Description
The Instax mini 90 offers advanced features, such as bulb and double exposures, that are attractions of traditional analog cameras and offer an enhanced capability to capture light creatively. The Instax mini 90 is also equipped with new functions and features like macro mode and high performance flash, making this an instant camera for every photographer.
From the manufacturer
Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Classic Instant Film Camera
The instax mini 90 offers advanced features, such as bulb and double exposures, that are attractions of traditional analog cameras and offer an enhanced capability to capture light creatively. The instax mini 90 is also equipped with new functions and features like macro mode and high performance flash, making this an instant camera for every photographer developed under the concept ‘Neo Classic.’
Dakota Nixon –
This camera REALLY shines, now that I know when to use it.Most people I talk to think Instax Mini is a great party format, but generally inferior to digital otherwise. They are really missing out. This camera’s strengths really shine through with (1) the right composition, and (2) the right lighting. When I stick to the rules below, it does an amazing job of capturing mood and feel, in a way few people can snag with a DSLR, much less a cell phone. The instant photo format also makes “involuntary” photo subjects willing participants in the process. Many people may not like it when a street photographer raises the camera and fires, but when the instant photo pops out, they get curious, even happy.If I try to use it for photos other than the ones I describe below, it’s rubbish. I’m better off getting out a smart phone (ughh), really. The camera’s automatic shutter speed system with a single f-stop offers far less exposure flexibility than people have become accustomed to in the digital photo era. When you’re shooting film, you need light, period. And, Instax is pretty much a daylight balanced film, so in anything but a fair amount of sunlight, you’re liable to get color shifts. Again, digital has gotten pretty good at automatic “white balance,” so people aren’t used to dealing with this aspect of film. Even with the ability the camera offers to lighten the exposure two clicks, darken it one, and turn off the flash, the most likely outcome for large field use or scenes with wide ranges of shadow to light is blown out highlights and fuzzy images.For composition, it’s best for people when I’m around 4 to 6 feet away, and not trying to capture anything more than the upper half of the model, or even better the upper third. For street and interior scene work, the entire composition of interest needs to be something I could fit into a semi trailer, shooting from the door end, with at least 60% of the interest elements in the 60% of space that’s closest to me. Any scenes bigger than that, with models or in the street, gets lost in the small image size and relatively low detail of the film.For interior lighting, it is best when the subject is already well-lit with window light and the camera is not straight-on at the subject, but off at an angle by at least 45 degrees so the flash fills in from the darker side. Straight-on interior flash shots of people will usually give bluish skin, and interior shots lit mostly with normal incandescent/LED bulbs will be orange.I have gotten away with exposures of ceiling-lit rooms (think a small diner) by turning off the flash and lightening two clicks, but the shutter slows down to the point where I have to factor in quite a bit of motion blur.Low light work, inside our out, really stretches the shutter speed, and the colors go in weird directions as a result. Instax film color-shifts more like color slide film than color print film. It’s weird, considering how high the ISO is.For exterior work, it’s really happiest after sunrise, before sunset, with no or very limited haze or cloud cover, and a scene that’s pretty uniformly lit. Not a lot of shadow detail available. The flash is not up to the job of daylight fill work, so I always just turn it off; otherwise it will often over-light the closest object in the scene. A light-colored subject that’s brightly lit with direct sun will almost always over-expose, so I use the 1-click dark option there.If I just follow those rules, I get photos people will linger over and absorb. I’m glad I bought the camera, and lately I throw it in my briefcase or carry-on wherever I go. I run across a couple good scenes a week, just in my day-to-day life, without even trying. Can’t beat it.
