In a surprise move, German camera maker Leica has announced the upcoming release of its first instant-film camera, the Sofort. The new model, which is expected to be available in November, can shoot Fujifilm Instax Mini film, or either of two new Leica film stocks – one colour and one black-and-white – which will be released with the camera.
The camera offers a choice of simple exposure modes (Automatic, Party & People, Sport & Action, and Macro) as well as options to shoot multiple and time-exposures.
For selfies, there's a rectangular mirror on the front of the camera and the shutter can be set to fire after a two- or 10-second delay.
Use of the built-in flash can be left to the camera's automatic function, or you can manually switch it on or off.
The Sofort will be available in mint, orange or black and white. Leica's colour film will be offered in packs of 10 or 20 exposures, while the monochrome film will be available in packs of 10.
Australian pricing for the Sofort has not yet been announced, but in the US it will sell for US$299, with Leica colour film packs costing $13 for a pack of 10 exposures, and monocrome film packs costing $16.
