Fujifilm have a new high-performance camera in the X Series range – the flagship X-H1.
It’s the first X Series camera to feature in-body image stabilisation (IBIS). Three accelerometers, along with Gyro sensors and a specially developed dual-processor work seamlessly together to give up to 5.5 stops of stabilisation, even with XF lenses that do not have built-in stabilisation technology.
Sporting a robust magnesium alloy body, the X-H1’s lightweight construction maintains a strong resistance to impact damage, while the external surface provides dust and water resistant properties and a hard scratch-resistant coating.
The X-H1 uses Fujifilm’s tried and tested 24.3MP X-Trans APS-C sensor first seen in the X-Pro2 and X-T2 and delivers high quality images with Fujifilm’s excellent colour reproduction.
The body styling is very reminiscent of the GFX 50S with a crisp LCD on the top panel and the deeper than usual hand grip makes the X-H1 very stable in the hand.
Having listened to feedback from professional photographers, Fujifilm have incorporated many improvements to existing X Series features; a new AF-ON button on the back of the camera makes AF operation accessible with your thumb and a focus lever allows the user to quickly select a focus point. The X-H1 also boasts the quietest shutter sound in the X Series range, making it ideal for wedding, sports and wildlife photographers and a redesigned leaf-spring switch on the shutter release gives a more tactile feel.
Video options
Serious videographers haven’t been forgotten either. The X-H1 is the first X Series camera to feature Fujifilm’s new ETERNA cinematic film simulation mode, which creates subtle colours and rich shadow detail, greatly enhancing the post-production creative process. Other video performance improvements include a 1080/120P high-speed video mode (1/2, 1/4 and 1/5 speed slow motion) for recording spectacular slow-motion footage, F-log SD card recording which aids smooth workflow, a DCI 4K shooting mode (4096 × 2160), a 400% dynamic range setting (approximately 12 stops), 200 Mbps high bit rate recording, a high-sound quality internal microphone (24 bit/48 kHz) and verbal time codes.
A dedicated battery grip, the VPB-XH1 is also available which gives extended frame rates when shooting stills and extended movie recording times for video.
Specification overview
24.3MP (APS-C) X-Trans CMOS III with primary colour filter
Image sensor shift mechanism with 5-axis compensation (up to 5.5 stops)
100-51,200 ISO (extended range)
14.0 fps (with the Electronic Shutter), 8.0 fps (with the Mechanical Shutter) 11.0 fps (with the Mechanical Shutter and when fitted with VPB-XH1)
3.0″ LCD monitor, 1.04 million dots
Movie recording: 4k (4096 x 2160), 2K (1920 x 1080) & HD (1280 x 720)
Alongside the new X-H1, Fujifilm have also announced 2 new dedicated high-performance cinema lenses for the X Series cameras, the MKX 18-55mm T2.9 & MKX 50-135mm T2.9
Both lenses comprise an advanced optical design using 22 elements in 17 groups and use ED & Super ED elements to ensure edge-to-edge sharpness and superb colour fidelity. Manually controlled zoom, focus and iris rings make usability extremely comfortable and a long 200º focus travel ensures precise and accurate focus at all focal lengths. Focus-shift while zooming is eliminated thanks to the front focusing group of lens elements and the zooming group of lens elements being driven independently from one another. The constant T2.9 aperture also means that no exposure compensation is required when reframing during a zoom.
Fujifilm have today launched the Fujifilm Professional Service (FPS) and we’re proud to announce we will be an official Service & Support Centre, working in conjunction with Fujifilm to offer benefits to FPS members.
With the increasing numbers of professional photographers switching to Fuji mirrorless cameras like the X-Pro2 and X-T2, and also with the launch of the GFX medium format mirrorless system in March 2017, there is an increasing need to offer support to these photographers in a similar vein to services offered by Nikon & Canon.
As Fuji products have evolved and are now widely used by professional photographers, it is a natural development that Fixation should be able to offer service support for Fuji products. We are also proud to be a key supporter of the FPS programme. Fixation General Manager
The scheme is open to working photographers who own either a GFX system or at least 2 professional X system bodies and 3 XF lenses. Membership to FPS will be offered free of charge for the first 2 years.
Paul Stewart, long time Fixation customer and professional press photographer, switched to Fuji over a year ago and hasn’t looked back. ” I’m delighted to hear that Fixation will be the London Support Centre for FPS. It’s something I’ve been asking Fuji for and I’m glad they listened!”
Fujifilm’s GFX, X-Pro2 & X-T1 models have been well received by professional photographers
Mick Edwards, Fixation’s Technical Manager will be heading up the Fuji service department: “We’re very excited to take on Fuji as an authorised service centre, allowing us to support our customers as we’ve always done.”
