Instax Mini 99 Review: Fujifilm's Best Instant Camera Yet?
Priced at Rs 17,990, the Instax Mini 99 tactfully manages to engage the photographer inside all of us by offering a wide gamut of easy-to-use features.
Photography has always been about the emotion behind the photograph more than the technicality. It is how the colours, the shadows, the highlights and all the details of the image make you feel about it. When it comes to photography, the camera is much more than merely a means to an end. It is about going through a bunch of emotions, comprehending them and getting a shot that justifies that moment. When we received the Instax Mini 99 from Fujifilm India, we had no idea what to expect as this is completely different from regular DSLR and mirrorless cameras with the camera’s entire focus being on capturing and cherishing moments rather than taking sharp photographs.
Fujifilm also provided us with a pack of instant film. One pack contains 10 sheets. This is not included in the camera box.
The Instax Mini 99 looks like a regular camera but do not let it deceive you. This modern-day instant camera has a retro spirit at its core that emphasises more on spontaneity than clinical photography. The body is all plastic and light in weight, making it extremely convenient to carry. Everything about operating the camera is highly intuitive especially if you have used a camera before. Starting from getting the lens to come out, putting in the battery to fitting in the print sheets, we figured everything out on our own without needing to read the user manual, which was ridiculously thick by the way.
It must be noted that it would take a few tries before one can completely figure out how to operate this. 3 out of 10 sheets fell victim to trial and error and resulted in odd shots that were either completely blown out or were out of focus.
Right off the bat, this device is not a photographer’s camera. The funny thing is that it seems to be built like one. Unlike the Fujifilm Instax Mini 9, the Mini 99 is a decently built, retro-themed camera that tries to imitate classic camera bodies and I have to state that it succeeds marvellously in doing so.
The lightweight body has two distinct dials on the side. One of them is for the choosing among various filters while the other is for exposure control. The dials feel well-built and sturdy as they should. The lens functions like classic DSLR kit lenses as seen on Fujifilm and Nikon cameras. One needs to rotate it to unlock it. On the face of the lens, users can also find the toggle for the vignette feature.
The viewfinder is located on the rear side at the top right corner. It is not perfect and I feel it could have been better. However, it seems to get the job done. The box also comes with a strap that can easily be tied to the camera to enhance safety and grip.
The matte black exterior truly makes the Mini 99 look attractive. The texture on the camera body greatly enhances the camera’s utility too. This offers better grip which otherwise would have been absent had Fujifilm gone with a smoother texture instead.
The battery, like another respectable camera, needs to be charged separately via a charger. However, like most modern-day cameras, which support in-body charging via USB type B or type C, the Mini 99 does not have such a provision. Now, while many are disappointed by this, I personally did not find this as a deal breaker. The charging time is slower than I expected so charge the battery in advance if you plan on using the camera.
Now, Fujifilm says that it is a 30mm lens. As you rotate the lens, you will notice that the lens has 3 focus modes. The first one is 0.3 feet to 0.6 feet, followed by 0.6 feet to 3 meters and finally, 3 meters to infinity. Do not go crazy on the focal lengths as the end result will more or less not be dependent on the technicalities of photography but the framing and the moment. For artistic expression, Fujifilm has also provided a toggle for vignetting. (Works wonders in well-lit conditions)
This is one of the most interesting features of the Instax Mini 99. Users can actually choose between filters such as Light Leaks, Light Blue, Warm Tone, Sepia and Neutral to click their photographs in their own unique and personalised ways.
The camera also has the option for customising exposure settings. There are 5 settings in totality. Two modes (L and L+) are for increasing the exposure, two of the modes (D and D+) are provided to decrease it and in the middle, we have a neutral mode denoted by a dot.
If you thought that the customisation features end here, you are mistaken. The Instax Mini 99 also offers an array of shooting modes such as sports, indoor and bulb modes.
The flashlight in the top left corner of the camera has a reach of about 2.8 meters and delivers more than decent performance. The viewfinder is not up to the mark and often requires users to put effort into viewing the frame. The LCD on the back side shows how many sheets are left in the film pack which helps keep count. Not just this, above the display are three buttons that allow users to toggle on and off the flash, initiate the self-timer which has a countdown of 10 seconds and lastly, choose various shooting modes to shoot with.
I’d have to say yes, that is if your pocket allows it. With numerous features and custom options to help you take interesting photos, the Instax Mini 99 embarks on an ambitious journey to make instant photos fun again.
With the price tag of Rs 17,990, the Mini 99 is way above the Mini 12, Fujifilm's entry-level instant camera and a bit below the Mini Evo in terms of function, utility and looks. That being said, the camera retains its charm throughout without any fluctuations in the fun quotient.
A final piece of advice for people who are looking for their next cool camera purchase is that the Instax Mini 99 is a feature-loaded device that far exceeds the levels of earlier models such as the Mini 12 and even the not-very-old Mini 90. There are a lot of modes to choose from and a lot of customisation options in this camera that result in a fun as well as meaningful photography experience.
I believe this is what makes instant cameras a hit among casuals and photography enthusiasts. Despite the lack of modern features that can be found in most digital DSLRs and mirrorless cameras or even smartphones for that matter, the charm and beauty that analogue instant cameras offer is undoubtedly enticing.
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