“My Impression? Fujifilm X-H2S High ISO Performance is 1.5 Stops Better than X-T4 thanks to Four Analog to Digital Converters” – REPORT

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ISO Boost?

So far we know (and it has been well documented) that the Fujifilm X-H2S has a vastly improved dynamic range performance in video over the the previous generation sensor, with 14+ stops compared to the previous 12 stops).

But so far we don’t have any word about the dynamic range or ISO performance for stills. And that makes sense, as it is pre-production and we better wait for the final thing before we make any judgments.

With this disclaimer printed clearly on top of the article, I’d like to share a video overview of the X-H2s plus new lenses shared by Ringfoto.

It’s in German, so let me translate the part I’d like you to hear.

Martin at Ringfoto shows samples he took with the Fujinon XF150-600mmF5.6-8 of his cute dogs running around. He talks very positively about the autofocus.

Then he addresses the concern that f/8 at 600mm (900 equiv.) might be perceived as too slow by some, as you will have to shoot at higher ISO. But here is what he says:

Opposite to other X-Trans cameras, the X-H2S has four analogue-to-digital converters [admin note: X-T4 & Co have two A-D-C]

Thanks to the new sensor and new technology inside the camera and the four analogue-to-digital converters, my feeling with this pre-production X-H2S at this point is that ISO performance on X-H2S is 1.5 stops better than on the X-T4, which would be sensational.

I want to be careful for now, but it looks very promising.

So what is Ringfoto talking about when they mention the analog-to-digital converter (ADC)?

We know the Fujifilm X-T3 and X-T4 (and all other ISOless or ISO invariant Fuji cameras) have two analogue-to-digital converters. On the X-T3 it works like this: every image recorded under ISO 640 “travels” through one ADC, and every image above ISO 640 goes through another ADC. This helps to improve noise performance.

This can have the paradoxical effect that an image taken in camera at ISO500 can be more noisy than an image taken in camera at ISO800 or even ISO1200, because after ISO640 the other ADC kicks in to improve performance, as you can see at the photonstophotos technical chart here.

What the real life implications of this are has been explained by Rico in several articles, such as the GFX 50 Series is an ISO-less Classic

What’s important for us to know in this article, is that those analog-to-digital converters are a good thing when it comes to noise performance.

And now that we know thanks to Martin that the Fujifilm X-H2S has four AD-converters as opposed to two ADC in the previous X-Trans cameras, then this could indeed explain what Martin observed: a sensational improvement in ISO performance.

Now, to my knowledge Fujifilm has not made any public statement about the increased number of ADC or about the improved ISO performance in stills.

All we could observe until now is that in video the noise performance is shockingly good, as documented also by Gerald Undone and we reported here.

My final word?

Well, there is no final world.

I will wait for final production samples to be tested side by side with other Fujifilm cameras. And this is what also Martin at Ringfoto said, that he wants to validate (or not) his impression with a final production camera.

And once he did that, I will do my job, report and translate his findings for you.

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The Power of Fujifilm Colors :: Fujifilm X-H2S Rumors :: X-ProF and X-T5 Wishlist :: PSAM Dials Debate and More – Top 10 May Articles

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Here are the top 10 articles for May:

  1. Fujifilm X-H2S Images in Slightly Higher Resolution
  2. The Power of Fujifilm Colors: Leaving Fuji for Nikon Z and Back to Fuji for the Colors
  3. X-ProF, (Re)designing the Perfect Camera :: Fujifilm X-T5 Wishlist :: X80 with 40mm Lens :: Fujifilm GFX 50R II :: FR-Readers Wishlist Corner
  4. BRILLIANT: Fujifilm X-H2S coming with External Active Cooling Accessory and here is How it Works (Not via Battery Grip)
  5. LEAKED: First Fujifilm X-H2S Hands-On Images
  6. Fujifilm X-H2S to Offer Animal/Object Autofocus Tracking
  7. Rumor Update: Fujifilm X-H2S with PSAM Dial
  8. Fujifilm X-H2 with 40MP will be More Affordable than Fujifilm X-H2S with 26MP
  9. FUJIFILM X Summit Announced for May 31 at 9AM EST: Fujifilm X-H2S (but not X-H2), XF150-600mmF5.6-8 (but not 56mmF1.2II) and More
  10. Is Fujifilm Losing Its Soul? Let’s Talk PSAM Dials! An Error or a Necessity?

And here is the latest and greatest.

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Fujifilm X-H2S and XF150-600mmF5.6-8 High Demand and Possible Shortage of Supply Notice

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Fujifilm has issued a press release informing us that the demand for the Fujifilm X-H2S and the Fujinon XF150-600mmF5.6-8 is high and that:

  • they will do their best to deliver as soon as possible
  • it might take some time before products are delivered

For what it’s worth, I can confirm that also among the FujiRumors community pre-orders were strong for both of these items, while they were very low for the Fujinon XF18-120mF4.

Press Release

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** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

FLAWED: DPReview Used XF150-600 on Not Yet Firmware Supported X-T4

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This update to our previous story is mandatory.

I have investigated and I can now say with certainty that the reason DPReview removed all the ugly sample images taken with the XF150-600mmF5.6-8 is because they were taken using an X-T4, which still needs a firmware update in order to be able to properly communicate with the new lens.

And to be clear: DPR did receive the X-H2S and was warned not to use other cameras except for the X-H2S on the XF150-600mm, but for some reason they did not follow the instructions.

That’s quite an embarrassing error for a website that should have tons of experience with pre-production gear.

And maybe it is actually so embarrassing, that they are afraid it will hurt their reputation if they publicly apologize for it.

But I believe they should own it, not hide it.

Simply removing the sample gallery, without informing their loyal readers that what they saw were flawed samples, is not enough to bring back justice for the XF150-600mm.

Nope, it would be a nice touch towards their own readers and towards Fujifilm, if they’d apologize for sharing samples that mislead people to believe the lens is a horrible performer.

It can’t be a rumor site to set things right in this case. Dear DPR, you need to inform your readers.

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Owner’s Manual for Fujinon XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR Available (and Shows Nice Little Feature)

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With the addition of the Fujinon XF150-600mm F5.6-8 we now have now a total of 4 lenses in the Fujinon X lineup that have a tripod collar foot:

Why do I mention the tripod collar foot?

Well, because if you look at the owners manual for the Fujinon XF150-600mmF5.6-8 that has just been published, you can see that it has one features that the other lenses mentioned here do not have.

If you have your lens mounted on a tripod, you can quickly remove it from the collar foot. So, in case you spot something you’d like to capture handheld but your gear is on the tripod, you don’t need to unmount the whole thing. Just snap the lens off the foot, shoot handheld, and then quickly snap the lens on the foot again.

A nice little touch! You can see how it works at the video below (min. 8:45)

If you want, you can access and download the Owners Manual here.

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