MiNT Camera
A Hong Kong photography company specializing in premium instant cameras, modified Polaroid systems, and accessories.
Last updated August 24, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
MiNT Camera is a Hong Kong-based photography company focused on instant photography hardware, camera modification, repair, and accessories. The business began in 2009 as an online store specializing in Polaroid SX-70 cameras. Within roughly six months, it opened a retail location in Causeway Bay and subsequently established a warranty and repair service for SX-70 users. This early combination of retail, restoration, and technical support gave MiNT a position within the enthusiast community at a time when classic Polaroid cameras and film were receiving renewed attention. The company expanded beyond sales and servicing after observing demand for more capable instant-photography equipment. In 2013, MiNT assembled a dedicated engineering team to work on camera development and instant-imaging technology. Its product strategy has generally emphasized manual control, optical quality, and specialist use rather than the simplified, toy-like operation associated with many mass-market instant cameras. In 2021, MiNT established a small factory dedicated to manufacturing its own products, strengthening its control over design and production. MiNT's principal camera families include the InstantFlex twin-lens reflex range, the InstantKon rangefinder line, and the SLR670 series of upgraded Polaroid SX-70 cameras. The InstantFlex TL70, launched in 2015, uses Fujifilm Instax Mini film and combines a viewing lens with a separate taking lens. Later revisions improved the viewfinder and exposure controls, while the TL70 Plus, introduced in 2023, adapted the twin-lens concept to Instax Square film. The InstantKon RF70, introduced in 2019, was designed as a rangefinder-style camera for Instax Wide film, offering more deliberate focusing and exposure control than typical point-and-shoot instant cameras. MiNT also developed the SF70 for Instax Square film. The SLR670 line is based on existing Polaroid SX-70 cameras that MiNT modifies with redesigned electronics. Depending on the configuration, these upgrades can add compatibility with newer film formats, manual shutter-speed control, and other functions through the Time Machine accessory or related electronics. The company also produces accessories such as electronic flash units, lens-filter sets, and self-timers for SX-70 cameras. Its Flash Bar supports folding and box-style SX-70 models and provides different power settings for SX-70 and 600 film, while its lens set offers filters and supplementary lenses for different lighting and image effects. MiNT has worked with Impossible Project, the instant-film company later associated with the Polaroid brand, reflecting its role in the ecosystem surrounding renewed Polaroid use. The company has continued to position itself toward enthusiasts seeking distinctive optics, manual operation, camera craftsmanship, and compatibility with contemporary instant film. In September 2024, the Rollei 35AF became available for preorder through MiNT's activities, extending its product involvement beyond its established Polaroid and Instax-centered lines. MiNT remains an active specialist brand rather than a mass-market camera manufacturer.
History
MiNT Camera began operations in 2009 as an online retailer centered on the Polaroid SX-70. Its initial business addressed a specialist community interested in acquiring, using, and maintaining classic instant cameras. About six months after starting online, MiNT opened its first physical store in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. It later created an SX-70 warranty and repair center, adding technical servicing to its retail operation and building expertise in the mechanical and electronic systems of vintage Polaroid equipment. The revival of interest in instant photography created an opportunity for MiNT to move from restoration and resale into product development. In 2013, the company hired a full engineering team to develop cameras and related instant-photography technology. Rather than competing primarily on simplicity or low price, MiNT pursued products for photographers who wanted greater control over focus, aperture, shutter speed, optics, and film choice. This approach led to cameras that combined the immediacy of instant film with controls and designs more commonly associated with enthusiast cameras. The first major result was the InstantFlex TL70, released in 2015. It used a twin-lens reflex arrangement, with one lens for viewing and another for exposing the image, and recorded images on Instax Mini film. The design gave users a waist-level viewing experience and greater control than conventional automatic instant cameras. A TL70 2.0 revision followed in 2016 with a brighter Fresnel Super Viewfinder, a larger magnifier, and improvements to the shutter and aperture