p.1 #1 · Fuji X-Half Initial Impressions ... what are yours?
Sorry not gonna post any pics (yet)... but just got the X Half so extremely initial impressions. All my subjective experience after 30 mins!
*SIZE: Wow ... it's TINY. Like very very small even in my smaller hands. Like fly out of my hand small. Am thinking the custom Smallrig grip will be perfect. It's def. as pocketable as a GR3 or even Canon G15/16 or a Sony RX100.
*Image quality is higher than expected compared to most of the YouTube reviews ... I'm also shooting it as clean as possible without any effects / grain. I'm not a pixel peeper and know what I'm working with so wasn't expecting it to look amazing ... but I'm happy for what it is.
*Touch screen seems more responsive than review / pre-production units.
*Design ... I like it a lot ... it's like a Fuji and a Leica had a premature baby. Very cute.
*Vertical sensor ... I like the idea of something different ... and I like having to turn it sideways for landscape.
*The fake lever ... it has more resistance/spring than I expected. I expected it to be really really really bad based off most all reviews.
*The OVF with no info ... jamming my eyeball into it, I can't see the green confirmation light (it's to the left of the OVF) that I'm in focus (on what who knows until after) so just have to semi-jam my eyeball in there.
*LCD ... good enough for what it is ... makes it a lot more exciting to see it on a big phone.
*Back to IQ on a 5K monitor ... wow it doesn't look like trash (just don't zoom in). Pretty good actually. I mean I just got done viewing GFX100RF and A7CR massive files before it arrived if that says anything.
Initial vibe on is it worth keeping for $900 (after taxes)? Yes ... as in I didn't have that "oh gosh this sucks what a waste" feeling yet. But, maybe in a week or so will feel that way, we will see.
PS: Didn't have time to try the "film camera" mode so will try that tomorrow.
p.1 #2 · Fuji X-Half Initial Impressions ... what are yours?
I love Fuji- I also love impractical camera- Leica M11- Leica Q3- x100’s, RF etc.
This is the most overpriced camera that provides nothing useful except a compact size. This should be a 300 dollar camera.
It feels like a camp snap camera and honestly the files aren’t that far off from it.
Spend 60 bucks and get a camp snap or get an XM-5. This thing is a gimmick unless priced accordingly.
Sorry for the hot take but it’s shocking they put an 850 dollar price tag on this. I am 100% ok with over spending on camera gear but this is pretty out of bounds for what you get IMO-
p.1 #3 · Fuji X-Half Initial Impressions ... what are yours?
Oh I like it ... we will see if I $900 like it hahaha.
I literally have to ignore what I spent on this to enjoy it ... and will return/sell it in a heartbeat as soon as the novelty wears off if and when.
The only way it will be worth $900 for me is if I shoot a LOT with it and only time will tell. Taking photos is worth a lot more to me than NOT taking photos. I'm on this kick of trying to make the best photos I can with lower spec cameras (yes, I realize this is the most expensive low spec camera I could use ). And I 10000000% have to have an EVF or OVF.
But 100% agree the price is way off ... honestly should probably be in the $399 range IMO. Kind of like a Fuji gateway drug ... I could NEVER recommend it to anyone at $900, unless they had lost all hope in life and were desperate to make photography fun again they were willing to try anything.
It totally looks like a toy for sure. After I get my fix, time will tell if I keep this silly little thing.
p.1 #4 · Fuji X-Half Initial Impressions ... what are yours?
I played with a demo in Japan a few weeks back. The demo's materials felt kind of subpar for a Fuji's. I guess it's fine for an entry level fun camera but I was still expecting a bit better.
One thing that stood out was the tiny LCD. No RAW shooting is a negative, but not a dealbreaker.
I thought the OVF was very clean and clear. Really fun to shoot with.
I will likely pick up a used one when I can find one at a good price. I enjoy quirky compact cameras like that.
p.1 #5 · Fuji X-Half Initial Impressions ... what are yours?
