I’m hesitant to write this review, because the Fujifilm X half is paradoxical. There’s a lot about it that’s conflicting. You can say this aspect of it is great for a certain group of people, but this aspect of it is not. This might be the most unique digital camera ever made, so it’s going to get a lot of attention, but also a lot of criticism. Trying to figure out who will most appreciate the X half (also called X-HF1) has been an intriguing endeavor.
To be completely transparent, it’s important for me to tell you upfront that Fujifilm sent me an X half to keep. Yea! Thank you, Fujifilm. I didn’t pay a dime for the camera. But I did have an X half preordered, so I was planning to spend money on one. I’m doing my best to not let my impressions be colored by Fujifilm’s kind generosity.
There are a few things that are unique about X-HF1. The headline is the vertically-mounted 1″ sensor. As far as I know, this is the very first camera to have a vertical sensor, all others are horizontal—that is, aside from cellphones. A lot of people—younger people especially—tend to photograph vertically on their cellphones, so it was just a matter of time before a camera would have a tall sensor. The X half is revolutionary because it’s the very first. I suspect there will be more in the future, and Fujifilm won’t be the only brand. Speaking of 1″ sensors, the name is a bit misleading. The surface area of a so-called 1″ sensor is the same as old 1″ Vidicon vacuum tube television cameras. So the name (“one inch”) has to do with the tube size of TV cameras from the ’50’s, ’60’s and ’70’s, and not the dimensions of the sensor.
The inspiration for the X half—and where the name comes from—are half-frame film cameras, like the Fujica Half, Olympus Pen, Kodak H35N, and Pentax 17. These cameras use half of a 35mm frame for each picture, orientated tall. Some medium-format cameras also are natively portrait orientated. Cameras that capture vertical photos are not new, but they are new in the digital age. Of course it has to be said that the X-HF1’s sensor isn’t half the size of a full-frame sensor, or even half the size of APS-C; no, the X half‘s “half” is not a mathematical term, but simply a nod to analog half-frame cameras. The 3:4 aspect ratio is also the same as half-frame cameras.
Like a half-frame film camera, the X half is capable of creating diptychs, which are two frames side-by-side combined into one image. You can do this easily in-camera using the Frame Advance Lever, or after-the-fact using the new X half app. It’s a heck-of-a-lot of fun, but I imagine that the novelty will wear off after awhile. While it will put a (customizable) bar in-between the two frames, I wish it had the option for a boarder around the whole image like in the examples above, which was done using a third-party app. Maybe Fujifilm will add this feature to the X half app in the future.
The X-HF1 is as minimalistic as it gets in the X-series. The menu has been simplified and streamlined, and a lot of settings have been left out. You cannot use Film Simulation Recipes with this camera, only the stock Film Simulations and Filters. Not all of the Film Sims made the cut, but most of them are there: Provia, Velvia, Astia, Classic Chrome, Reala Ace, Classic Negative, Nostalgic Negative, Eterna, Acros (include +Ye, +R & +G), and Sepia. I would rather have Eterna Bleach Bypass over Sepia, but it’s a good group overall. There are a whole bunch of Filters (called Advanced Filters on other X-series cameras), some of which are borrowed from the Instax Evo cameras. My favorites are Pop Color, Light Leak, Expired Film, and Retro. These cannot be used in addition to Film Simulations—it’s one or the other, and not both. The list of Filters is quite long, and I don’t have an interest in most of them, so I wish that you could customize which ones are available, to make it easier to find and select the ones you actually want to use.
Above: Pop Color Filter
Above: Light Leak Filter
Above: Expired Film Filter
Above: Retro Filter
Pop Color is reminiscent of Fujichrome Fortia. I’d actually like to see it graduate to Film Simulation status. Light Leak, as well as filters like Halation and Vignette, should become JPEG options on other X-series cameras, that can be added to any Film Simulation. Expired Film and Retro should be added as Advanced Filters. Of the three Expired Film options, Green and Neutral are my favorites.
The only customizations that are available are Grain, Portrait Enhancer (which I believe is just Smooth Skin Effect renamed), White Balance (but no WB Shift), and Long Exposure NR. One cool thing is that these are also applied to the Filters, and not just the Film Simulations—I’d love for that to make its way to other X-series cameras. Beyond that, the Film Simulations and Filters cannot be customized to achieve various looks, which is a real bummer for someone like me who uses Recipes extensively.
