X-H2s and 200 f/2 1.4TC - birds at feeder & some thoughts

I have my X-H2s for a few weeks now and after a few sessions shooting garden birds with the 200 f/2 + TC I wanted to share some images and thoughts.

Upfront I want to mention that I've always been quite critical towards Fujifilm and their efforts specifically to accomodate wildlife photographers. Even today I really think their lens lineup is lacking significantly vs. competitors - though I'll get back to that at the end. The X-H2s, on the other hand, is just an enormous step forwards vs the X-T4 generation, most obviously when it comes to AF. While AF-C accuracy isn't yet where I'd like it to be *for a flagship model*, it's really good and just leaps better than what Fuji had before. Subject detection (and birds in specific) is just awesome and it works very consistently.

In fact, when I miss a shot, it's mostly because the lens AF-C is not tracking quickly enough, even if the camera shows (by virtue of the indicator) that it understands where focus needs to be.

So as promised, here are a number of examples

I can confidently say that over half of the shots above I would likely have missed with the X-T4, due to lack of AF precision. Last 3 shots are made in quite challenging light, and I'm very happy with what's possible in terms of recovery from the X-H2s RAF files.

Now back to my issue with Fuji's tele wildlife offering. The 200 f/2 is great, but even with TC mounted it's not really a practical wildlife lens. I'm OK with a heavy lens but there's just the lack in reach. The 100-400 and 70-300 are fine, I guess, but obviously a significant step down in terms of image quality compared to the 200 f/2 (even with TC). Then there's the 150-600. I get the whole "keeping it compact" reasoning, but here's my 2 main problems:

1. I'm shooting these birds at f/4 or wider because I need the fast shutter speeds and I don't think ISO1600+ is optimal for this sensor IQ.

2. I personally really prefer smooth soft backgrounds, and f/8 is rarely giving you those unless you have full control over your subject's position etc.

So for me personally, the aperture values on the 150-600 are really problematic. I'd be so happy (and I think many nature enthousiasts with me!) if Fuji would consider making a solid 400 f/4. Or even a 200-500 f/4-5.6 that is slightly chunkier compared to the 150-600.

I know there's the Fringer solution. I'm considering it, but the added cost is too much of a hurdle today.

In the meantime I'll just make do with the 280mm f/2.8. It's pretty OK after all

I think a lot of people are scared off by the max aperture of the 150-600. I wasn't too happy to see it when they announced the lens either.

But then I thought about it and reconsidered. I've made a practice, over many years, of using pop-up blinds and set-ups to shoot passerines at very close distances. So close that I'm almost always at f10 or so for a bit more DOF. Even then I still get soft tails but it fixes the issue where you get sharp eye / soft feet and vice versa. 
If these weren't the days of better ISOs and Topaz, then yes, I would still be worried about a f8 lens.

Not only am I not concerned, I have been enormously happy with the lens and as an extra benefit have discovered it to be the best butterfly lens I've ever used. In fact, the X-H2s with the 150-600 is the combination I have been waiting for since my journey began a long time ago.

This Bluejay isn't a good pose, not something I would usually show, but it does give an idea of what the camera and lens are capable of.

As a butterfly lens it shines even brighter. It allows better working distance than any telephoto Macro lens is capable of. Close focuses enough right out of the box for most large and medium sized butterflies and for small ones like Lycaenidae, extension tubes get the job done. With the internal focus, the lens is never out of balance in hand and is lightweight enough for hand held mobility. The speed the X-H2s makes nailing a hyperactive swallowtail a walk in the park.

Good looking set.

With third party lens makers finally entering the X Mount arena, we are shore to see more long options.  Tamron has shown an entry and Sigma has the redesigned 150-600 Sport in Sony mount that will probably show up.  I'd also be surprised if Fuji dose not announce a prime.  I feel they made the correct move with a zoom first as this will attract more birders.  Some of them will grow as photographers and want to move up to a prime.  Sigma also offers an excellent 500mm f4 that can be adapted and that they might offer in X-Mount.  There are lots of other options that can be adapted.

When subject tracking is enabled, trinational AF-C settings are only used for initial focus acquisition. I describe the process in this Post:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/66617703

Morris

Now back to my issue with Fuji's tele wildlife offering. The 200 f/2 is great, but even with TC mounted it's not really a practical wildlife lens. I'm OK with a heavy lens but there's just the lack in reach.

It's not a great 'birding' lens, but wildlife varies internationally and it comes in very diverse sizes (and distances!).

p.s. beautiful shots!

kmhwildlife wrote:

I think a lot of people are scared off by the max aperture of the 150-600. I wasn't too happy to see it when they announced the lens either.

