Kong as consumers are getting more and more interested in the Polaroid™ legend. Later on, their first SX-70 Warranty and Repair center was officially established in Kwun Tong. SX-70 users in Asia are now more convenient when it comes to repairing and refurbishing cameras. MiNT became the sole official The Impossible Project Partner Store in 2011.
Accessories
Flash Bar
In 2011, MiNT released an electronic flash bar, compatible with all Polaroid™ folding and box-type SX-70-type cameras. Unlike other electronic flashes in the market, MiNT Flash Bar is small in its size and smart in its design. There are three settings on the flash bar: 1) off mode 2) half power for 600 film 3) full power for SX-70 film. If desired, users can choose half power mode and use 600 film with their SX-70 cameras. And when using SX-70 film, simply choose full power mode. Aperture changes depending on the focusing distance while GN value stays the same. The closer your subject is, the smaller aperture it will be so as to avoid overexposed; the farther the subject is, the larger the aperture so it will not underexpose.
It received generally good reviews from its users and the second generation, was released in 2013 with more stable performance, less charging time and new auto-sleep function.[3] The 2nd generation is the revolutionary re-usable electronic flash bar with color filters and sync port to trigger external flashes.
Lens Set
The MiNT Lens Set was also released in the same year. It is the first and only lens kit that applies to all folding Polaroid™ cameras. Made of glass with up to 91% transparency, the set included ND filter, blue filter, yellow filter, close-up lens and full frame fisheye lens to apply different effects during photo shooting. Since The Impossible Project film tends to go reddish and yellowish under bright sunlight and hot weather, using blue filter will correct the white balance to a more natural color. The yellow filter is used with Black & White photo to increase image contrast.
Cameras
SLR670a
SLR670a merges the best functions and features of SX-70 and SLR680 into a sleek, stylish body. It works with both 600 film and SX-70 film so no more ND filter needed when shooting. The high ISO performance coupled with an advanced shutter and brightness control gives you incomparable results under any lighting condition without the use of flash. When using with ISO 160 film, simply turn the lighten/darken wheel a bit to lighten. SLR670a is the most advanced and convenient instant camera in the market to date.
SLR670m
When using the ordinary SX-70, the photographer is often controlled by the camera. SLR670m comes with the Time Machine, which gives you the manual control over shutter speed and many more options to shoot when and where you want. MiNT re-designed the camera motherboard to make it more reliable and to provide a port of communication for the Time Machine. The Time Machine has been specially designed to fit SX-70 cameras. It fits and feels perfectly on the camera with it sleek appearance. Shutter speeds on Time Machine range from 1s to 1/2000s and other options: Bulb mode (press and hold to expose), Time mode (press once to expose, press again to stop), Auto mode (works like a normal SX-70 with ISO 100 setting), and Off mode (power off). Note that the Time Machine works only with SLR670m; any other SX-70 will not respond to the Time Machine.
InstantFlex TL70
In 2015, MiNT released the world's first twin lens reflex instant camera - InstantFlex TL70. After five years of making and remaking vintage cameras, MiNT engineers set out to reinvent a much-loved classic camera. TL70 preserves the best features of the legendary camera such as Polaroid™ SX-70 and Rolleiflex TLR. TL70 leverages its unique features to unleash creativity. It is the most user-friendly TLR available and works with credit card size instant films 54(W) x 86(H)mm. With its 3-element lens and 5-leaf shutter blades, which are usually found in high end instant cameras, you will have more control over aperture for a greater range of creative expressions, and to maximize light transmission and improve image quality.
References
- ↑ Robertso, Justin (2009-03-06). "Can one man save Polaroid?". National Post. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
- ↑ "Polaroid Abandons Instant Photography". The New York Times.
- ↑ "MiNT camera Official Website". Retrieved 5 May 2014.
External links
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