MrSMW

Might tempt me out of my XT3, but will wait and see first if/what an XH2 is. Nikon tempted but certain issues/compromises. Panasonic S1 series has been the closest for me but the lack of PDAF kills it for me. Sony? Just no. But Canon I suspect have just been complacent for too long and are sick of having their arse kicked with a their ‘nearly’ offerings. I’m not interested in the 8k, but the 120 60p.

Protein, Carbs, Fats 🧐 Otherwise yes, maybe can buy 'back' some gear at pretty much what I sold it for... I already regret selling my Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 so picking up another regardless, just not until closer to the time when any actual paid work happens. Going back to that and the Tamron 45mm f1.8 as my pair of video lenses as between them, that's a FF equiv focal range of 32-80mm (taking into account the APSC 1.5x crop and the XT3 4K 1.18 crop combined) plus that Tamron has OIS. Probably a pair of XH1's for stills (kept my XT3 for video) but sitting on the fence right now whether as a stop gap for any jobs that do happen in 2020, just a single unit with a 16-55 zoom. I prefer to work with a pair of bodies and a set of primes, but that's more personal and makes zero difference to clients.

Slightly smug, sold off most of my kit at the end of last year’s wedding season ahead of new bodies (XT4’s) and a change of glass. Cancelled the pre-order a month or so back. It now currently comes down to: A: Will I get a limited season this year in which case I will get some used gear to see me through...grrr, now slightly less smug as some of that would be what I sold off. B: No season this year but next looking OK so might invest in some gear with some longevity built in as intended. Rule of thumb now is that unless it has an ‘eat by date’ on it and a full set of macros, I’m not buying it. Just imagine if you had recently bought a GFX100 and the Worlds’ economies do crash?! Anyone know anyone like that?

A 1" 4K camcorder is handy for when you're manning it. But for an unmanned camera on a tripod? You just want to hit record and walk away, without needing to worry about if it will overheat / battery go dead / time limit be hit, and that is what mirrorless cameras like the Panasonic GHx series is great at doing at a very low price. That is exactly how I do use it, tripod/unmanned and often in direct sunlight on hot Summer days here in SW France. I do check it every now and again and maybe change the battery after 40 minutes (possibly could use a power bank as with my XT3 but haven’t needed to yet) and have a 256GB card in it. I could use even bigger Sony batteries though... It’s really only low low light that is it’s only drawback but I tend to set up some kind of constant lighting if that is going to be the case.

A 1 inch 4K camcorder is exactly what I use for wedding ceremonies and speeches. It isn’t intended in any way to be ‘cinematic’, rather just do that specific job, so I’m cool with hybrid camera time limits mostly shooting 10 second clips and the occasional 2-3 minute piece such as vows. It’s a cheap option also. Bought it for about 1200 and this should have been it’s 4th season and it’s earned it’s keep to date at least 20x over. So not so bothered about recording times but I can appreciate some are. So if Fuji wish to ‘differentiate’ we need: XH1 type body. XT4 internals and battery. ND and true anamorphic. Interchangeable SSD of at least 500GB. Build it and they will come, field of dreams baby!

Do away with sd cards and have an internal 500GB (at least) drive, maybe as part of the battery grip? Which reminds me, what happened to the Zeiss ZX1 or whatever it was called?!

I have purchased 10-12 major items through either eglobal.fr or .be so France or Belgium. No issues other than attempted return on an item so their returns policy sucks balls!

I was going for a pair of XT4’s (sans grips) for this season, but cancelled that order as soon as it appeared there would be either a delayed season (currently 50% of my season is now officially off) or even no season (a very possible scenario also) and make do with a pair of XH1’s but the way it’s going, might be going straight to XH2. Providing it’s still hybrid and arrives by April 2021. Come on Fuji, you can do that!

Haven’t used e-infinity for a while but had zero problems. Instead, have been buying all my kit new (cheaper than refurbed used prices) from e-global. Beware one thing though, return is a PITA, at your expense and to China! After I decided not to keep a gimbal, it was better to sell it on eBay...which is what I did. But if it’s not going to be returned, very good prices though delivery a bit slow. Normally they quote something like 6-8 days but the reality is more like 2-3 weeks, but as long as your need is not urgent, prices are very good.