Top left: Weak / Small Grain. Top right: Strong / Large Grain. Bottom: Actual Ilford Delta P3200 film
I enjoy a little grain in my photos. It adds texture that’s been common in photography for much of its existence. The X-HF1 has faux grain, with four options: Weak/Small, Weak/Large, Strong/Small, and Strong/Large. Grain set to Weak/Small on the X half is a little more pronounced than Strong/Large is on (for example) the X100VI. I wish that there was a less strong option than Weak/Small, because it’s borderline too much; however, since there’s not, I used it almost exclusively. Strong/Large is a bit ridiculous, and is reminiscent of the grain of ultra-high ISO films like Ilford Delta P3200. If you want to achieve an Ilford Delta P3200 look, the X half isn’t far off at all when Grain is set to its maximum parameters.
Another word about Grain is that it slows the camera down, much like Clarity on other X-series cameras. I found this to be odd, and my theory is that when Grain is applied, so is Clarity (maybe -2). I tried to prove this, but couldn’t, so I might be completely wrong. I have another theory that—for Film Simulations, at least, and maybe for Filters—Color is increased as exposure is increased, and is reduced as the exposure is reduced. I also tried to prove this, but got mixed results, so I’m not certain if this is how the camera is programmed, or just a natural effect of over and under exposure.
Above: Classic Negative
The camera seems to apply a heavy-handed noise reduction, and then a heavy-handed sharpening to compensate. I would love to have some control over this, as it’s not my favorite approach. It might be necessary, though, since the X-HF1 has a Bayer sensor instead of X-Trans. One benefit of X-Trans that doesn’t get discussed enough is that it allows noise to be more easily identified and controlled; Fujifilm uses this to make it more film-grain-like, and less of a nuisance. Since this is a Bayer camera, it might require a little stronger noise reduction.
Another benefit of X-Trans is that it has more green pixels (55%, compared to 50% on Bayer), which allows for more luminosity information. This provides a little more dynamic range and high-ISO capabilities. On the X half, dynamic range is quite limited. I would say it’s roughly comparable to DR100 with Highlight and Shadow set to +0.5 on other X-series cameras. It’s fairly easy to clip highlights and/or block up shadows, and is a little like slide film in this regard. Since this camera is JPEG-only (no RAW), you have to be very careful about the exposure.
Above left: ISO 1600. Above right: ISO 4000
I found that I prefer ISO 400 and below on the X half, reminiscent of Sigma Merrill cameras, which has a similar limitation. In a pinch you can go higher, especially if the picture will only be shared to social media, but I tried my best to keep the ISO at or below ISO 400 whenever possible. Because the maximum aperture of the lens is “only” f/2.8, when the sun goes down it can be very challenging to use the camera.
The X-HF1 does have a built-in flash, albeit not a great one. It doesn’t have a hotshoe, only a coldshoe. Flash photography is, unfortunately, not ideal on this camera, which is too bad, since it has a leaf shutter. If Fujifilm someday makes a second version, I hope that it either has a proper flash or a hotshoe (or both), as this current setup is mediocre at best. I kept the flash off most of the time.
Above: Flash photography on the X half
One really cool feature is called Film Camera Mode. You select either 36, 54, or 72 shots, and you are dedicated to that mode until you’ve completed your “roll of film”—which is whatever Film Simulation you chose. I do wish that 24 was an option, as it takes awhile to finish a roll. You cannot review the photos until they’ve been “developed” in the X half app. In this mode, the X-HF1 functions similarly to point-and-shoot film cameras from the 1990’s. You have to use the Frame Advance Lever in-between shots. It’s a ton of fun, but also challenging, because you have no idea if you correctly exposed, focused, or even if you framed it well. I kept forgetting to take the lens cap off, too. My daughter coined the 72 shot roll as the 72 exposure challenge. I’d love for that to become a community-driven trend, where people post their best frames from their 72 exposure “roll” on social media, with the hashtag #72exposurechallenge.
It would be nice if you could use the various Filters in this mode, and not just the Film Simulations. ***Edit: I was on a pre-production firmware; however, after updating to the latest version, I can now use Filters in the Film Camera Mode. Yea! Sorry for the confusion.*** Another thing I’d appreciate is that whatever ISO you have selected is carried over to the Film Camera Mode. Unfortunately, you only get Auto ISO up to ISO 12800, which is totally unusable whenever it goes that high. Fortunately, your Grain and White Balance settings are carried over, so be sure to set those before starting.
