The Fujifilm X-Half: A Beautiful VIBE Camera

Words and Images by Jerred Zegelis

Photography today? It’s pretty much perfect. Sharp lenses. Fast sensors. Instant results. But perfection isn’t always inspiring. Sometimes, you want something slower. Weirder. Something with soul.

Enter the Fujifilm X-Half: a compact mirrorless digital camera built not around specs, but around vibes.

This is a camera for people, chasing feelings over pixels. For people who love a good light leak. For anyone who’s ever missed film, not because it was better, but because it meant more.

What makes it different?

• Half-frame format: 18MP 1-inch sensor with vertical orientation made for storytelling in today’s vertical digital world.
• Film camera mode: Choose 36, 54, or 72 exposures. Use a manual crank to advance your “roll.” You shoot, then “develop” in the X-Half app later.
• Film simulations and filters: The classic film simulations Fujifilm is known for is here, as well as cool filters such as halation, light leak, and more to replicate the film look.
• 2-in-1 Mode: Take two vertical photos and the camera will place them side-by-side. Also works for videos!
• Optical vertical viewfinder: Tiny, quirky, imperfect. But it adds to the charm.

You won’t find blazing autofocus here or the most responsive body on earth, but what you will find is a reason to slow down, to shoot for the joy of it. With this in mind, I took the X-Half out for a spin around Omaha in the Blackstone and Benson neighborhoods. Here is a sample of from my excursion:

Who’s it for?

• It’s for the photographer who has all the best cameras, but wants something WILDLY different than other cameras out there.
• It’s for the burnt-out pro looking to fall in love with a impossibly small, light Fujifilm camera without complications.
• It’s for the curious photographer looking to have a whole new experience with photography.
• It’s for the nostalgic sould looking to recapture even a sliver of the film days without the chemicals, film cost and scanning.
• It’s for those who love unique ways to express yourself. With all the filters and fun simulations available, there’s no limit to your creativity.
• You won’t buy this camera for its spec sheet, you’ll buy it because it makes you feel like a young, hip photographer again, wandering the streets with your friends and a pocket camera that somehow made everything magical.

Should you get one?

We’re here (we’ve been here for 50 years) - so come try it out at Rockbrook Camera.It might just be your next weird, wonderful creative companion.

For more information about local photographer, Jerred Zegelis and to see his work, visit his website - https://jerredz.com/about/

Take a class with us at Rockbrook Camera EDU, check out our class calendar!