Dear Fuji If you are reading, please do make a dedicated video camera, but keep the XH2 as a hybrid. Thanks A lot of folks

Does it then become a better lens or is it still the same lens, just cheaper?! I kind of like it as a '24' and '120' equivalent, albeit at f4. I wish it was faster and I wish it zoomed internally but it is what it is, a decent enough 'do it all' lens for photo & video. My 'go to' for video (back when I used to have any work) is the 35mm f2, but sometimes I need wider and sometimes I need longer and would rather not have a bag full of lenses for those occasions so the zoom fills that role nicely. Fuji have stated that there is not space for an XT4 and an XH2 to exist but I suspect that won't be the case. They also said IBIS would not fit or be coming to an XT3 successor and err...hello. I don't think they need to reinvent the wheel here but make what the vast majority who want this thing and will actually buy it have been asking for and that is basically the XT4 spec in the XH1 body...but if they wish to differentiate, build in a battery grip and maybe upgrade a few video settings, et voila, different (enough) camera. Meanwhile, of course they are not going to slap in the XT4 spec with a firmware update to the XT3 until the XT4 has been on sale for at least 3 months...which at the rate things are going, means Sep earliest I reckon. And if you are reading Fuji, you can skip the Bleugh Bypass on mine when we get to that point. Thanks. Classic Neg = fab but this latest one, nah.

From what I have seen, so many of these tests seem to involve waving the camera around and then saying, hey, look at how bad this is. Quite often, by someone who isn't into Fuji or does reviews from their bedroom in their parents basement. Perhaps a slight exaggeration but I have seen plenty of rock steady output which is what I am looking for and on Fuji lenses such as the 50mm f2 which will be my go to if this season ever gets going. And an XT4 appears in reality. I'm a longer lens kind of guy. I suspect any other warping issues will have been resolved by then as Fuji historically fix this kind of thing. Hardware, less easy/impossible such as if you hate the screen like I do, you either have to live with it or do something else, but I am pretty sure this warp/wobble thing won't be a thing in the second half of this year.

Forgot to add my pic... XT3 with Meike battery grip. I would prefer not to use a grip but it does transform the handling and triples the battery power and when shooting 4K... Sirui freestanding monopod about 3 years old because I still can’t find anything better. 16-80mm f4 lens which is a bit slower than I’d ideally like (have some f2 primes if I need them) mainly for the range and OIS for handheld stuff. It’s also got a Gobe variable ND on it that is controlled with a marked up rotating Nikon lens hood I glued on. Good old Rode Micro for a better audio to sync to from up to 3x Sony pocket recorders and lav mics. Fluffy for outdoor use. For dancing stuff at weddings it’s just a case of whip off the mic and put an LED on the hotshoe.

I wouldn't have one over my battery gripped, XT3 with 16-80mm f4 6 stops OIS set up. No sir, no way. NX1 was and still is a great bit of kit and just imagine if they had developed that line...

1: Between cameras. Was: XH1 + XT3 + X100F (plus a camcorder, Mavic Air, DJI Osmo Action). Hoping that for a season in the future, a combo of; XT4 (hybrid), XT3 (video), X100V (stills). 2: I have been alive to date for 49 years, married for 24 this year, a father for 15, a wedding photographer and videographer for 20. 3: I used to watch; F1 and rugby, but along with everything else... Not especially into any particular type of music. Gym/fitness ‘enthusiast’. I run, row, bike, lift and walk. Currently training to attempt CrossFit workout Murph by the end of this year. 4: Less political discussion. XT4 and X100V in the new short term. XH2 longer term. 5: I am a Brit living in SW France and am split in terms of both the best and worst of both. It’s easier to live in the UK (by far) but the weather in the Summer here is better and it’s less crowded. 6: Dunno without checking but maybe sometimes looked without participating for a year or so and then joined about 2 years back?

What @kye said. Photographers are doing: What’s in my camera bag? What’s in my bottom draw? What’s in my pocket? What’s out of my window?

I am not French but live in France... A couple of weeks back, when we lived in a free sane world where we earned a living and toilet paper was not a topic of everyday discussion, I was at my chiro and he whilst he was twisting my neck at angles I would not myself, he said, “so what do you think of French men?” Not sure what he was asking or why, I gave some kind of non-commital response. ”Zey are arrogant!” he said in his thickly accented English, “yes, Frenchmen are like pigs, we think we are ze best...and I can say zis because I am a Frenchman!” So there you are, it is official.

I’m just wondering if by the time we get back to doing any kind of work in the future whether they will have made the Sigma FP an actual working camera? Maybe there is a chance...?