Above: X half contact sheet and various frames
Once you develop your “roll” in the app, you get a contact sheet. It would be great if you could long-press on a frame, and it would give you the option of saving that frame with the sprockets, or that frame plus the one next to it (on either side, unless it’s the end of the strip), or the whole strip. Instead, you have to crop the contact sheet in order to accomplish that. But I’m a huge fan of the contact sheet in-general, it’s a really cool idea.
Overall, I enjoyed using the Film Camera Mode, but I found myself not using it as much as the regular shooting mode because you have to be in the mood for it. One of the challenges that I appreciate about the X-HF1 is finding the “right” Film Simulation or Filter, combined with the “best” White Balance, to convey the mood of the scene most appropriately. The X half is so simple that a three-year-old could use it, but to get the most out of it requires thinking a little more deeply about things that are easily taken for granted. It’s been one of the most simple yet most challenging cameras I’ve ever used—the paradox I mentioned in the opening sentence.
The X half is capable of recording video, but it’s very mediocre. Someone will use it creatively just to prove the point that it can be done, but I think Fujifilm probably should have just left off video, which would have made an interesting statement. Or else, maybe do a faux 8mm thing with sprockets and light leaks and such—that would have been really cool. Food for thought for the next iteration, if there is one someday.
Who should consider buying this camera? I think there are a few obvious answers. First, the X-HF1 has a foot in both the X-series and the Instax world. For those unaware, Instax is bigger than X and GFX combined. I talked to a bunch of people—probably close to ten—who own an Instax camera yet don’t own any X-series model, and they were all highly interested in the X half. Six different people told me that it’s the only Fujifilm camera they want, aside from Instax. The X half is an obvious bridge into the X-series for these folks. Also, some people who shoot point-and-shoot film cameras but are tired of the cost of film will find this to be an intriguing option. At $25 to $50+ per roll (including development and scanning), it won’t take long for the X half to pay for itself. The X-HF1 is sort of like a digital 110 camera, and almost lomography-esque, so it’s not difficult to see the appeal. Third, digicams are all the rage right now among younger people, and this camera can be considered in that category, too.
Above: Various pictures captured with the Fujifilm X half
What about current X-series photographers? What about someone like me? The camera is a blast. It’s so much fun. But it’s a toy. It’s not a serious camera for serious photography (I’m sure someone will use it in a serious way just to prove the point that it can be). It’s great for casual snapshots. I used it extensively during nearly three weeks of travel, and it was my most-used camera during that time, even more than my Fujifilm X100VI. I have so many more pictures that I could share, this is only a small sampling. It’s so easy to always have on you, and I would rather use the X half than my iPhone, if only for the tactile experience and Fujifilm colors. If you think you’d enjoy it, it’s probably worthwhile to get. If you wonder why anyone would buy it, it’s probably not for you, and it’s easy to move on.
The biggest criticism is going to be the price. In America, the X half is a steep $850. Across the rest of the world, it’s roughly equivalent to $700 USD. Unfortunately, this was the first camera to include the new tariffs in the price (although Canon and Nikon have just implemented some price increases, and Sony will soon, too), so it’s a bit shocking. Some people will say it should be $200 or $300, and that’s highly unrealistic—just absurd and not even close to any level of reality. Some will say it should be $500, and I’d agree with that if it were pre-Covid; however, there’s been a lot of inflation since then. I believe that $650 to $700 is a fair price. $850 is a little much, but that’s largely not Fujifilm’s fault; hopefully the tariff situation will get resolved soon, and Fujifilm can drop the price to where it should be. I don’t know if that will happen, though, and if the camera sells really well at its current price, there may not be a reason to reduce it.
Above: Various diptych pictures captured with the Fujifilm X half
The last thing that I want to address is the inability to use Film Simulation Recipes with this camera. Recipes are a pretty big thing in the Fujifilm world—the brand-new X-E5 actually uses the word “Recipe” in the camera menu. I appreciate excellent straight-out-of-camera results. While I would love to be able to customize the looks more in the X half, you can still get good picture aesthetics with the limited tools available in the camera. The photography continuum has been leaning towards less editing for a few years now, and this camera is just a natural and seemingly inevitable expression of that.
