FUJIFILM INSTAX MINI EVO CINEMA REVIEW FROM A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

for photographers

Feb 28

I’m a super 8mm lover. There is nothing like those flickering frames and overscan vibes. I own a Braun Nizo that I've used for personal and wedding work. But man, $200 per roll is tough. So to say I've been waiting for something like the Fuji instax mini evo cinema is an understatement. I’ll be comparing the mini instax mimi cinema, the camp snap and my traditional Braun Nizo. Disclaimer: nothing is beating the original but we are using it for comparison. I will be updating this blog as I use the camera more but I wanted to get my initial impressions up and out to you.

Please remember these are my initial thoughts: I hope to come back and add to this review as I use it more.

What drew me to the Instax mini evo cinima is the eras switch, and the ability to print off a QR code for guests at weddings to scan and see. I love using black and white super 8 mixed with color so the ability to switch with just a switch is such a plus. It is double the price of the Camp snap but the colors of the camp snap look much more punchy than what my super 8 delivers and there is no switching between any different styles. Both are re-chargeable a true bonus, over the alternative of carrying batteries around. I use THIS extra battery pack with cord to recharge as they wont last all day.

The instax evo cinema offers looks from the 1930s- 2020’s with each time period offering 10 levels of creative variation allowing true customization of the look. It comes with the viewfinder, hand strap and extra hand grip which make holding it very comfortable. It has a slot for a D ring allowing it to be connected to a wedding day camera harness easily. It has a slot for a micro sd allowing as much storage as you give it, even allowing you to edit the frames outside of the instax app.

Still too early for me to really compare how long the batteries last on each.

The mini instax evo cinema :

Doubles as a instax mini printer ( almost wish it didnt have this)
you can add graphics and title overlays to all prints. ( meh)
Has multiple era dials with real super 8 response, adding flicker and static and even a whirring sound and overlays to add overscans to every look. (10/10)
Audio recording
only allows 15 sec clips per button press ( This is not really a downside to me as it gives a more super 8 feel )
Has overlays to add overscan or that 80’s era lomo look on the edges for that 90’s look.
Can dial up or down the effects making them all customizable ( 10/10 feature)
Can change exposure compensation ( 10/10 feature)
$400
I am still trying to figure out how to appropriately use the QR code at weddings, I'm not sure if you would need to print different QR codes for each 15 sec clip or if I could combine all the clips taken in one day into one QR code.

NEGATIVES:

The app is pointless because you can’t save files to your phone from it, only use it to share short video clips that are uploaded to the app. The app in general is my biggest gripe. Why add the ability to wirelessly upload but restrict its use to the app.
Zoom feature is jerky ie you cannot in the same 15 second clip zoom in and out .
You must upload by usb or sd card connected to phone or laptop. SO STUPID and such a major design flaw.
The QR codes are rendered useless because they only link to ONE of the 15 sec clips not say, all the video taken for a specific event.

MY FAVORITE SETTINGS: ev comp + 1/3 on all

1930 no frame dialed down to two
1960’s with an overscan frame dialed down to three
1980 dialed down to two with the date frame.
2000 dialed down to one with no frame.

Camp snap :

dial changer with 4 options, for that super 8 look. To me they all look a little too digital, the static looks incredibly fake.
No overscan ability
No playback screen ( not that important)
$200
Can zoom in and out smoothly
Taylor swift apparently has this one.
No editing software
audio recording.
smooth zoom but fringes at edges badly.
looks more like a traditional super 8 aesthetically.

Negatives:

Wireless transfer seems hard.
Dont really like the look of the "film simulation”
unable to customize the look
no overlays/ effects
the sd card is hiding behind a screwed in cover making it annoying to change and replace but you can.

Settings: