One of the very best parts of being a dad is experiencing all of your child’s firsts. There’s a long list of milestones as your little ones grow, from their first steps and riding their first bike to that first day of school and the first time they land a kickflip, proving you’ve raised the coolest kid in the neighbourhood. What could make you prouder?
With Father’s Day just around the corner, it’s timely to remember how important it is to capture these incredible moments so you can look back on them for years to come. But with the evergreen onslaught of digital technology, there’s also come a newfound appreciation for the analogue experience. From mechanical watches to vinyl records, consumers (and dads) are going back to the basics.
The tangible quality offered by these products and collectibles can go a very long way indeed, and when it comes to cameras, the analogue approach provides a real sense of connection with the moments you’re capturing. This helps to explain the massive popularity of Fujifilm’s INSTAX camera series. Simple but functional in all the best ways, these cameras remind us that one photo can truly tell a thousand words (as opposed to a thousand photos telling one word each).
One of the INSTAX range’s most enduring models is the INSTAX WIDE 300, an instant camera that prints photos on double-card-sized wide-format film. Ten years after the model was first introduced, Fujifilm has returned with a follow-up. We’ve gone hands-on with it and can confirm that the new release builds upon the strengths of its precursor while simplifying design elements in the process so as to deliver an effortless analogue experience. Meet the new INSTAX WIDE 400.
Built for Wide-Format Photography
Here in Australia, one is never too far away from a picture-worthy landscape or an epic family moment, and Fujifilm knows as much. The INSTAX WIDE 400 instant camera was built with this notion in mind, featuring two different user modes—standard wide-format and landscape. In our usage, we found this an effortless way to capture both distant and proximate images, producing crisp, vibrant results with the retro charm that only INSTAX can deliver.
Turning the camera on is as simple as twisting the lens, while switching to landscape mode requires an additional small twist. Along similarly simple lines, the viewfinder offers simultaneous line layouts for close-up and landscape shots. And for those extreme close-ups, there’s a handy close-up lens attachment.
A Simple Design Made Even Simpler
Not only does the new INSTAX WIDE 400 integrate the power function into the camera lens (thereby keeping pace with the INSTAX range at large), but it also comes with a slew of adaptive features. Thanks to automatic exposure and flash control, for example, users can just point and click without needing to make adjustments. The camera also employs a new self-timer function, which springs to life at the turn of a lever and uses diminishing LED lights and a discreet timer sound to indicate the countdown. If only all of life’s pleasures could be this simple!
Smart But Still Analogue
Rounding out the INSTAX WIDE 400’s many charms is an angle adjustment accessory, which slides under the camera to offer unique height options. It’s another choice touch that dials up the usability and adaptability without compromising the analogue user experience. Oh, and did we mention there’s a built-in tripod mount on the bottom and an adjoining shoulder strap accessory? Put it all together and you get a smart design that never loses sight of its tactile essence. If you ask us, this is what photography should be, even at the height of the digital age.
Stylish and Sturdy
It may be charmingly simple, but the INSTAX WIDE 400 is also rugged and handsome in terms of construction. When you hold it in your hand, it has a weight that’s reassuring and yet keeps from being burdensome, making it immediately apparent that this is a robust camera built for adventure. The fact it’s presented in a stylish but understated shade of green just reinforces this. Then we have the film inside, which delivers exceptional image quality and keeps the analogue spirit alive as we head further and further down the digital path.
Remember when taking photos was both fun and rewarding? If not, the INSTAX WIDE 400 is here to remind you. Plus, it’s a perfect Father’s Day gift for any dads looking to immortalise precious moments with something a little more tangible than what digital technology can offer. Fujifilm’s analogue instant camera debuted earlier this month and is now available in Australia for a suggested retail price of AUD$229. Get snapping!