There’s a lot to like about the Fujifilm X half, and a lot that can be questioned. You have to accept the camera for what it is and forgive it for not being what it’s not; otherwise, it might grind on your nerves. But, for certain, the camera is very enjoyable, and it offers a unique shooting experience not found anywhere else. If you want the X half experience, you have to have an X half. But that unique experience will not appeal to everyone, and maybe not even to most X-series photographers. I do believe this camera will be quite successful, and will bring many people into the X-series fold, mainly from groups that the camera industry has largely ignored. This will be the first X-series camera for a number of people, and someday some of those people will upgrade to a more premium model, perhaps an X-M5, X-E5, or X100VI. I think all of that is very good. It’s quite obvious to me that the Fujifilm X-HF1 will be a trendy camera, especially among younger photographers, and you’re soon going to see X half pictures all over TikTok and Instagram.
This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.
Fujifilm X half in black:
Amazon, B&H, Nuzira
Fujifilm X half in silver:
Amazon, B&H, Nuzira
Fujifilm X half in charcoal:
Amazon, B&H
Those are wonderful photos, Ritchie, and suggest to me that the X half in the right hands is not just fun but also really capable and very liberating. I’m going to have to review my earlier decision of reluctantly passing on the camera! About the lack of recipe-ability in the film simulations: much though I love the simulations in X-series and the GFX-series (and I use your Portras and Reala Ace and Kodachromes all the time) I think that limiting the choice a bit is truer to the idea of being locked in to a particular film in the 36-54-72 challenges as your daughter called them, and restricting choice a bit does at least take away some of the decision paralysis. You maybe don’t want too much of that to slow down the immediacy factor in a camera like this. One question: what is the app you used to frame the shots and diptychs in your post? In the absence of built-in framing it would be great for me to use your framing look—if you are happy to disclose it, of course!
I think the lack of Recipe abilities is intentional for the sake of simplicity. This camera is meant to be easy for those who have no experience with Fujifilm cameras (and maybe cameras in general), yet still produce quintessential Fujifilm aesthetics.
I didn’t necessarily find it to be liberating so much as challenging, but in a good way. Maybe that’s the same thing. I found myself considering specific ISO, White Balance, Exposure and Film Sim/Filter choices just a little more thoughtfully, which is a good thing, I think, and can carry over into my other cameras.
As for the app, it’s called Whitagram. I know it’s available for iPhone, not sure about Android. I use it to add a square frame to my photos for IG, so I can include both tall and wide pictures in the same post. Because it is square, I then use the Photos app on my iPhone to crop to 3:2. Not the most ideal solution, but it works.
Yes, I see what you mean about liberating / challenging. Much though I’m tempted to go out right now and buy the X Half I’ll probably hold off after all. Not because of any reservations about the Half — I think it is a brilliant and fun concept — but because X-Pro is my main system and if they bring out an X-Pro 3 successor that I like as much or more than the 3 that will be my treat, even though it will most likely mean waiting till next year for release if it ever happens. Thanks for the Whitagram app info: I might yet give in to temptation!
My best guess (and it’s just a guess) is that the next X-Pro will be in the spring of next year, about nine months from now.
Initially I was skeptical, but as I was reading your review I realized that’s exactly how I like to shoot events like street festivals. Wander, shoot jpg, no edits. That’s how I use my x70.
See, I was the other way around. Initially I was excited, but the more I learn, it’s just not the right fit. In rumors season, I was very excited by this. The size and ergos look like a lot of fun, and a tiny Fuji–not just “small for an ILC” like the X-E5, but actually tiny–is really tempting as a concept. And the battery life seems fantastic–same battery as their big cameras, but a much smaller sensor and no EVF just squeezes so many more shots out of it.
But then the lens was a tad wide for vertical format (I think the 31mm equivalent is fine for horizontal, but vertical just lets in too much sky. I’d prefer 35-37 for vertical). And the processor has a few too few choices. Part of what I find key about Fuji is not just the top-level Film Simulation, but being able to tweak the shadows and highlights, the white balance, the color chrome effects, the noise reduction, the sharpness, and so forth. All the little details that make a particular recipe truly personal. That’s what I want out of Fuji. And the Xhalf doesn’t really deliver. Those are the big two. An awkward-for-me focal length, and not having all the customization I want.
