Have I got this right? Can I fit any lens to the Fujifilm X-H1 and whirl it around on the end of the strap and still get pin-sharp pictures of the moon? Is that how the system works?
Well, I shall find out, though I cannot wait until the next full moon - I'm going to experiment with the thing in broad daylight.
The idea of a stabilisation system in a lens is no new thing - that's been on DSLR lenses as well as the mirror-less lenses for some years now. And it works - lots of times marginal shots have been saved by the lens being steadier than the photographer. And some makers have gone step further - putting stabilisation systems unto the bodies of their cameras so that any lens attached gets the benefit of the increased steadiness. Some have systems that combine the efforts of both lens and body to increase the effect. All these are to be applauded - particularly if you need to take steady pictures while you are clapping.
The Fujifilm system up until the X-H1 only was able to apply it to their lenses - and then only to some of them. The body cavity of the X-H1 was made larger to accommodate the IS mechanism - it basically dodges the sensor around in minute amounts to make up for the shaking of the whole structure - and they also linked it to whichever of their lenses had the OIS system as well.
I have one - an 18-135 zoom that does very well for a lot of field work. It's been to more belly dance shows that I've had hot dinners, and in some cases enjoyed them more. All it has to do is look, not listen...I've no exact figure on how many shutter speeds up or down it can improve the view, but I always figure I can dodge down to at least 1/50 of a second and the scenery will stay still, even if the dancer does not.
There are a couple of things about the IBIS system that do concern me, though:
a. I put the battery in the camera, went through the business of not setting clocks or time zones and then put the body down on one of my studio table tops. This is a wooden table over a cavity - rather like the sound box of a lute. Lo and behold, the X-H1 started singing to me - or at least humming. There was a constant low whirring noise that the body generates that was not evident in the hand - but came out magnified by the tabletop.
Would this be the actuator of the IBIS constantly dodging about, or getting ready to do so? Would it affect the sound of a video?
b. Let me be frank and earnest. The Fujifilm X-T2 I own is wonderful but a bear for eating electricity. I use 3+ batteries for a dance show and even a studio session is well into the second battery before we call it a wrap. And it don't have an IBIS nor anything else that whirrs. I don't even whirr.
Is the X-H1 going to be able to work well on a reasonable battery life?
Well, I find out when I go out with it. I've got old artillery ears so a whir isn't going to mean anything to me - and I'm only shooting stills. Note that the instruction manual is very unclear about how the IBIS works - and there is only one item on a menu that deals with it - but as long as it is turned on, something will work.
