Instax Wide 400 - FujiFilm's first wide camera in a decade, is it worth the wait? [Instant Review]

[@KristiChan1]

Damn. I wasn't expecting Fuji to make a camera out of gold, but this seems like a step back.

[@3Gee]

“These aren’t the droids I’m looking for…” I’m happy Fuji released a new camera for the Wide format, BUT I was reeeeeeally hoping it’d be along the lines of the Mini 99. *saddest panda*

[@cavb748]

Sad times indeed... lets hope for a new wide 99 launch soon .

[@michaelbell75]

@@cavb748 Yea, maybe in 2034....never happening.

[@InAnInstant]

The year is 2034: humans live on the moon. Incredible scientific advancements have reversed the effects of climate change. Fuji drops the Wide 99.

[@jmtphotographymedia]

I sooooo agree. The Mini 99 is a nice design. They really neglect the Wide format. I have the Wide Printer and love it but a nice camera like the Evo would be fantastic.

[@raze3297]

With minimal features and only a single color, it feels like Fuji is just testing the waters to see if there's still a market for the wide format. They're never going to make a serious camera like the Mints (anyone holding onto hope for anything approaching that is delusional IMO), but I'd be happy with something comparable to the Mini 99.

[@michaelbell75]

Theres not a market for the wide format with a garbage camera like this no one is going to buy...

[@ZipperDetailing]

Well, I don't think that people are looking out for a MiNT style camera. I don't think that people are really wanting to pay 1000$ or more for a Wide Camera. But people are waiting to get a Wide camera in the style of a Mini 99 or Mini 90, where you can manually control the flash and some shooting modes and so on. That is what people want and not the same camera for 25 years in a new body style every several years... I think that many people would even be ready to pay 250$ for such a camera. Il would be at least.

[@Phishrock]

@@michaelbell75they sold out at my local target in less than a week

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Thanks fuji, for giving me less features and treating me like a idiot

[@AXXXXA]

No manual flash, no purchase. Refuse to spend $400 on a 500AF from Japan. Maybe one day Fujifilm will make one with a manual flash. Ill keep using my Instax 210 until then.

[@MaxKnoxwille]

I'll stay with my lovely Wide 210 and Lomo Wide. Guys, just give us all the features from Lomo Wide without lens distortion and flimsy buttons

[@NandR]

And without needing to bump the camera bottom so the eject arm isn't in the way of the next shot.

[@michaelbell75]

Lomo just needs to make a glass version of the Lomo Wide and it will be better than anything Fuji has ever done with a Wide camera. Love my Lomo Wide.

[@InAnInstant]

Lomo Wide Glass PLEASE @lomography

[@coastalartistlivingonislan8395]

I love the wide format. I will stick with a lomo gear.

[@martinpolivka9497]

I actually "upgraded" from Wide 210 because of the self-timer and tripod mount. 😅 Yeah, lost the flash control and exposure compensation in the process, but both were kinda useless on the Wide 210.

[@cameralabs]

Will your arm (or a replica) be available in your merch store? It's a handy accessory!

[@InAnInstant]

Yes! One day it’ll be worth an arm and a leg.

[@cameralabs]

@@InAnInstant how long is your leg? Asking for a friend - could be another useful standard measurement...

[@InAnInstant]

@cameralabs 1 foot (per leg)

[@cameralabs]

@@InAnInstant put me down for three

[@skywithoutend]

Cant believe they started with the 500af and never chased that high ever again. Would love to see a more prosumer facing system (no tripod mount/flash/exp comp is such a letdown) i love wide and i really hope fuji would do more for the format. Perhaps theyre just happy to let third parties make better cameras as they cash in checks for just selling film. Shoutout to ants. And bees.

[@domotormayer1840]

This is why I bought a used 500af from Japan. Best decision

[@martinpolivka9497]

Fact check: it does have a tripod mount.

[@ati1903]

@@domotormayer1840what is the difference to wide?

[@Mike0193Azul]

This is nice and I am glad they released something for the Wide format. But I would really like to see more professional systems such as Lomography and Mint, which both seem to have pros and cons that are difficult to overlook (& Mint being such a premium price). For Instax Mini, the Mini 99 was such a cool cam with some prosumer type manual control. Need that for Instax Wide.

[@natfredes1981]

Maan I was expecting so much more! Its hardly an upgrade from the 300

[@jamesmonahan9408]

Love my wide 300.

[@natalielinton1624]

me too!

[@leannezzers]

Great review! It's concise and full of personality. Yay bees! 🐝 I was excited to see the camera because I love the look and color. I've had the Mini 70 for a long time and really enjoy it! I'm not familiar with the wide models; this review was helpful in showing what features the Wide 400 has, especially relative to predecessors and other models. It would be great to see more wide models with additional features. The add-on lens seems super handy.

[@InAnInstant]

Yay bees indeeds!!! 🐝

[@Graviticus]

I guess I understand people being disappointed if you're already invested in the Instax ecosystem. But I just bought an XT-30 II last year and wanted to try out Instax for the first time. I've been holding off because the mini format is just too small for me. For the price, I am more than happy pre-ordering the Wide 400 just to be able to pop off some instant film shots. I'll be the guinea pig for y'all so we can get one with more features later! 😅

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you for your service 🫡

[@linusandhiscamera]

You're so cool dude!! every single video is a masterpiece

[@InAnInstant]

I love you and I’m IN love with you!

[@michaelbell75]

What a massive disappointment. I cant believe we waited TEN YEARS for this and got a dumbed down version of the Wide camera. Even the 210 is a far better camera than this. It should have been a Wide version of the Mini 99. Fuji really failed here.

[@ht8764]

It works great! Really been enjoying using mine and giving away the shots. Also using it to photograph customers with our stylists after their hair service for a happy client collage

[@PatrickReagan-cz1mp]

The production value/humor of these reviews is ridiculous. Love the passion!

[@theinstantcameraguy]

It's the old Instax Wide ouroboros - continue selling boring, ugly looking, basic cameras with limited features for Wide film - barely market product at all - film sales prove unpopular - low sales reduces motivation to release a better camera - continue selling boring, ugly looking, basic cameras with limited features for Wide film - barely market product at all - film sales prove unpopular - low sales reduces motivation to release a better camera - continue selling boring, ugly looking, basic cameras with limited features for Wide film - barely market product at all - film sales prove unpopular - low sales reduces motivation to release a better camera Repeat until heat death of the universe I kinda like the aesthetic, and I do like the new latch though. The old door latches like on the 210 are a real achilles heal, because when they snap, the entire door has to be replaced.

[@InAnInstant]

@@FilmAndFancies-xf9it go on girl give us nothing 💅🏻

[@gd70]

Ok. With this release now we can finally say with confidence that yes, Fujifilm wants to kill the wide Instax format. 🤦‍♂️

[@amateurfilmgirlie]

That doesn't seem true. They made an entire production line for wide just for this camera. Seems promising if anything

The previous wide models did not really have manual control of flash firing. They only have a switch that force fires flash when the camera might not otherwise choose to fire it automatically. There is no way to make the camera not use flash if it decides it’s needed. So, after you waste a frame trying to take a backlit portrait because the flash didn’t decide to fire, you can force it to fire the next time. Flash firing at all times is actually a better solution and essentially gives the same results, given that it will have no effect on anything that’s farther than about 7 or 8 feet.

[@Francois_L_7933]

I must admit that I'm a bit disappointed in this Instax. I was expecting a few more features than what was present on the previous versions. I also greatly miss having the viewfinder on the opposite side as it prevented the user from having to have the hand in the face while framing. While the manual focus is nice (could have been made nicer with a proper zone focus), they dropped exposure compensation... why? I guess I'll be sticking to my old ones.

[@SharpCinema]

Gee you are so talented, wonderful review. Not the camera I was dreaming of but hopefully they will release another with some more features so i can buy one.

[@InAnInstant]

SC thank you deeply for this kind comment

[@robertharrison9803]

WOW!!! Just got to sit back and laugh at this one… you know how the song goes: “What a drag it is getting old.”

[@オーケストリオン]

3:17 haha cheeky Pentax 17 spotted

[@InAnInstant]

Caught me in the chaos!

[@chriscorey5164]

Yet another disappointing camera, so we now have a new Instax that’s totally meh, and the Pentax 17, which has literally no features to get excited about and many to completely rule it out as anything worthwhile. Sigh…

[@オーケストリオン]

@@chriscorey5164 You are of course welcome to your opinion, and I do see where you're coming from. However, the actual sales numbers will speak for these cameras.

[@lofianddiy]

Another great review- thanks Ben!!

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you A!!

[@Femchan]

Can't turn off the flash? Nooo!!! I get making another beginner-friendly model but I can't see who would actually buy this, especially in that very odd colour (sort of a lab green). Missed opportunity. Enjoyed the video though!

[@grandmasteraj855]

Oooo I love this format.

[@nolawernicke9078]

Thankyou Ben (I smashed the subscriber button like an avocado) I've been lurking around your channel, love your work!

[@InAnInstant]

Thanks so much for SMASHING Nola!!

[@michaelpetersenfilm]

Fujifilm on their remote island probably just lost the expertise to include flash off and longer exposure times in that bigger format. At least the self timer/tripod mount is a good new feature but that aside there is no need to upgrade from 210/300 models you can get for $50 on the used market. You so well expressed what people long for and expect from a new Fujifilm Instax Wide camera!

[@martinpolivka9497]

The new one will also last longer on a set of batteries.

[@C.I...]

I was hoping for something a tiny bit closer in terms of features to the astronomically expensive RF70, but as a replacement for the 300 it makes sense, I suppose. My dreams of a reasonably-priced coupled rangefinder with manual controls so I can actually focus and correctly expose the thing remain just that. I have a 200 right now, and I’m more or less certain that the “3m-infinity” setting is actually a 10m setting, with landscapes and other infinitely far things less than sharp, so it’s quite limited in terms of where it performs best. Metering is all over the place as well, I think due to very limited shutter speeds it can pick from, combined with the fixed aperture.

[@leftblank]

Amazing video, Thank you! also an an English person I appreciate the Colorado explanation! Glad to see fuji doing more lovely stuff with instax, I recently shot some of the circle polaroids and I was so disappointed in how bad the colours are that it made me love my square instax camera all the more. Long live fuji!

[@InAnInstant]

Haha I figured that would be helpful to my non-US viewers, who actually make up a majority of viewership! 🇺🇳

[@silkburrito27]

Im just glad they're still releasing wide cameras i dont want my frankinstax to run out of film

[@kookapics]

Dang now that you’ve put it out there I really hope a Wide 99 is in the works cause it would take all my money lmao

[@InAnInstant]

It would look so sick, too - love the design of the Mini 99!

[@ldmndz4652]

It was exciting news at first when I heard about a new "wide" camera..but upon further more info..yeah its a pass I would rather stick to the older Wide 300...for now...this is nice but a bit disappointing for sure..the fact they took away some features that was on the 300 is the deal breaker and they should have added the newer Instax 99 "color features" ..etc etc which makes that one cool....we should all just wait for the WIDE 99 or a Wide EVO!!..that would be worth the wait..haha

[@MaxKnoxwille]

Can you imagine the new Wide AF with manual exposure controls?

[@InAnInstant]

That honestly wouldn’t even get me very pumped at this point. I need a camera with a multi element lens and a range of apertures so that I can actually shape an image. The ideal Instax Wide camera is a ground up rebuild, not an enhancement of anything they’ve made in the last 25 years IMO

[@MaxKnoxwille]

@@InAnInstant Ben, Ben, you're my friend, you're the best of Ben ever been, Ben, you're my friend

[@michaelbell75]

@@InAnInstant Just get a NONS 😊

[@C.I...]

@@michaelbell75I would, but in the UK the name is very close to the word “nonce”, which means “paedophile”, and I am not going to explain to anyone that I have a nonce camera.

[@hex_1733]

While I'm glad Instax fans are getting new stuff, it's really disheartening seeing Fujifilm abandon everything else film :(

[@artofwishing]

Why they didn’t add extra features like double exposure in SQ6, that would be fun with this model.

[@aglassbrightly]

Fuji is king of featureless bargain cameras, which are great for getting new people into instant film! However, I am baffled that they still went with a clip-on close-up lens.

[@iNerdier]

Wow they made it, less slick. Now the lens extension is manual vs the motor driven ones in the older cameras. This looks even more cost reduced than the 300, I wish they would just re-release something like the 500af so people had something mildly less basic. At least the new latch design is an improvement I suppose.

[@martinpolivka9497]

It also saves batteries and there are less parts to break, which is nice.

[@daryastark3314]

SQ1 is the worst Instax camera I’ve had (many photos turn out blurry or overexposed) so I’m really not enjoying a stripped down version of Wide 😭 Sticking to my Wide 300 and hoping for better Square / Wide releases in the future. Mini 99 is ace.

[@tomkbe]

You had me at "certified doinker"... If you want to fiddle with wide, go for Lomography or Mint. If you want point and shoot, this one seems to be right fit, that price point is just sweet!!!

[@tomkbe]

And my only true gripe with the 300 was the one/off switch and that is solved with this one.

[@aliyasleeps]

the only instax camera i own is the mini 90, but i'm interested in getting into square or wide. i think it would be interesting (and hopefuly useful for lots of people) to see a video breaking down the full lineup of either square or wide cameras, including the older ones

[@MetalDEmpire]

eh.. Its okay. I appreciate the fact that its a new camera, and it will bring new people into instant photography (as most beginners prefer to use a new/newer camera over one that is a decade old), though it seems a bit rushed (ironic since it been 10 years since the last release). I expected at least some controls, and more flexibility. For $150 usd, it's definitely price inflated. Id spend, at most, $100 for this thing. Idk, Imma stick to the Lomographlock Wide back. Yea you need a 4x5 camera and lens, but at least I have far more control over things.

[@InAnInstant]

Agree on some points but I think the price is fine. The 300 retailed for $130, and wide is more niche = fewer units = higher price

[@eggspresso]

The camera is a bit disappointing, but a new release in this format means that they're planning to continue selling Instax Wide. Great news for those who use the LomoGraflok back or the higher end Instax cameras from Mint and Lomo

[@C.I...]

It's the wide 400! And the crowd shrugs!

[@jonnyboy8000]

Sorry but I’m sticking with my Insta wide 300, this camera is a backward step. No flash turn off no exposure compensation. We see what you can do with a mini 99. Why don’t you spend some of that R&D to make a bigger version? no money from Fuji.

[@ribsy]

not a fan but I am intrigued by the close focusing attachment.

[@Jelly452527]

2 cameras in one week that leave power users high and dry. Hopeful Fujifilm and Pentax see it as worthwhile to invest in the community thats keeping them alive

[@sprkplg]

Judging from the sales of the non feature packed cameras, they’ve actually learned something more pro will not sell well

[@Jelly452527]

@@sprkplg I think the sales are based on availability. People want new film cameras so they'll buy what's available. If manufacturers actually had more advanced cameras available I bet they would sell

[@InAnInstant]

@@sprkplgechoing this; Fuji does not rely on the film community for success, their products are substantially more broad and reaching a massive audience that is fairly removed from the niche diehard user base. Pentax might ultimately find the opposite to be true, but we’ll see!

[@kesslerfilms.5328]

would u make a Video about the moded instanx on ur table : )

[@InAnInstant]

I did! Check out the Cameradactyl Rex video on the channel 👀

[@hespassed859]

I just bought the 500af

[@ZipperDetailing]

Lucky you. How many market stocks did you have to sell? 😛

[@teleaddict23]

Still just as ugly as the 300. I presume the only reason they’ve released this is to update the look of the camera so it falls in line with the styling of other Instax cameras. As for features, it’s actually a step backwards removing the exposure compensation. For years, the fans have been asking for a camera with more features and more control and Fuji didn’t listen. Nice one Fuji!

[@c222]

Now THAT'S a scale-focus camera I'm excited for. ...What's Instax?

[@bulletsie]

Was really hoping they would release a "mini Evo" type camera but in Wide format.. I really like the idea of the hybrid camera that will shoot and print and it acts as a digital camera, instant camera and printer and can communicate with your phone.

[@craynotcreigh]

Like I said before. IF we get a "Wide99" I will eat a pack of Polaroid 600 live.

[@InAnInstant]

I will subscribe and smash the bell!!

[@shrek2onvhs46]

Now if only Spectra could come back… i wish.

[@InAnInstant]

imagine

[@caiodlimaM]

does it still uses 4 double A battery? i already lost two instax wide tue to batery leak =(

[@InAnInstant]

Yes! And honestly I like that aspect but sorry about your leaks

[@erikvalkman9640]

This hideous greenish thing makes me love my Wide 500AF also for its looks! 😅

[@coastalartistlivingonislan8395]

It almost reminds me of the ugly refrigerator of the 1970s every house had. Where is the shag carpet?

[@ryan2stix]

Seems like with the focus issues, exposure, and framing issues, one might be better off getting the printer... shoot with your phone, know what you're getting prior to print.. that's the route I'll be going.

[@InAnInstant]

For some (like me) the printers are not the point of instant photography. I get joy out of creating an image in the moment, an irreplaceable one of a kind object representing that instant in time. The printers are basically an inversion of that.

[@CorvusHyperion]

It just a repeat of the SQ6 to the SQ1, removal of features (thought image quality remained good)

[@saiabishek]

How would you rate this vs mini 12 for dramatic portraits ?

[@ryanalexweisz]

nice roundup! Which slaps harder - this or the Lomo’Instant Wide? Thanks!!

[@InAnInstant]

Thanks Ryan! The Lomo Instant if you want control, the Instax 400 if you want consistency and point & shoot functions. They’re polar opposites basically

[@StevenLawson]

So in ten years they have improved precisely nothing. Nah, I'll pass, and continue using my wide printer with a variety of digital cameras/phones instead.

[@spellxthief]

my absolute favorite color, i wanted a wide instax a few years ago, might have to get this :O

[@RichardStroffolino]

Wide 99 is a sick rockabilly band

[@Antejolt]

I’m getting it to replace my 300 because of the twist on/off feature and timer. There’s a bit of paranoia in me that it will somehow turn on inside my bag and break. And there has been a few close calls when taking it out of my bag so I’d say my paranoia is justified. Plus, how did the 300 have a tripod mount and not have a timer feature???

[@AndrewSmales]

Camera fine. I just love all the jokes! The jokes on this channel are always so good.

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you Andrew for laughing alongside on this wild ride we call being alive!

[@muzyoung1362]

I think you should review the Lomo’instant Automat next

[@ayupradnyandari3689]

I was hoping they releasing a hybrid camera for the wide format instead. The self timer is good but other than that I don't see any reason why should I get that

[@cavb748]

24 hrs waiting for your review.

[@InAnInstant]

I hope the journey wasn't better than the destination!

[@cavb748]

@@InAnInstantIt would be awesome a direct comparison between the wide 300 and the 400. Are 400 photos better? Is the light sensor better in the 400?

[@InAnInstant]

@cavb748 the photos will not be better or worse, the 400 is just newer!

[@diforbes]

Fuji should have released a remake of the old 500AF. AF, not zone focus. A flash that can be turned off. And more color choice. This isn't much of an update.

[@cyrilauvity5460]

I quit my Lomo Instant Wide that had boring ejecting film issues in less than 1 year and moved to a Fuji Instax 500AF, that 400 has only one thing interesting, the close up addon that can give interesting short depth of field, i guess it cannot be used on my 500AF ?

[@InAnInstant]

Good question, I don’t think that filter would work “natively” on the 500AF, but you could attach a magnetic ring around the lens, and attach a magnet to the close up lens, and then just slap it on there whenever!

[@daveeckblad]

Would be prudent to attach a 15" long lanyard to that closeup lens EEEEEH?

[@fiver-hoo]

I guess BFC does have at least ONE Pentax 17 on hand lol.

[@coachtomas]

What is your actual final verdict though ? I know you mentioned some cons during the video, but it feels like I’m waiting for an overall feeling on the 400. Personally I think its a replacement for the 300 with less features, I can see people searching out the 300 than buying this.

[@InAnInstant]

My feeling is I’m taking this camera at face value - it was not designed for an advanced user, so it isn’t for me. I can only judge it for what it can do and not do (which I explain in the review).

[@barilabakes]

The non-built in close up lens is a real deal breaker for me. SO glad they released a new wide model, but there's nothing new to make me upgrade from my 300.

[@MrRob1426]

Its almost like Fuji is trying to make the wide format fail.

[@rjsvids]

fINALLY A NEW WIDE AFTER ALL THOSE YEARS , finally they bring the self timer to the wide format , BUT i think they could be better , interaction with apps, so a new wide like the last more modern mini camera. So, please Fuji, make another one

[@Sabundy]

I want an Instax Evo Wide

[@jd87a]

Why does the sun show up black on instant film?

