Tag: stills photography

Gordon Laing: Fujifilm X-H2 for VIDEO review: 8k, 4k HQ, 1080 240, F-Log 2 vs X-H2S

“My in-depth Fujifilm X-H2 review for video quality vs the X-H2S.”

Fujifilm X-H2

Fujifilm X-H2 with Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4.0 R OIS WR zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.
Fujifilm X-H2 with VG-XH vertical battery grip and Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4.0 R OIS WR zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.
Fujifilm X-H2 with Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4.0 R OIS WR zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.

Links

  • B&H Affiliate Link – click here to help us with costs for creating  this website and its contents by pre-ordering and purchasing items from B&H…. [rewrite]
  • B&H Affiliate Link – Fujifilm X Series Cameras – X-H2 – X-H2S
  • B&H Affiliate Link – Fujifilm X Series Lenses – Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR – Fujinon XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR
  • Camera Labs – Fujifilm XH2 review – “The Fujifilm X-H2 is a high-end mirrorless camera with a new 40 Megapixel APSC sensor, 15fps bursts, 8k video, built-in stabilisation, and the chance to generate 160 Megapixel images using a pixel-shift composite mode. Announced in September 2022, the X-H2 becomes the joint flagship in the X-series alongside the existing X-H2S which launched four months earlier.”
  • DxO – DxO PhotoLab, DxO FilmPack, DxO ViewPoint, DxO PureRAW² and Nik Collection – the first two is an excellent raw processing pairing for documentary and photojournalism work while DxO PureRAW² offers a great raw processing first step for those relying on other companies’ image processing software.
  • Leeming LUT Pro – “Leeming LUT Pro™ is the world’s first unified, corrective Look Up Table ( LUT ) system for supported cameras, designed to maximise dynamic range, fix skin tones, remove unwanted colour casts and provide an accurate Rec.709 starting point for further creative colour grading.”
  • Camera Labs – Fujifilm XH2 review – “The Fujifilm X-H2 is a high-end mirrorless camera with a new 40 Megapixel APSC sensor, 15fps bursts, 8k video, built-in stabilisation, and the chance to generate 160 Megapixel images using a pixel-shift composite mode. Announced in September 2022, the X-H2 becomes the joint flagship in the X-series alongside the existing X-H2S which launched four months earlier.”
  • Fujifilm USA – Understanding Fujifilm X-H2S versus X-H2 – video – “Michael explains the big and small differences between these two Fujifilm mirrorless cameras released 3 months apart from each other, both built on the same magnesium alloy body.”
  • Gordon Laing – Fujifilm X-H2 for PHOTOGRAPHY review: 40 Megapixel vs X-H2S! – video – “My in-depth Fujifilm X-H2 review for photo quality vs the X-H2S.”
  • Unititled.Net – Gordon Laing: Fujifilm X-H2 for PHOTOGRAPHY review: 40 Megapixel vs X-H2S!

CineD: FUJIFILM X-H2 Review – Are We Looking at the APS-C Mirrorless Camera of the Year? – Commentary

https://www.cined.com/fujifilm-x-h2-review-are-we-looking-at-the-aps-c-mirrorless-camera-of-the-year/

“The FUJIFILM X-H2 camera has just been announced and let me tell you, FUJIFILM did a great job in balancing camera specifications/performance and price. Makes me wonder, are we looking at the APS-C mirrorless camera of the year?…

… So the bottom line is, after filming with both, the X-H2S and X-H2, the latter is my preferred option. Not because I don’t appreciate Open Gate, High Frame-Rate recording, or fast sensor capability, but I can simply live with those shortcomings and in exchange earn greater recording flexibility and good IBIS performance (which is essential for my documentary work).”

Fujifilm X-H2 with VG-XH vertical battery grip and Fujinon XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.
Fujifilm X-H2 with VG-XH vertical battery grip. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.
Fujifilm X-H2 with Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4.0 R OIS WR zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.
Fujifilm X-H2. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.
Fujifilm X-H2. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.
Fujifilm X-H2 with Fujinon XF 16-80mm f/4.0 R OIS WR zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.
Fujifilm X-H2. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.
Fujifilm X-H2. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.
Fujifilm X-H2 with Fujinon XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8.0 R LM OIS WR telephoto zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm X Global.

