Fujifilm’s ‘Jelly’ Camera is An Analog Hero We Need Now

While analog photography is loved by many, very few companies are creating such cameras today. Ricoh is one of them, whose latest Pentax 17 has been quite a hit amongst many individuals. Fujifilm is another whose Instax range has been beloved by many. And now, there are reports that Fujifilm is continuing its commitment to analog photography, as they have recently launched an inexpensive but adorable reusable film camera for their users. We bet many of you will also like its design.

All the images in the article are screenshots from Reddit’s page.

Fujifilm Brings Back Transparent Design

There has been no official announcement, but we found the analog camera on Reddit’s r/analogcommunity. A little research led us to Passionategeekz, where they have revealed more information. The company launched the Fujifilm C100 jelly film camera specifically for the Chinese market. It is currently available at JD.com, an e-commerce site, for 209 yuan ($29.11).

So, what exactly can the device do? It can take 36 pictures and features a ‘jelly’ aka transparent body. A Redditor was quick to point out how the device reminds us of the 1990s fashion when we had the transparent electronics craze: from landlines to Gameboy, everything has a slightly translucent body. Per the instruction, the camera can be re-used as long as the back cover of the device is not opened. Otherwise, the warranty will expire.

The jelly device has a few features, but it is largely simplistic. It has a built-in flash and a built-in 32mm fixed lens and weighs 118g. The flash can be used for 1m-3m, and the film has an ISO 400 sensitivity. Once you have developed a roll of film, you can use it again. However, it does not clearly state how to reload it.

A Fun-jifilm Camera We All Need

We recently discovered that the sale of disposable cameras in the United States has risen considerably in the past few years. Again, those who invest in these affordable cameras are actually choosing so for their “vibe” and “aesthetics.” From celebrities to politicians, every millennial and Gen Z has thought of dabbling with the latest trend. Now, with Fujifilm launching a transparent version in China, it only proves that the demand is far greater than we have imagined. China, like Europe and America, is quite a trendsetter. If a particular style of camera is famous, companies do cater to that need to make up their sales. The launch of the analog camera is no different.

What we like about Fujifilm is that it brings back a fun era of photography. The transparent design is not new, with Lomo, Jazz Jelly, and Mattle launching similar versions in the early 2000s. The images were grainy and distinct, something many of us would love to revisit in the digital era. With these devices, you keep the technicality aside and simply enjoy the process of making the images. It reconnects with your photography in a way that many of us have seemed to forget.

It is a step in the right direction, and we hope that Fujifilm introduces something similar in other regions worldwide. A camera like this can become quite popular, especially knowing how much people today like Fujifilm’s colors. Perhaps, seeing their success, other brands may also follow their lead. And that will be worth a watch.