But then I thought about it and reconsidered. I've made a practice, over many years, of using pop-up blinds and set-ups to shoot passerines at very close distances. So close that I'm almost always at f10 or so for a bit more DOF. Even then I still get soft tails but it fixes the issue where you get sharp eye / soft feet and vice versa.
If these weren't the days of better ISOs and Topaz, then yes, I would still be worried about a f8 lens.

Not only am I not concerned, I have been enormously happy with the lens and as an extra benefit have discovered it to be the best butterfly lens I've ever used. In fact, the X-H2s with the 150-600 is the combination I have been waiting for since my journey began a long time ago.

This Bluejay isn't a good pose, not something I would usually show, but it does give an idea of what the camera and lens are capable of.

As a butterfly lens it shines even brighter. It allows better working distance than any telephoto Macro lens is capable of. Close focuses enough right out of the box for most large and medium sized butterflies and for small ones like Lycaenidae, extension tubes get the job done. With the internal focus, the lens is never out of balance in hand and is lightweight enough for hand held mobility. The speed the X-H2s makes nailing a hyperactive swallowtail a walk in the park.

Lovely images. Everything you stated is correct yet when there is little distance between subject and background the smaller aperture of the XF 150-600 results in less pleasing backgrounds as you demonstrated in the butterfly image. A faster lens such as this Nikon 180mm f2.8 solves this issue. Two samples:

As always in photography there are trade offs and in this case to get the much faster aperture's a heavier lens is necessary.  Fresnel lenses which both Canon and Nikon use in some of there lighter primes is another very nice compromise.

Morris

Pretty nice images yourself. The second is my favorite.

For most situations, I can find ways to situate myself so that a closer background isn't an issue. If not, waiting for a better opportunity to present itself works too. I don't have to take that shot with a closer background unless I might find myself trying to make a record or ID shot, a thing I don't often do.
Back at the end of the film days when it first came on the market, I bought the Canon 180mm Macro. It was never as good as similar Nikon products but for many years it was my butterfly lens. It was a slow, heavy brick and the absolute worst lens I have ever used for the subject. For me, the Canon 300 f4 IS was a superior lens but has nothing on the new Fuji.
All just my own opinion and I've never like TINA - she's mean and there is always an alternative.

I was rushing to get out the door this morning and not only did some thoughts not make it into my post but I replied to another poster and not the thread as was my intention.

Just a comment that the other images posted in this thread (by the author and the other commentators) are all very well made and of high quality - products of skill and experience with some help from the tools we use.

Slashdotdash wrote:

I have my X-H2s for a few weeks now and after a few sessions shooting garden birds with the 200 f/2 + TC I wanted to share some images and thoughts.

Upfront I want to mention that I've always been quite critical towards Fujifilm and their efforts specifically to accomodate wildlife photographers. Even today I really think their lens lineup is lacking significantly vs. competitors - though I'll get back to that at the end. The X-H2s, on the other hand, is just an enormous step forwards vs the X-T4 generation, most obviously when it comes to AF. While AF-C accuracy isn't yet where I'd like it to be *for a flagship model*, it's really good and just leaps better than what Fuji had before. Subject detection (and birds in specific) is just awesome and it works very consistently.

In fact, when I miss a shot, it's mostly because the lens AF-C is not tracking quickly enough, even if the camera shows (by virtue of the indicator) that it understands where focus needs to be.

So as promised, here are a number of example

I can confidently say that over half of the shots above I would likely have missed with the X-T4, due to lack of AF precision. Last 3 shots are made in quite challenging light, and I'm very happy with what's possible in terms of recovery from the X-H2s RAF files.

Now back to my issue with Fuji's tele wildlife offering. The 200 f/2 is great, but even with TC mounted it's not really a practical wildlife lens. I'm OK with a heavy lens but there's just the lack in reach. The 100-400 and 70-300 are fine, I guess, but obviously a significant step down in terms of image quality compared to the 200 f/2 (even with TC). Then there's the 150-600. I get the whole "keeping it compact" reasoning, but here's my 2 main problems:

I don't think Fuji's 200 F2 was ever explicitly designed for birding wildlife. I think it's more geared toward sports. I love my 200, and at times when subjects are larger, then I use it for wildlife.

1. I'm shooting these birds at f/4 or wider because I need the fast shutter speeds and I don't think ISO1600+ is optimal for this sensor IQ.

2. I personally really prefer smooth soft backgrounds, and f/8 is rarely giving you those unless you have full control over your subject's position etc.

So for me personally, the aperture values on the 150-600 are really problematic. I'd be so happy (and I think many nature enthousiasts with me!) if Fuji would consider making a solid 400 f/4. Or even a 200-500 f/4-5.6 that is slightly chunkier compared to the 150-600.

I know there's the Fringer solution. I'm considering it, but the added cost is too much of a hurdle today.

In the meantime I'll just make do with the 280mm f/2.8. It's pretty OK after all