ULTRA COMPACT Fujifilm XH2S Cinema Rig For Handheld Filmmaking

[@blasepivovar]

IMPORTANT NOTE - Glossed over it while filming this, but after originally filming this video 2 weeks ago and then breaking my camera, I decided to 100% reshoot this only AFTER I learned more about the issue and how to prevent it. In addition, I swapped over to a different v mount plate, battery and cable solution after hearing thoughts from several of you guys in the comment section. Those new additions to the rig are the ones featured in this video and I feel confident about how they will perform going forward. Holler with any questions like always down below and I'll get back with ya!

[@grainybrews]

This has given me a lot of ideas for my X-H2s build, thank you as always mate. You've been an invaluable resource!

[@blasepivovar]

Love that. Happy to help!

[@johnstamw]

Keep these vids coming, we need your genius 🙌🏼

[@blasepivovar]

Thanks dawg 😄

[@delosreyesgino]

That is a nice and clean rig.

[@blasepivovar]

thx!

[@nic_dre]

Thank you for this, I just ordered and xh2s and can't wait to rig it up! This is pretty much everything I needed

[@blasepivovar]

Sweet! Glad to hear this video was helpful!

[@JopaDP]

have you ever encountered any over heating issues while keeping the flip screen closed?

[@blasepivovar]

Good question. I always shoot with the flip screen out. I have had no overheating issues with the XH2S, indoor or outdoor until this past week. Had it in 90 degree direct sun heat and was rolling for about 20min straight. After I paused my shot, I had to let the camera cool down for 60 seconds or so before it would let me roll again. However that is literally the first issue like it I have had and am curious if it is firmware related as I just got it back from the Fujifilm repair center and they updated the firmware. Hope that helps

[@ScottClintonPhotography]

Just a quick point of fact... you can actually close the door on the XH2S when using a dummy battery. There's a small rubber gasket that pulls partway out to allow for the power cable to come out and the door to close. I use it all the time.

[@blasepivovar]

Oh dope. Did not know that. A few dummy batteries I had used in the past seemed to get quite hot so that also kinda made me nervous

[@blasepivovar]

which one do you use with the xh2s?

[@ScottClintonPhotography]

GyroVu from b&h... link keeps getting script out best wishes... Good luck with it.

[@roelestievenart]

do you think the kessler kwik stand can be substituted for a smallrig multifunctional plate (3913)?

[@blasepivovar]

i haven't used it but does look like it would work in the same way!

[@412foto]

when using a tripod do you mount this whole rig to the tripod for quick on and off using another base plate on the bottom? or do you take it off the rig and then attach to tripod?

[@blasepivovar]

whole rig mounts to the tripod via the kessler quick stand (already part of my rig) and the kessler quick release plate receiver is on the tripod. the receiver is just arca swiss so you can also use others that are less expensive

[@CryWolfFilms]

i have a v mount battery for my ursa and never had issues. that's really weird it fried your camera. there is no order i take off cables or put in cables. all random and with no issues

[@blasepivovar]

interesting, same thing actually happened to a buddy of mine on his XH2S a month or two ago. maybe certain cameras are more prone that others idk

[@PawelKlempkaFilms]

Hi Blase :) Would you share what ND filters are you using? Especially when shooting outdoor? Thanks!

[@blasepivovar]

I have currently been shooting with the Nisi Swift True Color VND but have mixed feelings about it hence not adding it into this video. To my eye, I still find a subtle yet annoying color shift towards magenta that isn't easily color correctable as it seems to hit different colors like greens differently than skin tones. To me it messes with how good Fuji colors look straight out of the camera so am kinda mixed right now on it!

[@PawelKlempkaFilms]

@@blasepivovar Ahh got it! I've tried some variable ND's but also: color shifts or strong X-pattern... seems like no good compact solutions here. Nisi Swift system looks kinda all right but stacking 3-4 filters for an effect doesn't sound perfect... :(

[@blasepivovar]

@PawelKlempkaFilms Feel you for sure. I mainly just use the 1-5 stop and then add the +4 stop on top need be. It’s actually pretty convenient and i haven’t had any x pattern with it. Maybe some slight vignetting on wider lenses. More just the color shifts to me that leave me from getting excited about it and recommending it to anyone.