mechanisms. MiNT's second major camera family was the InstantKon range. The InstantKon RF70, launched in 2019, used Instax Wide film and a rangefinder focusing system. Its Leica-inspired form and manually adjustable photographic controls were intended to produce a more deliberate shooting experience and greater creative control. The related SF70 model extended the rangefinder concept to Instax Square film. These products reinforced MiNT's identity as a specialist manufacturer of high-control instant cameras rather than a producer of basic novelty devices. Alongside new cameras, MiNT continued developing modified Polaroid systems. Its SLR670 cameras are upgraded SX-70 units in which original electronic circuit boards are replaced with redesigned components. Depending on the configuration, the resulting camera can support newer film requirements and additional operating modes. The Time Machine accessory allows users to select manual shutter speeds and offers an Auto 600 mode for 600 film. A Type-i upgrade supports Polaroid i-Type film, which does not contain its own battery. This work builds on MiNT's original SX-70 repair and restoration expertise while adapting classic cameras to current film products. MiNT also developed accessories intended to broaden the capabilities of SX-70 cameras. Its Flash Bar, first released in 2011 and revised in 2013, provides electronic flash support for folding and box-style SX-70 models, with power settings suited to SX-70 and 600 film. The second-generation model improved charging time and added an automatic sleep function. MiNT's lens set includes filters and supplementary lenses such as neutral-density, blue, yellow, close-up, and fisheye options. A small Self(ie) Timer provides an automatic countdown for compatible folding SX-70 cameras. The company partnered with Impossible Project, the instant-film manufacturer later associated with the Polaroid name. This relationship placed MiNT within the wider ecosystem that supported the continued use of classic Polaroid cameras after the original Polaroid film business had changed. In 2021, MiNT established a small factory dedicated to manufacturing its own products, marking a further step from specialist retailer and repairer toward vertically controlled camera maker. In 2023, MiNT introduced the InstantFlex TL70 Plus, applying its twin-lens concept to Instax Square film. In September 2024, the Rollei 35AF became available for preorder, broadening the range of products connected with MiNT's camera activities. Across these stages, MiNT's history has been defined by combining classic instant-camera formats with modern film compatibility, specialized engineering, and enthusiast-oriented controls.
- 2024
Rollei 35AF preorder begins
[1]The Rollei 35AF became available for preorder in September 2024.
- 2023
InstantFlex TL70 Plus launches
[1]MiNT released a twin-lens instant camera designed for Instax Square film.
- 2021
MiNT opens a dedicated camera factory
[1]The company established a small manufacturing facility for MiNT products.
- 2019
InstantKon RF70 launches
[1]MiNT introduced a rangefinder-style instant camera for Instax Wide film.
- 2015
InstantFlex TL70 launches
[1]The company launched its first twin-lens reflex instant camera, using Instax Mini film.
- 2013
Dedicated engineering team is formed
[1]MiNT hired a full engineering team to develop cameras and instant-photography technology.
- 2011
MiNT Flash Bar is released
[1]MiNT introduced an electronic flash bar for Polaroid SX-70 cameras, alongside related lens accessories.
- 2009
MiNT begins as an online Polaroid SX-70 store
[1]MiNT started as an online business focused on Polaroid SX-70 cameras.
- 2009
First Causeway Bay retail store opens
[1]Approximately six months after its online launch, MiNT opened a retail store in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, and later established an SX-70 warranty and repair center.
Products and positioning
Premium, enthusiast-oriented instant photography equipment emphasizing optical performance, manual control, restoration, and compatibility with Polaroid or Fujifilm Instax film.
Twin-lens reflex instant camera · 2015
InstantFlex TL70
Introduced in 2015, the InstantFlex TL70 is a twin-lens reflex instant camera using Fujifilm Instax Mini film. Its upper lens is used for viewing and its lower lens captures the image. The format gives photographers a waist-level viewing experience and more deliberate control than a basic automatic instant camera. The TL70 line is designed around creative depth-of-field effects and enthusiast operation.
Twin-lens reflex instant camera · 2016
InstantFlex TL70 2.0
The TL70 2.0 is a revision of the original InstantFlex design. It added a substantially brighter Fresnel Super Viewfinder, a larger magnifier, and improvements to the shutter and aperture mechanisms. These changes were intended to make focusing and composing easier while preserving the manual, twin-lens character of the original camera.