There’s a few other details. A duller flash than ideal and no hot shoe. Video capabilities that make Pentax look advanced. Lack of Raw is also a little frustrating (every now and again, you’re in B&W mode, and something in the most perfect colors comes along, and you just miss it).
And while price is a factor, it’s not dire. It’s just a hair steep for something that doesn’t exactly fit what I want. If it was cheaper I might compromise, but given the price is what it is, I just don’t want to miss out on what I’d consider essential. Maybe if there weren’t those idiotic tariffs… but if wishes were horses…
Some folks just seem like they want to be mad, and are saying completely asinine things about prices, possibly just for the memes, but still. For me, I’m just frustrated that this is so close to what I want. I’ve said elsewhere that there isn’t necessarily a big gap between a beginner camera and a camera that an experienced shooter looking for a casual process in a side-piece camera… but the Xhalf hews a bit too close to the beginner end, falls just a little short for me. If it wasn’t so close I wouldn’t mind so much.
I was a lot more excited before the announcement, when less was known. The more I learned, the less I liked it, but I still wanted to try it. Definitely not a camera for everyone, and nobody should feel bad about passing on it. I don’t think current X-series photographers are the target market (but some will still enjoy it for sure—I enjoy it). I hope the X half is just the first in a series to use the 1″ sensor, and something more like an X20 or X30 is in the works. It might depend on the success of this camera, though.
I just keep thinking… this COULD have been for both Instax fans looking for their first X, but also for established X-shooters.
That small size with a full power processor? It’d be a massive winner.
If I had been asked for my input on the design, I would have suggested a number of changes. But I wasn’t asked. I also have to remember, and I think it’s very clear, that the camera wasn’t designed for me (or someone similar), so I cannot expect it to fulfill all of my desires. Perhaps some future camera will be designed with someone like me in mind, which will obviously be significantly different. Of course, I’d love if Fujifilm ever asked for my input on such a camera….
The X70 is an excellent little camera. I hope Fujifilm makes an X80 someday.
I was 50/50 on my decision to buy one or not. But I just ordered one based on your review and example images. I like the impressionistic ephemeral look of these (without necessarily needing to use a recipe; this can also be positive). All my digital cameras are Fujifilm: GFX 50R, GFX 100 II, GFX 100 RF, X-H2, X-T3, X100V. I also shoot film from 35mm to 4×5.
So why would I still want this one? I like the playfulness and the design philosophy behind it. This is going to be my ‘take with me everywhere and anywhere camera’ (regardless of whether I have any of my other cameras with me or not) to make serendipitous spontaneous images where I don’t need to be in photography mode all the time but yet still want to satisfy the need to collect pictures of the world around me, and produce images that also have potential to be used for creative projects but that don’t need to be taken too seriously in the moment of taking them.
I think this is going to be an excellent tool for that.
“This is going to be my ‘take with me everywhere and anywhere camera’ (regardless of whether I have any of my other cameras with me or not) to make serendipitous spontaneous images where I don’t need to be in photography mode all the time but yet still want to satisfy the need to collect pictures of the world around me, and produce images that also have potential to be used for creative projects but that don’t need to be taken too seriously in the moment of taking them.”
👆 This is said better than I did. You are exactly right. I do think the images could be great for a coffee table book or something like that.
I concur, very well said PhilS
I don’t know where exactly is the idea that Bayer requires more noise reduction than X-trans. I think it’s about same, but the nature of the noise changes a bit.
If there’s a good article explaining this I am all ears but not quite my experience.
It’s about the quality (or aesthetic) of the noise on Bayer vs X-Trans, rather than the amount. X-Trans noise is more pleasant (and even more film-grain-like) than Bayer, and that’s because it’s easier to identify, which allows its rendering to be better controlled. So it’s more about whether the noise is pleasant or unpleasant, and if it’s unpleasant, more NR is necessary. I personally find Bayer noise to be less pleasant than X-Trans. I even see it on my GFX (which is Bayer), but it’s a lot more buried under all that resolution so it’s less noticeable (but still noticeable if you look close enough).
