The Fujifilm Instax Mini 99 is the latest addition to Fujifilm’s line of instant cameras. The Instax Mini 99 boasts a retro-inspired design that is both stylish and ergonomic. Its compact size and lightweight build make it perfect for on-the-go photography. Available in one colors – Black. Notably, the Mini 99 features two shutter buttons, facilitating easier landscape orientation shooting. Additionally, it includes an exposure dial, color effect dial, viewfinder, LCD display, and a manual vignette switch on the lens for applying a creative dark border to images.
The Instax Mini 99 stands out with its instant print capability, using the widely available Instax Mini film to provide physical prints that develop in seconds. This model offers enhanced image quality with better exposure control, resulting in clearer, more vibrant prints. It also introduces several new features that add to the fun of instant photography. The camera’s automatic settings detect optimal brightness, adjusting the shutter speed and flash accordingly, making it user-friendly for beginners. The Mini 99 also introduces new creative modes, including double exposure and a macro mode for close-up photography, adding versatility to shooting options. Two control dials allow for exposure compensation and switching between six new color effects: Light Leak (LL), Sepia (SP), Soft Magenta (SM), Light Blue (LB), Warm Tone (WT), and Faded Green (FG). These features, combined with five levels of exposure control, offer a range of creative possibilities.
The Instax Mini 99 performs reliably, delivering consistent results. Its automatic exposure settings ensure well-balanced images in various lighting conditions. The selfie mode is particularly effective, producing great self-portraits. The camera is powered by AA batteries, which offer decent longevity through several packs of film, making it convenient for extended outings. The pros of the Instax Mini 99 include its stylish and ergonomic design, high-quality instant prints, user-friendly automatic settings, and enhanced selfie and creative modes. However, there are some cons, such as the expensive film, lack of digital storage option, and the use of AA batteries, which might be less convenient than rechargeable options.
While the cost of film and lack of digital storage are minor drawbacks, the overall experience and quality make it a worthwhile investment for instant photography enthusiasts. The Mini 99 is a creative and advanced analog camera in Fujifilm’s series, catering to both casual and professional photographers. It offers a significant upgrade in control and creativity while maintaining a fully analog system. Inheriting features from the discontinued Mini 90, it adds new and innovative options, notably the vignette and color effects applied by a physical iris and internal LEDs. This makes the Mini 99 capable of handling a broader range of conditions from light to dark. While composition with the basic optical viewfinder is still a weak point, the camera provides sufficient control to achieve a variety of effects. Overall, the Instax Mini 99 is Fujifilm’s best analog camera to date, well worth the investment over basic models for anyone seeking a practical upgrade in control and creativity.
Pricing – INR 17,999
