Fujifilm X-H2S Interview: Form, Function, Battery Grips, and More

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 25, 2022

These Japanese interviews are a pain to translate, but what’s below should be pretty accurate. It sounds like Fujifilm is looking to segment their cameras more to attract others, but it is disappointing that Fujifilm is increasingly using PSAM to attract photographers from other systems rather than promoting the advantages of a classic design.

The only way Fujifilm is going to make fans happy is if the Fujifilm X-T5 also comes as an X-T5S because some of us refuse to shoot PSAM, but we would like a stacked sensor camera in addition to a resolution monster. It’s probably going to be a while before Fujifilm launches the X-T5 because I am sure they will want to get every last X-H2S sale they can, but I have a feeling many X-H2 cameras will be on eBay when the X-T5 is announced.

Part 1

  • Takashi Soga and Takuya Noguchi were Fujifilm’s representatives in the video
  • The X-H1 was a third-generation product but they waited for the fifth generation to bring back the X-H2
  • Fujifilm is splitting its cameras into a T and H along with GFX
  • X-H is designed for speed
  • They could have made it even faster but they wanted to hit a price point
  • A lot of users want Fujifilm cameras to track subjects better so that is what they tried to address
  • The sensor and processor had to evolve together to provide the desired performance
  • 40fps can help with things like getting the birds wings at exactly the angle you want while in flight or taking off
  • CFExpress also helped because the write speed is so fast that the images do not need to be buffered
  • If you shoot just JPEG you can get more than 1000 shots shooting continuously
  • Rolling shutter shouldn’t be an issue when shooting with the electronic shutter because they tested it with cars and golfers and had no issues
  • The data rate has tripled in X-H2S
  • Fujifilm is improving its algorithm every day
  • Fujifilm now tracks, face and eye, animals, airplanes, trains, sports, etc…
  • The X-H2S’ AF is pretty strong at tracking the subjects it knows
  • Fujifilm really wanted to improve the viewfinder so that photographers didn’t lose track of subjects due to blackout
  • Fujifilm’s X-H2S viewfinder provides a very different experience
  • Previously 100fps was targeted for the VF, but 120fps was better
  • Fujifilm has pushed the video recording up to 6.2k
  • The Fujifilm X-H2S has a much bigger battery than the X-H1, but changing the battery’s position allowed Fujifilm to keep the grip similar to the X-H1
  • The X-H2S is also shorter than the X-H1 in part due to the PSAM dial
  • Looked to the GFX100S to decide the right grip size
  • Fujifilm X-H2S should make photographers that do not want to use cameras from other camera companies interested In X-mount
  • Fujifilm believes a lot of professionals want the custom spots on the dial

Part 2

  • Starts with an AF demo explaining how AF has been improved
  • Fujifilm’s AF wasn’t great at tracking until now
  • You can really tell the difference in AF now
  • The first step in improving IBIS is how to control the IBIS from there you must deal with any issues with the lens
  • The noise of the IBIS is suppressed as much as possible
  • The sensor is similar to what Fujifilm is currently using, but at ISO 160 image quality is slightly improved in the X-H2S
  • The X-H2S is based on the GFX100S
  • The back of the X-H2S is metal to remove heat from inside the camera and the new fan just improves the efficiency of removing the heat
  • The new 5th generation processor is much more powerful, but it also saves power over the 4th generation processor
  • The fan was developed for outdoor use where the sun might cause a temperature warning
  • Log had a dynamic range of 12+ stops and now Log2 has a dynamic range of 14+ stops
  • Dynamic range is one of the most interesting reasons to use Log
  • The vertical battery grip lets you put 3 batteries in the camera
  • The file transfer grip will let you connect a smartphone via USB to transfer files or ethernet to an FTP server
  • You can also remotely control your camera using the transfer grip
  • Using the grip is about 10x faster than the smartphone app
  • The transfer grip sends photos and video
  • Fujifilm has priced the X-H2S aggressively

Fujifilm X-H2S:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Fujinon XF18-120mm F4.0 LM PZ WR:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Fujinon XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R WR:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama

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Plus our owners’ groups
Fujifilm GFX Owners Group
Fujifilm X-H Owners Group
Fujifilm X-T Owners Group
Fujifilm X-S Owners Group
Fujifilm X-Pro Owners Group
Fujifilm X-E Owners Group
Fujifilm X-A Owners Group
Fujifilm X100 Owners Group

Posted in Fujifilm X-H2, Interview| Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Iridient X-Transformer 2.5 Released With X-H2S Support

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 24, 2022

Iridient X-Transformer 2.5 has been released with Fujifilm X-H2S support this is a major update and you can download a copy here.

