Hi Friends,
Fujifilm keeps launching these amazing portable cameras under the brand name Instax and with time the fun factor is becoming higher and higher across all age groups. I became an instant fan of their latest launched Instax Mini40 camera as soon as I saw it in my hands for the first time. I received a little later as I was not able to post the review of the earlier version and in the last quarter of 2021, I intend to clean my slate for all the pending blog posts as I make my way into completing the 9 Years of The Life's Way.
The best part about any Instax Camera is its one-button operation and Instax Mini40 lives up to the expectations of the consumers and fans alike. There is a single button that brings the lens to action and a subsequent pull of the lens enables the selfie mode.
Selfie mode is easy to operate as you can see yourself in the mirror provided on the body of the camera. There is also a macro mode which enables a close-up range of 30-50cm and is quite handy to use and operate.
The Instax Camera mini40 itself looks premium and weighs around 330 grams. You need to insert AA sized batteries to enjoy the camera along with the normal Instax mini Films pack (10 sheets). The film ejection is automatic just like any other Instax camera and miniLink printer. The smaller compact body is in black colour in a leather-look along with premium silver accents on the borders.
Some of the technical details in the mini40 lens are a focal length of 60mm, a real viewfinder with a target spot and automatic exposure control from Lv 5.0 to 14.5 (ISO 800). The film takes around 90 seconds to develop and after 300 seconds of non-operation it automatically switches off. The shooting range is 0.3m and beyond with 0.3 to 0.5m is for selfies. The programmed shutter speed is from 1/2 to 1/250 seconds and slow synchros for low light conditions. There is a constant firing flash (automatic light adjustment) with recycle time: 6.5 seconds or less (when using new batteries), Effective flash range: 0.3m - 2.7m.
I have observed is that the photo quality in this new camera is much better than any other Instax camera I have used so far. The
Instax website never tells the megapixels they put in their lens as compared to the other cameras in the market but I am sure these cameras are not even 5Megapixels. I have used 5MP Panasonic Hybrid camera FZ5 which used to take awesome images and all my London, Singapore and other images till 2013 are from that camera.
The configuration is almost similar to a funkier mini11 camera so if you want to take on a retro look then buy mini40 else if you want to bring colours into your hands buy the mini11 which is a little cheaper than mini40. There are only 2 buttons on mini40 for ease of operation and point and shoot - one button is to click the picture and another one is to enable the lens and switch on the camera. A little push on the lens switches off the camera. It can be used by the kids also and I took to my son's school and gave a personal photograph to all his teachers using the same. They were really happy as they glued the same on the school walls instantly.
Overall Instax Mini40 is something that is portable, makes heads turn by its retro looks, ease of operation, battery-powered, same Instax film used in other versions of the Instax series cameras, accessories to make it all fun with your family and friends. The retail price of Instax Mini40 is around R1399 at
takealot retailer. I am sure there will be some Black Fridays sale coming up in this festive season. Also, don't forget to follow Instax as they have an annual sale where you can buy films and other accessories at the cheapest prices.
Cheers!!!
