The Thai Youtube channel Banana Camera reviewed the Laowa 9mm F2.8 for Fujifilm X mount. They used it on the Fujifilm X-H1.

It’s Thai, so if any Thai FR-reader could make summary for us in the comments, that would be amazing.

Of course I didn’t understand a single word except “sawadee kap“, but the video shows a lot of sample images in different conditions as well as a quick test chart that demostrate sharpness in center and corner at f2.8 and f8.

I will link to those parts in the video, that show sample images. Just click on the link, and the video will open exactly where the images are shown. I will also include some of the samples as screenshots below.

And while the review does deliver lots of samples, there is sadly not one astrophotography image. I know some of you guys are looking at this lens as a possible option for astrophotography. Personally I will stick with my lovely Samyang 12mmF2 for that. And since I also own Fujinon XF 10-24, I don’t think I’ll get the Laowa 9mmF2.8. But you never really know when GAS hits strong, so… ;)

For the full video, check out Banana Camera

• 0:15 – backlit image. Shows sunstars. + Seascape Image
• 1:04 – panning + low light + slow shutter speeds + image that shows distortion
• 1:30 – close up with seascape + flowers close up
• from 1:52 to 2:33 – specs (but you can also find them in the official Laowa 9mm 2.8 announcement)
• 2:49 – seascape + backlit
• 2:53 – short 4K video
• 3:37 – more samples
• 4:02 – street photography in low light
• 4:19 – architecture photography
• 5:00 – seascape with close up
• 5:15 – short 4K video on the sea
• 5:28 – backlit / sunset
• 6:24 – more seascape and beach shots
• from 8:43 to 8:59 – series of shots taken in a cave. Low light, high contrast and dynamic range, sunstars
• 9:26 to 10:26 – backlit image from the cave + more cave shots
• 12:57 to 13:23 – mixed shots from Bangkok, Portraits inlcuded
• 13:34 – Test Chart images at f2.8 and f8 to show center/corner sharpness
• Video continues until 15:14 with more samples
• Sawadee kap :)

We have shared the official Laowa 9mm F2.8 announcement here and a hands on at CP+ here.

Fujifilm X-H1: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera
Follow FujiRumors on Facebook, RSS-feed, Instagram, Youtube and Twitter
Fujifilm X-H1 Coverage: X-H1 facebook group + X-H1 facebook Page

Sample Images

Fujifilm X-H1 vs Panasonic GH5 vs Sony A7SII

It’s time for comparisons, and this time Vistek compares the video features of Fujifilm X-H1 with the Panasonic GH5 and the Sony A7SII.

Here is a summary for those of you, who can’t watch the video right now, but make sure to check it out later at Vistek Youtube.

Profiles Comparison

• X-H1: Super impressed with ETERNA profile. Great latitude and color. Shadow boost pretty nice and in post he even got some highlight detail back. He lost some highlight details in face, but he could probably get that back with further tweaks
• GH5: Panasonic Cine-D profile. Highlights quite blown out. Mid-tones seem quite milky
• A7SII: Set to PP5 and Cine 3. Highlights are super clippy and the profile shows the least amount of dynamic range. Despite that, he was able to tweak the exposure without roasting the skin highlights
• WINNER: X-H1, because ETERNA profile has the most dynamic range and requires less tweaking in post. FujiRumors summary: it makes life easier ;)

LOG Comparison (8 bit for Sony and Fuji, 10 bit for Panasonic)

• WINNER: Sony S-Log3, but he says that “I’m still not convinced that F-log isn’t quite as good though it would be nice to see it supported fully by Resolve“

High ISO

• ISO 3200: Sony looks good. Fuji has more grain and some artifacting. GH5 has most artifacts and grain
• ISO 6400: Sony looks like 3200. The X-H1 holds up quite well. No real color shifts. The GH5 has major color shifts.
• ISO 12500: for 24MP APS-C sensor, the X-H1 actually holds up quite well. Like on Sony no real perceivable color shift. It has more grain, but not unusable. You can probably clean up a lot in post and come up with a nice image. GH5 no comment.
• WINNER: Sony A7sII, but no surprise. The downside of the Sony: it’s a 12MP sensor, hardly serious photography specs. Best all-rounder for stills and video is the X-H1.

Video Autofocus:

• X-H1: not as responsive as he would have hoped, but when it works, it works. [Firmware Update, Fuji?]
• GH5: often sluggish or completely non responsive
• A7sII: snappy and accurate. By far best AF in video of the 3 cameras
• WINNER: A7sII

IBIS:

• Larger sensor is going to be less stable than smaller sensor.
• WINNER: GH5, followed by X-H1 and last A7sII.

Button Design and Layout

• X-H1: simple, clean and easy to use
• GH5: very intuitive, but also a bit cluttery, which slows the reviewer down a little bit. Has a fully articulating screen. Good for vloggers.
• A7sII: everything is in weird places. It doesn’t feel intuitive.
• WINNER: He does not want to declare a winner, because it depends on your taste… but the X-H1…. ;)

Fujifilm X-H1: BHphoto, AmazonUS, Adorama, Focuscamera
Follow FujiRumors on Facebook, RSS-feed, Instagram, Youtube and Twitter
Fujifilm X-H1 Coverage: X-H1 facebook group + X-H1 facebook Page