The Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 is a chic instant camera that launched in February 2020. It is made on the same old Instax camera idea, but now, it is smaller and takes high-quality images with auto exposure. It is a better option for low light photography and has more convenient close focusing. It is available in five bright colors. If you have been on a search of a new instant camera, this Instax Mini 11 review will help you!
The Instax Mini 11 is the latest camera Instax Mini collection of images. A new selfie-style and an automatic exposure mode use improved flash, which may automatically calculate ambient brightness and then adjust the shutter speed. It has onboard auto exposure mode, which highlights the amount of surrounding lighting when the shutter release is pressed. It also optimizes shutter speed for great output. You can easily take professional selfies with this camera because it has a small mirror with the lens.
There is a new customization option in which the camera works perfectly in the dark. The Instax Mini 11 uses 2 standard AA alkaline batteries and the signature Instax Mini films. These are some main features of Instax Mini 11.
- Selfie Mode
- Automatic Exposure Mode
- Improved Flash
- Customizable
- Wrist Strap
- Close Focus Range between 30-50 cm
- 60mm lens
Features of Instax Mini 11
Automatic Exposure
The automatic exposure function automatically detects the ambient light level when the shutter button is pressed and optimizes the shutter and flash speed accordingly, allowing even less experienced INSTAX users always to take correctly exposed photos. And here is the answer to the question we had asked ourselves when noting the lack of the shooting mode switch in the released photos.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 is equipped with a ring on the lens that allows you to change the settings based on the lighting conditions. Simultaneously, this possibility has disappeared in this new model, guaranteeing all buyers of Fujifilm INSTAX Mini 11 more immediate and (almost) always correct shots.
Selfie Mode
It is another highlight of this camera; the users can activate Selfie mode, perfect for taking self-portraits and close-ups, simply by pulling out the lens’s front edge after turning on the camera with the dedicated button located at the base of the lens.
Design and Weight
Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 is almost round, with a modern look: it is a tribute to the previous model Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 released in April 2017. Compared to the previous model, the shutter button, the flash, the viewfinder on the side of the body, the button to extract the lens (which also acts as a power button ), and obviously the photo extractor at the top remain in the same positions.
The dimensions are 107.6 mm × 121.2 mm × 67.3 mm for a weight of 293 g (without batteries and cartridges), the minimal difference compared to the previous model: Mini 9, in fact, measures 116 mm x 118.3 mm x 6.3 mm. It is made with a different material around the lens, and the camera body gives a nice contrast to the design of this instant camera.
Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 is available in five colors: soft pastels, soft pink, sky blue, charcoal gray, ice white, and lilac. The Mini 11 comes with two different and elegant shutter buttons; fun and easy to change the button’s look and customize your camera. In particular, one is fluorescent and glows in the dark.
Printing
The Instax cartridges have 10 sheets; each photograph’s size is 86 x 54mm while the printed area is 62 x 46 mm; each photo has similar edges to those of Polaroid, although in this case, the photos are rectangular and not square. The edges of the photos come in various colors: white, rainbow, black, and cartoon style, to name a few. The time it will take for printing is about 90 seconds; this time can be affected by the ambient temperature.
Lens
The lens of the new camera is the same 60mm with two optical elements of previous models. It features an automatic shutter that shoots from 1/2 second to 1/250, plus a low-light sync function. It also includes an exposure system from 5 to 14.5 light values. It has an effective flash for shooting between 30 cm and 2.7 meters.
Battery
As compared to other Fujifilm’s Instax cameras lineup, the Instax Mini 11 does not include any rechargeable battery. For using this camera, you require a pair of AA batteries. There are many benefits of AA batteries, such as you never need to wait for the battery to recharge. You just need to change the batteries for using the camera.
But there is also a disadvantage of AA batteries because these are costly, which means you need to spend more money buying the AA batteries with time. According to the users, the AA batteries work for around 50 pictures, which is sufficient for a lot of people.
How to use the Instax Mini 11?
- Like all Instax cameras, the Mini 11 is very easy to use. After putting the film cartridge on the back of the device, using the yellow mark on the cartridge and the one on the device for help.
- Until the number of films counter indicates an S, do not open the access door as the light may damage the remaining films. Before taking the first photo, you will need to press the shutter release button to eject the black protective film.
- When switching on, the objective will deploy. On the Instax Mini 9, a control ring allowed the exposure to be adapted to the brightness of the scene according to 4 possible choices. The camera suggested the appropriate exposure based on the ambient light, but you had to manually turn the dial. Exit the control ring, and the shutter speed blocked at 1/60.
- Exposure on the Instax Mini 11 is automatic. A sensor always calculates the brightness, but the camera will adapt itself to the shutter speed between 1/250 and ½ second and the power of the flash while the aperture remains constant. A detail that allows you to get to grips with the device even faster than before.
- Take the lens up a notch, and you will engage the selfie mode, ideal for selfies, and also for macro photos between 30cm and 50cm away. This operation is manual, unlike the Polaroid Now, which changes focal length automatically but which, in return, has difficulty blocking the ready autofocus.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 is the best cheap instant camera. It not only maintains the simplicity of the Mini 9 but adds an extra layer of it. Selfies are easier to manage, and the wider exposure range gives better results, especially indoors.
