The Fujifilm X Half dropping to an all-time low price of just AU$798 during Black Friday is sorely tempting

I got into photography late in life – by then it was the digital age, so I didn't indulge in any film photography. It's always interested me, but the cost of having to buy film and getting them processed... that was too much for me.

And then Fujifilm released the X Half earlier this year and I sat up to pay attention. Since its launch, I've been wanting to get myself this quirky little camera and was tempted by its early Black Friday price drop to AU$918 recently.

Thank goodness I held off because the Fujifilm X Half is now going for AU$798 and I'm sorely tempted to take the plunge. Will it get cheaper? I wouldn't hold my breath – this 41% discount is fantastic already and, at this price, stock is going to disappear real quick.

Save 41% (AU$551)

Fujifilm X Half: was AU$1,349 now AU$798 at Amazon

This is a massive saving on a fantastic little camera that emulates film photography. Resembling the X100VI, the X Half has some unique features, including 2-in-1 diptychs and a dedicated 'film camera mode' for the experience of shooting with a half-frame film camera.

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Also called the X-HF1, we've given the Fujifilm X Half our own names here at DCW. We've called it "quirky", "fun" and "playful". What that means is this camera isn't for the serious photographer – it's for those who want the experience of shooting film without the cost of film and development.

I definitely wouldn't buy this at full price, but at under AU$800, it's arguably worth it for some of photographers like me – someone who wants to have a little fun between the serious shoots. In fact, I'm hoping this camera will return some of the passion I've been losing for photography.

I don't care that it's spec sheet doesn't read like a powerhouse camera, I'm keen on trying to capture 3:4 vertical shots which, for me, will be a challenge in framing as I've never shot with a half-frame camera before. And guess what, this orientation is perfect for social media too!

I love the fact that it uses a fixed pancake lens that has the same focal length as Fujifilm disable QuickSnap cameras, with an f/2.8. But this small lens manages to squeeze in a focus ring and a manual aperture ring – that's brilliant engineering!

As mentioned previously, there's a film camera mode on board where you can choose the number of frames you want to shoot (like you would when buying a roll), and as you start shooting, you can't go back or review your shot – exactly like on a film camera.

To keep that experience going, you can then 'develop' the 'roll' in the Fujifilm X Half app where you can also create 2-in-1 diptychs. Uh huh, really want this one!