This is not an exhaustive or deeply technical review. Instead, these are just a few initial thoughts after spending a couple of months exploring the world through a different lens—specifically, the Fujifilm X-HALF.
The Spark: Why I bought it
First of all, the camera is beautiful (Fujifan boy alert, I know). One of the things I admire most about Fujifilm is their design language; in terms of aesthetics, I truly believe no other brand comes close. It’s one of the main reasons I’ve always been drawn to them.
But beyond the looks, what really convinced me to buy it was the desire to chase something different. To challenge myself. To embrace limitations. Sometimes as a photographer, you start to feel a bit bored with routine, and you need a spark to reset your eyes. For me, stepping into a native vertical format, shooting blindly in film mode, and relying strictly on straight-out-of-the-camera JPEGs meant placing myself in circumstances I rarely experience.
It’s a strange 'digital-film' paradox. In an era where we expect instant gratification—checking the screen right after a single click—this camera forces you into a completely different pace. Shooting without immediately knowing the final result brings back a certain nostalgia for the film era. I never actually shot on real rolls of film myself, so this built-in delay is something entirely new, distinct, and exciting. In a world of highly predictable outcomes, different is attractive. At least to me.
How I’m using it: Three different worlds
Lately, this camera is always with me, hanging from my neck strap. It’s small, lightweight, and it proves that the old saying is true: the best camera is the one you always have with you. As cliché as it is to read that phrase for the thousandth time, it honestly holds true. Thanks to this, it has found a permanent place in three very specific areas of my life:
1. Street Photography:
As I mentioned, the size and weight are a massive advantage for carrying it around. Street photography was my first connection to the craft—long before weddings—and it remains my favorite way of staying in shape. It keeps my eyes sharp.
Most of the time, I set the aperture to f/8 to zone-focus and ensure everything is sharp. Honestly, the autofocus is nowhere near what we are used to in modern professional bodies. But hey... this camera has a completely different purpose. Faced with that kind of limitation, you simply have to step up your game.
2. Family Life:
It has become the personal journal I use to document my own family. It turns our daily rituals—the quiet moments at home, my son growing up, our baby settling into the world, and the shared spaces—into tangible memories, without the pressure of “working.
3. Destination Weddings (The Creative Plus):
I’ve slowly started bringing this camera into my professional workflow as a documentary wedding photographer. I wanted a tool capable of delivering a layer of pure nostalgia—images that feel reminiscent of the family photos we grew up looking at in the 80s and 90s. Far from technical perfection, but filled with heart and real character for the wedding stories I tell.
The Balance: What I love & What I don't
After these months, the scale has both positives and negatives. Everything depends on how you choose to look at it.
The Downsides: If we look at the specs under a modern microscope, the sensor is quite small—meaning the file size, sharpness, and overall quality are nowhere near the professional bodies I usually shoot with (heck, even modern smartphones look sharper on paper). The autofocus requires real patience and precision, and the viewfinder might be my least favorite part; a few composition guides would have been nice.
The Upsides: The design, as I mentioned, is flawless. But the real game-changer for me is shooting in JPEG. Not having to edit anything and getting a ready-to-use photo straight out of the camera is incredibly freeing. Plus, Fujifilm's colors are simply out of this world. While I’ve spent most of my life as a loyal Classic Chrome lover, this camera is expanding my taste; I find myself leaning heavily into Acros for monochrome depth, and I’m slowly falling in love with the grit and character of Classic Negative.
More than that, the camera has completely rewired my muscle memory. Because of its half-frame nature, it natively forces a vertical composition—a massive shift for me, considering about 95% of my professional work is strictly horizontal. It became a beautiful, refreshing challenge. It also brought back a true 'film roll' mentality; you just shoot, trust your eye, and resist the urge to look at the screen. Not knowing exactly what you have until you 'develop the film' later in the day has made photography feel mysterious and exciting again.
Ultimately, this little camera isn't about perfection. It's about slowing down and appreciation.
In a world that constantly pushes us to capture everything perfectly, instantly, and flawlessly—maybe we are missing the point. Maybe the magic only happens when we allow ourselves to wait, to look closer, and to accept the flaws.
Looking for an unscripted approach for your wedding day? Whether you are planning an intimate gathering or a destination wedding in Mexico, I’d love to capture your story—flaws, honest moments, and everything in between.