I'm using a GFX 100s and wanted to add the X-H2 for travelling light sometimes, a bit more speed, lighter lenses and cheaper glass.
I was literally set on the the H2(not the S), but after looking at the raw files on dpreview am not so sure.
They just released the final review yesterday and the raw files are just awful. I downloaded several from the S version and they were far better.
I really wanted the 40mp, but am starting to think the X-H2s is the only way to go.
Has anyone been where I am now and if so, which did you choose?
Download some of the raws. They are so much better on the S, and it makes no sense. I'd love to hear from anyone who might have either camera. I went to a camera store and all they had was the XT-5(same as H2) and the images were excellent.
I have both. The X-H2S is my daily driver/work camera, and I do love it. The H2 is my landscape/storm chasing camera alongside the H2S, and it's OK. It really needs that expected AF firmware update -- I can't get it to even focus on clouds very well at this point.
I don't shoot much RAW, but from what I've seen, they're both fine, just different.
If I were to only have one, it'd be the X-H2S. If I need bigger images, software like Topaz Gigapixel does just fine for my purposes, especially when combined with Topaz Photo AI. I'll keep the H2 for my upcoming storm chase tour, but if the AF upgrade doesn't happen by then, it'll probably get sold.
I sold my GFX 100S before I got the H2, and I regret that, even though the lenses were bigger and more expensive.
Betacamman wrote:
I have both. The X-H2S is my daily driver/work camera, and I do love it. The H2 is my landscape/storm chasing camera alongside the H2S, and it's OK. It really needs that expected AF firmware update -- I can't get it to even focus on clouds very well at this point.
Many cameras struggle with focusing on clouds. My Sony cameras almost never did, and my Nikon is barely better.
Betacamman wrote:
I have both. The X-H2S is my daily driver/work camera, and I do love it. The H2 is my landscape/storm chasing camera alongside the H2S, and it's OK. It really needs that expected AF firmware update -- I can't get it to even focus on clouds very well at this point.
I don't shoot much RAW, but from what I've seen, they're both fine, just different.
If I were to only have one, it'd be the X-H2S. If I need bigger images, software like Topaz Gigapixel does just fine for my purposes, especially when combined with Topaz Photo AI. I'll keep the H2 for my upcoming storm chase tour, but if the AF upgrade doesn't happen by then, it'll probably get sold.
I sold my GFX 100S before I got the H2, and I regret that, even though the lenses were bigger and more expensive....Show more →
Thanks Jay. That's helpful. I'm happy to have the 100s for when it's really needed, but was also surprised at how many good Fuji XF lenses there are and how light the H2S was at the store. I wanted the H2 for the extra resolution, but it seems like it's not worth the tradeoffs, mainly that super fast AF of the S model. I am not sure if there is much IQ gain at all. Hopefully I can find that out. I just know that the raw files at dpreview(on the H2) were just terrible and the S files were excellent with no real artifacts.
I have not shot aps-c for well over 15 years, maybe more, so I feel like I'm starting over. They have made serious progress in that time.
Guess it depends on what you plan on shooting and your current workflow. I don't think Lightroom does a very good job with these files (40 mpxl) . It good light is great , with high iso it's a bit noisy but when scaled down to 26 mpxl it really isn't much different then what you get out of the other X cameras.
X-T5NIKON AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR lens500mmf/5.61/500s250 ISO0.0 EV
JustShootMe wrote:
Guess it depends on what you plan on shooting and your current workflow. I don't think Lightroom does a very good job with these files (40 mpxl) . It good light is great , with high iso it's a bit noisy but when scaled down to 26 mpxl it really isn't much different then what you get out of the other X cameras.
For me, it’s almost always portrait and landscape stuff. I I know I should actually be able to get by with just the 100s if that’s all I shoot but sometimes I like to have a little bit more speed. It would also be nice to be able to travel light sometimes and you sure can’t do that with the GFX 100s. I’m still amazed at how light the XF glass is and the bodies as well. I consider any lens under 2 pounds lightweight after the things I’ve been lugging.😊
Jonathan wrote:
For me, it’s almost always portrait and landscape stuff. I I know I should actually be able to get by with just the 100s if that’s all I shoot but sometimes I like to have a little bit more speed. It would also be nice to be able to travel light sometimes and you sure can’t do that with the GFX 100s. I’m still amazed at how light the XF glass is and the bodies as well. I consider any lens under 2 pounds lightweight after the things I’ve been lugging.😊
Pickup an X-T5 , it's a pretty small camera. Sounds like in most cases you will have the light on your side anyways. I either use the X-T5 with a long lens 300-500mm or with tiny manual focus glass. You realizer how small it really is when you use the tiny primes.
Edit .. just took this portrait for you on a rainy day , if you want the raw file just PM me.
X-T5NIKON AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR lens300mmf/4.01/250s250 ISO0.0 EV
To answer the question in kthe title of your post, yes many have compared these two bodies and some of us even have and use both. For my own use I choose the X-H2s when the advantages of the stacked sensor (better tracking AF, rolling shutter etc) are a priority otherwise the X-H2 is the default. I have not looked at the raws on DPReview as I have my own but I find it odd that if the X-H2 raws were truly awful that they would give it a silver award.
X-H2XF23mmF1.4 R LM WR lens23mmf/5.61/750s125 ISO0.0 EV
pfoiles wrote:
To answer the question in kthe title of your post, yes many have compared these two bodies and some of us even have and use both. For my own use I choose the X-H2s when the advantages of the stacked sensor (better tracking AF, rolling shutter etc) are a priority otherwise the X-H2 is the default. I have not looked at the raws on DPReview as I have my own but I find it odd that if the X-H2 raws were truly awful that they would give it a silver award.
I've been wondering why there is such a difference in the files on dpreview, but I have downloaded many of the raw files from both cameras and the difference is huge, with the S version being much cleaner and sharper.
Your photo above looks very sharp.
This is not what I found at my local store, where the H2 was very sharp and the XT-5 was also great.
There are comments in the review about "mushy" photos. I thought I was just spoiled by the 100s.
I'm now leaning toward toward the X-H2s for a few reasons. Speed being the main one.
I think some of the comments about mushy photos with the 40 mpx bodies might be due to the problems Lightroom has processing them with standard presets. I use capture one and see a noticeable improvement with my XH 2 files compared to my XT 3 files.
Mar 22, 2023 at 01:57 PM
MichaelFrederickPhoto Offline • • Upload & Sell: Off
I am new to the Fuji world myself as of Oct 2022 as I wanted something smaller/lighter/cheaper lenses than my FF rig. I am so hooked on Fuji now, I have the X100V and X-H1.
I have 3 lenses for X-H1, the 13, 33 and 75 Viltrox primes. The weight of the bag is less than my R6 and 70-200 2.8 alone. Having a solid performing and lighter rig has become really appealing for the day to day stuff, I will keep the FF for my paid work. Initial eye AF testing of the 75mm is fantastic on my test dummy, I haven’t done a client shoot yet with it.
Now the X-H2 is one my radar as I compare the files/sims on the newer sensor, I am itching. I don’t want a full collection of Fuji lenses so the 40mp option to crop is leaning me at the XH2 vs the S. I can keep the X-H1 if I need to. I would sell the X100v to fund it as I don’t want a stash of cameras, I want 2 (maybe 3) work horses and that’s it.
I think you should rent them and try them out. Unless you really do want the speed, that is. If that's the case, you might be happier with the XH2s. It's the one I chose for our organization, and I borrowed it to shoot Sandhill Cranes. It worked great. I rented the XH2 before making the decision for our org, and just looked over the files again the other day. I can't say that they are bad or muddy in the slightest.
I'm primarily an event photographer, using x-t2, x-t3 and the X100V along with a variety of lenses - fast primes and 50-140/2.8. Because I crop 90 percent of my images, I went with the X-H2 and have no regrets. I certainly don't think the raw files are 'mushy'. Of course, high ISO images has the same problems as any asp-c sensor, and probably equivalent to my X-T2 and in my opinion slightly better than the X-T3.If I did more sports and wildlife photography I would have opted for the X-H2s.
