The 7th epsiode of the Fujifilm X-H1 development story is a highly awaited one: the development of IBIS.
And right at the start they adress one of the big questions: how does it come that in 2016 Fujifilm managers said IBIS is not compatible with X-mount, and now we have the X-H1?
“We said in the past that there will not be an IBIS for the X Mount. We’ve said that because back then having IBIS meant compromises on the image quality. But now we need to correct the statement. The X-H1 has IBIS. We now have developed one that works without compromising on the image quality.”
As Billy told us, in order not to lose image quality and to be super precise, the whole IBIS mechanism has to be bigger compared to the one of other camera manufacturers. Billy (as well as other managers), also said that the current IBIS can’t fit into smaller bodies, but in future, with further development of their IBIS tech, they might be able to put IBIS into smaller bodies.
Jun Watanabe – Manager of Product Planning in the Sales & Marketing group
Fujifilm Manager X-H1 Interview
DPReview interviewed Fujifilm manager Jun Watanabe about the Fujifilm X-H1.
Here some excerpts:
IBIS: Q: Fuji said in the past IBIS not compatible with X-mount? A: We have spent the past two or three years developing a system where using both hardware and software, we can cover [the necessary] imaging circle. The most important thing is precision. Because a sensor with IBIS is a floating device, it has to be perfectly centered and perfectly flat. We had already achieved a sensor flatness tolerance down to an order of microns, but the challenge was to maintain this precision with IBIS.
ETERNA: We wanted to create a more cinematic look, so we studied ‘Eterna’ – one of our cine film emulsions
ZEBRA: We couldn’t add zebra because of hardware constraints. The processor cannot support it. It requires too much processing power. At this time, we’ve achieved the best possible performance for the processor.
10 bit: There are 10-bit cameras on the market, but we recommend using Eterna to short-cut the recording process. We think 8-bit is enough for good quality.
SIZE: Professionals are generally more accepting of larger cameras, and [compared to DSLRs] the X-H1 isn’t that big. And we have had requests from some of our professional users for a bigger camera, especially those photographers that use our longer lenses. A bigger grip and more solid body were both requested.
KAIZEN: it’s not impossible to imagine that the X-T2 might yet benefit from some of the advances present in X-H1.
PROCESSOR: DPReview say that apparently there were internal discussions about including a dual, or even a completely new processor in the X-H1, but this would have added to development time, as well as cost. It’s possible too that some of the heat-management benefits of the X-H1’s larger internal volume compared to the X-T2 might have been nullified.
And since I get this question very often these days, the Fujifilm X-T3 will have a new sensor (less than 30MP) and also a new processor, as we reported here. So we can expect improvements over the Fujifilm X-H1, but probably also limitations, since the more powerful processor will be in an overall smaller body, so heat management will definitely be a challange to solve for Fujifilm. But the Fujifilm X-T3 will not have IBIS, and IBIS is indeed a mechanism that takes a lot of space in the X-H1, as Fuji Guy Billy told us here.
Overall I think that even when the Fujifilm X-T3 will be out later this year, there will be still enough reasons for many user to pick the Fujifilm X-H1 over the X-T3, first and foremost because of IBIS, but also the ergnomics and controls will be better for those guys, who feel like the retro controls slow down their shooting, or those who also work with big glass (such as the XF200mmF2).
Sure, Fujifilm could re-design the Fujifilm X-T3 to make it more similar to the Fujifilm X-H1, but personally I would consider this a huge error. Fujifilm should not change the much loved design, controls and ergonomics of the X-T2. Let the Fujifilm X-H1 be the camera that goes after traditional DSLR users, and the X-T3 keep 100% the original X-DNA.
TheCameraStoreTV had a fantastic live stream with Fuji Guy Billy today, and of course it’s all about the Fujifilm X-H1. Make sure to check it out here.
I was lucky enough to attend the live stream and make my questions, but Jordan anticipated me on the first big question I wanted to make to Billy: back in 2016 Fujifilm said X mount is not compatible with IBIS. What did Fuji do on the Fujifilm X-H1 to make it compatible? Here is Billy’s answer:
“We understand how IBIS works with pretty much all brands. We thought it was a very strong feature to incorporate.
At that time when we said that statement, the technology for us wasn’t there yet. Because, when we develop our cameras, image quality is number 1 for us. And we know that with IBIS, there is always some sort of loss in that, so we needed to develop a system that still mantains that high strict image quality. That really was successful with the X-H1.
We had to make the IBIS system a little bit larger in order to do so. That’s why the X-H1 itself is slightly bigger to accommodate that.
It’s the only IBIS system that has a dual processor that can make 10,000 calculations and that corrects instantly for any movement.”
How I understand this, is that Fujifilm studied other brands’ IBIS systems, they saw that those solutions won’t work on Fuji cameras, they needed time to develop a technology specific for their cameras, and their solution ended up requiring the whole camera to become bigger compared to other systems.
