Geek Out #1: The Instant Lab Lens
Hello again Kickstarters!
We’re nearing the $500,000 “Double Your Film” goal and with a busy week at Photokina about to begin, we thought it was time for a first inside look at one crucial part of the development of the Instant Lab - the lens.
The unbelievable origin of this lens is the 6 pound block pictured above, specially made of high-quality, optically pure glass. Cylindrical cores are drilled from the block and these are then sliced into raw lens discs. With a lot of grinding and polishing they finally turn into the final lenses for the Instant Lab.
The test shots we just took using our reference chart clearly show the difference. Our handmade prototype lens is still blurry and out of focus. The second image shows the most current test with the brand new sample production lens - nice and sharp.
Why is this lens so crucial?
The iPhone has a 326ppi display. It is 12.8 pixel/mm. and 6.4 line/mm. Our physical film resolution is only approximately 4line/mm, but humans perceive it with almost infinite resolution thanks to the chemical soup. It is critical to focus the iPhone’s super hi-rez display to cover the film fully, but also with as much sharpness as possible. Our manufacturing partner, DHW, says that it’s important to check the lens performance at 5line/mm. If we can see 5line/mm test chart with enough contrast, it means the lens performance is just what we need!
We’ll have more “geeked out” insider updates in the near future.
Thanks for all your support,
The Impossible Team
2,509
Backers
$559,232
pledged of $250,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
Sep 10, 2012 -
Oct 8, 2012
(28 days)
- First created · 11 backed
- Charles Silver 95 friends
- Website: the-impossible-project...
Pledge $149 or more
222 backers All gone!
Get the Ball Rolling! The first 222 backers get one Instant Lab for HALF of the $299 retail price. Includes 1 Impossible film voucher. Shipping US: Free / Shipping Europe: Add $35 (incl VAT) / Shipping Rest of World: Add $20 (no tax or import duties incl)
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $189 or more
1110 backers Limited (1 of 1111 left)
Early Birds! We can offer a limited number of 1,111 units at this price. Includes 1 Impossible film voucher. Shipping US: Free / Shipping Europe: Add $35 (incl VAT) / Shipping Rest of World: Add $20 (no tax or import duties incl)
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $229 or more
358 backers
Get your INSTANT LAB at a great price before it hits stores. Your pledges will decide how many we make. Includes 1 Impossible film voucher. Shipping US: Free / Shipping Europe: Add $35 (for VAT and shipping) / Shipping Rest of World: Add $20 (no tax or import duties incl)
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $299 or more
442 backers Limited (558 of 1000 left)
Special ALL BLACK Kickstarter Exclusive Edition! 1000 numbered units, engraved with your Kickstarter username. Includes 2 Impossible film vouchers. Shipping US: Free / Shipping Europe: Add $35 (incl VAT) / Shipping Rest of World: Add $20 (no tax or import duties incl)
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $444 or more
41 backers Limited (403 of 444 left)
Due to popular request - The DOUBLE-UP PACK! Select this level to receive 2 original Instant Labs and 2 film vouchers for a great price. Make sure to read Update #2 to see how to get twice the film... Shipping US: Free / Shipping Europe: Add $45 (for VAT and shipping) / Shipping Rest of World: Add $30 (no tax or import duties incl)
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $1,099 or more
5 backers
STORE KIT. Be among the first stores to carry Instant Labs - or just pick up 5 at a great price to share with friends! At this level, you'll get 5 Instant Labs, plus 10 Impossible film vouchers and printed POS materials. U.S. individuals or organizations in MA or NY must add local sales tax to their pledge. Resellers must supply valid credentials. Shipping Rest of World: Add $50. Price is net. Invoices issued in NY for USA/NAFTA, in Austria for EU/EMEA (with UID.Nr.), in Japan for Asia/APAC.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $2,000 or more
10 backers All gone!
The Ultimate Instant Lab GOLD Edition. Receive one of only 10 numbered GOLD-plated Instant Labs, personalized with your name engraved onto the device. Enjoy: brunch at the famous Hotel Americain in Amsterdam, Holland. A luxury coach round-trip to Enschede. A founders tour of the Impossible (former Polaroid) factory and a fantastic dinner cooked & served by founders Doc, Christian and André in the factory canteen. Includes 10 film packs of your choice. You will receive the FIRST completed devices and films during the factory dinner. Schedule to be arranged in 2nd half of February 2013.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $2,099 or more
20 backers
DISTRIBUTOR KIT. Get into the real photo business with 10 Instant Labs, plus 60 packs of Impossible film and printed POS material. U.S. individuals or organizations in MA or NY must pay sales tax. Resellers must supply valid credentials. Shipping Rest of World: Add $50. Price is net. Invoices issued in NY for USA/NAFTA, in Austria for EU/EMEA (with UID.Nr.), in Japan for Asia/APAC.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013
Comments
Creator Reuben Yap on September 20, 2012
Yes hoping for a Galaxy S3 and HTC One X cradle :(
Creator Fei on September 18, 2012
Can't wait!
Creator Max Schwede on September 17, 2012
I hope (and pray) for a Galaxy S III cradle too.....
Creator Beth Lamenskie on September 17, 2012
That's good since I will have the 5, my son will have the 4 and a touch. We can both use it. ;)
Creator Chris Lim on September 17, 2012
Just to answer regarding the iPhone 5 for them.
"The Instant Lab will ship with a cradle compatible with iPhone 4/4S, iPhone 5 and iPod Touch 4th and 5th Generation models."
Creator Michelle Tay on September 17, 2012
I second the iPhone 5 question -- I assume with delivery of this product in Feb 2013 there's no way it won't support the iPhone 5, right?
Creator Roger Muller on September 17, 2012
Can it work with any other smart phone?
Creator Andy Li on September 17, 2012
With the release of the iPhone 5 this week. Will your product support this new phone or will it only work with the iPhone 4 and 4S?