Get ready South Africa. The Instax Mini Link 2 is coming to South Africa. The Link 2 has some big shoes to fill following in its older sibling’s wake – which saw a release in 2019. The Mini Link was a simple solution for printing on the go, and Link 2 wants to improve on that.
The main improvement here is the addition of InstaxAIR. AIR allows would-be printers to connect to the dedicated Link 2 app and make changes to their photos. Essentially, the Mini Link 2 allows you to add a filter to your actual printout – like bubbles, petals, neon, spray paint or a glitter look.
It retained its speed from the original mini-Link – allowing users to print a picture in 15 seconds. Unfortunately, it looks like the battery hasn’t seen any improvement, still only allowing 100 prints on a single charge. But who’s going to need more than that at a time?
Caught on film
InstaxAIR doesn’t just let one add basic filters. If that was the case, it wouldn’t stop anyone from just using a Snapchat filter and printing that (which you can also do). But the Mini Link 2 allows one to actually draw on photos, using an LED on the side of the printer. Once the user is happy, they’ll be able to print with the drawings included.
Perhaps it’s a little easier to show, rather than tell.
Of course, you don’t need to use the LED to draw on your pictures. There’s an option available to draw with a finger, to get precise sketches added on. And if you have a stylus, then all the better.
The Mini Link 2 also adds a new colour mode – Instax Rich Mode – for deeper, enhanced colours. If you’d rather keep it original you can, with Instax Natural Mode.
Read More: Fujifilm Instax Link Wide – For when you’ve already got a decent camera
The new portable printer is also compatible with the Fujifilm X-S10 mirrorless digital camera. Users can take pictures on other Instax devices and send them directly over to the Mini Link 2. Whether this will be expanded later isn’t clear, yet, but the feature makes sense.
Making its way to SA
The best news? The mini Link 2 is coming to South Africa. There’ll be a choice of Soft Pink, Clay White, and Space Blue. The Mini Link 2 is expected in SA from the end of August. The price? We’re looking at about R2800 – the expected retail rate. Whether you’re fine with paying that much for a portable printer that consumes very expensive film… that’s up to you.
Lastly, Instax is releasing a new Instax Mini Spray Art film. It features a rainbow design that reflects light, to really make your pictures pop. The new film will join the Mini Link 2 launch. R180 is what you’re looking to pay for a new pack of Spray Art film.
Check out Instax’s site to get all the latest news and to pick up your own Mini Link 2 when the time comes.