How I make travel photos & videos - FUJIFILM X-H2S settings

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Here's my custom setup for using my Fujifilm X-H2S for both video and photo. With all 7 custom modes in use, I give a breakdown of each of them and how they help me be as efficient as possible with this camera.
Camera - allam.co/x-h2s
Vlog lens - allam.co/16-55mm
Mic - allam.co/vmntg
Tripod - allam.co/sirui-grip
Bloom filter - allam.co/moment-bloom
ND/Polariser Filter - allam.co/freewell-vnd
00:00 Favourite hybrid camera
01:39 Fujifilm X-H2S, Lens and Filters setup
04:32 Mic/Audio setup
07:02 The greatest aspect of the Fujifilm X-H2S
08:55 C1 - A-Roll/Vlogging with the Fujifilm X-H2S
11:04 C2 - B-Roll with the Fuji X-H2S
12:03 C3 - Slo-mo settings with Fujifilm X-H2S
13:00 C4 - Cozychrome JPEG Fujifilm Film Simulation Recipe
14:38 C5 - Superstone Fuji JPEG Recipe
15:17 C6 - Using Fujifilm X-H2S for Instagram stories
16:54 C7 - Best settings for video with Fujifilm X-H2S
17:42 Custom buttons
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#Fujifilm #Photography #Travel #TravelPhotography #XH2S #Japan

[@joeallam]

Hey everyone - thanks for your patience on the videos! I've been going through some things recently and had to step back for a moment, but slowly getting through these videos I've wanted to release for a while. Hoping to get on track soon and convert this energy back to creativity ✌

[@beyondthecutworldwide1]

The C mode is so true. Best function of my R5, who has 6 presets. You can have C1,2,3 photo, quick switch to video using the info button and now video C1,2,3 with entirely different settings...

[@dustingillard8819]

I shoot on an X-T5 and rarely do video, so on the surface this video didn’t seem that relevant. However, it’s so well produced and explained that I watched through the entire thing without a pause. Thanks Joe for the hard work to produce such high quality videos - they have been a great resource for me.

[@ericnshimiye]

Thanks Joe for this invaluable information! Starting out with the XH2S can feel overwhelming but you have given us an incredible baseline for setting up this camera. I appreciate your work!

[@TheIppoippo]

Ahh, so this is where you got to use your cool "Custom Mode Dial" animation. Nice!

[@rymack5715]

Awesome video! I love these technical deep-dives. ❤

[@tamaNoi.]

This video is really helpful for considering my camera setup!! Thank you.

[@richardcarlson112]

Hi Joe. I agree with you about the dials. If a person doesn't do much video, or any, then the X-T dials can be fun. However, as an enthusiast who does some video, one of the biggest complaints I have with my X-T3 is needing to change too many things to switch over to video quickly before the moment is gone. The program dials sound very convenient as you say. I also like the top plate display. On holidays last week, I tried to switch to video on a darker street and could not see my dials properly. Twice I found that I misjudged the ISO dial clicks as I was rushing to re-set everything and was filming at ISO 10,000. I know it's my fault and I could have looked better in the viewfinder, but the more I can save in settings, the easier it is to quickly and accurately change over to capture a fleeting moment in video. Wishing you every success on your channel.

[@roguesodyssey]

Great video! I'm going to program some of these settings. Thanks!

[@cam7432]

Thanks for this. Interesting explanation of your process. Will recommend to film students.

[@slawomirlenart9142]

Such an informative video, thank you!

[@Love39Photography]

Thanks for the helpful tips. I'm entering video for the first time on my new vlog, and after 20+ years with digital and film stills, you are very helpful. I think the first intro vid is always a horror, so this helps me make the second better.

[@xmanreturn]

Amazing video, thanks for sharing 🎉

[@RamonBrito]

I am a no Fuji user but I am avid fan of your content love everything that you produce. Cheers brother

[@oregonduc]

Just ordered a used 16-55 2.8 lens from Allen’s Camera. What made me finally pull the trigger to buy it for my XH2S is similar to how the love hate relationship with my 16-80 f4 lens. I’ve also been using my camera with the Viltrox 27mm Pro and didn’t realize that the 16-55 is actually lighter than the Viltrox.

[@HonJazzz]

Give yourself a black and white photo setup for C5. It’s a lot of fun!

[@AdamKuban]

Thanks, Joe. This was incredibly helpful. It's one of the best overviews on using the XH2S for video/content creation I've seen. Hot sure how I'm only now just finding it. Did you ever make the video about your dual-mic setup? I'm assuming the Osmo is for environmental sound? What a clever idea. I'd love to replicate that myself.

[@pcmc8461]

Thanks for this video. I will implement these settings on my limited custom dials. Although my variable ND filter looks funny because I have to buy the biggest filter and step down rings for my other lenses.

[@FTrovatten]

Hi Joe, I am getting the H2S real soon and this video is extremely helpful. Lets shoot when you get back in London.