Twin-lens reflex instant camera · 2023
InstantFlex TL70 Plus
The TL70 Plus continues MiNT's twin-lens instant-camera concept while using Instax Square film. It provides a larger square image format and retains the enthusiast-oriented design language associated with the InstantFlex family.
Rangefinder instant camera · 2019
InstantKon RF70
Introduced in 2019, the InstantKon RF70 is a rangefinder-style camera using Instax Wide film. It uses a rangefinder for focusing and provides professionally oriented lens, aperture, and shutter controls. MiNT designed it for photographers seeking optical control and depth-of-field effects rather than the simplified operation of many mainstream instant cameras.
Rangefinder instant camera
InstantKon SF70
The SF70 is part of MiNT's InstantKon rangefinder family and is designed for Instax Square film. It extends the company's manual-control instant-camera approach to the square format.
Modified instant camera
SLR670 series
The SLR670 series consists of Polaroid SX-70 cameras upgraded by MiNT with redesigned electronic circuit boards. Available configurations can add compatibility with contemporary film and expanded exposure functions. The series may be paired with the Time Machine accessory, which enables manual shutter-speed selection and an Auto 600 mode, while the Type-i upgrade supports Polaroid i-Type film.
Camera accessory · 2011
MiNT Flash Bar
The MiNT Flash Bar is an electronic flash accessory compatible with folding and box-style Polaroid SX-70 cameras. It provides separate power settings for SX-70 and 600 film, and later-generation versions improved charging time and added automatic sleep. The unit can be used with color filters and includes a sync port for triggering external flash equipment.
Camera accessory · 2011
MiNT Lens Set
The MiNT Lens Set is designed for Polaroid SX-70 cameras and includes an ND filter, blue filter, yellow filter, close-up lens, and fisheye lens. The filters allow users to manage brightness, correct or alter color balance, and increase contrast with black-and-white film, while the supplementary lenses create close-focus and wide-angle effects.
Camera accessory
Self(ie) Timer
The Self(ie) Timer is a compact automatic countdown device compatible with folding Polaroid SX-70 cameras. It enables delayed exposure for self-portraits and group photographs.
Brand decisions
2021
Establish a dedicated manufacturing facilityStrategyBackground
MiNT had expanded from online retail, physical sales, and SX-70 servicing into proprietary camera design.
Action taken
The company set up a small factory dedicated to manufacturing MiNT products.
Aftermath
The facility increased MiNT's direct involvement in production and supported its identity as a specialist camera manufacturer.
2013
Move into in-house camera and instant-technology developmentStrategyBackground
After beginning as an SX-70 retailer and repair specialist, MiNT identified continued interest in instant photography and the limitations of standard consumer instant cameras.
Action taken
MiNT hired a dedicated engineering team to develop its own cameras and instant-photography technology.
Aftermath
The decision led to specialist products such as the InstantFlex and InstantKon families and helped establish MiNT as a camera developer rather than only a retailer and repair provider.
Recent events
- 2024
Rollei 35AF becomes available for preorder[1]
Product launch
The Rollei 35AF became available for preorder in September 2024 through MiNT's product activities.
- 2023
MiNT launches the InstantFlex TL70 Plus[1]
Product launch · Product generation
MiNT introduced the TL70 Plus, extending its twin-lens instant-camera concept to Instax Square film.
- 2021
MiNT establishes a dedicated camera factory[1]
Other
The company set up a small factory dedicated to manufacturing MiNT products.
- 2019
MiNT introduces the InstantKon RF70[1]
Product launch · Product generation
MiNT launched the InstantKon RF70, a rangefinder-style instant camera using Instax Wide film and offering more deliberate focusing and exposure control.
- 2016
InstantFlex TL70 2.0 adds viewfinder and mechanism improvements[1]
Product generation · Product launch
The second-generation TL70 received a brighter Fresnel viewfinder, a larger magnifier, and revised shutter and aperture mechanisms.
- 2015
MiNT Camera releases the InstantFlex TL70[1]
Product launch · Product generation
MiNT introduced the InstantFlex TL70, a twin-lens reflex instant camera designed for Fujifilm Instax Mini film.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/mint-camera · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled