Fujifilm has announced the Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 ($149.95). It replaces its popular predecessor, 2014’s Instax Wide 300. It retains the 95mm f/14 retractable lens but adds a new detachable close-up filter for shooting selfies and close photos.
The Wide 400 also makes it easier to shoot group photos, thanks to a design refresh. It adds a 1/4-20″ threaded hole underneath for mounting to a tripod, and also sports a new self-timer dial with four different timing options.
Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 – Now for groups
This is the first Instax Wide camera that Fujifilm has released in a decade. It sees some nice updates over its predecessor, designed specifically for photographing groups and selfies. For a start, it can now be mounted to a tripod.
Obviously, a tripod helps if you want to actually be in the group photo – and not the one person who’s missing because you were holding the camera. But the Wide 400 also adds a new self-timer dial with 4, 6, 8 and 10-second options.
It has automatic exposure with a programmed shutter and operates on four AA batteries. Given that we’re in 2024, it would’ve been nice to see a lithium-ion USB-C charging refresh with this one, but apparently, it was not to be. No doubt we’ll see a DIY modding video for this at some point.
Also for selfies
The Fuji Instax Wide 400 also comes with a new detachable close-up lens. This is designed primarily to allow easier shooting of selfies at arm’s length. This provides a focus distance of 15.7″ to 19.7″ and features a small mirror, allowing you to see yourself and check the shot before hitting the shutter.
In regular shooting mode, without the close-up lens, you get a focus range from 2.9′ to 9.8′. This makes it ideal for many travel, event and small group shots. In landscape mode, the focus goes from 9.8′ to infinity, although I don’t expect too many people will be using this for shooting landscapes.
It’s a nice looking refresh of the company’s popular Wide line, keeping the things they people love about it, while enhancing it with some new useful features.
It’s about the same price as the Fujifilm SQ40 ($149) but with the wider format prints. Picking one over the other may be a difficult choice for some users.
Price and Availability
The Fujifilm Instax Wide 400 is available to pre-order now for $149.95. Shipping is expected to begin this month.
