MrSMW

I'm not sure whether it's even been a huge success, rather you just could not buy one new for love nor money this year and used, were commanding a 2k premium! Chip shortages and all that I think. I would have committed and never looked back this last August, but after trying for 2 months to buy one, I just gave up.

Import duty for those in the UK!! Bloody Brexit...

Size and...err, that's it. Other than provide espresso on tap (and it's size), agreed, - ticks every box for me. Every. Yes. I have considered every single possible camera and lens combo available. Z9 kills it in 3 areas for me and the only area the R3 (for me) beats Z9 is weight.

Or the new ZV-1F which literally no one is talking about. But rig it out and...OK, err, maybe not, I'll wait for the A7RVA announcement.

I also still want one. I think it is the single best standalone camera for my specific hybrid needs. I love a gripped body even though it goes against my preference for something small and discrete. Getting one as my principal tool would also mean a pair of OM-1’s as sidekicks and I loved that thing. For all of 5 minutes before I sent it back. I couldn’t use M4/3 as my main system but secondary, mainly static or gimbal, I sure could. Sitting on my fence however and seeing what shakes out over the next 2-3 months before fully committing, but that Z9 keeps calling to me and does something nothing else can, 8k 50p video internal and pull the stills from it in certain scenarios that require both from just one camera at the same time. Of all the tools currently available, the Z9 is the only one with ‘Game Changer’ engraved on it.

Bridges the gap between the IV and the A1 I suppose? Not too bothered about the price to be honest. For me it’s whether it can do the job I want it to do. For instance I have been considering the Z9 and the new Hassie (in different scenario combos) and those are +50% and +100% respectively, but ultimately it’s not the cost that puts me off but other factors. I’m just not prepared to buy another camera or system unless it’s near zero compromise and though cost is a factor, it’s nowhere near the top of my list. Not that I am made of money either!

It’s definitely more photo-orientated. Though someone will disagree with that statement, it’s mine and I am sticking with it 😜

This thread is reserved for the A7VI announcement.

It ticks most of my boxes and the most any Sony camera has to date. I could see myself using one of these for hybrid work with a pair of FX30’s. The only thing is I’d be using the Tamron 35-150 so would need a grip…and that then prompts me to ask whether I’d have it over the Z9 with this lens adapted? The answer is no so ‘interesting’ but not quite. Instead, I am still sitting on my single XH2s paired with 2x XH2 intended next 3 years use unless L Mount come up with something tangible within the next 2-3 months max. Good try though Sony and the stand out elements for me (other than the AF) are: 1: That tilt screen. Yup. 2: 8 stops of IBIS. 3: Lossless compressed raw.

Another vote for the Panny S5. I prefer my S1R as a pure stills machine and for dedicated video work, my S1H, but unless I needed: A: Stellar tracking video AF B: Err, that’s it really, anything else is nitpicking… I doubt there is a better option sub 2k and a mint used one could be picked up sub 1.5k. Or an XH2.

Well I am torn between primes and zooms actually… On one hand, I am looking at 3 bodies + 3 zooms and never having to change a lens. But on the other, 3 bodies plus 3 primes plus 3 zooms with arguably better resolution from those primes and not arguable better low light…but the trade off is having to cart around those 3 extra lenses and change them. Otherwise nah, not a wide angle guy at all, especially for video. It’s very rare I have any need to film in FF terms wider than 30mm and my principle range is 50-150. Even for stills, anything wider than 20mm is just too wide for my tastes and I rarely shoot wider than 28mm. So yes, 20-40mm over 11-20mm pretty much all day long! I’m still very much on the fence over committing to next years kit…which will then be the next 3 years minimum which is why I am still hesitating. I’m not going to continue with my L Mount system as it is as my current set up is a compromise. Love the output for both stills and video, but the combo I need of bodies and lenses doesn’t work as it should and as some other systems offer. L Mount is still in the running however depending on what is announced and available prior to the end of Feb 2023. The clock is very much ticking regarding L Mount… I could very easily flip to an A7iv + Tamron 35-150 plus pair of FX30’s one with the 20-40 and the other with the 17-70 and be done…and it may be what I do. My current first choice however is a pair of XH2’s and a single XH2S and I am currently trying the former but struggling to find both the time and the typical conditions to test it properly. With Fuji, it would be a primarily prime based set up with a switch to zooms for ceremonies and speeches at weddings as I don’t really favour their zoom options over the Sony zoom options. Then there is the Nikon Z9 curveball but can I go back to a camera that big…?? I wish Sigma would just build me an FP-L with; tilt screen, mechanical shutter (or e:shutter comparable with the Z9), IBIS, 4K 50/60p and a bigger battery and I’d never buy another camera the rest of my career. Am I asking too much of Sigma? 😂

That and a rear tilt screen...which is why for me, the XH2S has to 'win', - it has at least 1 of my 2 'missing' features. But otherwise, I think it's pretty fabulous in terms of looks & form factor and has a zero compromise lens line up for me; Tamron; 20-40mm f2.8, 17-70mm f2.8 (or 28-75), 35-150mm f2/2.8 The above lenses at 1.5x crop factor are PERFECT for my needs. So maybe why not just go Sony you might say... As a hybrid shooter, I'm not fully convinced by Sony for stills... There's something about the colour that even with recent models, is still slightly off for me.

Well this year, whatever the standard is with the S1H in 4k 50p (200?) and the S1R in 10 bit 5k 30p and 8 bit 4K 50p. But moving to Fuji, not sure yet… Probably going to shoot your suggested 8k option with the pair of XH2’s I intend to use for roaming stills and static video (the latter in 8k 25 or 30p) plus a single XH2s roaming video in 4K 50p/4K 100p with the closest settings as the 8k static stuff. Slightly different topic I know, but neither the XH2 nor the XH2s individually meet my needs, but as a pairing used for specific things, they do.

