A Hong Kong-based company called “NONS” has created a M42-mount ILC that can be used to shoot Fujifilm Instax Mini film. They’re calling it the world’s first M42 mount SLR instant camera, and it allows shooters to pair easy-to-find Fuji Instax film with much-beloved (and often very cheap) classic M42 lenses.
The NONS M42 camera is pretty self-explanatory. It’s a rudimentary SLR with an M42 mount and a few basic features like a shutter speed dial, the ability to shoot multiple exposures, support for a cable release, and a hot shoe for using external flash.
The camera runs off of 2 AA batteries, and taking a picture is as easy as loading up some Instax Mini film, choosing your shutter speed, pressing the shutter button (as many times as you’d like), and then pressing the eject film button when you’re ready. Since the M42 mount was made for 35mm film that’s much smaller than an Instax Mini frame, the resulting photos will have a circular vignette of varying size and intensity depending on the lens that you’re using.
Here’s a closer look at the camera in action:
And some sample images captured with the current prototype:
The NONS M42 SLR is seeking funding through Kickstarter, where it’s already raised over $15,000 on a goal of $25,750, with 21 days to go in the campaign. If they raise the necessary funding and all goes according to plan, the goal is to begin shipping cameras to backers in August of 2020.
Securing a NONS 42 will cost you at least $200 (early-bird pledge) for the body only, $220 for the camera plus two 10-shot packs of Instax film, or $230 for the NONS M42 and an 50mm f/1.8 “M42 lens for beginners.” Prices go up from there for additional cameras and film.
To learn more about this quirky camera or take a chance by pledging your support, head over to the Kickstarter campaign page. As with all crowdfunded products, we’ll throw out the standard warning: this is not a pre-order, and any money you throw at this thing could very well disappear if the NONS M42 becomes vaporware.