The Fuji X-Half, The Camera Nobody Asked For
The problem with the modern photography mentality...
Old news by internet standards, the Fuji X-Half has had enough time to garner opinions from all the usual suspects. The reviews have been mostly positive and the camera reviewers general consensus is that it’s super fun to use. No menus, crappy video specs, tiny little sensor, 42 dozen film simulations, fixed 40-ish mm equivalent lens, fairly nasty optical viewfinder (nasty as in not as good as real camera optical viewfinders, RAW shooting - who knows, maybe…
Not only did nobody ask for this camera, nobody needs this camera. Nobody should want this camera but I've not heard that from any remotely popular YouTube channel or other photography outlet. Nine-hundred bucks… Yes, inflation of all sorts has made everything more expensive but nine-hundred bucks for a camera that by today’s and yesterday’s standards produces low quality results and it’s main “features” are literally functions that restrict your ability to do things that this low-feature camera can do. Honestly, the pretend restrictions would be better if there were no way to override them. The whole point of this camera and all of its “super fun” features are restrictions and lack of functions, why not commit all the way? Really, why not? Nine-hundred dollars.
I get it. I really do. Last week I ranted more than a little bit regarding that the vast majority of new cameras are really about video prowess that nobody wants or uses. Cameras have grown extremely capable. They’ve also grown extremely complicated with just too much to deal with, too much to think about, in a way distracting with an extreme amount of mental clutter. It’s a relief to use a simple camera but is the X-Half really that simple? Really Really, it’s got multi-function restrictions, yes lots of options to “restrict yourself”. It’s a product oriented solution with multiple modes of operation, yes multiple options being sold as a solution to the problem of too many options. Yep, you can now buy another camera option for nine-hundred bucks that gives you more options to restrict your options.
Go ahead, buy it if this will really help you with your photography. I am serious, if this will get you out of the fog of complexity, help you focus, and get out and make better pictures, buy it. Before hitting the buy-now button beware that unless you get rid of all your other gear it’s just one more option for you. Worse, it has multiple options you can choose to “simplify” your photography life. I’ve got some better suggestions that I beg you to consider before going down the X-half road or even the Fuji X-100 / GFX100RF road.