Is it just me or... something is going on with this OVF, a LOT of shots are significantly off center. It says it's like 80% coverage, but it's almost like it's 80% to the left and the missing 20% is on the right.
I have figured out one solution ... taking a TINY piece of vinyl/tape and figuring out the true center and putting it over the front of the OVF window. So it serves as a "center" point.
Am hoping it's user error and I can be told how to use my eyeball properly ... but kinda seems like a major parallax problem because there's no frame lines and the OVF is physically 1-2 inches off center from the lens.
p.1 #6 · Fuji X-Half Initial Impressions ... what are yours?
I know this is more of a gear forum, but photography doesn't always have to be about the gear. For many, it's about the process of creating. Analyzing specs and pixel peeping isn't fun for me...the act of photography is. I've had an M11 and sold it because a Ricoh is the better street tool for me. A high res camera with perfect glass is great for landscape. Fast cams are great for action...etc. The X-Half is just a novelty camera. It's to have fun being creative with it. I'll probably pick one up at some point just to mess around with it. I'm glad Fuji is trying to make new products, even if some are hit or miss. It's not that deep lol.
p.1 #7 · Fuji X-Half Initial Impressions ... what are yours?
Nick Dakota wrote:
I know this is more of a gear forum, but photography doesn't always have to be about the gear. For many, it's about the process of creating. Analyzing specs and pixel peeping isn't fun for me...the act of photography is. I've had an M11 and sold it because a Ricoh is the better street tool for me. A high res camera with perfect glass is great for landscape. Fast cams are great for action...etc. The X-Half is just a novelty camera. It's to have fun being creative with it. I'll probably pick one up at some point just to mess around with it. I'm glad Fuji is trying to make new products, even if some are hit or miss. It's not that deep lol. ...Show more →
I agree-
I would own one happily for 300 bucks- The price point is just out of line. If you haven’t already, give the CampSnap camera look. Super cool and only 60 bucks! When I played with the Fuji, it felt like the camp snap minus the screen-
I do like that Fuji is bringing new ideas to the table though. I like the idea of this one and wish it was executed a little bit better by Fuji.
p.1 #10 · Fuji X-Half Initial Impressions ... what are yours?
It’s quite liberating to not have to feel the need to edit every photo I take, but is anyone having problems connecting to the wifi to dow load photos to the xhalf app? It connects 1/20 tries seemingly even with my phone and camera right next to each other despite unpairing and pairing again, running latest firmware.
Update - deleting the iphone app, reinstalling from scratch and repairing (not repairing alone) fixed the issue, whatever it was).
p.1 #11 · Fuji X-Half Initial Impressions ... what are yours?
Quick X Half Update after more usage....
1) I enjoy using it ... took me awhile to figure out why but it comes down to this: it's nostalgic. But, not nostalgic in the way you'd expect. Basically it reminds me of the first years of photography, where I would experiment especially with many mundane things.
2) Image quality ... it's more than good enough for #1. In fact, the small sensor with ok lens plays into the whole capturing memories.
3) Video ... I shoot video for a living ... and I've been surprised how it's fun creating short little diptych video clips to share with friends/fam ... going back to #1.
4) Ergonomics ... I added some mouse grip tape that makes holding it no problem, and looks a bit more premium actually especially with a quality shutter release and cold shoe cover. The Smallrig add on grip should ship soon so should add some weight.
5) Build quality .... I compared my black X Half to a Charcoal .... and I swear the black one feels more premium/sturdy on the top plate. No idea why....
6) Ovf ... the parallax is really bad, but I somewhat solved this by slicing a very thin piece of electrical tape and putting it over the top of the front of the OVF to give me a center reference point that helps.
7) I hate taking photos using the LCD on any camera unless I have to ... oddly, I don't mind as much with this one.
8) Vertical as default ... I rarely shoot vertical ... so this has helped me see things a bit differently, and can just turn the camera for landscape to fit the scene.
9) The Fuji App ... works seamlessly and pretty fast and I like the design.
