My New Favorite Camera

[TimATX]

I've been shooting Canon cameras for over 30 years. In September of 2018 I went to the local camera store here in Austin (Precision) to purchase the newest Canon camera. The store loaned me the camera for an hour or so. I was very disappointed in the new Canon (very slow) camera. I voiced my thoughts to the store owner. He walked me over to the counter and handed me a Fuji X-T3. After pointing out the features, and letting me play with the camera, I was impressed. I was reluctant at first to change brands (I had a huge investment in glass) and having to learn a brand new camera and menus/controls. He sold me the camera and gave me 30 days to bring it back if I changed my mind. Wasn't long before I fell in love with the Fuji camera, more so than any Canon camera I had ever owned. After a year, I decided to upgrade and bought one of the first Fuji X-T4's (wish I had never sold this gem) in Austin. Again, I truly loved this Fuji camera, too. I had this camera for a couple of years and shot many photos before the Fuji rep gave me a Fuji GFX to borrow for a day at a Fuji clinic. Wow, what an amazing camera. I soon bought the new model of the GFX. I feel my photography really jumped up more than one notch as my photos soon became stunning in rich and vivid color. My photos were so good, I began printing the images at 16"x20", something I'd never done before. Yet, there was something I missed in the X-T4 (remember I said I wished I hadn't sole it?) camera. The weight of the GFX was more than I was used to (the lenses are much bigger too). When Fuji announced the X-H2s on May 31st, I went to the store to buy one the next day as a second camera. I received the X-H2s about 6 weeks ago. I took it on a trip for 4 weeks and now this camera is my favorite. I'm taking it everywhere with me and shooting (about 2K images so far) all my pictures with it. The dials and controls are much more similar to the GFX. The camera is lighter to carry and the quality of the pictures is noticeable over the X-T4. Although not up to par with the GFX (and $1500 less expensive), the camera is much more versatile than the GFX. Where the GFX is all manual, the X-H2s has more automation for quick shots. The smaller size than the GFX makes it ideal for travel (not to mention the worry of losing a $7K camera and lenses) and lugging around on the road. The speed of the X-H2s is very noticeable compared to the X-T4. To me, the X-H2s is a step up from the X-T4. The speeds and features (especially video) of the X-H2s are well worth the additional cost. If you're shooting studio portraits, the GFX is the way to go. On the go, in my opinion, the Fuji X-H2s is the best Fuji camera for Pros and Prosumers. If your only consideration is cost, I'd highly recommend the X-T4 for novice to advanced photographers.

 

[Artur Darulewski]

Nice story

Looking forward to read your impressions about XH2... I wonder If you're going to buy it - It should be step forward in IQ, because XH2s isn't any better than XT3 (for stills) in this regard

The most important question is how AF-C tracking will work on the new 40MP sensor. If it was on par with A7R4 it would very tempting (assuming that IQ is better than on stacked sensor).

Cheers,

Artur.

 

[Maxx787]

My impression new Fuji X-H2S images noticeably better than Fuji X-T3 or Fuji X-T4 both with same sensor? Fuji X-H2S the best choice for photographers with faster auto-focusing and sensor stacking. Fuji X-H2S a cut above the others. New viewfinder in both XH cameras.

 

[Ruvy]

Interesting story. One thing was missing for me at this time, did you consider the xh2 or xt4 and if so why did you prefer the XH2S.

 

[kave]

Interesting story. One thing was missing for me at this time, did you consider the xh2 or xt4 and if so why did you prefer the XH2S.

I don't think the X-H2 was available when he bought the X-H2S.

 

[Morris0]

My impression new Fuji X-H2S images noticeably better than Fuji X-T3 or Fuji X-T4 both with same sensor? Fuji X-H2S the best choice for photographers with faster auto-focusing and sensor stacking. Fuji X-H2S a cut above the others. New viewfinder in both XH cameras.

I feel that way as well.

Morris

 

[Morris0]

Nice story

Looking forward to read your impressions about XH2... I wonder If you're going to buy it - It should be step forward in IQ, because XH2s isn't any better than XT3 (for stills) in this regard

The most important question is how AF-C tracking will work on the new 40MP sensor. If it was on par with A7R4 it would very tempting (assuming that IQ is better than on stacked sensor).

Cheers,

Artur.

That could be where the sails team at Precision Photo takes him next time he visits.

Morris

 

[baobob]

The most important question is how AF-C tracking will work on the new 40MP sensor.

If it was on par with A7R4

unfortunately not at all see

Test Fujifilm X-H2 : la haute résolution !

Capteur APS-C de 40,2 Mpx, possibilité de filmer en 8K, autofocus jusqu’à 20 i/s… Découvrez tout ce que vous réserve le Fujifilm X-H2 dans ce test complet !

les-guides-fujifilm.com

an extract:

"Big disappointment in terms of autofocus, I really hoped it would be better than an X-T4. In fact, I would have liked a performance equivalent to that of an X-H2s, with a slower burst, black-out and rolling shutter. Positive point for the detection algorithms which have progressed well and which make life easier photographers."

it would very tempting (assuming that IQ is better than on stacked sens

 

[Morris0]

The most important question is how AF-C tracking will work on the new 40MP sensor.