If I was already in the Sony system I would. In fact, if it had even just a tilt rather than a flip, I might have been tempted… But for me and my needs, ultimately the XH2/XH2s combo does indeed ‘beat’ it. I hope the new Tamron 20-40mm f2.8 comes to Fuji like the 17-70 has. Sony get first dibs on all this stuff! Won’t even mention the 35-150… 🤪

You sure there were actors Ade? I thought it had Gerard Butler in it…

Yes and I think that was kind of the point. As with any strong technique/gimmick/call it what you will, if it is only used at certain times it can jar. If it’s used throughout, same as a color grade, it just becomes part of the whole. We did watch the movie on Netflix and of course it was utter trash, but I have to confess I didn’t remember it being shot with such a large aperture!

Mine is also in da house though not had the chance to do anything but charge it. I also had a beloved XH1 which other than the OG X100, was my favourite of all the Fuji X cameras I used for 9 years from that OG up to and including the XT3. However, having had 2 years out from the Fuji system, I have a more limited memory recall of button placement and general ergos etc, so not really an issue for me as I will be kind of learning it all again from scratch really. The single biggest issue for me is the change from tilt to flip rear screen, but I will have to get over that. Second issue for me is L bracket or battery grip because despite not having the biggest of hands, it’s more a 3 fingered grip for me and I’d rather have 4. It’s early days for me also and so the next step is to test it for both stills and video as all my units need to be. Then if all of that goes to plan as expected, it’s going to be a case of 2x XH2 plus a single XH2S, or the other way round. Leaning more towards the former and then the next Q is primes or zooms or both… I think the answer to that one is both with a primarily zoom based approach but a single or pair of primes for gimbal and lower light work. Initially though, the Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 is my sole lens and probably going to be paired with the XH2S as my primary in hand video unit. The better XH2 IBIS? Software maybe so the XH2S may receive a firmware update. Unless it’s sensor related (unlikely?) or even just subjective… Anyway interested to see how it develops with you Andrew and I’m going to be a bit slow in this regard myself with a lot of work and personal stuff going in myself.

Artlist didn’t work for me… MUCH better lyrical stuff on Musicbed, but more expensive. Better non-lyrical on Epidemic Sound which is quite reasonably priced. Where I have always struggled is more upbeat faster paced ‘dancy’ stuff to end my wedding videos… Generally I’ll start with some ‘beautiful’ strings/piano for prep & ceremony, something a little livelier for the drinks reception into something sung and more contemporary and then…then that is where I struggle to find anything and have always struggled to find anything 🤪

Never knew this existed! I get clients all the time wanting me to use more mainstream or specific tracks and whilst I am sure not ‘everything’ is available with this, it will open up options for sure. Going to explore over the coming months.

Do they take preorders?

That’s an area I never had a problem. OK, early days with the first models but not the later one’s which for me culminated in the XT3. I really fancy the FX30 form factor and some of the lens options, but the reality is, that for me/my needs the Fuji option is just better.

Actually, in the brief time I had the XT2 myself, ditto the battery grip with the 16-55mm zoom. That is probably the route I am going to take again this time for my primary stills unit, ie, the XH2 + battery grip + 16-55. As my primary video, looking at the XH2-S + Tamron 17-70 and secondary video/gimbal, a second XH2-S with the 18-55 f2.8/4…unless Tamron release that new 20-40mm f2.8 in F Mount in which case I would definitely go that route. No battery grips for video units but probably the L brackets for that little finger. I am still considering a prime based solution but it keeps coming back to the same thing and that is does the increase in quality and low light capability, compensate for the sheer amount of ‘fannying about’ switching primes to suit certain situations… My final job of the year, I just went 24-105 f4 for stills on the S1R and Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 on the S1H for video (in 4K 50p giving me a focal range equiv to 42-105) and there was a lot to be said for this most ‘minimalist’ approach to date (for me) with the L Mount system. I started the season with 5 bodies and 7 primes and ended it with 2 bodies and 2 zooms. The reality is I need 3x bodies and ideally 3 lenses welded on. That reality can only be zooms.

The standard battery grip for me as the other one is about 1000 euros (3x the price!) and serves no purpose that I would ever use. And weirdly, despite 3x batteries, Fuji officially quote 2.4x battery life. Where does that .6 go? It’s a pretty hefty chunk!

XH2 first impressions vs Lumix S1R Nice semi matte paint job and build quality initially seems around comparable. Not that much smaller but considerably lighter with equivalent lens. I weighed them both with battery, cards and 24-105mm f4 Lumix and Tamron 17-70mm f2.8 (25-105 equiv) and the difference was exactly 505g, ie, 1/2 kilo or basically 1lb difference. Handling/ergo-wise, the S1R takes all my fingers around the grip but the XH2, just 3 so for me needs either something like a Smallrig L bracket or battery grip. As things stand, I still have to test the thing for photo & video but all things being well, this would become my prime stills workhorse and I think I’d go for the battery grip as it would bring the weight up to more or less the the same as the S1R, albeit physically bigger but with at least double the battery life. I was looking at the Nikon Z9 so the battery gripped XH2 could be looked at as the poor man’s Z9. And actually available to buy! I will do some video (and stills) tests over the coming weeks but looking good so far…

The LUT support wasn’t previously of interest to me until I saw a review regarding how it works…and it became more interesting…but still going to carry on shooting my profiles/film sims. The AF will be of more interest to me because I thought the XT3 was ‘OK’ for my needs and the S5/S1H/S1R I have made work to a level almost comparable. Pretty sure the XH2 will meet my needs as it can’t be worse than Lumix and though criticise Fuji, just as many praise it, so we’ll see…