[@PawelKlempkaFilms]

@@blasepivovar Hopefully they will come up with some groundbraking technology soon! Crossing fingers. Thanks for your wonderful and inspiring work :)!

[@Eyeofkamau]

@@blasepivovarhave you ever tried the smallrig VND mattebox bro? I use it and love the VND integration (+ the filter is great, to me at least). Maybe you’ll find it as a good piece to this rig?

[@MasonicInc]

Great video thank you. If ever you are out and about, what mic if any would you mount to this setup, and how would you mount it?

[@blasepivovar]

I alternate between just a little Movo video mic on the handle or the Sennheiser MKE600 that I mount using a little mounted cold shoe receiver on the left side of the rig. A lot of times I am not shooting with an on camera mic tho

[@MasonicInc]

Thank you@@blasepivovar much appreciated, I would be curious to see how that looks mounted etc. As I am getting myself a build around my H2s. Awesome channel and great work on the videos.

[@russelsohwj]

Hey how did you get the follow focus to work with the Sirui Nightwalker lenses! I tried mounting the exact same way as you however the lens is a tad too short for the gears to bite on each other

[@blasepivovar]

Responded to your DM!

[@lukomedia]

do you output the camera menu to the monitor as well? I have an XH1 and its quite a low res video feed when you output all camera menus and OSD

[@blasepivovar]

I usually do not for that reason

[@Markplaats-x1h]

nice

[@blasepivovar]

thank you!

[@412foto]

Already had a small rig and handle for my XH2 and wanted to get an external monitor. This video was extremely helpful and I got almost all of the components you listed (except the follow focus and additional side handle)!! Curious how when using the external monitor you reposition it when on a tripod and wanting to put it at more vertical than flat...do you use the arm included with the monitor for that?

[@blasepivovar]

Thanks so much! Glad to hear it was helpful! I just use the swivel monitor mount that attaches to the top handle and then to the bottom of the monitor

[@ybevision]

Hey man! Thanks for your videos they are truly helpful. I am also rigging my XH2s with similar setup and need to ask something. So let’s say I plug the cables in proper order, powering up my camera and monitor before plugging in the HDMI cable and start filming. If I take a break and need to power down my rig for a moment after unplugging the HDMI cable first: can I leave other cables plugged in during the break? And is there any specific order in powering up or down the system? Thanks in advance!

[@blasepivovar]

Yep, you have it right! If you are taking a real real long break (several hours), i’d advise just unplugging the v mount battery just to be extra safe.

[@perhat22photo]

Nice build. I just bought my first monitor and am building my first rig for the xh2s. How do you go about monitoring? do you use a clean feed or do you leave the settings on there?

[@blasepivovar]

thanks so much. clean feed preferred

[@perhat22photo]

@@blasepivovar I like having the clean feed as well, but run and gun with a clean feed is a pain. I guess the top screen can be useful but still miss the info on the screen.

[@TravelMap]

Have you tried prores raw or braw? Any idea about the stuttering issue while recording raw video?

[@blasepivovar]

I have not unfortunately. Not currently something that makes sense for my workflow

[@danbrockettDOP]

Hey Blase, good to hear you got your camera back from Fuji repair. If you don't mind posting, how much did they charge to repair your fried HDMI port? One more question if I am contemplating buying the XH-2S? I own the Osee T7 that I've been using with my X-T3 cine rig as well as on client camera rigs, it's a great monitor, but the Not great spec about it is that it won't accept UHD 60p, only 30p. It will accept 1080 60p but I saw in another XH-2S video that Fuji inexplicably left out the ability to output 1080 while shooting UHD? Is that still true as far as you have experienced? Also, how do you monitor when shooting 6K open gate? Does the XH-2S output anything out HDMI when shooting 6K open gate? If Fuji ONLY outputs UHD when shooting UHD and doesn't let you select FHD HDMI output as my X-T3s do, I am kind of hosed with this monitor, which would be a shame because I have become addicted to having a 3,000 not monitor for outdoor shoots. Thanks!

