Quick take: I tested the Fujifilm X-H2S's firmware 3.0 autofocus in a casual vlog with the 10-24mm, and it blew me away. Eye tracking stuck to me while I walked, talked and moved around the frame, and it held its own next to my Canon R5 C. Along the way I tried Nanlite's magnetic tube light brackets on my Godox TL60s, which make mounting lights much easier.
Back on a Fuji
It feels good to be back on a Fuji camera. I sold most of my Fuji gear when I moved to the Canon RF system for work, but I kept my original X-T3, the camera I bought when I decided this was what I'd do for the rest of my life. I only recently picked up the X-H2S, along with newer versions of the Fuji lenses I sold.
I call myself a production artist for work. It sounds more professional and all-encompassing than photographer or videographer, and it's helped me stand out, especially in the corporate world.
The Autofocus Test
I shot this on the Fujifilm 10-24mm, in F-Log2 with no ND but a 1/8 Black Pro-Mist. I didn't use auto ISO, because I think when it's dark you should see that it's dark.
Eye tracking: it stuck to my eye so well that it sometimes ignored objects I held up.
Walking and talking: moving around, bobbing my head and walking toward the camera, it kept me in focus.
In low light: in a dark hallway it still kept tracking my eyes. Focus boxes jumped around a bit, but the main one stayed on me.
IBIS: this is my first camera with IBIS. I'd heard about IBIS wobble, but walking and talking, it looked fine on the screen.
Before the earlier Kaizen update, autofocus was usable enough for me, especially since I manual focus when shooting other people anyway. After it, I was pretty happy. With firmware 3.0, it looks at least as good as my R5 C.
Why the X-H2S Over My R5 C for Content
The R5 C is a great camera, and I love it for work, but it's a little too heavy for what it is, and the battery life is horrendous. Battery life on the X-H2S has been phenomenal. More importantly, the R5 C isn't enjoyable to use for my own content, because there's too much setup.
To stay consistent with content, or just have fun, I need to remove as much friction as possible, whether that's lights that are easy to set up or a camera that's easy to use. The X-H2S is lighter and much easier for created content. I won't use it for pro work. It's just for me, and it's been a while since I had a camera like that.
I do wish Fuji had announced the X-H2S and X-H2 earlier. I might have rented the high-resolution gear my clients needed for a while instead of selling my Fuji kit.
Nanlite Magnetic Tube Brackets
I use the Godox TL60 tube lights instead of Nanlite PavoTubes because I thought they were a better value, but they never had great mounting options. They have threaded holes and brackets, but you still need a light stand, C-stand or tabletop tripod, and they tip over easily standing on their own.
Nanlite's magnetic brackets fit them, and magnetic mounting is incredibly handy. I use two per light so I can mount them at extreme angles with more security. Even a cheap light I own with a weak magnet gets used more than my other lights just because it's magnetic. I've used it to light a subject's face on a night photo shoot. Now I can stick the tubes to doors and other metal surfaces as practicals or backlights, and I'll be using them a lot more.
Final Thoughts
So far the autofocus is really good, and I'll check it closely in post. The X-H2S solves a lot of the problems I had with the X-T3. I'm hoping to make more camera and camera-adjacent videos regularly. Later firmware brought more autofocus changes. See my firmware 7.10 autofocus tests.
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