THE EMPIRE
We get all sorts of interesting things come across our desk to review, and these Instax cameras are something I’ve always thought would be a nice to have.
A while back our old flatmate had a printer thing that would print any digital image as a polaroid style photo, which I thought was really cool and I used it a few times to give people special photos. But I think it lacked a little something important which was the moment of capture. part of the fun with these cameras is the seeing what you got and more often than not, being pleasantly surprised with a great shot.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 41 Camera
Price – $179 @ Noel Leeming at the time of review.
Features
Built in flash
2 components, 2 elements F = 60mm, 1:12.7 lens
Two AA-size alkaline batteries (LR6)
Auto Power Off: After 5 minutes
Takes Instax mini size film (not included)
View Finder
Automatic exposure control
Sensitivity: Lv 5.0 to 14.5 (ISO 800)
Programmed electronic shutter 1/2 to 1/250 sec
Slow synchro for low light
Warranty Period: 1 Year
This Mini 41 seems to sit about mid-ish tier for these kinda cameras. One of the key features is a variable zoom function. Usually these are one and done and the simplicity of that is part of the appeal. People that get really into these want more functionality and I think this is the entry level to that. offering a simple to use system that has that key zoom feature.
They have created a nice package here, it almost looks like the old instagram logo, personally I dig that classic styling. Looks the part and easy to use all you need do is spin that zoom ring to the open position and keep twisting for the 2nd click if you want that zoom. Point and shoot that’s it. The flash is good for low light stuff and gives that classic vibe of over exposed subjects with a subdued background but enough that you can see where you are – during the day the image quality is much more balanced.
The instant (ish) printing of the images can lead to some cool ideas, often I see these at birthdays either for a wall hang or even I’ve seen them used as scrapbooks for memories from a specific night out. The ideas with that sorta thing is pretty amazing.
The only downside I’ve really found with this is the price of the film, I’ve seen 80packs for $115 on PB tech and 50 packs on mighty ape for $75. an 80 pack, is 80 shots. so you’re over a dollar per shot and if the digital age of photography has taught us a lesson its that you can take 100 and find the good one. the charm of this is different, its whatever you get is what you get, no editing, no photoshop and no second chance – unless you spam them and someone else is paying for the film. Now that I think of it, one of my best mates had this at her birthday and had like 5 packs and we used a few.
These are a great gift for a birthday to capture moments, they come ready to go just add however many shots you want. As I say this is a more entry level camera system and it works really well for the vibe of getting in the moment shots that you have a physical thing of for years to come. personally I think that’s really cool and whenever I see one I always grab it and have a couple shots, with respect to the person who’s paid the for the film. I can imagine that someone who was gifted this would love it for many events to come and if this runs out of capability there are more expensive options out there but this is a fantastic place to start.
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