[@InAnInstant]

It only does that on Instax film, not Polaroid. Instax film has a limitation in which certain degrees of overexposure will result in “solarization” which effectively inverts the image. If you overexpose the entire image enough (which is only possible on manual cameras), the entire image inverts into a negative! If you’re curious about this please check out my Mint InstantFlex SF70 video in which we intentionally used it to solarize Instax Square images, and then converted them back to positives.

[@henrahmagix]

wish i was a certified doinker 🥺

[@InAnInstant]

There’s still time!!

[@aengusmacnaughton1375]

It's the George Costanza of the Instant Film World! Hey there Ben! I have a used 300 ($25) with no closeup lens, and it is a very elusive beast to find at a reasonable price, but I do like shooting the 300....

[@redsands1001]

Dang bought the fuji wide 300 early this year. I wasnt paying attention so didnt hear any rumblings on this. Edit further into review maybe 300 works better for me

[@TheRelentlessAssault]

I feel like the fact that a instax wide camera is coming out in 2024 that is only $150 is insane to me… there are instax mini cameras with similar minimal features that are in that range. I figured the price point would’ve been $200-$250.

[@NBHSzebra08]

I still use my 210 tbh.

[@WYCAN]

Honestly, I would quickly grab a 300 before they are completely out of stock (if you want a new one). Used one are probably still plenty. 400 honestly is just new for the sake of being “new”…

[@apfitz]

This…is disappointing. It’s so cheap looking/functioning

[@RecStudioGR]

does Instax Wide 400 has better image quality than Mini 99?

[@InAnInstant]

No

[@iancadwallender9779]

Not worth the wait.Wait 10 years,and still dont get the camera we want.We want more control,in wide format.Is that to difficult for you Fuji ????. The colour is bloody awfull to

[@michaelwhiles5282]

No....its a real dispointment and I use the Instax Wide Printer which I love so I'm not anti Instax - FUJI you have missed a huge opportunity.....

[@trainsplanesmore]

Didn't the current Polaroid company only start after the entire Polaroid manufacturing chain was dismantled? It seems that the Polaroid film of today will never be like the Polaroid film of yesterday. So, Instax seems the only choice for instant film now. Glad that the wide is back. That is the one camera I would consider. I would want there to be an upgraded version with a glass lens, though.

[@InAnInstant]

I believe this lens may be glass. Instax Mini switched over to glass a few years ago. Glass vs not glass kinda means nothing with these fixed aperture cameras and doesn’t impact image quality.

[@ChrisBrogan]

I'm gonna need you to put out your next video please, mister.

[@matiakd]

3:08 You explain that Colorado is a landlocked state to explain a joke, (insinuating that you think people out of the USA will see the video). Less than a minute later you’re mixing imperial with metric and say “you can convert it, I’m not gonna hold your hand”. Guess you could be bothered explaining a joke but not measurements for your international audience.

[@InAnInstant]

Yes to both!! I may not hold your hand ALL the time but I will sometimes 😊😍

[@lost1ut4]

sir does it have a memory card?

[@InAnInstant]

No

[@lost1ut4]

@@InAnInstant damn I thought it have🥲 could u recommend me some cameras with memory card which can give 90,s vibes.

[@ChrisBrogan]

Colorado made this whole video for me. So, can we get a look at it ?

[@starling1360]

Disappointed that Fuji is releasing such useless brick, chunky, bulky with limited manual adjustments... like 'we need to release something, no matter what'..

[@DDenDeeen]

they just transfer all features from 99 and jobs done, why didnt they know?

[@InAnInstant]

“Why didn’t they know?” is such a profound question

[@horrorcrux333]

Ben: "the camera's operation is quite simple, my darling" Me: "oh ben, you set my heart aflutter."

[@InAnInstant]

🥰

[@danielarmstrong2144]

Crushingly disappointing. This is just the same camera i already own but in a different colour

[@queefcheif9306]

600 one step review when?

[@atruceforbruce5388]

You got that relistate joke from Bruce Campbell.

[@InAnInstant]

The joke is the joke after the joke! That is how we make references on In An Instant (KZbin)