Commentary

When the rumours of Fujifilm’s X-H2 and its 40 megapixels sensor began leaking the impression was created that it would be mostly for stills photography but with the ability to record 8K video.

Johnnie Behiri of CineD has tried a pre-production copy of the X-H2 for documentary video production and has come to the conclusion that, provided one can do without some of the more advanced features of the X-H2S, the X-H2 may be a much better alternative.

We were originally interested in the X-H2 as the high resolution stills photography companion to the more videocentric X-H2S but that might be the wrong way to look at both cameras.

We’re looking forward to production copies of the X-H2 finding their way into the hands of professional documentary video makers like Mr Behiri and will report about their findings here in due course.

We’re also very interested in learning more about the Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR “stills+movie” zoom lens and its performance with the X-H2 and X-H2S.

It’s a given that zoom lenses must by their very nature compromise somewhere in their optical and mechanical design and manufacturing in order to accomodate so many focal lengths.

However, those optics and build quality compromises can be justified so long as the former can be corrected in raw processing software, that any optical flaws are not too obvious in video, and that the lens proves to be a great all-rounder for its intended purposes.

Links

Some Intriguing Fujifilm UK & Fujifilm Germany eShop & Product Loaner Links

We came across three intriguing websites for Fujifilm in Europe while researching for some upcoming articles, an eShop for Fujifilm X | GFX United Kingdom, an eShop for Fujifilm X | GFX Germany and an equipment loan service for Fujifilm X | GFX United Kingdom. 

These sound like great ideas and we’re wondering if they’ve been extended to other parts of the world. 

Several years ago a friend who lives in Japan told us about local camera stores’ short-term loans where they swipe your credit card, loan you the gear long enough for a walk around the local area to make a few serious snapshots or even a short-term photo-essay to begin to get a feel if it’s right or wrong for you then cancel the swipe when you take it back. 

Some local camera stores here will rent you gear on a six month or longer basis but so far we haven’t encountered one where you can rent any given camera, lens or other hardware items just for the duration of a shoot or a longer project.

High end video production gear and specialists rental houses are a different story but their prices and terms are often beyond the reach of self-funded independent documentary makers like us so we’re discounting them here.

More to the point in our case is that it’s financially more viable to base your video production kit on feature-rich hybrid cameras like Fujifilm’s X-H2S with similar functionality to cameras like Nikon’s Z9 but at a third or so of the cost.

Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR stills + video zoom lens on Fujifilm X-H2S. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.
Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 R ultra wideangle prime lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
Haoge LH-X13B lens hood for Fujinon XF 14mm f/2.8 R and XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4.0 LM OIS. Image courtesy of Haoge.

Mate an X-H2S up with a Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 LM PZ WR and an XF 14mm f/2.8 R and you can produce all the shots you need for a documentary or narrative feature with that combination alone, if you wish.

Pay for gear like that once and forgo forking out the readies over and over again for equipment hire or 6-month rentals.

Base your production kit on an APS-C/Super 35 camera like the Fujifilm X-H2S and you can produce great-looking videos and stills as needed.

Links

Fujifilm X | GFX X Summit Americas 2022, May 31, 2022 2pm (EST) Follows Fujifilm X Summit Omiya 2022, 31 May 2022

On May 29 Fujifilm USA’s FUJIFILM X/GFX USA Twitter account reported that an event named ‘Fujifilm X | GFX X Summit Americas 2022’ will be staged by them on May 31, 2022 2pm (EST).

The event will be hosted by Billy Luong and Francis Bellefeuille aka ‘The Fuji Guys’ from Fujifilm Canada, Justin [Stailey?] from Fujifilm USA and Daniel [?] from Fujifilm Colombia. 

No further information was published about this second event at time of writing but it seem likely that it will be an online event streamed at The Fuji Guys YouTube channel and possibly the Fujifilm X Series YouTube channel and the Fujifilm USA YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, Fujifilm X Summit Omiya 2022, 31 May 2022…

We at Unititled.Net won’t be watching these online event streams and reporting on them live given the extreme time zone differences and the freezing wintry darkness here but will certainly be following up on them the next day and publishing relevant articles here.

