Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 Instant Film Camera, Matte Black

2024-10-05T21:55:40

Obviously this camera won't produce the sort of images a Hasselblad H-series will-due in part to the fickle nature of instant film and the very simplistic lens in an Instax camera-but it will produce immediate prints the same size as 645-format negatives, and unlike slide film you could shoot in the H6D or w/e, you can admire the photos *under* the lamp instead of over it, and far sooner. What this will produce: -> photos that have a certain 70s/80s aesthetic charm, don't require power generated by fossil fuels to view and to store, and are less fungible than an NFT artwork. -> photos that have adjusted exposure (exposure compensation knob on the top right), colorful light-leak/pre-exposed film effects (knob on top left), or no flash to disrupt the natural lighting of a scene. Fujifilm does not currently offer a Square- or Wide-format Instax camera that can have the flash turned off; MiNT offers such cameras for two, three, or four times the price of this-or you can look into Lomography's offerings, which sometimes have worrying reviews. -> photos that can't have the reality edited out of them with AI and digital airbrush. -> photos you can give to people (such as their portrait) on the spot, without needing to get their email address to send an image file or wait a week to get a roll of film developed and printed. -> photo prints of loved one(s) that you can stick in a wallet within a couple minutes of it coming out of the camera. A few other observations: -> I've heard about issues with the SQ6 and other such Instax cameras that can have the lens extension motors fail or jam; this has a mechanical system that extends the lens to a given focus distance when the outer ring is twisted, and in my experience it feels smooth and reliable. It appears to be the same lens system as used on the 1st-gen Leica SOFORT. Also: if you rotate the lens to a point between any of the four positions (3 focus ranges and OFF), the red self-timer light will start flashing until you seat it into a position (you will feel the detente). -> the Color Effect and Exposure Comp dials on the top plate have weak detentes, and will easily turn to another position by being bumped or rubbed against anything. They feel solid enough otherwise; this obviously isn't X-T5-level construction but it doesn't remotely feel like it will fall apart within the year. Obviously, one should not treat this like a war photographer's Leica M-series camera. -> this uses a rechargeable battery, and the charger is included; I've shot at least a whole 10-pack of film in the last couple months (I'm picky with what I shoot with it, but I turn the unit on plenty frequently just bc) and it is still full after the first charge. No weak sauce here. If you're thinking of getting an Instax camera and want more than Aim-&-Press-Shutter-Button levels of control, get this one. I think you'll like it.

Alex N.

2024-07-28T16:06:37

Fantastic camera! Lots of fun. Be careful when using that you aren't accidentally bumping the exposure compensation dial. On my copy of the camera, that dial is incredibly easy to bump and change.

M E.

2024-07-05T11:48:45

It's everything I hoped for for a instax mini camera! I have a 8 and 11 and this 99 is my third instax mini camera. It's so so so much better than the other two I own. I just need some time and practice to get used to all the options and controls.

YOOJEONG K.