Leica Launches Sofort, an Instant Film Camera Priced at $299

Legendary German camera-maker, Leica, has launched an instant film camera. Called the Sofort, it is meant for people who love hard copies of photographs, and, can't wait for them to be printed. Leica will showcase the Sofort next week at Photokina 2016, the bi-annual photography show kicking off in Cologne. With a price of $299 (roughly Rs. 20,000), Leica Sofort is a member of the budget camera segment, and will hit stores shelves starting November. However, Sofort's closest counterpart, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90, starts from $149 (roughly Rs. 10,000).

The Leica Sofort is available in three colours - Mint, Orange, and White. The Leica Sofort features the company's own fixed 60mm (34mm equivalent) lens with a maximum aperture of f/12.7, coupled with an integrated flash module. The instant camera has eight operation modes to select from - Automatic, Selfie, People & Party, Action & Sport, Bulb, Macro, Self-Timer, and Double Exposure. So, it doesn't matter what place and outdoor/ indoor you are in, Leica Sofort can shoot photographs in all different modes it offers. The 'Selfie' mode is especially for people who love taking selfies but out of their smartphone practice.

The Sofort accepts B&W, colour instant film packs that are easily available in the market for somewhere around $14 to $18 - almost negligible compared to the price of the camera. However, it is worth noting that the Sofort will ship along with three different instant film pack options - a colour film pack with 10 exposures, a colour film double pack with 20 exposures, and a monochrome film pack with 10 exposures. Fortunately, you can also use Fujifilm's Instax Mini film packs.

You also get a bunch of accessories along with the Sofort, of course with their own additional costs. Leica offers a range of camera carrying straps in white, orange, mint and black colours, and soft carrying cases in brown or black colours; a Sofort Photo Presenter that can present the photographs out of the camera; Sofort Postcards (3-packs) with support to affix pictures, and a Sofort Photo Album. The list does not end here, you can also get the Sofort Storage Boxes, which will be offered in sets of three with the colour combinations of white & black, orange & black, and mint & black.