I have to admit that the mint and white Soforts didn’t float my boat. Wasn’t there an orange one as well? These pastel shades made the instant camera from Leica look like a toy. Of course, that’s what it is, but lets pretend otherwise. It’s actually fun by all accounts. In the new all-black finish, however, the Sofort looks more attractive to me. I am definitely warming to it, perhaps not warming sufficiently to buy one, but I’m getting there.
From now onwards (or ab sofort, as they say down Wetzlar way) you can indulge your passion for instant photography with a mean looking Sofort, the Sofort Schwarz. It is definitely more businesslike and less toylike. Not so sure about the watermark, though.
Here is the full press release from Leica UK.
PRESS RELEASE
From today, the versatile Leica SOFORT instant picture camera is also available in black.
Wetzlar, 21st September 2018. The latest addition to the Leica instant picture camera portfolio is a black version of the Leica SOFORT. Alongside the models in white and mint, Leica is offering the camera in matt black finish with the same popular features and functions of the existing models. Created by the Leica Design Team, all versions of the Leica SOFORT share the same unmistakeable looks. A special highlight of the black version is that the product name SOFORT is picked out in white lettering around the camera body.
The versatile Leica SOFORT is a fantastic way to rediscover instant picture photography. The camera enables quick and easy access to photography together with the unique experience and fascination of instant photos. Thanks to the creative opportunities and numerous features offered by the camera, users can capture small, haptic works of art and lasting memories.
In addition to the modes Automatic, Party & People, Sport & Action, Macro and creative programmes for multiple and time exposures, the Leica SOFORT also offers a programme for self-portraits with a self-timer with two different delays. To ensure best results every time, the camera automatically adapts parameters such as the exposure time and aperture to the programme the user selects. Flash triggering can either be left entirely to the automatic flash function of the camera, or users can turn it on or off, depending on the pictures they want to take. To make things easier when shooting self-portraits, the Leica SOFORT also features a rectangular mirror on the front.
The focusing distance of the Leica SOFORT can be set separately, regardless of the selected programme mode. Depending on the choice of the close-up or long distance setting and the selected programme mode, this means that the camera offers even more creative freedom when making pictures.
A comprehensive range of accessories is also available for the Leica SOFORT. A black-and-white film is now also available alongside the colour film. Both film types are available in packs of ten. The colour film is also available in double packs for twenty pictures.
Comfortable and safe carrying of the camera is guaranteed with the range of Leica SOFORT Straps in the colours mint, orange and black-and-white, whilst stylish Leica SOFORT Cases in a choice of black or brown offer ideal protection for the camera.
Leica also offers a range of practical options for presenting instant pictures: Leica SOFORT Postcards are offered in sets of three. Each card has a different design and enables the integration of a picture. The Leica SOFORT Photo Presenter ring binder can be filled with photos and placed on a flat surface as a decorative object or for the presentation of pictures. For anyone wishing to revel in memories, the Leica SOFORT Photo Album is the classic solution for showing and sharing pictures and keeping them safe. The Leica SOFORT Box Set neatly rounds off the range of accessories with a practical solution for keeping their favourite pictures safe and sound.
__________
An instant camera thar actually takes SHARP pictures!
Even in the age of digital technology …
Dinosaurian species like soforts and revived polaroids still roam the world,
With their blurry washed out images menacing all of mankind.
We can only hope.
Mike what do you mean the orange and white Soforts look like toys? They are toys. And I’m the proud owner of an orange Sofort and it’s great fun . Offer a 6 year old a Sofort or a Q to use and it’s a no brainer.
John Shingleton
Nah: the ‘Piano Black’ Instax is a better looker!
But none of these has the real Polaroid look – I mean the look of the film, not the cameras. And the new Polaroid hasn’t matured enough to look like the old Polaroid. And the wonderful Polaroid peel-apart died a while ago, and now Fuji aren’t going to continue with it, either. Such a shame..
Oops, sorry, I forgot to say that the [object Object] above is David B. Sorry about that. And, of course, this is David B writing this comment, too! (Er, it didn’t ask me for my name and email when I clicked on "Post Reply", so it didn’t gather my name, so that’s probably why it’s used the placeholder [object Object].
I’ve owned a sofort since first release – a nice pristine white one. Yes they are quirky, fun and just a bit different, a flash back to my grandparents kodak instant camera of the 70’s.
Our fridge and magnet wall board has little square instant images in both colour and monochrome all over them, I love them, they are great instant memories. But I wouldn’t replace my X, or Df with one, more it complements my cameras.
Dave S – via the Object Object saga.. 🙂
And when are we going to have a Sofort Breit? (cp Fuji Instax Wide) That would probably tip my scales.
John Nicholson.
John, I thought that you are referring to the Sofort Brexit limited edition. You take a photo but then nothing happens as it cannot decide what to do next.
John Shingleton
John, it’s actually called the Brexit May-hem edition!
John N.
Gentlemen, Gentlemen, we don’t do politics on Macfilos. I’ve already come down on pro-Brexit, anti-EU comment, and lost a reader and regular commenter as a result, so it would be unfair to allow pro-Remain comments to go unchallenged. We should stick to photography, it’s safer.
I’m glad to see the black Sofort though I wish it lacked the watermark. I’m a fan of Instax film, although I tend to print it with the Instax printers rather than use Instax cameras. But I just read an article asking why Instax is not used more seriously by photographers. In it, the author mentioned Lomo cameras as giving you more control over the Instax shooting experience.
For me, they are simply great fun! I use Instax both for fun snapshots and family snapshots and more serious work too.