FPS members will be able to take advantage of while-you-wait sensor cleaning, cosmetic repairs and loan stock if equipment has to be sent away for more extensive repair.
For more information on which models we can service, click here.
For details on how to join the FPS, see Fujifilm’s page here
Fujifilm’s X-T2 arrived with an overhauled AF system and a strong focus on moving subjects. We take a closer look.
Although Fujifilm’s X-T2 may look similar on the surface to the previous X-T1, there are number of refinements to what’s going on inside.
The autofocus system is one area that’s received considerable attention. Some of the changes made are a direct result of the upgraded X-Processor Pro engine, and those who would like to use the X-T2 for sports and general action-based photography should be particularly interested.
The Basics
Like the X-T1, the X-T2 features an Intelligent Hybrid AF system that offers both phase-detect and contrast-detect autofocus.
When the X-T1 was released it offered 49 AF points in a 7×7-point formation. The v.4.0 firmware added Zone AF or Wide/Tracking AF modes and boosted the array to 77 points when using those modes.
By comparison, the X-T2’s AF system offers 91 points in a 7×13-point formation at default, and this can be expanded to 325 points in a 13×25-point formation.
When set to the default 91-point mode there are 49 phase-detect AF points in the centre of the array. This is a significant improvement from the nine phase-detect AF points that featured in the X-T1.
The X-T2’s default 91-point AF system* compared with the expanded 325-point AF setting*
When using the expanded 325-point setting, however, 169 central points are phase-detect AF points in the centre of the frame. Both patterns occupy roughly the same proportion of the screen as each other, although the 325-point system is much denser, which makes it better suited for tracking moving subjects.
This central area with the phase-detect points covers 40% of the frame, and with the contrast detect points the total coverage is 85%. You can easily see the extent of both types as the phase-detect AF points are larger than the contrast-detect AF ones.
Fujifilm claims the phase-detect AF system comes into play more readily on the X-T2 than before, while the contrast-detect AF system is said to work down to -3EV.
* These images include the black surround of the LCD screen. As such, they do not accurately show the extent to which they cover the frame.
Focus options
Both the Single (AF-S) and Continuous (AF-C) options can be used with each of the Single Point, Zone and Wide/Tracking AF modes, which gives a total of six combinations to suit different subjects and scenes.
The Single Point is the default option, with one point that can be positioned anywhere on the array. The Zone option allows you to specify a particular area of the focusing system to use, while the Wide/Tracking option is programmed to automatically focus on subjects in the scene with the highest contrast, or alternatively to track moving subjects across the frame when used in the continuous focus setting.
Additionally, the camera can be set to manual focus, with the same focus assist aids as before. These are Digital Split Image, in either colour or monochrome settings, as well as focus peaking, which can have its colour adjusted over white, blue and red highlights and its peaking level set to either high or low options.
The camera offers comprehensive control over focus peaking
Speed and precision
The new processor is said to have improved overall response times, and the AF system has benefited from this. Whereas Fujifilm claimed AF times as short as 0.08sec with the X-T1, the X-T2 shaves off 0.02sec from this to just 0.06sec. This is possible when the camera is set to its Boost option in its Power Management settings, although activating this comes at the slight expense of battery life; whereas Fujifilm claims a battery life of around 340 frames on the Normal setting when using the LCD screen, this is reduced to approximately 260 in the Boost mode.
Fujifilm also claims that the updated processor and improvements to the focusing algorithm mean that the camera refocuses more quickly than previous models, and also that the contrast-detect AF system benefits from data being read twice as quickly than before.
The camera is also said to focus more easily against low-contrast subjects and those with very fine details than was previously the case. Something else that helps here is the ability to change the size of the AF point over five levels. You simply press the Focus Lever on the back and rotate the rear command dial to alternate between the different sizes. Furthermore, when shooting with the Zone setting, you can use the same controls to change the area of the Zone over three levels.
Physical controls
The body maintains the same Focus Mode Lever from the X-T1, with Single, Continuous and Manual Focus options, and this is found on the front plate. On the back of the camera, however, Fujifilm has added a new Focus Lever (something first seen on the X-Pro 2), just beneath the Q button.
The new Focus Lever control (left). As on previous models, the focusing mode is still chosen with the switch on the front plate (right).
The primary purpose of this new control is to allow for the focus point to be shifted more easily than before. It moves up, down, left, right and diagonally, and pressing it into the camera allows you to quickly return the focusing point to the centre of the array.
It also serves another purpose; when manually focusing the lens, you can shift this to the point where you want the camera to magnify into the scene beforehand. Once this happens, you can also use the rear command dial to magnify further into the scene for extra precision.
Continuous Focus
Although the X-T1 did a very good job to track moving subjects, continuous focus has not traditionally been a main selling point for the X-series. Nevertheless, the X-T2 follows the similarly specified X-Pro2 in attempting to change that.