Our best advice then is to follow the live blogging of both events by Patrick DiVino of Fuji Rumors who’ll doubtless be doing his usual excellent job of it.

Links

Fujifilm X Summit Omiya 2022, 31 May 2022 – Commentary

https://fujifilm-x.com/global/

“X Summit is something we all enjoy planning and sharing with our core customers.

We are happy to announce that X Summit OMIYA 2022 will premiere on May 31, 2022 at 1PM(GMT)!!

In X Summit OMIYA 2022, we will show you a further evolution of X Series based on the expertise of the past 10 years!!”

Fujifilm X Summit Omiya 2022 video stream

Commentary

So the rumoured Fujifilm X Summit Omiya 2022 has been officially announced via Fujifilm’s Instagram account and website, and it’s shaping up to be quite the combo of new product reveals and in-development teasers for more products coming later in 2022 and perhaps even 2023.

Perhaps there’ll be some completely unexpected announcements too.

We’ve long been waiting for the successor to the promising but premature Fujifilm X-H1, and as Fuji Rumors has been sharing, the X-H2S will be revealed at this event with the X-H2 coming later in the year.

Patrick DiVino has shared a list of products that may and may not be shown off at the event, but aside from the two aforementioned Fujifilm X Series APS-C/Super 35 flagship cameras, the other item of most interest to us here at Unititled.Net is the Fujinon XF 18-120mm f/4.0 stills and movie zoom lens.

We prefer top-quality prime lenses for stills photography, relying on zoom lenses for video production in Micro Four Thirds sensor format, but our experiences with the X-H1 and the promise of the X-H2S and X-H2 has us excited about their possibilities in conjunction with the XF 18-120mm f/4.0 provided it delivers.

As much as we love M43 cameras and zoom lenses for documentary video, we’ve become enamoured of the results we’ve been getting with DxO’s beta support for Fujifilm’s X-Trans raw files in DxO PhotoLab and DxO FilmPack.

We’re also pleased with DxO’s results in processing Panasonic Bayer raw files but the difference between M43 and APS-C is not unlike the difference between, say, Fujifilm Velvia film shot in 35mm at 2:3 and 120 roll-film in 6×9 aspect ratio.

Both record visual data very well indeed but the larger format seems to allow the images to breathe and better convey a sense of light and air and warmth (during one of our now all-too-rare sunny days).

There’s something similar going on with video made in the different formats where the smaller one, M43, is brilliant for run-and-gun documentary while the larger one, Super 35, is particularly well-suited to narrative and more feature-style documentary.

We’ll see what turns up on May 31 and are keeping our fingers crossed.

Links

  • B&H Affiliate Link – click here to help us with costs for creating  this website and its contents by pre-ordering and purchasing items from B&H.
  • B&H Affiliate Link – Fujifilm
  • DxO – DxO PhotoLab, DxO FilmPack, DxO ViewPoint, DxO PureRAW² and Nik Collection – the first two is an excellent raw processing pairing for documentary and photojournalism work while DxO PureRAW² offers a great first step for those relying on other companies’ image processing software.
  • Fuji Rumors – FUJIFILM X Summit Announced for May 31 at 9AM EST: Fujifilm X-H2S (but not X-H2), XF150-600mmF5.6-8 (but not 56mmF1.2II) and More – many thanks to Patrick DiVino of Fuji Rumors for the heads-up about Fujifilm X Summit Omiya 2022!
  • Fujifilm X Global – website – check this index page for news as we get closer to May 31, 2022.
  • Fujifilm X Series – YouTube channel
  • FUJIFILM X WORLD – Instagram
  • SmallRig Affiliate Link – click here to help us with costs for creating  this website and its contents by pre-ordering and purchasing from SmallRig.

Looking Back on the Fujifilm X-H1 While Waiting for the Fujifilm X-H2 & X-H2S

I thought it might be fun to take a look back at the then groundbreaking Fujifilm X-H1 DSLR-style flagship APS-C/Super 35 hybrid mirrorless camera while the countdown is on until Fujifilm’s May 31 X Summit event where the X-H2S and hopefully X-H2 will be revealed. 