I don’t have a link to share. I’d have to dig around the internet for awhile. But it’s something that Fujifilm has said more than once in interviews, probably a few years (or more) back. One place to look is the DPR comparison tool. Pick four cameras, one of them being X-Trans, and look at the high-ISO noise—not the amount, but the quality (the look or aesthetic) of it. It’s pretty obvious, and sometimes even the APS-C sensor will look better at (say) ISO 6400 than some full-frame at the same ISO (again, not the amount, but the quality). I hope that makes sense.
Some of it makes sense 🙂
I think X-trans does have its benefits. Like you said for detail from more green photo sites. It has its cons- like lack of color resolution in some cases.
Both Bayer and X-trans are compromises and I like X-trans too.
I see some of what you are saying, but I have seen some rather well controlled Bayer too. Anyway, thanks for reading and replying.
I will say this: OM Systems in the latest OM-3/OM-1 has an amazingly well controlled chroma noise reduction- even better than Fuji with X-trans at the highest ISO’s. The Fuji Is still really good- I think this is because they added some AI noise reduction – and to some extent if you look carefully you can see some signs of it (which is not exactly good), but the Chroma control is outstanding.
I am hoping Fuji for the next generation of CPU figures out a way to really suppress all chroma at the highest ISO’s. Would expand the shooting envelope.
I forgot to say – I wish the XE5 had the film roll mode. Would have been wonderful. This is one of the most interesting things of the X-Half.
From all reviews and everything I have read my main issue with the X-half is that in implementing its concept (which I think it’s great), seems to be not so fast… where I think a camera like this going after mechanical analog experience should respond pretty fast.
I wonder how fast it is to shoot in manual AF mode, in film roll mode using the zone focus interface. If the camera can at least take a shot instantly while in MF mode, that would be great.
It takes a moment to save the picture, especially if Grain is set to anything other than Off. Definitely not a speedy camera. I never felt I missed any shots because if it, though.
Not Xhalf specifically… but Sepia shouldn’t be a discrete film simulation.
Acros and Monochrome both have toning options, and if the toning isn’t extreme enough, it could be an option like Color Chrome Effect or Grain Effect, where it’s applied on top of an existing B&W set of preferences. I don’t really feel much of a need for Sepia, but I know some folks like it, and it seems well suited to simply being an option within the other B&W sims.
Imagine getting rid of Sepia, but adding… I dunno, Orthochromatic B&W as a third style of B&W film.
I agree. I think they keep it because it was one of the original film sims, but it became obsolete once they introduced Monochromatic Color. And it’s the least popular. A new film sim (I have a number of ideas myself) should replace it.
What if grain is set to OFF, and you are doing MF either in film roll mode or normal? Does it respond to the shutter fast if you are in manual focus?
Thanks in advance and thanks for pointing out the delay if you have grain on.
The camera isn’t a speed demon and isn’t intended to be. There are definitely better options if that is the priority. I never felt I missed a shot and that was with Grain. But I’m ok with slowing down, it doesn’t bother me personally. If it would bother you, this probably isn’t the camera to get.
I agree fully with you Ritchie, with monochromatic settings available, Sepia should go and make room for a better film simulation.
Like a full revemp of the Advanced filters should be done. Interesting new filters have been introduced with the Instax Evo and X-Half.
I wonder this time if at last Instax team has worked and shared ideas with X-designers. Crossed fingers they have done so for a change….
By the way firmware updates for printing from our latest gen X and GFC Cameras to latest gen Instax BT printers especially the Wide one are way overdue !
I hope thanks to the X-Half they wilk work on it.
I would like to see the Advanced Filters get a refresh. It’s long overdue.
It’s a shame that printing directly to Instax isn’t available on most X and GFX cameras. I asked why, and got “it’s complicated” as a response. Not sure what that means, but I hope they figure it out soon.
Well I do not know why it’s that complicated, as the X-S10 got it and can print to the Instax Wide Printer directly. But the X-S10 is the only model to get it. Not even the X-S20 🤯
I think it is more linked to a marketing issue (will not be the first time).
Nevertheless during my long and nice discussion with Kunio and Shin who were present at the Fujikina Brussels event (great moment by the way and to be able to meet both of them in person), I requested for a major update on that ground, among other things.
I hope it will go to the designers / firmware engineers and get it through.
But they are small teams and already have a lot in their agenda + major priorities.
Let’s see and continue to request for them 🤞
I think the “it’s complicated” comment was more about the people/departments involved than the tech itself. But I’m not certain if that is what was meant.
