FUJIFILM has announced the launch of the “instax mini Evo™ FUJIFILM 90th Anniversary Special Kit”, the limited edition of instax mini Evo, a flagship model of the instax series of instant cameras, in the MENA region. The Special Kit is limited to 30,000 units worldwide to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Fujifilm Group. The camera body is available in the colour ‘TITANIUM GOLD’, while the Special Kit includes a lens cap and strap, offering a premium look.

The mini Evo is a hybrid instant camera incorporating digital technology, and supporting the card-size mini format film released in 2021. It comes with ten lens effects including Soft Focus and Light Leak as well as ten film effects including Monochrome and Retro. These two types of effects can be combined freely to create 100 different shooting effects so that users can express their emotions through instax prints. The camera body sports a premium and classical look and is characterized by analogue-like operability using the lens dial, film dial and print lever, designed with attention to detail such as operation noise. In June 2023, Fujifilm added Brown as a new colour to Black.

The Fujifilm Group, established in 1934 with the mission of producing photographic film for the Japanese domestic market, celebrated 90th anniversary on January 20, 2024. To commemorate this milestone, Fujifilm has introduced the “Special Edition” to instax series, expanding the world of the “instax” instant photo system that allows people to enjoy on-the-spot photo printing. instax mini Evo is available across all MENA markets for $229 (excluding VAT).

FUJIFILM Corporation has announced that the instax WIDE 400TM (WIDE 400), part of the instax series of analogue instant cameras, will be available on the 15th of September across all the stores in the MENA region. The “WIDE 400” is the successor model to instax WIDE 300™ which was released in 2014. This analogue instant camera is designed to be compatible with double-card-sized wide-format film. The simple operation of turning the power on with a single left turn holding the camera and pressing the shutter button enables users to snap wide-format photos. In addition, the new self-timer function enhances the convenience of capturing group shots, maximizing the enjoyment of wide-format photography.

Since its original launch in 1998, the instax series of instant cameras embraced trends and evolving technologies with time and expanded its lineup to include not only analogue instant cameras but also hybrid instant cameras using digital technology, smartphone printers and palm-sized digital cameras. The instax continues to offer diverse ways to enjoy photography, broadening the user base from young women to men and middle-aged consumers.

Wide-format film offers the ability to capture a broader range of photographic scenes, making it particularly well-suited for group shots and landscape photography. Its unique capability to encompass both the subject and the surrounding environment allows for the creation of captivating images that convey the complete atmosphere and story of the moment captured. This feature expands the possibilities for photographic expression, making wide-format film a globally embraced format.

Main features:

1. Analogue instant camera compatible with the wide format: “WIDE 400” features simple operation. Just a single left turn powers it on, and users can take wide-format photos by holding the camera and pressing the shutter button. For capturing distant scenery at a distance of three meters or more, turn the lens in the same direction to switch to the landscape mode, ensuring clear pictures. Furthermore, the camera package includes a close-up lens, allowing users to capture subjects as close as 40 cm without any blurriness or focus problems.
2. Introducing a lever-operated self-timer designed to enhance analog usability: Positioned on the front of the camera, this self-timer offers a user-friendly experience. By simply turning the lever, a sequence of LEDs illuminates, allowing the adjustment of the self-timer for up to 10 seconds. Once the shutter button is pressed, a countdown begins, with the LEDs diminishing at an interval of two seconds. The charm of capturing memorable group shots is elevated with the tactile act of turning the lever and the subtle timer sound, emphasizing the pleasure of analogue photography.
3. Including the camera angle adjustment accessory: The addition of the “Camera Angle Adjustment Accessory” makes it possible to adjust the camera angle and easily enjoy self-timer shooting without the need for a tripod. This accessory offers two different angles that can be attached according to the height of the subject.

The Fujifilm instax WIDE 400 is available across all MENA markets for the price of $160.

Sony Middle East and Africa announces the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II (SEL85F14GM2) a premium lens offering a supreme blend of high resolution and stunning bokeh with fast autofocus (AF) in a compact body. This is a second-generation lens that inherits the optical design that achieved a high-level fusion of bokeh and resolution that was highly praised in the first-generation model and generously incorporates the latest technology. When paired with the latest Sony Alpha series cameras, it is an ideal option for a wide variety of creative uses in both photography and videography, including portraiture, wedding, travel, and cinematic video.

The advanced and refined optical design and elements of the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II bring together appealing bokeh and enhanced high resolution, making it ideal for portrait photography. Packed with two XA (extreme aspherical) and two ED (extra-low dispersion) lenses, the state-of-the-art optical design effectively suppresses aberrations. This combination offers corner-to-corner resolution and rendering, resulting in outstanding image quality. Moreover, Sony’s original Nano AR Coating II technology effectively subdues flare and ghosting for clear, crisp images. The 11-blade circular aperture and optimisation of spherical aberration during the design and manufacturing process provide the beautiful, soft bokeh that is the hallmark of the G Master series.

The FE 85mm F1.4 GM II’s AF is agile, maximising the speed advantage of advanced camera bodies. For stills, it is up to 3 times faster compared to the previous model, tracking moving subjects with high precision. It keeps up flawlessly with the Alpha 9 III’s 120fps continuous shooting, and subject tracking performance is improved by as much as 7 times. Compared to the current 85mm F1.4 GM1, the weight of the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II (642 grams) is approximately 20% lighter and 13% smaller in volume, which is achieved through the latest mechanical technology and optical design. The FE 85mm F1.4 GM II has a filter diameter of φ77 mm, a diameter of 84.7 mm and a length of 107.3 mm.

For smooth movie creation at F1.4, the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II has an XD linear motor. Focus breathing is minimal, and in-body focus breathing compensation is supported. It has two customisable focus hold buttons and an AF/MF switch offers flexible operability, while an independent aperture ring and Linear Response MF focus control provide the kind of intuitive control that creative shooting demands. The front lens element features a fluorine coating, which makes it easy to remove fingerprints, dust, oil, and other contaminants from the lens surface. The dust and moisture-resistant design provides extra reliability for outdoor use in challenging conditions.

The FE 85mm F1.4 GM II will be available in the Middle East from September 2024.