In a world where smartphones produce stunning, hyper-realistic photos in milliseconds, a new trend has gripped the nation: spending $93.95 on a brick-sized camera specifically engineered to do the opposite.

A recent survey conducted by the National Bureau of Impractical Photography found that 86% of instant camera users prefer images that are, quote, “just blurry enough to wonder if that was my cousin or a garden gnome.” The craze has led brands like Fujifilm, Polaroid, and Leica to compete over who can produce the softest, least accurate reproduction of precious memories.

“Nothing captures the magic of the moment like a photo that looks like it was taken through a mayonnaise jar,” said Paige Tindle, chief nostalgia officer at the Society for Analog Suffering. “Plus, there’s the thrill of holding an actual photo before inevitably losing it at a bar.”

Some models, such as the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12, offer groundbreaking technology like a selfie mirror and a film counter, allowing users to watch in real-time as they burn through $1-per-shot film. “There’s something deeply satisfying about spending fifty bucks to document a bad haircut with all the creative control of a potato,” explained Instagram influencer Dakota Blythe, who now keeps a Polaroid Flip in her ‘vibe bag.’

Not everyone is convinced. “I tried the Kodak Mini Shot 3 Retro at my niece’s birthday and the photo looked like a crime scene from 1977,” complained local dad Bruce Rickman. “But at least my wallet feels lighter.”

With instant cameras starting at just $400 for the Leica Sofort 2, experts predict this backward leap in technology will only accelerate. “It’s all about authenticity,” said Tindle. “And what’s more authentic than a washed-out memory you can drop in the toilet?”