The X-H1 was a revelation of what a professional-quality APS-C/Super 35 mirrorless camera could be and it combined elements of the future with the residue of the past, being released not long before the X-T3 but containing a little too much technology from the X-T2. 

Despite many documentary photographers and photojournalists investing in the X-H1 for its robust body and mount, its superb electronic viewfinder (EVF), its in-body image stabilization (IBIS) and its great performance in making stills as well as moving images, Fujifilm discontinued it not long after its release and offered camera plus battery grip plus Red Badge zoom lens discount pricing in order to move stock. 

Fujifilm X-H1 with Fujinon XF XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR Red Badge professional standard zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
Fujifilm X-H1 with Fujinon XF 18-55mm f/2.8-4.0 R LM OIS kit zoom lens and Fujifilm VPB-XH1 Vertical Power Booster Grip. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
Fujifilm X-H1 with VPB-XH1 Vertical Power Booster Grip in portrait/vertical orientation. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
Fujifilm X-H1 with Fujinon Cine Zoom lenses. Image courtesy of Jonas Rask.
Fujifilm X-H1 as a stills camera and as a video camera. Image courtesy of Jonas Rask.
Fujifilm Fujinon XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR wideangle zoom lens on Fujifilm X-H1 with VPB-XH1 Vertical Power Booster Grip. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
Fujifilm X-H1 with Fujinon XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR professional zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
Fujifilm Fujinon XF 200mm f/2.0 R LM OIS WR telephoto prime lens on Fujifilm X-H1 with VPB-XH1 Vertical Power Booster Grip. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
Fujifilm X-H1 with Fujinon MKX 18-55mm T2.9 cinema zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
Fujifilm X-H1 with Fujinon MKX 50-135mm T2.9 cinema zoom lens. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
Fujifilm X-H1 rigged for cinematography. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Global.
The Fujifilm X-H1’s body is “made of magnesium alloy, 25% thicker than previous models. The lens mount’s structure has been revised to achieve a compact and lightweight design that is also of high precision and more resistant to shock or damage than other models in the X Series”. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
The Fujifilm X-H1 APS-C/Super 35 mirrorless digital camera and its accessories. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
The Fujifilm X-H1’s shutter shock absorption mechanism. I found myself using its mechanical shutter far more than I would for other Fujifilm cameras. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
The in-body image stabilization unit in the Fujifilm X-H1, Fujifilm’s very first attempt at IBIS in its X-mount cameras. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
The Fujifilm X-H1’s in-body image stabilization unit aka IBIS, the first iteration of it to appear in Fujifilm XF APS-C/Super 35 cameras. Has its design drawn from the larger IBIS unit of the Fujifilm GFX100? Photograph courtesy of Fujifilm.
The in-body image stabilization unit in the Fujifilm X-T4, smaller and better than the one in the X-H1. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
The Fujifilm X-H1’s “firm-hold design allowing the index finger to concentrate on shutter release actions”. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
The leaf spring switch of the Fujifilm X-H1’s feather-touch shutter button. Image courtesy of Fujifilm Australia.
SmallRig related products for Fujifilm X-H1. Image courtesy of SmallRig.

The links below are for articles and reviews that I found useful in the past in understanding the Fujifilm X-H1, its benefits and its shortcomings, and there are photo galleries containing images made with the X-H1.

Links

B&H Explora: The Sigma fp L: Pushing the Envelope for Modular Mirrorless Cameras

http://bit.ly/sigma_fp_l

“Never afraid to be unique, Sigma has just released the fp L mirrorless camera. The second member of the fp Series of compact, modular, hybrid cameras, the fp L storms in with an all-new, higher-resolution sensor, improved focusing performance, and even brings an accessory electronic viewfinder to the system. When the original fp was released in 2019, it stood out due to its minimal design and distinct feature set that clearly catered more to video applications over stills. The fp L is a revised take on this approach, with more attention given to photography needs, overall speed, and even handling, without giving up its characteristically small stature and customizable ergonomics….”

sigma_fp_l_01_1024px
Sigma fp L Mirrorless Digital Camera with EVF-11 Electronic Viewfinder. Image courtesy of B&H.