[@AkaTamimi]

Great valuable video as always Joe, it makes me question my choice of X-T5 as I started to get interested in making video as a hybrid shooter and wanna make some youtube videos. I was looking for a way to switch between video and photo seamlessly as you are doing and that video answered me that there is no way of doing it in xt5 especially I have a trip to Istanbul and want to switch between video and photos Great contents as always Big fab 👏🏽

[@gabrielesaladino9565]

Big video, so good! Just a question: can you avoid the exposure change when you zoom in/out with a zoom lens?

[@dianaa8125]

so interesting!

[@TechWandererYT]

Hey Joe, thanks for making me question my life choices. 😂 I've recently gotten an X100V and I love it so much that I'm now (just for information purposes I'm sure) research what it would be like to abandon my very expensive Sony setup for something very similar to what you have. Fuji thanks to film simulation really feels like, while capable of pro stuff, it makes us focus more on the creating, and less on the setup. I'm tempted! Thanks for the video, and you got a new sub! 💪🏻

[@joeallam]

Haha, glad to keep you on your toes and happy you're enjoying your X100V! I agree about focusing more on the art than the tech and love it exactly for that. Thanks for the super thanks too 🙌

[@idleprime_]

Greatly appreciate your coverage and walkthrough! When you covered your lens/filter setup, I saw that your bloom filter was a "drop-in" type, is that possible because of the magnetic VND? Are they both the same size for the 77mm filter thread?

[@17grace4HOF]

Thanks Joe. Watching my first vid of yours. Very helpful - especially the custom dial settings for improved workflow. Just purchased a X-H2s and trying to soak up as much as I can. You mentioned you used the CF card for vid and SD for pics. As a content creator do you ever find you need two CFs or two SDs in X-H2 for backup or choose one or the other as backup depending on content you are capturing?

[@theorientearl]

Hi Joe, thanks for this break down. 👍👍👍 As per your workflow where it involves the ND/VND filters. Do you take them off when shooting photos? Or just leave it and crank up your ISO and decrease your SS? Thank you.

[@atandon6003]

Great video joe. A question regarding how u use the camera in hybrid mode. When u toggle between photo and video modes, do u also toggle the ND Dfilter ie remove it for photo mode?

[@danfarmer_photo]

Thanks Joe. A question for you: When you’re shooting hybrid, do you leave your VND on when switching between photo and video? Or do you take it off each time? I shoot a lot of kids parties and I have video on one body, and photo settings for the other. I’m keen to just use the XH2s and switch using the custom modes, but I’m not sure how to tackle this situation. Thank you.

[@paulfournierphoto]

Thanks for sharing. Great video as always. I cant stand the shakiness of the XT4 for video and the auto focus issues. I was considering switching to Sony or fuji XH2S if these issues weren’t there but its hard to know until you can try the camera in hand. You seem to be saying its good enough since you are using it for video over the Canon R5 ;)

[@romanzumdiek]

Thank you so miuch for these tips!! Do you use zebra or something for the optimal exposure while making videos?

[@justcallmebones]

I would love to see a video on your color grading process for F-Log 2 in Premiere Pro! I only see people use DaVinci Resolve for F-Log2. Your colors look great!

[@AReality]

I'm also using the X-H2s as a photo+video camera, with the Freewell filters. I find that when transitioning from video to photo, I sometimes forget to remove the mist filter. Do you like the photos taken with the mist filter? If not, do you fix it in post? And also, where do you place your mist+VND filter temporarily for a few seconds when you take a photo, and then revert back to video mode? I see some systems have a hinge that flips up the filter, not sure if those are good.

[@RussWeymouthPhotography]

Do you use the dual mic system to capture the vlogging talk to camera audio as well as the environment audio?

[@EmilyBeggs]

Thank you for such a helpful video! Quick question~ how did you set c6 to automatically film vertically?

[@joeallam]

Just hold the camera sideways and it will record the file vertically. Can do it in any mode, but my C6 is set to 1080p because that’s all I need for stories.

[@realized-life]

Had the same question, as this was a little confusing in the video.

[@Dodiic]

Can you recommend other lenses for hybrid shooting? Also whats your thoughts on X-S20?

[@count.casper]

Still using my X-H1. Been contemplating a switch over to Sony A7IV or upgrading to the X-H2s. Been flip flopping back and forth for a few months now. This video has put fuji back to leading the tug-o-war. Right now it's a struggle between full-frame lowlight capabilities and AF vs the features and the overall usability of fuji. Anyways, have you noticed an improvement in the AF since the firmware update?

[@archascents5157]

love my xh2s. only complaint is many lenses don't have a lock for the aperture ring and I can't disable the ring so it gets bumped when I don't want it to and I don't realize I bumped it until after I shot my footage

[@rotorfpv4117]

about c1 and speed for af: -5?? I see only between 0 and 5, hmmm. second question: when Im filming bikers, shutter speed 1/100 is ok or too slow?? 4k 50 fps. and should I use face detect with bike recognize or only this second one? I talking about af-c ofcourse.