You can select one of five scenarios to help the continuous focus system (left) or program your own with settings to suit your subject (right).
Fujifilm has complemented the changes to the AF system with improvements to the continuous focus algorithm. The user now has the option to customise the system to suit five different scenarios. These are:
Multi Purpose
Ignore Obstacles & Continue To Track Subject
For Accelerating/Decelerating Subject
For Suddenly Appearing Subject
For Erratically Moving & Accelerating/Decelerating Subject
Each option is designed with a different combination of Tracking Sensitivity, Speed Tracking Sensitivity and Zone Area Switching, although if you feel that none suit the subject, you can also design your own AF-C algorithm and store it as the sixth option.
Look familiar? This echoes the AF Configuration tools that have been included on Canon’s higher-end EOS models for some time.
The similar option inside the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II
Other features
Eye Detection AF wasn’t initially included in the X-T1, although this came along in the v.4.30 firmware update announced in February. Not surprisingly this feature has been included here as standard, although it is said to have been improved to provide more accurate results. You can choose to focus on either the left or right eyes, or leave it to an auto setting. Alternatively, you can use face detection without enabling Eye Detection AF.
You can choose whether to spot meter at the selected focus point
The Interlock Spot AE & Focus Area option allows you to specify whether you want the camera to meter at the selected focus point when using spot metering.
You can also select how to assess depth of field using the Depth-of-Field Scale option. The Film Format Basis option is suggested for those who will be printing their images to moderate sizes. The Pixel Basis, meanwhile, is intended for those who may be examining their images at 100% on a computer display. As the permissible circle of confusion becomes smaller when images are analysed in this way, this option is designed to provide the finest control for utmost accuracy.
Finally, an AF Assist illuminator is once again located on the front plate, and this kicks into action whenever the camera lacks the illumination required for fast autofocus. It is, however, possible to disable this, which is useful when you need to be discreet.
Fujifilm’s new X-T2 offers super-fast autofocus, a weather-sealed body and exceptional image quality. Is this the moment to switch to mirrorless?
This morning Fujifilm officially announces its new flagship, the X-T2, which sees the mirrorless X brand gunning for a slice of the pro market.
Closely resembling 2014’s X-T1 in design and build, the Fujifilm X-T2 has been upgraded with new imaging and processing technologies to deliver faster operational speeds.
It delivers a 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor, shoots 4K video with a Clean HDMI output and dramatically improves AF performance from previous models.
Whereas older X-series cameras utilised 49 AF points, the X-T2 ups this to 91. Approximately 40% of the imaging area is covered with phase detection pixels, allowing for fast and precise AF acquisition.
Fujifilm says that in real terms, this enhances the X-T2’s ability to automatically focus on points of light, low-contrast objects and subjects with fine and delicate textures. This addresses previous weaknesses of phase-detection autofocus systems.
The EVF on the X-T2 has been further improved on the preceding camera. It’s a 2.36-million-dot high-resolution organic EL electronic viewfinder with a time lag delay of 0.005 seconds. Its maximum brightness is double that of previous models and it features Automatic Brightness Adjustment functionality which makes it easy to use even in strong backlighting. The EVF can refresh at a rate of 60fps, or 100fps in Boost mode (more on Boost mode below).
The body of the Fujifilm X-T2 is made entirely from magnesium alloy, meaning it is solid and durable without sacrificing lightweight portability.
Body-only, the Fujifilm X-T2 weighs around 500g. That’s about a third of the weight of a recent pro DSLR. And this is with weather-sealing at 63 points, making the X-T2 well-suited for rough outdoor work.
A new battery grip, named the Vertical Power Booster Grip or VPB-XT2, is to be released simultaneously and further cements the XT-2’s status as a serious option for the pro.
Packing in two extra batteries, the VPB-XT2 increases the Fujifilm X-T2’s shooting capacity to approximately 1,000 shots per charge, and its 4K recording duration to a maximum of thirty minutes.
The grip also features a selection of buttons (including shutter release, focus lever E-L button, AF-L button, command dials, Q button and Fn button) designed to make the X-T2 as easy to operate vertically as it is horizontally. The grip also features the same extent of weather-sealing as the X-T2 itself.
With the grip attached, the photographer can activate the previously mentioned ‘Boost’ mode. This uses the extra power from the additional batteries to improve the X-T2’s overall performance. In real terms this means faster continuous shooting and shorter shooting interval (up to 11fps with the mechanical shutter; 14fps with the electronic shutter), shorter shutter release time lag and blackout time.
For more details, or to place an order, contact Fixation sales on 020 7582 3294, or by email at sales@www.fixationuk.com.
What’s your view? If you’re a DSLR user, does the X-T2’s spec sheet tempt you to start looking at mirrorless? Let us know in the comments.
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