Commentary

When Sigma released its fp camera, I was hoping the company would come with a second version that had an electronic viewfinder, then, lo and behold, here it is!

I will be keeping a keen eye on this as a fairly affordable 4K documentary production camera as well as high resolution documentary stills camera.

Discrete, immersive documentary work often benefits from a very small but capable camera, one that even when rigged up is hardly noticed by subjects and bystanders.

Links

I Visited The Australian Centre for Photography in Its Last Days in 2020 & Found It Giving Away Some of Its Best Assets

The Australian Centre for Photography closed its doors on December 18, 2020, possibly for the very last time and in its last days was going away some of its best assets such as issues of Aperture and Creative Camera magazines, its photography book collection, a number of Gobe (now Urth) filters and possibly a great deal more. 

When I was teaching photography at various educational institutions in a city where no galleries exhibited photography and even fewer museums collected photographs, I considered subscriptions to Aperture and Creative Camera to be absolutely essential as teaching aides and inspiration.

Issues of Photofile, the Australian Centre for Photography’s own magazine, were also being given away.

What a tragedy to see such rare back issues that often change hands for small fortunes being given away to all comers like this when they should have found a home in a public-access photography education institution instead.

Links

New Hardware: SmallRig L-Bracket for FUJIFILM X-S10 Camera 3086, Currently in Pre-Order at Discount

I have come to regard SmallRig’s well-designed and well-manufactured camera accessories and especially its cages and L-brackets as must-have hardware purchases for every new hybrid camera and the company’s L-Bracket for Fujifilm’s X-S10 camera is no exception. 

smallrig_l-plate_fujifilm_x-s10_01_1024px
SmallRig L-Bracket for FUJIFILM X-S10 Camera 3086. Image courtesy of SmallRig.

The SmallRig L-Bracket for FUJIFILM X-S10 Camera 3086 is currently in pre-order, meaning that it is available at a $US10.00 discount in return for a reasonable wait until it enters production.

“SmallRig L-Bracket for FUJIFILM X-S10 Camera 3086

Key Features:
1. Modular Designed Arca-Type L-Bracket for FUJIFILM X-S10.
2. 1/4″ -20 Accessory Threads & Carry Strap Slot.
3. The Side Plate Can Be Moved Forward to Have 180° LCD Screen.
4. Extendable Side Plate for Tethering or Cable Release.
5. Built-in Allen Wrench and Flat Head Screwdriver.

SmallRig L-Bracket for FUJIFILM X-S10 Camera 3086 is modular designed with anti-twist flanges to keep the camera from twisting and provide a comfortable grip. Both the base plate and side plate are Arca-type compatible dovetails enable the camera to mount in a vertical or horizontal position. Each axis features a sensor centering line to align the camera on a tripod head. It secures to the bottom of the camera with a 1/4 screw and features a rubber pad to prevent your camera from scratching. Featuring multiple 1/4″-20 threads on the side for accessories such as Cold Shoe 2736 and HDMI Cable Clamp 1822. Multiple 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 threaded holes on the bottom are used for mounting accessories such as Quick Release Plate 1280. The side plate can be moved forward to have 180° LCD screen and can be extended to the left if more room is needed for tethering or cable release. The bottom features a slot to attach a hand strap. A built-in Allen wrench and a flat head screwdriver are included to secure the camera screw and stores on the bottom of the L-bracket.”

Links

The Guardian: From daguerreotypes to glass plates: Australia’s oldest images – photo essay

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/oct/31/from-daguerreotypes-to-glass-plates-australias-oldest-images-photo-essay

“From its first appearance in the New South Wales colony in the mid-1800s to the mass production of visiting cards, generations of Australians have been enthralled by the power of photography.

The cultural historian Margot Riley from the State Library of New South Wales specialises in the history of photography and fashion, and has been a curator for more than 20 years. She takes Guardian Australia through some the library’s oldest images….”

Links