June 22, 2022 (Major Update)

  • New Features:
    • Support added for RAW images from the Fujifilm X-H2S.
    • Support added for translation of new Fujifilm film styles to Adobe Lightroom color profile presets including Classic Neg, Nostalgic Neg, Sepia and Bleach Bypass.
  • Improvements:
    • The vary sharpening with ISO option is now disabled by default giving default sharpening levels more similar to versions prior to 2.0.
    • Adobe Lightroom plug-in now displays version information directly in the Plug-in Extras menu header so it’s no longer necessary to go into the Plug-in Manager dialog to check version information.
    • Updated camera calibration and DNG color profile information for models newly supported in Adobe’s latest DNG Converter 14.4 update.
    • Updated to the latest version of the Adobe DNG SDK (1.6.0).
    • Updated to the latest version of the Adobe XMP SDK (2022.06).
    • Updated to the latest version of the OpenCV library (4.6.0).
    • Updated to the latest version of the libjpeg-turbo library (2.1.3).
    • Updated to the latest version of the wxWidgets library (3.1.7).
    • Updated to the latest version of the LibreSSL library (3.5.3).

Fujifilm X-H2S:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Fujinon XF18-120mm F4.0 LM PZ WR:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Fujinon XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R WR:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama

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Plus our owners’ groups
Fujifilm GFX Owners Group
Fujifilm X-H Owners Group
Fujifilm X-T Owners Group
Fujifilm X-S Owners Group
Fujifilm X-Pro Owners Group
Fujifilm X-E Owners Group
Fujifilm X-A Owners Group
Fujifilm X100 Owners Group

Posted in Fujifilm X-H2, Software| Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Moment Anamorphic 1.33x Adapter Kick Starter

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 23, 2022


We added Moment as an affiliate a while ago due to their approach to photographers and good experiences ordering from them in the past in addition to some of the unique Fujifilm swag they had. I say this because many are not fans of Kickstarter, but Moment has decided to release their latest product via Kickstarter and it is already fully funded so you have nothing to lose by ordering from this established company. I am personally still not a fan of products being launched via Kickstarter, but this is an interesting accessory that will add a lot of value to legacy glass if you have any.

Introducing Moment Anamorphic
We’re introducing our first (of many) big camera lenses. This new Moment 1.33x Anamorphic Adapter changes your current lenses, whether vintage or modern, into a classic anamorphic lens. The quality is unmatched, it’s easier to use than anything else on the market, and it’s compatible with more lenses.  This is the best lens we’ve ever made. Read More »

Posted in 3rd Party Lens, Accessories| Tagged | 3 Comments

RW: Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD Review – It Ticks All The Boxes

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 22, 2022

Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD: B&H Photo / Adorama

Tamron has released some great lenses for E-mount over the past few years that are of incredible value. Some of the lenses are so good that they even surpass Sony GM lenses for 1/2 to 1/3 the price and now we are getting some of that value and performance on X-mount. Above you can see Richard Wong’s full review of the recently announced Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD and below you can find a summary of the video:

  • Identical optical design as E-mount lens
  • Fast standard zoom lens covering 1.5x at f/2.8
  • Typical Tamron design, but doesn’t match Fujifilm bodies
  • Built-in OIS
  • Fujifilm hasn’t had a standard constant f/2.8 zoom with OIS until now
  • Very flexible lens
  • 100g lighter than the Fujifilm XF16-55 f/2.8 R LM WR, but the Fujifilm is more metal
  • Metal lens mount
  • The front element is fluorine coated
  • The length of the lens changes when you zoom
  • 67mm front filter thread
  • Reversable lens hood
  • Firmware is updated through the body like other Fujifilm lenses
  • Tamron has a dedicated processor for stabilization
  • OIS seems to be very good with about 3.5 stops of performance but there is no official statement of stabilization capabilities
  • Great lens for video and the AI that the processor for OIS is trained with does a good job of determining if the camera is on a tripod or panning, etc…
  • Fast AF and it is compatible with eye AF
  • AF is very quite
  • Good macro capabilities
  • 17mm min focus distance is 19 cm / 7.5 inch and max magnification is 0.21x
  • 70mm min focus distance is 39 cm / 15.4 inch and max magnification is 0.19x
  • When shooting close the image can be a little soft at f/2.8 so stop down to f/5.6 to make things very sharp and add depth
  • 17mm f/2.8 at a standard distance is very sharp wide open in the center and stopping down makes almost no difference up until f/11 where diffraction sets in.
  • 17mm f/2.8 at a standard distance is very sharp wide open in the corners and stopping down improves things a little up until f/11 where diffraction sets in.
  • 70mm f/2.8 at a standard distance is very sharp wide open in the center and stopping down makes almost no difference up until f/11 where diffraction sets in.
  • 70mm f/2.8 at a standard distance is pretty sharp wide open in the corners and stopping down improves things a little up until f/11 where diffraction sets in.
  • Lens has minimal field curvature at the wide and telephoto end
  • No cats eye or swirly bokeh but there is some onion rings
  • Very high contrast photos can have some color fringing
  • LoCA is well controlled
  • Tamron uses profile corrections to reduce the amount of distortion, but there is no corner sharpness issues from profile correction
  • Little vignetting at 17mm wide open and almost done at 70mm
  • Stopping down a little gets ride of all vignetting
  • Some lens flare
  • Good contrast even when there is a something bright in front of the lens
  • Sunstars are ok at f/11
  • Not much chroma is visible and it all disappears by f/4
  • Great for video and C-AF works well with the X-T3 with no AF noise
  • Focus breathing is minimal at the wide and telephoto end
  • Very popular on E-mount and Richard can see why because this lens is very impressive all-around and affordable
  • The only downsides are it is a little plastic for a Fujifilm lens and the aesthetic doesn’t match Fujifilm cameras
  • The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD ticks all the boxes