Heard that, I asked Billy if this means that IBIS won’t come to smaller Fujifilm cameras in future. Billy answered:
“currently the IBIS system is quite large and that’s why this camera itself is large. We really want to maintain image quality. Now it’s very important for us to develop the system. I think as we learn to grow and develop, who knows where that technology will go.”
This makes hope that one day we will see IBIS also on smaller cameras. But currently, it’s not possible. Related to this, I remind you that we rumored the Fujifilm X-T3 has no IBIS.
Now just a few more highlights of a long and very interesting live chat…. oh, and do NOT miss the Wooden Niccolls movie shot entirely on X-H1.
Jordan says Fujifilm has quickly gone from “nothing” to “very amazing” in the video market
Nobody buys a GH5 or A7sII to do professional stills and video. They are video cameras that have stills option. The X-H1, though, is a fantastic stills camera that happens to do excellent video.
Fujifilm will offer the LUT file for ETERNA. Eterna great skin tones. ETERNA on X-T2 is very possible in future (as we rumored here, it will come)
X-H1 has Jordans’ favorite APS-C shutter since the Pentax K3II. Super quiet.
10bit: X-H1 sensor and processor don’t have the speed yet to support the incredible data 10bit has.
there is some rolling shutter, but pretty well controlled, especially with some lenses and IBIS
Firmware updates are costly, but Fujifilm is committed to them
X-H1 has much larger heat sink, and processor can run much higher
Video Autofocus: Canon is on top, but Fuji and Sony are following.
15 minutes limit in 4K is due to sensor heat
The little things Fuji cares: they made the EVF sticking out, to avoid the nose to touch the screen, they improved the mechanism of the 3-way tilt screen and more
With manual focus lenses only, you only have 3 axis stabilization, because in oder to know shift, you need to know subject distance.
It’s just a few hours now, and the Fujifilm X-H1 will be officially announced (2PM Toyko time – midnight in New York).
And while the Fujifilm X-H1 is for sure the one camera that currently creates the biggest buzz on the internet, it remains to see if it will also become a big success in terms of sales.
So let’s try to anticipate the fate of the X-H1 here on FujiRumors, by launching a survey.
The decision if you will buy (or not) the Fujifilm X-H1 is made a bit easier by the fact that basically everything has already been leaked. I will share just a few main specs, and link to the full press-release, specs sheet and comparisons.
Also a short recap of the Fujifilm X-T3 rumors, which should help you to make your decision.
Fujifilm has been named (again) amongst the 2018 Top 100 global technology leaders by Thomson Reuters.
In the camera segment, Fujifilm was indeed innovative, by launching a new line of mirrorless medium format cameras with the Fujifilm GFX 50S, that has all the potential to become a game changer in the industry, especially once the Fujifilm GFX 100S hits the market, with its new 8K capable 100MP BSI sensor and faster sensor readout. And also an affordable rangefinder version is coming, the Fujifilm GFX 50R.
On the APS-C front, the current effort is set to give customers a wider range of camera body offers, by adding for example the Fujifilm X-H1 to the lineup, which will have IBIS and is more oriented towards video shooters, as well as giving “older” cameras a refresh, first and foremost the Fujifilm X-T3 by the end of 2018.
And lenses… lots of lenses for both, ASP-C and MF line, as we reported here.
The goal of this huge effort is very humbly described in Fujifilm’s medium-term management plan Vision 2019: “work toward capturing No.1 market share in the premium mirrorless camera market” within March 2020.
An incredibly ambitious goal, but as we can see, Fujifilm has lots of great stuff in the pipeline for 2018/2019, that has all been rumored on FujiRumors already (+ some surprises I am sure ;) )
I am ready to cover Fujifilm’s rise to camera-world domination here on FujiRumors…
… and if you want, you can follow this journey with me, by joining us also on Facebook, RSS-feed and Twitter.
Here is a list of some stuff, we can expect, but there will be more…
What a coincidence… just when I had my babysitting break of 1 hour, TheCameraStoreTV started a live stream with Fuji Guy Jarry Julien.
So I could intereact with the show and also with prominent Fuji Guys like Billy, who was active in the comments. Btw, Billy said in the comments he thinks he saw me taking a picture of him at Photokina 2016. Yep, that’s the image… and I’ve found Waldo, too :D
Today’s roundup is dedicated to Fujifilm’s all time best seller, the Fujifilm X-T2. And it seems that it is making many people happy, as you can see in the links below.
And to those, who ask me if they should wait for the X-T2 successor, maybe the rumored X-T2S or even the Fujifilm X-T3, I can only say that once a replacement will be out, the X-T2 won’t become a worse camera. Actually probably even better, thanks to Fuji’s Kaizen support. So why wait… get it, and enjoy it :)
Cover Stories
Bird photography with the Nikon D500 + Tamron 150-600G2 and comparing it to my X-T2 + 100-400/1.4x tc at robertdoeleman
An Ode to FujiFilm, Wildlife Photography Heaven, Fujifilm X-T2 Auto focus at peterdelaneyphotography
Challenging Lighting Situation. Sony A9, 70-200 f4 & Fujifilm X-T2, 50-140 f2.8 at Denae & Andrew Youtube
& More X-T2
REVIEW: Lok and Warren try the new Fujifilm X-T2 Firmware 2.1 for Video Shooters at Photogearnews youtube
Photos taken with Fujifilm X-T2 and XF23/1,4 at mgrochocki
I have a quick update regarding the Fujifilm X-T2S, Fujifilm first camera with IBIS (in body image stabilization).
