Fujifilm X-H2s – Road Trip in Iceland

Foreword

 

I remember impatiently waiting for the camera to arrive. When the postman finally brought the package, it only took 15 minutes, and I understood what was in my hands. The immediate ‘feedback email’ to Fujifilm reads this: You have created 2x monsters.

That’s all.

Soon after eight years, there was a return to Iceland and a real challenge for the new Fujifilm X-H2s camera and the Fujifilm XF18-120mm f/4 lens. But as a prime lens user, I couldn’t imagine taking only one zoom lens with me.

Fujinon XF10-24mm f/4, XF16mm f/1.4, XF23mm f/1.4, and XF50-140 f/2.8 were included. Be that as it may, I shot about 80% of my pictures with the new XF18-120mm lens. Not that the remaining 20% of the pictures wouldn’t be important, but I think they too would have been challenged with creativity.

Starting Point

 

I’ve taken photos almost my entire Fujifilm ‘‘career’’ with X-Pro, X-T, and X-E bodies, and sometimes with the GFX series. At one time, the XH-1 body didn’t interest me because it resembled too many Nikon camera bodies (real raw ‘’workhorse’’ where the fun seemed to be on the masseur’s table because of the stiff necks). I had found fun and enjoyment at Fujifilm, even in working conditions, something I didn’t want to give up.

F*cking prejudices.

However, now was the time to give up anticipation and take this new real ‘’workhorse’’ to a test and step back into Icelandic soil like 2014. What made this project even more interesting was the video features of that eye-catcher. The moving picture hasn’t interested me yet (I love stopping for a while), but the old dog is also interested in new tricks.

Welcome to the article; I hope you pour a cup of coffee and read this like no time.

 

First Impression

 

Lightweight, stylish, and again, a successful design. One thing where Fujifilm never fails is design. Sure, there have been developments (improved grip on the camera and rearrangement of the buttons) since the early days, but these bodies are stylish. It’s fun to notice people’s reactions at work gigs when I take a beautiful camera out of my bag. What is that camera? Do you shoot with film? Admittedly, the X-H2s look very much more like a workhorse than a beautiful camera, and so it should look.

The buttons seem to be in the right places and big enough to handle with gloves (note the comparison to the X-T2/XT-3 series). The grip on the camera is sturdy and significantly better than the X-T series. The joystick has a new design that required getting used to myself that continues. I think the existence of directional dials with the ‘‘menu ok’’ button is necessary, which I like—the more buttons on the body, the less scrolling through the menus. The new batteries are a big plus (still images with a single charge of 700 photos). The camera gets an apparent lack of half-press. For this reason, I photographed many ‘‘accidental photos’’, and I couldn’t fully know whether the video went on or not. I like the ‘’half-press button’’ of the X-T3 series much more, but I’m a solution-oriented person, so it’s time to go back to this camera for back button focus. Solved!

One the field with Fujifilm X-H2s

 

I quickly found my fears in the X-H series pointless. The X-H2s is fantastic to shoot with, and it was a pleasure to see how new features support the new ideas. These enable thinking beyond, allow for creativity and ask to break your ingrained thoughts. The camera is enough to easily be the only camera for a trip, hobby, or working conditions. It’s light enough to carry all day, and I was surprised by how light the combo was with the XF18-120mm lens. The back screen that folds in almost every direction is one of the great benefits of the camera as creativity reaches the extremes. IBIS makes it easy to shoot a film handheld, but luckily, the stabilizer isn’t too smooth, as I like the movement feel a lot.

The X-Trans CMOS 5 HS sensor, stacked on top of each other, makes the camera fast. This new “technology” enables four times faster read speed and is supported by the power of the X-Processor 5, which allows up to 40 fps without “blackout.” The camera has algorithms designed to find subjects in continuous autofocus, e.g., birds, and this works!

All in all, filming is familiar from Fujifilm, but the leap into the ‘’fast” world is significant compared to the X-T3 camera. The Fujifilm X-T4 is close enough unless you need new video features (4: 2: 2 10-bit 6.2K / 30P and 4K / 120P internal video recording from Apple ProRes).

Where I once chose Fujifilm because it was slowing me down and calming features, I can’t help but think in what direction Fujifilm’s soul is heading? Where we are in the same line as Sony and Nikon with the speed features, my question is- where can we go our own way? What makes me grab a Fujifilm camera and forget about time? The Fujifilm X100V is close to this, but something .. something I still miss. Or is it humanity, and I am never satisfied? Am I running away from shooting and hiding behind the camera features? I would rely on this question nonetheless, but the question of Fujifilm’s culture and soul is nevertheless relevant.

Time will tell.

Personal cons

 

  • ISO, shutter speed, and absence of EV dials. As an X-T serie photographer, I missed these dials. Probably an old habit, but not so much fun working with ‘’in camera dials’’. Strange difference in feeling when it comes to shooting. Lack of a button feature in ‘’in camera dials’’. The PSMA dial is not enticing, but the C1-C7 selections (you can save in each of the settings you need) are very enticing.
  • The half button is almost non-existent in the shutter button. Use back focus.
  • The Lack of SCM focus dial in front of the camera. Why use two, maybe three presses for a function that can be handled in one turn, as before.
  • Acquisition of a new memory card due to CFexpress. Positive wallet eating problem. The camera also has one SD slot.
  • Does the design go too close to other ”boring” camera bodies?

Personal pros

 

  • The body feels perfect in hand and is downright inviting to photograph and explore.
  • Foldable rear display in almost every direction.
  • Lightweight, lightweight even when the lens is attached.
  • The large buttons and camera can also be operated with gloves on.
  • Fast!
  • EVF continues to improve, 120fps!
  • 5 stops IBIS.
  • The battery lasts for 700 images.
  • The shutter is promised durability of 500,000 images.
  • 40fps continuous shooting with continuous focus
  • New focus target tracking

Read more about the camera

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Thank you Toni Eskelinen & Fujifilm!

Photos: Fujifilm X-H2s + XF18-120mm f/4 LM PZ WR | XF10-24mm f/4 R OIS | XF50-140mm f/2.8 LM OIS WR