10) Film Mode ... I actually have never tried this yet! So next on the list.
11) I love the design more and more....
Current conclusion subject to change: I'm going to keep it. It's fun enough and whatever the $900 is a sunk cost at this point. I still believe it should be a $499 camera, a gateway drug into the Fuji system for non-Fuji users, and a "heck why not?" for current Fuji users. But it's not ... it's similar price to many other awesome alternatives used/new.
I wouldn't recommend anyone to buy it ... but I definitely recommend people to try it.
p.1 #12 · Fuji X-Half Initial Impressions ... what are yours?
Are you able to share links to some images straight from camera using some of the new filter effects such as halation and expired film? I'm interested in seeing the new metadata tag values.
p.1 #15 · Fuji X-Half Initial Impressions ... what are yours?
I played with it in the store today and also have a Camp Snap. To compare the two is silly, the Camp Snap feels like a disposable camera while the Fuji feels super nice in hand. And that’s before discussing image quality.
Huge downer that it does not have a real flash, nor can use one. Which is why I put it back w/o inquiring about the price.
But now you kids say it is $900 For one or for two?…
p.1 #17 · Fuji X-Half Initial Impressions ... what are yours?
TLDR: I returned the X Half because I couldn't trust the crazy parallax in the OVF with no frame lines to get consistently centered shots. Maybe I could've learned how to get a much higher hit rate, but doubted I could do so within the 30 day return window.
I never would've bought it without the OVF. As well, the OVF puts a big damper on the whole "film mode" as you don't get to find out till later that your shot was way off center until it's too late to correct.
If they make a version 2 down the road, with at least frame lines, I'll be open to trying it again. For now I'll stick with a Ricoh GR3 (with frame lines) or an RX100 with the microscopic pop up EVF.
PS: For anyone who's keeping it, I did try the Smallrig front grip which is fantastic and looks stellar ... adds enough weight to it that it doesn't feel as toy like.
PSS: Technically I returned the X Half twice ... the first one had a hot pixel. A huge difference I noticed in the 2nd one was that the aperture felt oiled/smooth, while the first one I had changing the aperture felt very grippy and fake and toyish.
p.1 #18 · Fuji X-Half Initial Impressions ... what are yours?
Gampat's absurdist sexist review of the camera, along with the worst photos I've ever seen in a camera review, is one of the more insane pieces of published work I've ever seen in this space.
p.1 #19 · Fuji X-Half Initial Impressions ... what are yours?
RoamingScott wrote:
Gampat's absurdist sexist review of the camera, along with the worst photos I've ever seen in a camera review, is one of the more insane pieces of published work I've ever seen in this space.
p.1 #20 · Fuji X-Half Initial Impressions ... what are yours?
This is my final post cause now it's irrelevant for me so here we go!
Wishlist for X Half Mark 2 and I'll buy it again, even at the stupid price:
Hardware:
1) Solution for the insane parallax = adjusting Framelines like the X100's OVF
2) Focus point/box confirmation in OVF plus at least exposure info, SS would be nice
3) Speed the processing up.
4) F2 lens .... it really doesn't need to be as small as it is (in diameter) to remain pocketable, look at the Ricoh and the Sony RX100's.
5) More resistance/simulation to the advance lever.
6) Change the aperture knob to be the focus lever knob for fun manual shooting (focus punch in option) to match 1 above.... and then keep the aperture tactile on the lens like other Fujis.
7) real flash, no LED crap
Software:
8) Raws optional ....... so I can shoot in B&W JPGS but not be locked into B&W permanently.
9) Give me more customization in JPG recipes ie tone curve -- and let me mix the effects like lens flares with film sims.
I could be wrong, but I think they are VERY close to a HUGE hit, even for men.
PS: Ok fine lower the price down to at least $699 with those changes. Current version I think is a strong $499 fun girls night on the town camera.
). And I 10000000% have to have an EVF or OVF. 
For one or for two?…