I hear it will not have the “Sensor Shift Multishot” feature, present in cameras like the Olympus OM-D E-M5 II.
What is it?
You basically press the shutter 1 time, but the camera takes multiple images by slightly moving the sensor and combining those exposures to create one high-resolution image.
With this technology, the Olympus EM-5 can take 40MP images with its 16MP sensor. Keep in mind that it works properly only if your subject stands perfectly still.
Recently, thanks to this interesting video by Demos Soupashis, we wondered: do we need already an X-T2S with IBIS? Wouldn’t it be better to wait a bit longer, and offer IBIS on the X-T3, which should be overall a much more upgraded product (new sensor etc)?
Well, I have to agree with some of you guys, like azbest and Didiergm, when you say here:
“Engineers need time to learn & try; The first IBIS implementation might not be perfect or might not push the technology to it’s limits as these things take time“
The X-T2S will be Fuji’s first step into the world of IBIS (well, actually it’s this Fujifilm camera already), and if we want a mature and top notch IBIS system on the Fujifilm X-T3, then Fujifilm has to launch it now on the X-T2S and gather experience from it, improve it, learn.
And one thing Fujifilm can not offer, at least for the start, is the sensor shift multishot technology.
Will sensor shift maybe come one day via firmware update to the X-T2S? Will it come with the X-T3? Or it simply can’t be done with (current?) X-Trans sensors? Questions, I’ll try to answer you as soon as possible.
This brief article is to share my Fuji X-T2 settings for wedding photography and I hope you’ll find it useful.
I switched from Canon to Fuji for my wedding work because I was looking for a lighter, more portable alternative to my DSLR’s that wouldn’t wear me and my back out during the marathons that have become wedding shoots. Weight was becoming a serious issue for me with my Canons and thankfully this last generation Fuji APS-C X-Trans sensor seems to perform well enough in terms of resolution, noise (lack of), latitude and high ISO capabilities to output excellent results in a light and compact package: small sensor means small lenses and all that comes with it. Also, with this last iteration Fuji X cameras have gotten a lot better in terms of controls (exposure compensation dial and focus point selection joystick above all), features (double memory slot) and software and have become great tools suitable for professional use during weddings.
What happened then is, I switched for the size and weight and got hooked by the shooting experience. These Fujis are really fun to use and – once you get used to them – they are also practical and quite functional. These cameras are very versatile and offer a lot room for customization. Depending on your style of shooting and type of photography, there’s a lot to work on as far as setting up the cameras to get them to perform in a way that is suitable to you, your work flow and the results you’re after.
I recently shared with you a rumor from a new source, that said Fujifilm is developing the ultimate APS-C X-Trans camera, that could cost as much as $5,000 and have some killer features also for video.
As many of you guys, I also specualted it could be some kind of video-camera like the Sony FS5, especially given the lastest announcement of Fujifilm’s new Fujinon MK cinema lenses.
But I was wrong.
In fact, here is some new information I got from a trusted source:
Correct: Fujifilm is working on the ultimate X-series X-Trans APS-C camera
Design based on X-T line (We don’t know the name yet, but it’s seems it won’t be called “X-T3“)
The camera is still under development, hence the camera price has not yet been set
The only sure thing is that the camera will be more expensive than any other X-series camera currently on the market
Best Fuji APS-C camera for video work
It’s a long term rumor, so everything is subject to change. But, currently, these are 100% Fujifilm plans.
However, I have to remind you, that in some cases, Fujifilm can drop plans, just like it happened with the X-Pro1s, a rumor which I earned massively shitstorm for. Well, at least Fujifilm confirmed that FR sources are awesome, by displaying a X-Pro1s prototype at the X-Pro2 launch party ;)
I don’t know what Fujifilm’s next step will be regarding this “ultimate X-series camera”, but I hope to be able to keep you updated with news about its development.
And to prevent attacks about “made up fake rumors clickbait”, I would like to quickly share the rumor hit rate of the last years. Sure, they do not proof anything, maybe just that I really try hard to be as accurate as possible for you guys.
At this point, really thanks a lot to everybody, who helps FR to achieve this accuracy. Your guide me safly to the stormy waters of fake rumors.
The ultimate X should absoltutely have this killer feature: a pop-up smiley! :)
shared by Ed at our X100F facebook group here “Can someone give me a reason to buy the x100f over this? I mean this one plays music! I’m pretty sure this has the max f stop of 1.0. “
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