If it was on par with A7R4

unfortunately not at all see

https://les-guides-fujifilm.com/test-fujifilm-xh2/

an extract:

"Big disappointment in terms of autofocus, I really hoped it would be better than an X-T4. In fact, I would have liked a performance equivalent to that of an X-H2s, with a slower burst, black-out and rolling shutter. Positive point for the detection algorithms which have progressed well and which make life easier photographers."

it would very tempting (assuming that IQ is better than on stacked sens

Some of us had no trouble photographing action with the X-T3 & X-T4. For those that want to photograph action, I don't understand why they are choosing mega pixels over speed. It's similar to choosing the wrong camera settings. You don't get the results you want.

Morris

 

[Artur Darulewski]

The most important question is how AF-C tracking will work on the new 40MP sensor.

If it was on par with A7R4

unfortunately not at all see

https://les-guides-fujifilm.com/test-fujifilm-xh2/

an extract:

"Big disappointment in terms of autofocus, I really hoped it would be better than an X-T4. In fact, I would have liked a performance equivalent to that of an X-H2s, with a slower burst, black-out and rolling shutter. Positive point for the detection algorithms which have progressed well and which make life easier photographers."

it would very tempting (assuming that IQ is better than on stacked sens

Some of us had no trouble photographing action with the X-T3 & X-T4. For those that want to photograph action, I don't understand why they are choosing mega pixels over speed. It's similar to choosing the wrong camera settings. You don't get the results you want.

Morris

40MP sensor would be nice for cropping, but on the other side H2s has tad better DR.

All in all I found H2s much better for me.

Cheers,

Artur

 

[jpnwdc]

I've been shooting Canon cameras for over 30 years. In September of 2018 I went to the local camera store here in Austin (Precision) to purchase the newest Canon camera. The store loaned me the camera for an hour or so. I was very disappointed in the new Canon (very slow) camera. I voiced my thoughts to the store owner. He walked me over to the counter and handed me a Fuji X-T3. After pointing out the features, and letting me play with the camera, I was impressed. I was reluctant at first to change brands (I had a huge investment in glass) and having to learn a brand new camera and menus/controls. He sold me the camera and gave me 30 days to bring it back if I changed my mind. Wasn't long before I fell in love with the Fuji camera, more so than any Canon camera I had ever owned. After a year, I decided to upgrade and bought one of the first Fuji X-T4's (wish I had never sold this gem) in Austin. Again, I truly loved this Fuji camera, too. I had this camera for a couple of years and shot many photos before the Fuji rep gave me a Fuji GFX to borrow for a day at a Fuji clinic. Wow, what an amazing camera. I soon bought the new model of the GFX. I feel my photography really jumped up more than one notch as my photos soon became stunning in rich and vivid color. My photos were so good, I began printing the images at 16"x20", something I'd never done before. Yet, there was something I missed in the X-T4 (remember I said I wished I hadn't sole it?) camera. The weight of the GFX was more than I was used to (the lenses are much bigger too). When Fuji announced the X-H2s on May 31st, I went to the store to buy one the next day as a second camera. I received the X-H2s about 6 weeks ago. I took it on a trip for 4 weeks and now this camera is my favorite. I'm taking it everywhere with me and shooting (about 2K images so far) all my pictures with it. The dials and controls are much more similar to the GFX. The camera is lighter to carry and the quality of the pictures is noticeable over the X-T4. Although not up to par with the GFX (and $1500 less expensive), the camera is much more versatile than the GFX. Where the GFX is all manual, the X-H2s has more automation for quick shots. The smaller size than the GFX makes it ideal for travel (not to mention the worry of losing a $7K camera and lenses) and lugging around on the road. The speed of the X-H2s is very noticeable compared to the X-T4. To me, the X-H2s is a step up from the X-T4. The speeds and features (especially video) of the X-H2s are well worth the additional cost. If you're shooting studio portraits, the GFX is the way to go. On the go, in my opinion, the Fuji X-H2s is the best Fuji camera for Pros and Prosumers. If your only consideration is cost, I'd highly recommend the X-T4 for novice to advanced photographers.

I think the most surprising part of your post is a camera store that gives you 30 days to return a camera! Is that with or without a restocking fee?

 

[Artur Darulewski]

My impression new Fuji X-H2S images noticeably better than Fuji X-T3 or Fuji X-T4 both with same sensor? Fuji X-H2S the best choice for photographers with faster auto-focusing and sensor stacking. Fuji X-H2S a cut above the others. New viewfinder in both XH cameras.

To be honest I didn't noticed significant improvement in IQ between H2s and T3 (still have both). H2s has significant advantages (IBIS, reduced rolling shutter and fantastic speed and buffer), but I'm looking forward improvements in AI subject detection - sometimes it works really weird - I know it's the first iteration for Fuji so I can forgive it at the moment, but for sure it needs some refinements.

Cheers,

Artur

 

[Maxx787]

Unless the said camera or lens defective camera shops in France will refuse to take back any such equipment. People frequently change their mind within a week: second thoughts? Shops need to protect themselves from such potential rule-breakers that invite trouble. New cameras with firmware upgrades to correct minor deficiencies or bugs. What if Canon R5 buyers returned their cameras after some reports of over-heating? Every camera with an Achilles heel? My Fuji X-T3 to be returned as IBIS not working?