After almost 10 years of using Fujifilm digital cameras (along with other brands), I have decided to change direction. I have sold most of my Fuji gear, including my beloved X100V. All I have left is the X-H2S and 150-600mm lens. Once my new birding lens arrives next week, I will test the new setup, like I have the Fuji, and if it works like I expect it to, I will sell the X-H2S and lens.
As much as I enjoy using Fuji gear, it does, IMO, have AF issues with regards birding.
Sharona wrote:
Hard to get focus amid the branches and nest but managed a couple.
A perfect use case for that manual focusing technique that we discussed in another thread. Get the focal plane right where you want it, and then focus (pardon the pun) on capturing the action rather than fighting the camera.
cogitech wrote:
A perfect use case for that manual focusing technique that we discussed in another thread. Get the focal plane right where you want it, and then focus (pardon the pun) on capturing the action rather than fighting the camera.
Nice shots, though! I love Blue Jays!
Thanks! I may try that. The problem is that I’m on a step ladder and they are keenly aware of my presence. I really hate to stress them too much, so I just shot pretty quickly.
I understand the point about not choosing Fuji for bird photography. I have been a happy Fuji shooter for 5years now (XT2, then XT3 still today) and was shooting landscape 90%, family 10%. 1-2 years ago I got hooked on bird photography and despite having some pictures I am happy with, I am still frustrated more than I like. I think the XH2S would be noticeably better than the XT3 for an amateur like myself even if I would love an R5 or Z8 or A1, I still feel fuji propose the best jack-of-all-trade system in term of price/size/quality. Hope everyone find it idéal system and enjoy wildlife photography with awe and respect. Cheers
gregcpb wrote:
I understand the point about not choosing Fuji for bird photography. I have been a happy Fuji shooter for 5years now (XT2, then XT3 still today) and was shooting landscape 90%, family 10%. 1-2 years ago I got hooked on bird photography and despite having some pictures I am happy with, I am still frustrated more than I like. I think the XH2S would be noticeably better than the XT3 for an amateur like myself even if I would love an R5 or Z8 or A1, I still feel fuji propose the best jack-of-all-trade system in term of price/size/quality. Hope everyone find it idéal system and enjoy wildlife photography with awe and respect. Cheers...Show more →
I only recently sold my X-T3. It was one of my favorite cameras after the X100V and X-H1. Fuji cameras and lenses have been wonderful travel companions over the years.
Another of my genres is macro/closeup. I got frustrated using both Fuji and Nikon bodies as I do alot of focus-stacks. My go to setup for this genre is Olympus/ OM Systems.
Years ago I gave up on trying to make one system a Jack-of-all-trades. These days I use whatever makes life easy for me in the field.
Interesting perspective Molson. For Sony are you referring to the A7RV or the A1? Just curious. Thanks
molson wrote:
There's no photographic challenge that can't be met with a sufficiently large and well-stocked camera bag... and a bank account to match.
I'm still struggling to find the "sweet spot" where I can accomplish the most with the smallest set of gear, but it seems I'm not making much progress. I think the Sony system is the best all-around single system for what I like to shoot - birds, wildlife, macro, landscapes, and dabbling in wildlife video. If I had never picked up a Fuji GFX, I could probably be happy shooting with a couple of Sony cameras and half-a-dozen lenses, although I would still be complaining about minor things like the camera bodies being too small to hold securely and comfortably.
For birds and macro, the OM-1 is a very compelling option, but limited in other areas by resolution and dynamic range. I have a soft spot for Nikon, but their cameras are too kludgy, their desirable telephoto lenses are impossible to get, and their mainstream zoom lenses are not as good as Sony's offerings. Leica and Panasonic's L-mount full-frame cameras are great for landscape and video, but birds and wildlife are a challenge with their AF system (although they are making progress now). Canon doesn't interest me at all (even though I was a CPS member for over 20 years) due to their bizarre design choices and lacklustre mirrorless lenses.
My reason for coming back to the Fuji X system was for a similar look to the files and similar camera layout to my GFX, and for shared batteries, chargers, and flash system. From my experience so far, although the new subject recognition AI is nice, the overall AF performance has only improved marginally from the X-T2 and X-H1, and the 26mp APS-C files don't handle ISO noise as well as the current m4.3 cameras do, let alone be competitive with full frame....Show more →
Interesting. I have disposed of most of my Fuji stuff because of AF. I still do have a sweet spot for Fuji though and was hoping XH2S would be the conduit back.
Using d500 with 500pf these days but it's getting heavy for me. Looking at all my options for mirrorless.
Great pics btw.
molson wrote:
There's no photographic challenge that can't be met with a sufficiently large and well-stocked camera bag... and a bank account to match.
I'm still struggling to find the "sweet spot" where I can accomplish the most with the smallest set of gear, but it seems I'm not making much progress. I think the Sony system is the best all-around single system for what I like to shoot - birds, wildlife, macro, landscapes, and dabbling in wildlife video. If I had never picked up a Fuji GFX, I could probably be happy shooting with a couple of Sony cameras and half-a-dozen lenses, although I would still be complaining about minor things like the camera bodies being too small to hold securely and comfortably.
For birds and macro, the OM-1 is a very compelling option, but limited in other areas by resolution and dynamic range. I have a soft spot for Nikon, but their cameras are too kludgy, their desirable telephoto lenses are impossible to get, and their mainstream zoom lenses are not as good as Sony's offerings. Leica and Panasonic's L-mount full-frame cameras are great for landscape and video, but birds and wildlife are a challenge with their AF system (although they are making progress now). Canon doesn't interest me at all (even though I was a CPS member for over 20 years) due to their bizarre design choices and lacklustre mirrorless lenses.
My reason for coming back to the Fuji X system was for a similar look to the files and similar camera layout to my GFX, and for shared batteries, chargers, and flash system. From my experience so far, although the new subject recognition AI is nice, the overall AF performance has only improved marginally from the X-T2 and X-H1, and the 26mp APS-C files don't handle ISO noise as well as the current m4.3 cameras do, let alone be competitive with full frame....Show more →