Billy Nguyen –
Plug in for battery chardMine didn’t come with US plug in but it came with EUR or Japanese / china plug in.what should I do
drako273 –
Sometimes the Classics are the CoolestThe coolest camera I’ve owned. Hands down. I’m a nostalgic kind of guy and when I grew up I always wanted one of these cameras but I couldn’t afford to buy one on my own and my parents never got me one. Now that I’m older and I have some money I got one the moment I thought of a good project to use a polaroid style camera for. Also this thing really turns heads.I got this camera because I was officiating my cousin’s wedding and I wanted to give them a wedding present that would be really fun for them to have right after the wedding. I got this camera with 3 double packs of film so I could take photos from the moment I got there to the end of the ceremony. I’d take the photo and stick it in the journal I bought to write the officiation speech down in and used scrap book photo corners to hold it in. They loved it because it provided an instant wedding album that they could look at right away. It wasn’t as great as the professional one, but regardless a very cool thing to have on hand.Now my crafting aside, this camera takes photos on a polaroid style film that is about the size of a credit card (that includes the whites). The image itself is a little smaller. The moment you take a photo though you get that vintage feel of the photo. It’s also one of those exhilarating feelings when you take photos with this camera because it’s 60 cents a shot pretty much and you don’t know how the next photo is going to take. Will it turn out? Who knows until you shake it until it shows up. A lot of people at the wedding complimented the camera and some wanted a photo they could keep. The nice thing about the small card sized polaroid is that it’s easy to pocket without having to bend or be bent in a pocket.I’m not going to give this camera any negatives stars for the quality of image because it is solely based on the user taking photos with it. This camera is very forgiving when it comes to taking photos (selfies, portraits, action, etc.). I got this particular model because it has settings that can adjust based on the photos you are taking (such as action for kids running around or dancing). The camera itself does correct itself a bit when it comes to distance pictures, but photos within 10 feet of the camera does produce some of the best photos. The camera does come with a flash, but also does have options to make photos lighter or darker based on the environment they you are taking photos in.TL:DR – Conclusions on this camera are thus: If you are person who is nostalgic for a time when photo taking meant taking a photo meant wasting a resource, but enjoyed the suspense and surprise of that kind of risk taking then this is a great camera for you. It’s also a camera that is guaranteed to turn a lot of heads. My generation (kids of the late 80s and 90s) may remember them, older generations have nearly forgotten about them, and the younger generation most likely don’t even know about them (quite a few of those I’ve met or known, haven’t). It produced a lot of smiles and “Oh, that’s so cool.” Or the funnier responses I got that weekend of photo taking was “so the printer is built in?” at which point, being a little bit of a photo nerd I had to explain it to them.TL:DR of the TL:DR – Buy this camera if you want nostalgic, classic looking photos that a person can walk away with without having to friend them on facebook or e-mail them to share the image.
Oh No –
Works wellSome pictures did not turn out outside. Otherwise works great
seashell girl –
LOVE, LOVE this cute, retro camera! Will be a big hit at parties and family gatherings!Just got this today! Had first seen the Mini 8 and did some research. Learned that this model was the most advanced with the most features. It was considerably more expensive (about double the price of the Mini 8) but I opted for this version anyway for the added features and rechargeable battery. Since I have only had it a few hours, have only had a chance to take a couple of photos, but I love it! I am old enough to remember the instant cameras my parents had (they were “the thing” in the 1960’s) and this really brings back those memories! So much fun and I anticipate it will be a big hit at family and friend gatherings; a novel item in this day and age of everything digital. Having an actual photo that people can see immediately and keep as a remembrance of a fun visit or trip is something special. A couple of cautions: when you get it, if you want to use it right away, get that battery unpacked and get it charging as soon as you can; it takes a good hour to charge and you can’t do anything without it. Also, the film is not super expensive but at $15.00 for 20 photos, it is more than the kiosks where you can make copies from your digital memory card for 29 cents. And, if you don’t have multiple packs of film on hand, it may be a little hard to find (not positive but my local CVS pharmacy where I purchase digital memory cards don’t carry it). A suggestion or hint for reading the instructions — they are written in about 6 or 7 different languages and it’s sometimes a little challenging to find the English version. I suggest highlighting all of the English and it is immediately clear where to look for instructions. As other reviews mentioned (I read many of them before ordering; not much negative about this cute little retro camera!), remember that the photos are SMALL; credit card size. That said, the are very clear; a retro, fun “souvenir”! I do a lot of amateur photography with a Canon super zoom point and shoot that takes awesome photos, but bought this for the fun of “instant gratification” and an in-hand immediate photo (and because I love retro, fun things that remind us of our childhood!) One reviewer complained because there wasn’t a way to “edit” the photos or see the photo before you actually take the picture….please remember, this is a retro instant camera; takes some change in mindset when used to everything being digital. All in all, it is a HIT! Very pleased.Update to review 11/4/14: after having this product for a couple of weeks, I must revise my previous review. While it is a cute, retro camera with some potential as a popular gadget for capturing spontaneous shots and a fun thing to maybe have around at a family gathering, the photos are so small that it really overrides the desire to keep it. Although I knew the size of the actual photo when I ordered, I wasn’t prepared for the tiny, tiny depiction of whatever you are photographing. I cannot find enough reason to justify the cost, so I will be returning it.
YHG –
funlove instant photos!
davit –
Nice gift.Nice gift and good experience.
