I've been using Nikon gear for wildlife photography for many years. We had an overseas trip planned and I decided to buy a Fuji X-H2S with 150-600mm lens as a travel combo. We only had a 7kg carry on limit on the aircraft.
So far I'm happy with the Fuji, sure it has a few quirks. One in particular I needed to do a search on the internet to figure out. I couldn't for the life of me change the metering mode, there is no dedicated switch as there is on the X-T5, however there is an assigned switch. For whatever reason only known to those who created the firmware, if you have, in my case bird detection on, you cannot change metering mode.
The combo is light weight, AF is for the most part okay, although I still get a number of out of focus images even though the body shows focus has been acquired. Eye detection works well, and it also works okay on mammals and insects when set for birds.
#1 Tui
#2 Australasian Gannet
#3 Canada Goose
#4 Rock Pigeon
#5 Magpie Goose
#6 Laughing Kookaburra
EDIT: changed the format of the image from frame to img
Richard_M wrote:
For whatever reason only known to those who created the firmware, if you have, in my case bird detection on, you cannot change metering mode.
For reasons only understood to Fujifilm, subject detect modes all operate with spot metering and, to the best of my knowledge, can't be changed. It makes face-detect frustrating as hell in mixed lighting situations like concerts and weddings, enough so I just don't bother with it half the time now.
Nice photos and a great variety of subjects. I've been curious about this combo for wildlife for some time, doesn't seem like many are taking advantage of this lens on the stacked sensor.
I'm curious, there's a perceptible softness on these even on my laptop screen that I'm hoping is just down to the uploaded resolution. Do you have a full res version of any of these? Have been very interested to see the resolving power of this lens on the X-H2s.
RoamingScott wrote:
Nice photos and a great variety of subjects. I've been curious about this combo for wildlife for some time, doesn't seem like many are taking advantage of this lens on the stacked sensor.
I'm curious, there's a perceptible softness on these even on my laptop screen that I'm hoping is just down to the uploaded resolution. Do you have a full res version of any of these? Have been very interested to see the resolving power of this lens on the X-H2s.
Thank you
With regards softness, whether perceived or real, it's not something I'm worried about. I also use a Nikon Z 9 and OM System O-M1. These also have stacked sensors. I've not done any comparisons between images taken from the different cameras I use as they all use different lenses and have different size sensors.
Looks like you hit the jackpot.... so many good images of small birds.
I'm not seeing in reduction in sharpness... brute sharpness is overrated these days, as software can tighten things up. In wildlife, I think chromatic aberrations in the edges are the real limiting factors for telephoto lenses. It looks like this fuji/lens combo delivers everything anyone might want in a "lighter" kit w/ moderate size sensor.
OwlsEyes wrote:
Looks like you hit the jackpot.... so many good images of small birds.
I'm not seeing in reduction in sharpness... brute sharpness is overrated these days, as software can tighten things up. In wildlife, I think chromatic aberrations in the edges are the real limiting factors for telephoto lenses. It looks like this fuji/lens combo delivers everything anyone might want in a "lighter" kit w/ moderate size sensor.
Keep them coming!
bruce
Thank you. So far I'm enjoying using the Fuji combo
beuatiful shots Richard, what do you think about the bird eye AF and AF in general, also what do you think about the f/8, does it have any limitations for you? Don't know why but in Fuji animal wildlife thread very less people are using it as far as i know
Uzay wrote:
beuatiful shots Richard, what do you think about the bird eye AF and AF in general, also what do you think about the f/8, does it have any limitations for you? Don't know why but in Fuji animal wildlife thread very less people are using it as far as i know
Thank you
So far I've only used the Fuji with AF-C and AI bird detection on. For the most part it identifies the eye and tracks it. However, that doesn't always equate to the eye being in-focus. Even though the focus square is on the eye and green, the focusing cannot always be relied upon. I use continuous shooting at 5fps which might yield 2 out of the 5 with the eye in-focus. Sometimes more, and a few times none of the 5 in-focus. I have tried a few AF modes, but prefer to use single point.
I don't fully understand the AF-C custom settings, and have tried a few of them. Currently its set on 2.
I'm not a fan of the Fuji auto ISO settings (not enough flexibility) and find the images appear to have more noise than my Nikon bodies (which includes the Z fc 20MP APS-C) at similar ISO.
With regards the lens speed, f/8.0 hasn't been an issue as yet. However, it does mean I'm shooting at lower shutter speeds than I normally would when the subject is in shade. I use aperture priority for perched birds (In wooded areas there is not a lot of sky visible) and switch to shutter priority for BIF
So far I've only used the Fuji with AF-C and AI bird detection on. For the most part it identifies the eye and tracks it. However, that doesn't always equate to the eye being in-focus. Even though the focus square is on the eye and green, the focusing cannot always be relied upon. I use continuous shooting at 5fps which might yield 2 out of the 5 with the eye in-focus. Sometimes more, and a few times none of the 5 in-focus. I have tried a few AF modes, but prefer to use single point.
I don't fully understand the AF-C custom settings, and have tried a few of them. Currently its set on 2.
I'm not a fan of the Fuji auto ISO settings (not enough flexibility) and find the images appear to have more noise than my Nikon bodies (which includes the Z fc 20MP APS-C) at similar ISO.
With regards the lens speed, f/8.0 hasn't been an issue as yet. However, it does mean I'm shooting at lower shutter speeds than I normally would when the subject is in shade. I use aperture priority for perched birds (In wooded areas there is not a lot of sky visible) and switch to shutter priority for BIF
