Fujifilm announced the instax SQUARE 2 on October 14 and announced that it will put the new analog camera on sale starting from October 28. The model, which uses square format Instax photos, puts a physical filter in front of the lens to change the tone of the image. In this way, the user does not add the warm or cold color effect in an application after shooting. The new machine comes with a film option called SOFT HAZE.
The SQUARE 2 replaces the SQ1 that launched in 2020, and Fujifilm retains the auto-exposure and selfie mirror from its predecessor. In addition, it adds a new landscape shooting mode to the body. The user turns the camera on by turning the ring around the lens and switches between shooting modes. You don’t need a separate digital screen or phone connection to take photos.
The Mood Filter switch places the Warm or Cool filter in front of the lens. Warm emphasizes warm tones, Cool emphasizes cooler tones, but this change only affects the light reaching the lens. The camera’s analog mode of operation and use of physical film continues, and the user chooses the color before pressing the shutter button.
The film SOFT HAZE opens up a similar creative space in a different way. Fujifilm creates softer light effects and warm color tones with its new film emulsion. Here, the light-sensitive structure of the film determines the effect rather than the filter in the camera. In addition, the company also prepares a model-specific case and an acrylic frame for square prints.
Square film presents the photographic area with a size of 62 × 62 mm, and this size does not describe the entire external size of the film with a white frame. The format’s 1:1 ratio uses the same frame area for different scenes, such as portrait and landscape. SQUARE 2 requires instax SQUARE film instead of mini or WIDE film.
SQUARE 2 manages three shooting distances with separate modes
Official specifications define close-up mode for 0.3–0.5 meters and standard mode for 0.5–3 meters. The new landscape mode also focuses on scenes 3 meters away and further, so it is necessary to choose the mode according to the distance to the object. Automatic exposure does not replace shooting distance selection.
The camera uses a two-element lens with a focal length of 65.75 mm and an aperture of f / 12.6. The electronic shutter works between 1/2 and 1/400 seconds, and there is additional support for slow sync in low light. The flash automatically adjusts the amount of light and declares an effective distance of 0.3–2.2 meters in the technical table.
SQUARE 2 runs on four AA alkaline batteries. A new battery pack offers a capacity of approximately 30 ten-packs of film, or 300 shots, depending on usage conditions. In addition, the machine automatically turns off after five minutes. It takes approximately 90 seconds for the photo to develop on the film, the ambient temperature can change this time.
The body has dimensions of 139 × 119.5 × 71 mm. Fujifilm offers Misty White, Slate Blue and Brick Red colors. The announced price for the USA is $119.95 for the machine and $18.99 for the ten-shot SOFT HAZE package. Fujifilm has not yet announced the Türkiye price and local sales day.
For those who want to take analog photos, the innovation of SQUARE 2 lies in being able to choose the color effect and shooting distance before taking the photo. Each shot consumes physical film, so in addition to the price of the machine there is still the cost of the film to be used. The new filters don’t add ease of digital editing, they create a different look directly while shooting.