Gisell –
Great camera!I had the regular version of Fujifilm Instax Mini but it broke. So I ordered this as a replacement and I couldn’t be happier! This camera has double exposure and has more options for the photos to come out. Not only that but it looks super cute, vintage, and love the battery is rechargeable. 10/10!
hpgreen05 –
Good little instant cameraIf you’re wanting an instant camera, but don’t want to haul around one of the bigger Polaroid jobs, this is a good choice. This is a nice, little camera. I’ve had it less than 24 hours, so the star count might change with more use. But, for now, it seems to be working out well. On first inspection, the design is nice. Not too large, though cumbersome if you want to stuff it in your pocket. It won’t take up a ton of room in a medium size purse. It seems well built. The buttons are all positioned in a way you can get to them. Though, there are these 3 ‘faux buttons’ on the back, no idea what they’re for. I don’t know if they’re supposed to be from some old model and they just left them on there, but they don’t press. They’re just there. They eject slot for the picture is on the side. So, don’t keep you hand in the way after you take a picture. I like that you have the ability to make minor adjustments. Let’s face it. It’s an instant film camera. You’re not gonna get great depth of field and Annie Leibovitz caliber shots. They’re going to be a little blown out, a little fuzzy, a little too close/too far. But, that’s the charm of the instant camera. With the light/dark button, macro, ability to turn off the flash, you have a little bit more control to do some tweeking ahead of time. Fair warning- your first cartridge of film is going to be the guinea pig. You’re just going to have to start snapping pics of dogs and rocks and twigs and husbands and wives and chairs to see what this little guy can do in the house, at night, outside during the day, etc. Just start mashing buttons and taking pictures. The picture size isn’t the size of the old Polaroids. They’re smaller, but that can’t be helped. They’re small enough you can stick them in your wallet.So, whether you’re an oldie like me, from back in the day of the abacus and before wheels were round, or you’re young enough to where this is your first foray into ‘film’ cameras, I think you’ll get a kick out of this. Like everyone says, the film isn’t cheap. But, I got it on Amazon. That’s the cheapest I can find. Be sure and get a case or little sack to put this in. It’s a toy, but a kind of expensive one. And, don’t forget that trick from way back when. When the picture comes out, be sure and shake it. It makes it develop faster 🙂 Where do you think they came up with that line, “Shake it like a Polaroid picture!” came from?
EverythingInstaxDotCom + InstantCameraRentalDotCom –
BEST INSTAX CAMERA, NOT FOR EVERYONE, BEWARE OF THE ‘E’ ERRORBOTTOM LINE:The Instax Mini 90 produces the best picture quality of any film only Instax camera and also has the best build quality. It shines in a number of areas including macro (close up) shots and shooting modes with five (5) total. It is the most expensive film only Instax camera at around $115 and comes in only two (2) colors. It is best for those who want the best quality photos and also a variety of shooting options and creative modes. The 2x exposure and bulb mode are cool but can be difficult to master. For children or infrequent users the Mini 70 or Mini 9 is a better choice.PROS:- Features Tripod mount Timer Manual exposure adjustment LCD readout- Best picture quality- Best for macro photos- Ability to turn flash on/off- Largest number of shooting modes of any Instax camera (party, kid, landscape, 2x and bulb)CONS:- Dread ‘E’ that shows up on the LCD display renders the cameras useless (see details below).- Expensive- Limited color selection (black & brown)- No selfie mirror- Rechargeable battery only good for 160 photos (16 Packs)- No selfie mirror’E’ Error DetailsSeemingly out of nowhere the LCD display will show an ‘E’ error and be rendered useless. You cannot power off, replace the batteries or reset the camera to get rid of it. The camera will not function. There is something you can do! If you have purchased the camera within a year and have the proof of purchase (i.e. Amazon Invoice) you can ship it to Fujifilm North America Camera Repair Department in Edison, NJ and they send you a new camera. If it is outside this year window, you can still ship it there for repair, you will just be charged. Which may, or may not be, worth the investment.FULL REVIEWThe Mini 90 is the most expensive of any film only Instax camera at $115 dollars. Available in only two (2) colors , black and brown, it comes with one (1) rechargeable battery good for about 160 photos. This is more then any camera that takes two (2) AA like the Mini 8 or Mini 9 which are good for about 100 but less then cameras which take the CR2 (Mini 70) good for about 300 photos. Camera comes with LCD readout, tripod mount and timer. It also has five (5) shooting modes and manual exposure options. All upgrades over the Mini 8 and 9. One of the features you get on this camera and the Mini 70 is the ability to turn off the flash. This is nice if you are shooting shiny objects where the flash can washout the subject. If you are going to be using the camera only a few times we suggest the Mini 70/Mini 9 for better value. -EVERYTHINGINSATXDOTCOM & INSTANTCAMERARENTALDOTCOM