Relevant links:
Instant ohmage - Leica SL's haptic miracle
Fujifilm GF 63mm F/2,8: The prettiest lens I don't use
Unboxing Cognisys's StackShot 3X Extended (and example)
Zeiss Makro Planar 2/100 - end of an era
Fujifilm GFX-50s - versatile profile
A month ago I ordered the X-H1. It arrived at my office just as I was off to CP+ 2018. It is a fine camera at an interesting price. In my opinion, it is far easier to hold and to use than the X-T series, the 1 which previously I owned and which helped push me into the world of Leica. And, it certainly feels better in the hand than a Sony A7iii.
It is light, fairly well-made, and, as any Fujifilm X-Series owner will tell you, buttressed by great glass. But as regards simple, direct, and repeatable interfaces go, it is my strong opinion that the Leica SL is miles ahead.
What pains me about the SL is how behind it is on accessories, flashes , service, support, and sales points. The SL is far and away my favourite all-digital camera, but using it requires bigger, and harder balls, than using an X-H1- and this despite obviously superior build and interface quality.
What I love about the X-H1 is its new grip, its brilliant e-ink shoulder display, its OLED EVF, and in-body stabilisation. Its shutter is better damped than the X-T2's, clipping closed with a serious, but quiet low-pitched clunk. Beautiful. Whether Fujifilm yet realise it or not, the X-H1 will be a turn point the X Series around a new fulcrum, the dSLR-cum-mirrorless camera. This genre appeals to users like me that prefer an action-oriented camera to have a sloped shutter trigger, finger-balanceable grip, and top-mounted display. Likewise, it repulses users whose primary interest is knobs, dials, and hails to so-called traditional controls. That the X-H1 melds these two worlds in a single camera behind a familiar and well-developed mount, is key.
Its sales will turn the X Series, either toward or away from its dSLR-like design.
A YouTube video showing key ergonomic, haptic, and build quality differences between the Leica SL and the Fujifilm X-H1 is in the works. In the meantime, please feel free to check out my other videos.
For this image:
Taking camera: Fujifilm GFX-50s on a Cambo Actus GFX Cambo Actus GFX (more on this technical camera here)
Taking lens: Sinaron Digital 105/4 (Composit showdown - YouTube)
Lighting: 3x Profoto D1 lights