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Plus our owners’ groups
Fujifilm GFX Owners Group
Fujifilm X-H Owners Group
Fujifilm X-T Owners Group
Fujifilm X-S Owners Group
Fujifilm X-Pro Owners Group
Fujifilm X-E Owners Group
Fujifilm X-A Owners Group
Fujifilm X100 Owners Group

Posted in 3rd Party Lens| Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Tamron 60mm f/2 APS-C Patent Found

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 21, 2022


Patents don’t always turn into lenses, but mirrorless APS-C patents that are found could become future lenses for X and E-mount like others have. This isn’t the final lens that Tamron teased, because they said it would be telephoto, but it could be an interesting future lens.

Example 3

  • Focal length: 61.800
  • F value: 2.0600
  • Half angle of view: 12.4078
  • Image height: 14.200
  • Overall length: 116.420

Overview

  • [Public number] P2022092339
  • [Release date] 2022-06-22
  • Description: Optical system and image pickup device
  • [Filing date] 2020-12-10
  • [Applicant]
    [Identification number] 000133227
    [Name or name] Tamron Co. , Ltd.
  • PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact optical system and an image pickup apparatus having high optical performance regardless of an object distance while realizing high-speed focusing.
  • [0002]
    In recent years, small image pickup devices using solid-state image pickup elements such as digital still cameras have become remarkably widespread. Along with this, there is a demand for higher performance and smaller optical systems. In addition, it is possible to suppress aberration fluctuations during focusing, especially deterioration of spherical aberration and curvature of field during focusing from an infinity object to a short-distance object, and maintain high optical performance regardless of the object distance. It has been demanded.
  • [0003]
    For example, in Patent Document 1, the first lens group having a positive refractive power, the second lens group having a negative refractive power, and the positive refractive power arranged in order from the object side are described in Patent Document 1. It consists of a third lens group, a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, a fifth lens group having a negative refractive power, and a sixth lens group having a positive refractive power. An optical system that focuses by moving the fourth lens group to the object side with different trajectories has been proposed.
  • [0005]
    That is, in the optical system of Patent Document 1, a focusing method based on an inner focus method having a so-called floating mechanism is adopted. The optical system disclosed in Patent Document 1 realizes high-speed focusing and suppresses aberration fluctuations during focusing to obtain high optical performance. However, the diameter of each focusing group is relatively large, and the product The overall miniaturization is not enough.
  • [0006]
    Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a compact optical system and an image pickup apparatus having high optical performance regardless of an object distance while realizing high-speed focusing.

Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD:
B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

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Plus our owners’ groups
Fujifilm GFX Owners Group
Fujifilm X-H Owners Group
Fujifilm X-T Owners Group
Fujifilm X-S Owners Group
Fujifilm X-Pro Owners Group
Fujifilm X-E Owners Group
Fujifilm X-A Owners Group
Fujifilm X100 Owners Group

via asobinet, SonyAddict

Posted in 3rd Party Lens| Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

New Profoto Connect Pro For Fujifilm

By Louis Ferreira | Published: June 21, 2022


Profoto announced a new Connect Pro for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Leica, and Fujifilm cameras. The new Profoto Connect Pro is marketed as being more than just a remote trigger – “it’s the central nervous system of the shoot – because everything flows through it“.

Profoto Connect Pro: B&H Photo / Adorama

Features:

  • Intuitive interface on a large display
  • Connect it via your camera’s hot-shoe
  • 100 available channels with six groups for each channel (three groups are for TTL usage, whereas the other three are for manual use)
  • Extended battery life and rechargeable batteries
  • Seamless firmware updates via Profoto AirX
  • Control all groups from the Profoto Control app on your iPad, iPhone, Android smartphone
  • Switch from TTL Mode to Manual Mode with the automated TTL settings intact
  • Sync and remote control 0.5-100 m (1.5-330 ft)
  • Price: $399

Press release:
Profoto Connect Pro – Trigger ultimate connectivity
When you’re on set, shooting off-camera with multiple lights, you need more than just a reliable trigger – you need complete control. It’s why we created the Profoto Connect Pro; it’s more than a remote – it’s the central nervous system of the shoot – because everything flows through it. Read More »

Posted in Accessories| Tagged , | 2 Comments