Fujifilm Brings New Features to Instax Series

2024.03.14

Just now, Fujifilm announced a new Instant cameras with completely unique features that add a tremendous amount of versatility to this type of camera. The new model launched today is an Instant Film camera that works in a completely analog way, just like other Instax except for the Instax Mini EVO. Normally, we do not cover film cameras but this announcement packs quite a few features!

The new Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 builds around the mini platform important capabilities while also adding plenty of fun analog features that take the nostalgic vintage look to the extreme. For the first time on any instant camera, the Mini 99 adds brightness control with 5 levels to choose from, similarly to Exposure-Compensation on digital cameras. The scale is uses unspecified steps: L+, L, N, D, D-, from brightest to darkest.

Perhaps the most desired feature of all is flash control. While the Instax Mini 12 always fires it flash which make the camera banned in some locations or simply impractical for many subjects, the new Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 adds Auto, Redeye Reduction and Off to the default Fill mode. There are now also three focusing ranges to choose from 30-60cm, 60cm-3m and 3m+. This increases the changes of having distant subjects in focus.

The addition of capture modes provide indirect control over shutter-speed: Indoor for slower shutter-speeds, Sports for faster plus Bulb mode to keep the shutter open manually up to 10 seconds. It is also possible to take a Double Exposure by capturing a first shot without ejecting the film.

The completely wild new feature of the Instax Mini 99 is its six internal LED lights. This add a colored veiling flare to images in Faded Green, Warm Tone, Light Blue, Soft Magenta, Sepia, and Light

Leak hues. This simulates lens defects from cameras in the early days of photography yet with a modern twist. Adding yet another way to forcibly introduce the look of old film cameras, Fujifilm made a switch that on the lens that causes vignetting!

The brilliance of Fujifilm in developing this new camera is just fantastic! By adding so many options onto a film camera with no preview which consumes film on every photo, they ensure that the excitement over these unique features translate directly into increased film sales. For format is already incredibly popular for its simplicity but now its new features will turn into more personalized prints.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 is expected to ship during the second half of April for $200 USD or $250 CAD. It can already be preordered at Adorama. Remember to stock up on film too as it tends to get sold out very quickly.

• Instant Camera