You mean how did I previously do it? 🤪 Too lengthy to explain and would also divert this thread. I just did!

Well I was looking forward to shooting a combo of: XT3 on sticks pure video XT4 photo & video handheld X100v pure photo for my hybrid wedding coverage, but cancelled the order for the latter two, A. because I have no income now and B. no gigs to shoot and no idea what the future holds. Assuming the industry gets back on some kind of track, but without as much money taken or to spend, I’m back to my previous conundrum of XT3 vs XH1. Specifically build, handling, shutter, IBIS vs 4K 60p video plus it’s a win for the XH1 on price. Still nothing else out there that really tempts me...

Here in Italy the new public enemy number 1 are people jogging outside, even if alone, even if in a mountain path, seen as the new plague spreaders, as if just by the fact of going out of a building you become magically infected by THE sickness: the virus will see you and will instantly put you into an intensive care unit. This is what concerns me here in France. We are not quite there yet, at least not officially. Yes, some could argue, "big deal, so you fitness freaks can't do your usual thing, get over it", but actually some restrictions are pretty stoopid. Solo running in the fresh area with no one around. Yup, that's going to make the situation worse. Not. Someone living in an apartment with a dog that needs to be walked can't be forced to shit on the kitchen floor? (That's the dog not the owner). They need to get out and providing they do so sensibly and not with other people... common sense needs to be applied. I'm lucky that my house is in one of the least most densely populated departements in France and our house is on 2.5 acres of land. We are surrounded by vineyards and agricultural land but our mayor just issued a directive that has now banned any/all activity on the green lane, a former railway line over 20 km long. People can go for their walk in the town but no, not on the green lane as unseen, they may gossip in groups and touch and... If people are going to do that, they are going to do that and they are stupid and ignorant, but wholesale smacking down on everyone supposedly for the greater good is too far. And then some folks are just nuts... I was walking the dog the other day when a woman drove past me and in usual French style, skimmed me by mere inches (sorry, but they do this, - can't ever cross that white line in the centre of the road unless it's passing every single vehicle in front of them before immediately turning at the next junction. Without indicating.)...wearing a face mask (in her own car, alone!)...with all the windows down! And that isn't even the most ridiculous part which is she actually leaned away from me in her seat and turned her head away as she passed me at about 50 kph! Just imagine if I'd coughed in her direction and my cough beat her 50 kph side draft and entered her vehicle through one of her 4 open windows... She'd have been dead within the week, no question so why take the risk. In fact she was very sensible. Re. the news. I think you can't avoid it. Moderation and not getting obsessed with it is the thing. I think it's important to be aware of any situation so you can either comply with directives (even if it's to keep off the green lane) or simply make your own common sense decisions. It's all a load of shit though. Weirdly, despite having zero income and fairly confident the industry is pretty fucked for the forseeable future, I am strangely calm about it and have been practising social distancing and self-isolating much of my life out of choice so no big hardship!

The one anomaly in the World figures that stand out for me are Germany: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ Third Reich 'Master Race' jokes aside, their death rate is incredibly low for some reason...and there has to be a reason. Lower age, better health, better healthcare, different handling...? Their number of cases is high but when you look at the mortality rate compared with say France, Spain, the UK or US, makes you want to apply for a German passport.

I think the general public also have a part to play and the younger they are, the more they tend to believe it won't affect them. That's going to change shortly. As a Brit, albeit one living in France, I think the UK (not going to comment on the US as that is too political!) did indeed act especially slowly as in has 'reacted' rather than 'acted' and by the time you are forced to react, you are pretty much on your back foot. Or knees. But just don't know it yet. If I was a religious man...and I am not in any way, shape or form, I'd be praying to see a peak in the Italian death rate and then a day upon day decrease, followed by other nations. Pretty much the only thing that gives me any kind of hope is the figures coming out of China. At the same time, with the benefit of hindsight, there is going to be a huge amount of hand-wringing (replacing hand-washing) that not enough was done, but that is the duty of the elected governments & leaders, - you are going to be damned whichever way you did it.

Ironically Andrew, you are stuck there whereas we are booked for 4 nights in an apartment about 800 metres from the cathedral. They won't give us a refund but will allow us to re-book a new date after this madness is over. If it ever does actually end... @p@a wanna buy a GFX100? Good price?! 🤑

Why does every thread at some point have to involve the current president of the USA? FFS! 😷