Hello ritchie! To the flash photography section, on the left side picture which the red flower on the lake. What kind of film simulation that you used?
Classic Negative
Hi Ritchie
For a long time, I have been following your work—truly impressive! As an owner of the first X100 (which I still use occasionally), I tried out the X Half during a photowalk and was completely thrilled by the film mode. On a whim, I bought it for only that very reason.
Unfortunately, I only noticed later that the Fuji X-Half does not allow limiting the ISO to a maximum value in film mode, nor does it provide any kind of warning.
You already know what that means: In low-light situations, the camera automatically increases to very high ISO values (up to ISO 12,800), which results in extremely poor image quality on the small sensor.
I am currently in a dispute with my dealer, who doesn’t even want to send the camera to Fuji. He claims this is normal for such a camera…
The film mode of the Fuji X-Half is an important (if not the most important) unique selling point of this camera and was advertised by Fujifilm as a digital reminiscence of the analog photography experience.
Fuji is so clearly contradicting its advertising promise and, as a result, the camera has become worthless to me.
Because as everyone knows: With a classic camera using real film, the ISO sensitivity is fixed by the film used and cannot be varied. For example, a light meter can warn you if the light is insufficient for the current film. If I take a picture in such a situation anyway, the image will either be underexposed (or black), or I would have to switch to a more light-sensitive film.
Do you have any idea if this is actually intended from Fuji or if it’s a bug?
Warm regards and continued success with X Weekly!
Bruno
I think it is intentional (not a bug), but it’s also something that they might fix via firmware if enough people ask for it. Seems like it would be an easy and welcomed update.
I share you remark and concerned Bruno.
On initial trials / image review of the X-Half at the Fujikina Brussels event I tested, I was at very puzzled by very poor quality of my indoor shots in film mode. Indeed very high ISO, extra very grany, unsusable images, like with a poor digicam. Surprising.
Upon other trials the next day in the open and bright sunshine, the images given by the X-Half where very pleasant. Quite a contrast at base / lower ISO.
Bayer + 1″ sensor did not help for sure. In fact the X-Half gave pretty much the same result as the Instax Wide Evo in sale light conditions (I’m still pretty sure they both share a lot in common – hardware and firmware).
So it would be nice that in next firmware update for the X-Half, in the film mode you can choose and set for the duration of the ‘role’ the ISO.
After all if this mode is to emulate a film, then the ISO must be fixed at the start to, like for the film simulation used.
And not be variable like it is now.
This will truly give back all the feelings of using a film.
Thanks a lot Ritchie for the review.
I’m glad you get one offered by Fujifilm 👍👌
And very nice pictures taken with it. Congrats.
As I said in my review in previous post, it is a super fun camera to use. As you wrote, it flow you down.
I still feel its DNA is coming from the Instax Wide Evo (which I have). The core public is indeed for people using Instax and who may go for the first time to X-camera. I can understand their interests.
During the Fujikina Brussels event, all the people I’ve talk to and many have already a X or GFX camera love the X-Half.
But not its starting selling price though.
I’ll wait until end of this year hopping for the traditional rebates Fujifilm is proposing.
I hope the X-Half will be in it with a good discount. If so I’ll consider to buy one as it is super fun to use.
To note that SmallRig is producing very nice accessories for the X-Half and in the different colours:
* Leather cases (compatible with the below lenshood)
* Handgrips (wood or silicone)
* Thumbgrip (new X 3D diamond way model which is found also for the X-E5 – you can like it or not – at least the SmallRig logo is not anymore present on the flash shoe)
* UV and variable ND filters (magnetic attachment)
* Lenshood (fixed via a screw, quite old nice way) and compatible with the above filters + leather cases.
SmallRig made them well and quite clever. It may enhance a lot for some (like me) the X-Half ergonomics.
I think it is indeed some (or maybe mostly) Instax technology inside.
I’ll have to take a look at the SmallRig accessories. Thanks for the tip!
Welcome. I’m planning to buy some of those if I ever pick up a X-Half. Especially the handgrip and UV magnetic filter. It is a petty thought that SmallRig do not make the lenshood in Charcoal Silver, as the X-Half is looking very nice in that colour.
