X-H1 First impression

Hi all, sorry for the long post.

I went to the local brick and mortar store yesterday to check out the new Fuji X-H1. I am quite excited about it for the IBIS and larger grip.

The first impression of the X-H1 is wow! This is a different camera to the previous bodies. The shutter... oh my goodness, it’s so quiet! The shutter release button is close to where I am used to finding it on a DSLR, and the feel is perfect. It is not overly sensitive or hard to control. I was not expecting this to be important as I have really only missed the IBIS and a more substantial grip.

Build appears to be even more beautiful and robust compared to the two earlier top-of-the-line models.

Viewfinder is wonderful with everything visible for me with eyeglasses on.

The battery/vertical grip is quite a bit bigger than the one used on the T2. My hope was that the bigger rip on the H1 body would eliminate the need for a battery/vertical grip. I will not use the grip with medium sized lenses, only if I acquire the 16-55 or the 50-140 zooms. The aim is to only carry (and own) a small kit. I travel a lot and have learned from lugging so much gear around for years and years, that less is more for me. This means that I only shoot (mostly small) primes and the 10-24/4.

Will the X-H1 replace the X-T2 for me? I believe it will. Apart from the IBIS, the changes are small, but they add up.

The quietness was a big surprise and the shutter button pleasant to use. It is important for me to be unobtrusive and the electronic shutter is not always a viable option for me.

The grip and newer buttons so much better for me. The size of the body is not that much bigger. I is a bit heavier. I do not mind, as I will not be using the battery grip.

I also want to extend the low-light possibilities for the 23/2, 35/2 and 50/2. While the f/1.4 and 1.2 primes have excellent image quality, I find the AF performance from the f/2 primes to be important for me.

I have used Nikon to shoot semi professionally for 7 years. My gear has consisted of D700/D3s, later D4/D750. I added the X100s 4 years ago and later the adapters and the X100T. The X-Pro2 replaced the D4 and recently the X-T2 replaced the D750. I do no longer have an X100-series camera. I might get an X100F as a third body.