[@blasepivovar]

Yeah to my knowledge, I don't think the XH2S can output 1080p while shooting UHD, however the work around is just shooting with "HDMI Output Info Display" ON, which sends whatever is on the LCD screen to the monitor. With it not being a clean feed, I do notice some drop in the quality, however it is still plenty fine and hence what I do when filming 6K open gate. So you should be able to do the same thing when filming in UHD. Hope that helps!

[@danbrockettDOP]

​@@blasepivovar That is helpful. Do you know the resolution the XH-2S is sending out for the "HDMI Output Info DIsplay Mode" when shooting UHD? I've tried looking through the owners manual but can't find out if it's UHD or 1080? Seems backwards that on my relatively ancient X-T3s, they give you the option to send out FHD or UHD when shooting UHD but on this much newer and video-centric XH-2S, they don't? I don't really want to buy a new monitor as I'm pretty happy with the Osee color, tools, quality and the 3,000 nits, I did an outdoor shoot at an event last weekend and having the ability to actually see the screen in direct harsh daylight is a game changer. It would make life easier if it accepted UHD 60p but it doesn't, that's the compromise shooting with an inexpensive monitor.

[@blasepivovar]

It just sends a 1080p signal when using the HDMI Output Info Display. My monitor displays 1080p and 59.94hz in the top right corner when plugged in. Without the HDMI Output info display on, filming in UHD says 3840x2160 24hz in the top right corner of my monitor. Hope that helps!@@danbrockettDOP

[@danbrockettDOP]

@@blasepivovar Thanks Blase, that's very good of you to check that. Best of luck and keep shooting good looking stuff with your XH-2S!

[@DylanFilm]

Great setup ! Have you tried without the hand grip ? And also do you ever use the optional cooling fan? Thank you 🙏🏻

[@blasepivovar]

Yeah I shoot pretty often with and without the hand grip. When not using the follow focus it is usually on the other side. And unfortunately don't have any experience with the cooling fan!

[@manuart1983]

Nice

[@blasepivovar]

thanks :)

[@derJackistweg]

When you spend 4 grand for a setup, you should also spend 30 bugs for some Typ C cables in the correct length, like 10cm for the bat. e.g. And / or 90° ones etc.

[@blasepivovar]

Haha I actually have spent well over $30+ on a bunch of different ones and landed on liking these coiled ones the best as they seem to be more forgiving overtime. Plus prefer the flexibility of extra cable length if I need it. 90 degree cables in this situation wouldn't work well for me as where I place the flip out screen when filming interviews would smash it (or it would be sticking straight up putting an odd bend on the cable) + 90 degree cables wont fit inside the cable protector I have attached to the cage.

[@manuart1983]

I had some power bank to feed my XT3 by USB C port and never works, if the camara is off, charge the battery, but when is on, the inside battery never gets the necessary charge to keep working, even if the Fuji said that the Anker Power banks batteries are good for them .... never works for me, but with a dummy battery works very well..... any coments??

[@blasepivovar]

Does your power bank have PD output? Is your cable suitable for PD output? I think on my XT3 I needed a power bank with a PD port to power the camera while it was on and rolling.

[@manuart1983]

@blasepivovar Yes my man, is a Power Bank Anker 20,000mAh PD 20W.... maybe is the cable... I will try another cable and check, maybe the signal that shows as connected in the screen is only signal but not real charge for the battery during recording

[@blasepivovar]

So odd. Yeah maybe try the cable. The USB C to C coiled cables I have linked in the description have worked great for me with power banks@@manuart1983

[@christianwmeyer]

I had the same power solution and can confirm the problem with not getting enough power for the x-t3. Have to check the USB C cables. I'm very close to buying the XH2s but I will wait for some months. There are still too many camera options to choose from 😅

[@starling1360]

I'm missing the takes when you hand hold this rig..

[@blasepivovar]

yeah this was just the build

[@patmcdonnell7784]

what about audio?

[@blasepivovar]

didn’t include as it changes based on the job but most commonly running with the MKE 600 on the handle or mounted to the side of the rig with a cold shoe