Hey Ritchie. Great site overall. You are an important part of the fujifilm community! Great rundown of the half here. Im a veteran fuji shooter and shoot a lot of film too. I’ve even shot a couple half frame film cameras. So even though the half is neither fish nor fowl for some reason i really had to have one. Iv been playing with it for a few days and agree with much that has been written/observed/experienced with this camera. It’s cute, it’s a blast to play with, it gets one in experimental mode. Whether it ends up being something i use long term or just a passing fancy remains to be seen. If fuji ever asks your opinion 1 they have GOT to incorporate the jpeg tweaks that allow film sims. For THIS camera of all cameras to not have it is egregious. 2 they have to do something about power management. When im shooting film I never have to worry about missing a shot because my camera turned itself off. Jeez. 3 if my film camera’s film is wound or not and ready to shoot next frame it’s easy to determine just by thumbing the winder. With this camera in film mode you don’t really know if it’s cranked and ready or not. Relying on that peripheral led is ridic. Which leads me to 4 ive used a lot of different types of film cameras and every single damn one of them gives you SOMETHING in the viewfinder. A reticle, a match needle, a couple LEDs, a projected SS. Jeez fuji yall know that. If there is a v2 they have GOT to address this. And that could tell you whether the damn thing is wound or not. And finally 5 they need to put a little window on top plate (like xe5)for frame count. Youre the greatest bro keep it coming.
I appreciate it! Fujifilm does read this website from time-to-time, I hope they see your comment. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Hi Cdlinz, thx for the comments and excellent remarks + suggestions 👍
I would wish for them too when trying the X-Half. I hope they will find a way to be incorporated in the X-HF2, if ever Fujifilm produce a second version.
Annoying follow up: I just made a special trip across town (Athens GA) to catch the golden hour with the half. I mean the camera has a really special quality that makes one want to play with it. And that in itself is the most important thing for a camera like this. Fuji absolutely nailed that aesthetic. You’re not really practicing photography if you’re just sitting at home watching youtube videos about photography. BUT three more things I forgot to mention in my ‘needs improvement’. 1 Everybody agrees the flash is a fail fail fail. How in the hell did this get by a company like fuji? With the limited low light shooting envelope a good reliable flash is absolutely essential. OMG!!! 2 i think i can understand fuji’s rationale for making it jpeg only but the capacity to shoot raw would really expand the shooting envelope and would also win over a lot of folks for whom I imagine this is a big sticking point 3 in general i like 28ish mm as a versatile FL but in a ‘half frame’ camera that is just too wide. Lens should be in the 38-45 range. Ok that’s it. I’m a veteran ‘street’ photographer. If you’re curious im Linz.cd on insta. I just gave fujixweekly a follow. Cheers.
Hi 🙂
I just wanted to say that as a slightly younger, female user of the Instax cameras, the X Half DOES peek my interest in the way that you predicted it might.
For someone (like me) who wants to point and shoot most of the time, but also wants to create images with a “film like effect” and share those images on social media easily, this camera is great; it’s stylish to look at, and would offer me fun options to play with without a lot of techy hardware to learn. But what reeeally appeals to me is the Film Camera Mode, which would be a fabulous way to capture in-the-moment memories from travel, or nights out, without the ability to see what’s been taken until the photos are “developed” – the fun and spontaneity of a deposable camera, with the sharability of a camera phone and the look of film prints? Yes, please.
The way I enjoy taking photos is often a bit looked down upon by people who clearly consider themselves “proper photographers” and in reading reviews for this camera to find out if it’s for me, I’ve seen lots of people argue that this camera is pointless, and that one should either just use their phone, or use a REAL film camera.
I just wanted to say that I appreciate the way you acknowledged all us amateurs who want a fun approach to photography. Thank you for deeming us worthy of enjoying a film camera look, without treating us as frauds! It’s so important to allow lesser-skilled people into the world of photography, and to embrace the growing need for sharability, without making people feel silly or unworthy.
The price tag does indeed make me wince, but this camera combines so much of what I’m looking for in regards to results with the fun creative options (and limitations!) that I enjoy. Thank you for finding space for consumers like us in your review!
There’s no right or wrong way to do photography, only what works for you. It’s too bad that people will look down on others for not doing it the “right” way (which is often their way), but it is best to ignore them, and just be authentic to you. Enjoy your X half, it is a lot of fun, and all those who poo-poo on it have no idea what they’re missing out on. I appreciate your kind message!