Use Instax Mini Film in an Old Sheet Film Camera

Looking to do something fun, different, and creative with Fuji Instax Mini film? Have an old sheet film camera you want to play around with? Think that 2.25" x 3.25" is an obsolete film format? Well then... let's explore the possibilities of using Instax film in old cameras.

Materials:

Camera that uses sheet film (I used a Graflex Miniature Speed Graphic).
Film holder for said camera (For 2.25" x 3.25" sheet film)
One pack of Fuji Instax Mini film
Fuji Instax Mini Camera (any model should work
A film changing bag, darkroom, or a plastic bag in an interior room (find something that works to keep your film out of the light.)
Optional - A light meter, or a camera that will help you determine exposure.

Note that while I have used a 2x3 camera and Fuji Instax Mini, other size cameras (4x5) and the larger Fuji Instax or Polaroid films could also work (perhaps with a bit of tape and ingenuity).

Step 1: Loading the Film and Taking a Photo

First, you'll need to load some film into your sheet film holder. The video shows it pretty clearly, but here are the basic steps:

Put your Instax film container and your sheet film holder in a darkroom or changing bag.
Open the Instax film container by forcing off the protective plastic sheet through the film slot.
Gently remove two sheets of unexposed Instax film and set them aside. Keep the film facing the correct direction so you know which side needs to be exposed
Prepare your sheet film holder by removing the dark slide, and opening the slot where film is inserted.
Insert the Fuji Instax film with the black or "negative" side facing up. Be sure to keep the film beneath the guide rails which are meant to hold the traditional sheet film in place. Also make sure you have the film rotated the correct way so that the Instax frame is where you want it to be. Don't forget to account for image reversal through a lens.
Reinsert the dark slide, and repeat on the other side of the film holder.
You're ready to go, but remember your pack of Instax film? Keep it handy and keep it in the dark to keep from ruining the other 8 pieces of film in there.

Now lets take some photos:

Determine what you want to take a picture of, and set up your camera on a tripod.
Compose the picture, and focus using the ground glass (or rangefinder if your camera is so equipped).
If you have a light meter, or another camera to help gauge your exposure, set the ISO rating to 800. This is the ISO rating of Fuji Instax film. Determine what aperture and shutter speed you need to get the exposure you want.
Set your camera to those settings.
Insert the film holder in the camera, remove the dark slide, and take the photo.
Reinsert the darkslide and repeat using the other side of the sheet film holder.

Step 2: Developing the Film

Again, the video describes how I develop the film. Basic steps are as follows.

Put your sheet film holder (with exposed film), your Fuji Instax film container from before, and your Fuji Instax Camera in your changing bag or darkroom.
Remove the exposed film from the sheet film holder.
Reinsert the exposed film into the Fuji Instax film container by moving the thin plastic layer out of the way, and sliding the film back into the top of the container. Make sure you have the correct orientation.
Repeat with the second piece of exposed film.
Insert the Fuji Instax film container into your Fuji Instax camera. The camera will "think" that it needs to remove the protective plastic layer that you've already removed, and thus will automatically force the film through the rollers, causing the self-development to start.
To develop and eject the second piece, simply open the door of the Fuji Instax Camera and close it again.
Wait for your film to develop, and view your photos!