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The Mini 41 prints a photo as soon as the shutter button is pressed,
The Mini 41 incorporates black and dark-toned silver as the base colours, accented with a splash of orange. Picture: Fujifilm
Fujifilm’s latest entry-level Instax instant camera, the Instax Mini 41, is the follow-up to 2021’s Mini 40, an analogue camera with a classic look.
While mobile phones have swooped in on the nostalgia of using a conventional camera, the Mini 41 takes the retro feel of its predecessor and modernises it through a number of sleek stylistic touches.
Phone cameras
The megapixels in today’s cellphones make for some pretty amazing pictures, but it takes out the fun of using an instant camera and waiting for a photo to print.
Today’s cameras, whether DSLR Instant or mirrorless, still beat a mobile phone.
The Mini 41 incorporates black and dark-toned silver as the base colours, accented with a splash of orange.
While Instax cameras don’t have much competition, the Polaroid Go seem to be its main competitor, as well as mobile phones, with the additional cost of getting a photo printer.
Instant photos
As an analogue instant camera, the Mini 41 prints a photo as soon as the shutter button is pressed, with the film developing in approximately 90 seconds.
The Mini 41 features a Close-up Mode that is activated by rotating the lens by one step. This prevents discrepancies between the viewfinder field and the actual printout area in close-ups.
It works best for images taken between 0.3m and 0.5m, while there is also a selfie mirror at the front of the lens to help compose the perfect picture.
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Cons
While a full review would shed more light on the camera, initial impressions are there is no flash control, it omits a tripod socket and can overexpose in direct sunlight.
The Mini 41 is powered by two AA-size alkaline batteries, which should provide enough charge to print 10 packs of Instax Mini film.
Users can scan their printed photos using the Instax UP! App on a smartphone. This allows scans of photos, which can be edited, arranged and shared, complete with the prints’ iconic borders.
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 41 will be available in South Africa this week and retail for a suggested R2 249.
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