Instax Mini Link 2 palm size printer from Fujifilm | Unbox review

Woohoo. It’s so excited to have this gadget onboard for an Instax lovers. Being a Instaxer since 2013, from Mini 7s to Mini 90 then now an Instax Printer, this is a new toy that definitely will be looking for. Anyone having a similar Instax-path? Heh

Can’t deny Fujifilm got their product design super attractive - Mini 7s is chubby cutie pie, and Mini 90 is a retro elegant gentleman.

However the Mini Link 2 doesn’t have an attractive appearance, I really thought so during all the research and watching all the unbox videos. But… surprisingly I’m in love with this gadget the moment its physically held on my palm - IT’S SO CUTE. The printer is so small only a palm size! And the vertical stripe made it a good touch. This is seriously the first time getting an Instax product not for the sake of their appearance.

So...let’s share something useful that may help you decide whether to get one.

Why get an Instax printer instead of camera?

This is what I find out after 10 years of owning Instax products:

1. Bulky camera
   I always struggle to bring along the camera out for gathering or holiday. It’s too clumsy even it’s adorable (extremely adorable). Most of the time it's used only during home gathering.
2. Everyone want it the moment you showoff your camera
   HAHA. I’m sorry to mention but let’s be honest. Instax film is expensive, around S$1 per shot. The moment you expose your Instax camera, you must expect to take and give photos for almost everyone in the gathering. Do the imagination and the math. To be honest I will request one too because Instax film itself is interesting and meaningful to place on a desk or in a wallet.
3. Prefer a digital copy
   Most of the time the photos taken via Instax camera are too nice to have 2nd shot via a phone. Which I do always wish that I can share photos to friends and family or social media.
4. Trial and error to get a success photo
   Every Instaxer encountered fail photo shot, the results is unknown until the Fujifilm photo fully rendered. I’ve played for 1 hour to test Mini 90 double exposure feature with 6 failure shots. By using printer, you can choose the photo to print and even edit before printing.

Why choose Instax Printer instead of photo printer?

The reason is quite simple & obvious.

1. Do not have to get color ink cartridge. By using Instax, the film itself is technologically ready for any colors. You just need to get an official film instead of different colors for printing a photo.
2. The polaroid film design with white border is having unlimited potential, you can write on it, draw on it to decorate like a photo frame.

Printing quality

Personally I’m not a professional photographer, I use Instax to turn memorable moment into a decoration on my desk. Here is a little bit of discrepancies you needs to expect when photo printing via camera vs a digital printing via Instax printer:

1. The controlled and balance brightness
   Fujifilm camera flash is strong and auto in few models, most of the time it made your face look much whiter and shining (and much pretty maybe?), the flash also might cause a light reflection if you are wearing specs, and the area that not reaching by the flash will appears darker which causing the photo looks dull and imbalance. However by using digital printing, the brightness can be edited as you prefer.
2. The missing details
   The photo taking from camera itself is sharper, but the contour is slightly blur when it’s from printer, maybe because the digital copy is too high quality? Also it’s not recommended for photos that having a lot of details example a mountain scene or sky panorama, big no no no. It’s much more suitable for close photos like selfie, or 1-4 person close up photos.

Regret getting this Instax printer?

Since cameras might not fully utilized as shared above, this would be the best decision for Instaxer. Getting this Mini Link 2 is a best choice, I can now take photo with phone and print the preferred one to place on my working desk. Definitely no regret, best buy for 2023!