Tech Review – Instax mini 99 camera

The Instax mini 99 camera is one of their most advanced yet you could say when it comes to features and comes in one colour only this time around which is odd however we are not complaining as we love all their old fashion styled cameras.

It is on the big side and differs from past cameras when it comes to how it is set up, there is no USB port on the camera so you charge with the little charge box provided that keeps your battery topped which you should do when not in use as these cameras do drain pretty fast especially if out on a shoot and you have plenty of film with you.

The most notable part of the camera is the lens like most of their cameras this twists open to turn on with 0.3-0.6m 0.3-3m and 3m and has a macro mode there is also a vignette setting on top of the lens. Also on front there is the flash and a shutter key.

The camera has two shutter keys this time around and can take photos in vertical or horizontal mode so this is kinda cool I think, There is also two dials this time around and this is where the new tech comes in with this camera, one controls the colours, you have several options here from  FG WT LB SM SP and LL, the other dial controls the light with L+ to D- on it so this means you have two dials to compensate for that perfect picture and one giving Instagram like filters, inside the camera you can see how this works with the LED lights inside.

Instax MINI 99 camera – techbuzzireland

On the back of the camera you have the viewfinder battery compartment and an LCD display which is pretty neat. On the LCD display you have three options Mode, Self timer which is 10 seconds and Flash which has several options which is pretty self explanatory such as red eye and so on. Mode gives you indoor, sports, double exposure which means it blends two shots and finally bulb mode. This camera works quite well in low light.

Overall this camera is great to use whilst missing some features it has others, there is no selfie mirror so you aim and shoot at will here and I am not one to be posting selfies anyway but you can see the samples in the video review another option I felt odd was no charing on device but this is not really an issue, there is no app support like others in their range and other than that the rest is good with bulb mode for long exposure you have got vignette control with a wide lens a focus mode and sports mode which is ideally for those who are into sports.

There is times when some images are overcompensated or blown out but this has been an experience with me in general using these cameras and I am no expert but overall this is still a cool camera and their most advanced one yet with a fixed lens and looks cool even sitting on the table and after your friends or family see it they will want a photo of their own to take home and show off and get to play with all the new options on board.

various shots taken on the instax mini 99

INSTAX MINI 99 Product Features Include:

Brightness Control Dial: This feature offers five distinct levels of brightness: the Light (“L+”) setting indicates the brightest exposure, the “L”, “D”, and “N” settings offer the normal range of brightness, and the Dark (“D-”) setting represents the darkest available brightness level.

Shooting Modes: A variety of shooting modes enhance the user experience, with Indoor Mode designed for low light situations, Sports Mode, which increases the shutter speed to grab the perfect action shot, Double Exposure Mode, which lets the user combine two images into one, and Bulb Mode, which increases the amount of light let in when creating the image, creating a brightened effect on the print.

The camera’s Landscape, Standard, and Macro Focus Modes are easily accessible by adjusting the lens dial. Landscape Mode focuses on subjects positioned at a distance reference of “3.0m and beyond”. Macro Mode is perfect for close-ups and selfies at a distance reference of “0.3m to 0.6m”. Users can select Standard Mode for everything in between.

Self-timer: It is at hand to help create the perfect group image, and MINI 99’s flash controls include Auto mode, Fill-in (flash will always fire regardless of lighting), Red-eye Removal, or the option to turn the flash off, depending on the user’s lighting situation.

Grip and Tripod Mount: To enhance grip in even the most active image-making situations, MINI 99 comes with a precision-milled, Base Grip with Tripod Mount that also acts as a grip when attached to the camera (tripod sold separately).

BUY

 

FUJIFILM launches the INSTAX MINI 99 instant camera – First Look

RATINGEN, Germany, 14th March 2024: FUJIFILM Europe GmbH, Imaging Solutions Division, announced today the launch of its’ high-end, analog instant camera, the INSTAX MINI 99 instant camera (MINI 99). With its classic and stylish matte black finish, the MINI 99 brings advanced new features including color effect dials, a unique Vignette Switch, plus brightness and focus modes to maximize the potential of each photo while maintaining the traditional INSTAX aesthetic.  

The MINI 99 features a first of its kind Color Effect Dial. This unique dial control has six effects – Faded Green, Warm Tone, Light Blue, Soft Magenta, Sepia, and Light Leak – which allows the user to customize, create and curate a one-time only unique image. Driven by LED lights within the camera, the Color Effect feature exposes the chosen color onto the INSTAX MINI instant film, creating the desired effect on the printed INSTAX MINI photo.

The MINI 99 also comes with an exciting new switch, the new Manual Vignette Switch. Located on the lens housing it can be used to add an artistic shaded frame around the image. 

“Advances in instant photography technology has allowed us to maintain the look and feel our users love, while adding exciting new technology, that will allow them to truly reflect their creativity and artistic expression,” states Shin Udono, Senior Vice President, Imaging Solutions, FUJIFILM Europe GmbH. “This is why INSTAX MINI 99 is especially exciting to Fujifilm, and we believe for image makers as well.” 

Other INSTAX MINI 99 Product Features Include:

Brightness Control Dial: This feature offers five distinct levels of brightness: the Light (“L+”) setting indicates the brightest exposure, the “L”, “D”, and “N” settings offer the normal range of brightness, and the Dark (“D-”) setting represents the darkest available brightness level. 

Shooting Modes: A variety of shooting modes enhance the user experience, with Indoor Mode designed for low light situations, Sports Mode, which increases the shutter speed to grab the perfect action shot, Double Exposure Mode, which lets the user combine two images into one, and Bulb Mode, which increases the amount of light let in when creating the image, creating a brightened effect on the print. 

The camera’s Landscape, Standard, and Macro Focus Modes are easily accessible by adjusting the lens dial. Landscape Mode focuses on subjects positioned at a distance reference of “3.0m and beyond”. Macro Mode is perfect for close-ups and selfies at a distance reference of “0.3m to 0.6m”. Users can select Standard Mode for everything in between. 

Self-timer: It is at hand to help create the perfect group image, and MINI 99’s flash controls include Auto mode, Fill-in (flash will always fire regardless of lighting), Red-eye Removal, or the option to turn the flash off, depending on the user’s lighting situation.

Grip and Tripod Mount: To enhance grip in even the most active image-making situations, MINI 99 comes with a precision-milled, Base Grip with Tripod Mount that also acts as a grip when attached to the camera (tripod sold separately).

Accompanying the launch of the INSTAX MINI 99 is the introduction of a new INSTAX MINI film, PHOTO SLIDE. This new film has been inspired by the design of motifs featured on photographic film mounts and complements the print expression of an INSTAX MINI 99. 

Pricing and Availability:

Fujifilm’s INSTAX MINI 99 instant camera will be available at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of EUR 200.00 (incl. VAT). It is expected to be available for purchase on 4th April 2024 at Fujifilm stockists nationwide. For more product information, visit https://www.instax.ie/cameras/mini-99/

INSTAX MINI PHOTO SLIDE instant film is expected to be available on 4th April 2024 at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of EUR 10.00 (incl. VAT) per pack (10 sheets), for more information about this new INSTAX mini instant film variety, visit www.instax.ie/film/#film-selector

INSTAX UP! Smartphone App Update

And that’s not it! Fujifilm also announces an update to its free, downloadable INSTAX UP! Smartphone App. The INSTAX UP! Smartphone App is designed for INSTAX users to digitally scan, import, organize, and store their photos in one place, regardless of which FUJIFILM INSTAX instant film, instant camera or instant Smartphone printer product they use. 

The latest addition to the INSTAX UP! Smartphone App is its album feature. Utilizing this clever new feature, users can easily organize and store their digital FUJIFILM INSTAX photos by themes, such as holidays, friends, and favorites. Within the album feature, users can add, tag, share, download and delete INSTAX images from the digital album, encouraging easy organization of the INSTAX digital image collection. A list/box view can be created for each album. The updated INSTAX UP! App is available today.

Unboxing and First Look