[@StewartBairdPhoto]

Unrelated question - what lens filter are you using on your X100? The moment?

[@peter-iq5en]

I heard the ibis on the xh2s will not work with 3rd party lenses. True?

[@ChessBoxin]

I'm heading to Japan in a week and staying for 2 weeks. I'm unsure if I should bring a gimbal or not. I don't travel much but my plan is the Shinjuku area, then Osaka, then Kyoto. If i'm just going to touristy spots, temples, and anything cultural related, would a gimbal but over the top? I'm not shy to bring it out but I'm unsure of the rules over there and what it's going to be like when I'm at certain locations. I too have an arca swiss mount (using GH5) for everything and it doesnt take long to pull it off gimbal once im done or when i want to pull it out and place on top. Any help appreciated.

[@khaledkhalifa4905]

What the exact settings for vertical mode? Can you tell me please?

[@timo7209]

Regarding your AF-L Button: I'm comming from a Sony and never used Fuji so i dont know if this is possible on that camera System, but if I want to "Lock" my Focus on Sony, I have a Button where I switch my Lense from AF to MF. So I Fokus with AF and when i want to Lock the Focus, press the Button on the Camera, Camera behaves like the Lense is in MF (even if the Switch at the lens still shows AF). Works every time and if it is possible with Fuji, maybe as quick but more reliable than your AF-L Trick.

[@user-dy4zb7po3s]

How is this dual microphone system connected? Because I know this NTG microphone only has one socket

[@starcb26]

Can you not save custom settings for video on the xt4?

[@JohnnyBenavente]

Joe I loved this video. I was confused through in your c6 setting is there a setting where you can shoot vertical without having to turn the camera on the side. What setting allows you to hold the camera normal but be able to view the confines of vertical video to set up your shot?

[@joeallam]

I just hold the camera sideways. Technically all of the modes could be vertical modes, but C6 is specifically in 1080, to save data and compression when sent to instagram etc.

[@JohnnyBenavente]

@@joeallam Thank you!

[@cotzker]

Yes, but the 16-55 is too heavy for vlogs. I only use it for stills when I need very high sharpness. But for video it is much more than I need. That's why it's better to have light prime lenses and it's better to have them stabilized.

[@CHLBUTTERWORTH]

Just noticed the lens at 2:13 isn't the 16-55 but the 56mm f1.2.

[@derJackistweg]

You love the "sharpness of the 16-55" and add a softness into the video afterwards. Doesn´t make sense to me. And looking at the footage it is really soft. I am sure a 15-45 would to a similar job.

[@joeallam]

Softness and diffusion are two different things. The filter adds a “sharp but soft” effect to the picture. Hope that helps explain

[@martinssau]

when taking still -- taking nd off ?

[@strippedlist]

You should try glimmerglass 1 😊

[@joeallam]

Actually had my eye on Glimmerglass for a while, but keen to try it before investing in it

[@strippedlist]

@@joeallam blooming but better contrast

[@robert_may]

The _only_ things annoying me with the X-H2S so far are the complete nonsense that is the Exposure Compensation controls in Manual, and how irritating it is to type the model name on a phone keyboard 🙈 But gawd the EC controls are so pants. Just let me assign it to one of the control dials like in aperture/shutter priority mode!

[@joeallam]

Exposure comp was the biggest thing I struggled with when I first used the X-H2S, until I assigned a custom function to ⬆️ button. When you press that, it becomes a toggle and then the dials are your comp controls. You’ll see the little icon next to the exposure meter when active. It’s not ideal and I preferred the X-H1’s button to hold near the shutter, but it’s okay. Also realising I forgot to mention this button in the video 🤦🏻‍♂️ And yes, X-H2S on mobile is 11 keyboard taps 😂

[@robert_may]

@@joeallam I have mine assigned to the AEL button as I never use that button for wildlife 😅 The problem I've been finding is getting accidentally stuck in that toggle, and also it does something _reeeeeeally_ weird when you're massively under/overexposed - it stops showing your current EC setting and shows how under/over you are. It doesn't seem to do that if you use EC in A/S/P modes so it just seems super bizarre. Historically I always shoot in M for wildlife with Auto ISO but I've swapped back to S for now because EC actually works normally in that mode 😆 I'd love to be able to shoot in M with the shutter speed on the rear dial, EC on the front dial, and aperture on the lens ring. I might have to go pester Fuji via email about it.

[@doptimist]

Every Fuji lens I have used so far has been great/amazing… except for two. The 23mm f2 (it was grand but not a patch on the 35mm) and the 16-80. I actually can’t believe Fuji released the latter. I think it’s a terrible lens. Outrageous amounts of distortion and softness on the wide end. I swapped back to an 18-55 as quickly as possible!

[@issamladdi]

Half of the video is a product placement....

[@Casualfulltime]

Fuji images and video look plasticy to me. The filter makes it look worse 😁