Well. I guess it's okay. For a cropped frame camera.
I couldn't believe it when I saw the price on the Fuji X-H1 with battery grip AND three batteries drop to $999. It's an amazing price for a fully featured, professional camera. But equally surprising were the legions of photographers who emerged to tout the robust performance, incredible build quality, class leading video performance, near state of the art IBIS and the great way the cameras feels in one's hands.
If only someone had let us know all of this information several months ago! We could have been enjoying the camera all along...
I've heard that some professional photographers love the camera so much they've purchased an extra one. There's a crazy guy with a blog who actually bought three this year!!!!
But, you know....APS-C. And that tricky Fuji X-trans. And those wacky Fuji colors. Oh, and yes! the battery life (or lack thereof). Couple all that with only twenty or so lenses and you have a system that no self-respecting pro could shoot with. But it's fun to think about; right?
Did I mention the strengthened lens mount?
Or the 4K DCI video?
Or the 8-16mm f2.8 lens?
Naw. Nobody wants this....
We'll just wait and see what Fuji announces to replace this.....
17 comments:
Never mind the sudden price drop, I bought one for EURO 1399 three weeks ago. Wish I'd bought it a year ago. Fabulous. Grip, finder, controls, IBIS, comfort... I have done mainly a mix of portraits and street photography in London and Tallin, mostly with the 35 f/2 and the 56 f/1.2. Man... Once I had adjusted from the X-T1's I have been using, it is just so competent and fluid. If I didn't already have (spouse quote) "a million cameras" ...
Just buy it!
Murray, My post was tongue-in-cheek since I have been using three of the X-H1s over the course of this year as my main, go-to cameras. For stills and video. And I agree completely with your description of the camera. If you don't already have three (or more) you best get shopping. My gut feeling is that they'll never invest in this level of mechanical performance again. Maybe better sensors but never a better body.
I'm sooo close to pulling the trigger on one. I mean, c'mon, $999, right? -With- the grip. Good grief.
Hi, Kirk. Always enjoy your writing and tongue in cheek commentary. Yep, I've been hearing about these here XH1's not being too bad either.... So here goes.
I almost hate to ask for your input as I know you're not in the business of doing reviews or giving advice, but if you'll entertain my inquiry I'd sure appreciate your insight as an experienced XH1 user.
I'm typically a one-man operation and have been shooting quite allot of video on the XT-3 with a 16-35 2.8 attached, all contained within a Smallrig cage and a Juicedlink pre-amp attached for whatever mic I'm using. This has been my primary camera and lens combo, which has performed incredibly well (even the internal pre-amp is terrific). As my second camera I've been using a Nikon Z6 I originally purchased for landscape work, but out of curiosity (and now necessity) have employed alongside the XT-3. It turns out the Z6 is a terrific video camera as well (though the XT-3 internal pre-amp is much better). However.... as you've discussed on several occasions, the importance of color matching is important when using multiple cameras. And while the XT-3 and Z6 both shoot fabulous video, I've been working overtime trying to match color, texture and sharpness profiles in post. It's not bad and the clients don't complain, but for me it's just not close enough. And so now here comes the XH1 at $999. Wow! If I take the plunge I'd want to match it with a native Fuji lens (which one is yet to be determined), but I am curious as to your experience with the XH1 and its video AF tracking as compared to the XT-3. I do both stationary interviews and B-roll, where the subjects are sometimes moving across the frame. The XT-3 does a very good job acquiring and holding focus, but I've read the XH1 is perhaps a step behind while still being very good. I'm thinking the XH1 will be more than adequate for my needs, but would certainly appreciate hearing your experience as a professional user of both Fuji cameras.
Again, as one of the three guys (or was it two?) who enjoys your posts regarding video and audio, I appreciate your sharing of insights and experiences, and always look forward to reading more.
I am a bit envious for that special Price as we cannot get it here for any where close to that Price. I have been eyeing the used market and will buy one once I can get it under a 1000euros. The best Fuji handling wise. A friend recently changed his xt -3 to the xh-1 and has been all praise after fact.
Kirk, as a long time follower, I knew that you used them and had three. You're partly to blame for my purchase 😁. I should have made my exhortation more clearly aimed at the hesitant and unenlightened hordes.
Dammit Kirk ... you cost me another grand. And I'm not a professional photographer....a barely passable amateur these days.
Now if I could just quit activating the Q menu EVERY time I raise the camera to my eye.
It looks to be a nice camera. I suppose the problem it's got is that one can buy a D750 at about the same price...
Alex, When you can make the D750 do in-body image stabilization and really good 4K video be sure and let us know. I'll accept that some people prefer OVFs but if you haven't worked with the 3.69 megapixel EVF on an X-H1..... well, you don't know what you are missing. Finally, is it possible to yank the mirror out of the D750 to make it a bit quieter? Or silent? No? Deal Killer.
Sanjay, I'm just sad you didn't spend that grand with me.... (kidding, kidding). KT
Dan, I feel your pain. That's why I'm offering a five day workshop centered around retraining people's thumbs to work with the suddenly popular X-H1. We start with a long section about "Thumb Philosophy" and then move on to "thumberific exercises" culminating with a sleep hypnosis module that will make you love the one operational "flaw" of the camera. We do the workshop in Carmel California and the cost for the course (exclusive of airfare) is $4999. So, for less than $5,000 you too can love your camera!!!
I've just chosen to cut my thumb off at the first joint, taking care of the issue altogether.
Hurry, workshop classes are limited to the first 700 people to sign up.
Ronman, out testing that feature set right now. I don't often use the C-AF in video but .... it might come in handy. I do know the X-T3 is capable but I'm guessing you'll see a bit more hunting in the X-H1.
Kt,
I bought one last week. Have had a few days to play with it. I have to say it is one "fits as soon as you put it on" type of machine. Its feature set can't be faulted, operationally I will soon forget my old Nikons and become a Fujian.
Anyone who declares the size and weight is too much for them to bare (or is it bear), well put down your cell phone and get yourself to a gym. Its size and weight are perfect.
And thank you for your blog. With a strong cuppa coffee in the morning your writing gets me up and going. Your portraits and commercial work is, well, you have been working for years and still at it, enough said.
Jb
Lol. It would have been better spent with you. A workshop with you would be much more valuable than any camera. One of these days I'll learn to quit buying shiny toys.
That being said, playing with shiny toys (e.g. computers) is why I'm making a living so....
Sanjay, I love my "shiny toys" too. And I'm also making a living from them. Nice when hobby and profession intersect.
I recently sold off all my Pentax DSLR equipment and picked up a Fujifilm x100S on Ebay which I like a lot for the street. But I need a DSLR. Today, holed up in the house out of the heat, I went camera shopping on the web. A friend recommended this blog to me and I learned here about the X-H1 body being on sale. I looked around the web some more and read some more reviews and settled on a kit from B&H -- an X-H1 with an XF 16-55 F2.8, 32 gb sd card, and camera bag for $1698. That's $800 off the camera and lens. Free card and bag. Apparently I'm not the only one to jump on the deal. They're out of stock so it will take 7 - 14 days for me to get it. I picked a good day to go camera shopping.
Thanks!
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