With the Fujifilm X‑Half recently dipping below the £500 mark (down from its original £699 launch price), I thought it would be fun to explore what else £500 can buy you in 2026 within the Fujifilm X‑Series ecosystem. Can you still find a body‑and‑lens combo that delivers genuine Fuji Magic?
This is a light‑hearted experiment, not a hit‑piece on the X‑Half — which looks like a fun little camera. I simply enjoy championing older Fuji gear and wanted to see what the used market offers today. At the time of writing, the X‑Half is available new at Argos, John Lewis, and Wex for £499.
What Do I Mean by “Fuji Magic”?
When I talk about Fuji Magic, I’m referring to the way certain Fujifilm bodies and lenses render colour, contrast, and micro‑contrast. Some lenses are clinical; others have character.The early XF primes — the 18mm f/2, 23mm f/1.4, 35mm f/1.4, 60mm f/2.4 — are famous for their charm. Even the newer f/2 WR lenses have a clean, modern magic of their own.This challenge focuses on finding combinations that look good, feel good, and produce images with character.
Criteria for the Hunt
- Budget: £500 total
- Lens restriction: Fujifilm lenses only
- Sources: Used camera shops, eBay, Facebook Marketplace
- Approach: Three different set‑ups
- Search window: One single day — Wednesday 6th May 2026
- Preference: Used retailers with warranties
For context, Fujifilm’s lowest‑priced new body is currently the X‑M5 at £759, or £849 with the XC 15‑45mm. A good deal, but personally I’d prefer a prime.
Option 1: Camera Body First
Fujifilm X‑T2 (£379.99) + XC 35mm F2 (£109.99)
Total: £489.98For this option, I prioritised the best body I could find under £400, then paired it with the sharpest lens the remaining budget allowed.
Why this works
The Fujifilm X‑T2 was a flagship in 2016 and still feels fantastic today:
- 24MP X‑Trans III sensor
- Articulating screen
- Dual card slots
- Weather sealing
- Classic Chrome, Acros, Pro Neg
- Excellent build quality
It’s a workhorse with panache.The XC 35mm F2 is a hidden gem. It shares the same optical formula as the XF 35mm F2 — just without the aperture ring, solid metal construction or weather sealing. For £109.99 in excellent condition, it’s excellent value and produces identical image quality.A flagship body + a sharp prime = a very capable £500 setup.
Option 2: Lens First
Fujifilm X‑Pro1 (£274) + XF 50mm F2 (£224)
Total: £498This was the hardest category. I wanted to push the lens budget as close to £250 as possible and find something with real character.
The body
Sub‑£300 bodies are scarce, but MPB delivered an X‑Pro1 for £274 in “Good” condition. There’s some LCD delamination, but it doesn’t affect functionality.The X‑Pro1 remains iconic:
- Hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder
- All‑metal body
- Dual card slots
- The magical 16MP X‑Trans I sensor
- A design that still turns heads
Pick one up — it will make you smile.
The lens
With £226 left, I hunted for something special. The heavy hitters (56mm f/1.2, 35mm f/1.4, 16mm f/1.4) were all out of reach. Even the 18mm f/2 and 60mm f/2.4 had issues at this price point.Enter the XF 50mm F2 — a dark horse.It’s compact, weather‑sealed, sharp, and quietly brilliant. It sits in the shadow of the 56mm f/1.2 and 50mm f/1.0, but it has a crisp, modern rendering that pairs beautifully with the older X‑Pro1 sensor.A blend of old and new. Understated, but full of charm.
Option 3: Fixed‑Lens Compact
Fujifilm X100T — £494
For the final option, I wanted to see what kind of fixed‑lens camera £500 buys in 2026. Premium compacts have skyrocketed in price across all brands, so this was always going to be a challenge.The X‑Half is new, compact, and under £500 — but it uses a 1‑inch sensor and shoots JPEG only. That’s a deal‑breaker for some.I had hoped the Fujifilm X70 might sneak under budget, but no luck.
The reality of the X100 market
Check out my Essential guide to the X100 series for a comprehensive introduction: https://fujimagic.blog/2025/10/10/the-essential-guide-to-the-fujifilm-x100-series-from-the-original-x100-to-the-x100vi/In short – prices remain buoyant. Only the earliest models — the X100, X100S, and X100T — are within reach. These cameras are over a decade old, not weather‑sealed, and tricky to repair, so buying from a specialist with a warranty is wise.I found a ‘Well Used’ X100T for £494 with a 12‑month warranty. More than I’d like to pay, but stock is limited and demand is high.
Why the X100T still shines
- APS‑C sensor
- Classic 23mm f/2 lens
- Beautiful skin tones
- Hybrid viewfinder
- Classic Chrome
- A camera people find charming rather than intrusive
It’s designed to be with you at all times — a true everyday companion.
Summary of the Three Set‑Ups
- Option 1: Fujifilm X‑T2 + XC 35mm F2 — £489.98
- Option 2: Fujifilm X‑Pro1 + XF 50mm F2 — £498
- Option 3: Fujifilm X100T — £494
Conclusions & Afterthoughts
Even after a decade of buying used Fujifilm gear, I was surprised by how strong the used market remains. Prices are high — which can mean two things:
- Perhaps there may be better value elsewhere if you’re willing to look beyond Fuji.
- Fujifilm gear holds its value unusually well, meaning you can often buy a lens, use it for two years, and sell it for close to what you paid.
Flr example, I wouldn’t be surprised if the £499 Fujifilm X‑Half is selling for £400+ in a years time.Interestingly, eBay wasn’t noticeably cheaper than used retailers like Wex, LCE, CEX, or MPB — and those retailers offer 6–12 month warranties. eBay still has gems, but it’s riskier.£500 is a lot of money for most people, and in this experiment it feels like it isn’t quite enough. £600–£700 might be the sweet spot for a setup with fewer compromises.If you’d like me to repeat this challenge with a different budget, I’d be happy to.
Links to the Listings Used in This Challenge
- Fujifilm X‑T2 — LCE
- Fujifilm XC 35mm F2 — LCE
- Fujifilm X‑Pro1 — MPB
- Fujifilm XF 50mm F2 — MPB
- Fujifilm X100T — MPB
Shortlist lenses considered during the hunt:
- XF 16mm f/1.4 — £299 (MPB)
- XF 18mm f/2 — £214 (MPB)
- XF 23mm f/1.4 — £264 (MPB)
- XF 23mm f/2 — £229 (MPB)
- XF 27mm f/2.8 — £208–£214 (eBay)
- XF 35mm f/2 — £199 (LCE)
- XF 35mm f/1.4 — £299 (MPB)
- XF 50mm f/2 — £219–£224 (LCE/MPB)
- XF 56mm f/1.2 — £329 (LCE)
- XF 60mm f/2.4 — £225 (eBay)
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