Transform your FUJIFILM X-H2S into a Cinema Camera
Today we are exploring everything that you need to transform your FUJIFILM Camera into a fully rigged production ready Cinema Camera.
The Camera - FUJIFILM X-H2S + Smallrig Cage
The camera that I am rigging today is the FUJIFILM X-H2S and the reason is simple - it is the most capable camera - except maybe from the GFX 100 II - in terms of video in the FUJIFILM ecosystem. It has pretty much everything that you need to create pro level videos on set or outside and if rigger properly, can really deliver cinema quality footage. It supports ProRes internally, BRAW externally, h.265 and 4.2.2 10 bit colors, with 4k120p as well as 6.2k open gate. Everything that you need (and even more).
Now for this example, we decided to go with the X-H2S, but this can also work for the X-H2 or the X-T5 (although you will have micro-hdmi in stead of the standard one) so if you have a different camera, make sure to keep reading, as this applies to you as well.
I paired this camera with a Smallrig cage for the X-H2S. This cage is great because first, it has 3 points of attached, meaning that it does not move around when attaching accessories to it. Second, it allows you to have more points of attached to add accessories, which is exactly what we need.
The Lens - Viltrox Anamorphic + DZO PL-X mount Adapter
When it comes to the lens I chose for this rig, I picked the Viltrox Cinema Lens 35mmT2 Anamorphic 1.33x . Viltrox did send me this lens and the whole kit (50mm and 75mm) to test for a few months, and I really want to bring them around with me when traveling in Japan to really test them and see what they are capable of.
Now because those lenses are PL mount, I am using the DZO PL-X mount adapter to be able to mount the Viltrox lenses on my Fuji. Quite a pricy adapter but a necessary expense to be able to get this kind of quality.
Tripod, Plates, Rodes and other accessories
In order to properly support the weight of the lens, I am fixing the X-H2S and the adapter to a Smallrig Cheese plate. That insures that the weight is distributed and that not all the tension goes to the mount, which can completely break the mount of the camera, so that’s a must. Be careful to add this.
Next, I attach a small tripod mount to the bottom of the cheese plate and mount the whole block of a Smallrig baseplate. The advantage of this plate is that its height is adjustable. This can become important based on the lens that you are using, as some might be way bigger than others. With this place you can easily adjust the height of your system if needed and it also supports standard 15mm standard rodes.
Under this baseplate, I add a standard tripod plate that allows me to continue my setup on the tripod directly. For this case, I am using the Smallrig AD-100, which can withstand the weight of the setup and features a fluidhead as well to help with camera movement.
The next step is to add a top handle. This handle is great for mobility, to take your setup onto or out of the tripod and for overall handling.
After moving on to the tripod, I add the rodes. Those rodes will be used for several purposes - the follow focus, lens supporter as well as to hold the battery.
For this particular setup, I recommend 9 inches rodes but for smaller setup (and smaller lenses), 6 inches rodes can be enough.
Next I move on to adding the follow focus as well as the lens supporter. This is A MUST with this type of lens. Again, you want to distribute the weight of the setup. If you do not do, you will break your camera mount. So be careful!
Once all of this is in place, you can finally add the lens. Not before, otherwise you are going to destroy your camera and risk to drop your lens on the floor. So add your lens to your mount and make sure that the lens supporter supports part of the lens weight and distribute it properly.
Battery, Screen and Matte Box
The next step is to make sure that we have power, a way to visualize our footage and an easy way to add filters and protect the lens from flares.
First, I add power to the setup by adding the V-Mount to the rodes. I then mount the ZGCine V99 Battery that has 2 DTaps and USB out to provide power to the camera and monitor. You also have an additional power delivery channel available if you have something like a follow focus motor or a wireless transmitter.
I then add my OSEE G7 on top of my handle for me to easily be able to monitor my footage. I use this particular monitor because it is very bright and useful when outside, but also because it supports anamorphic desqueeze, which is great when you pair it with the Viltrox Anamorphic Cine Lens set.
And finally, I add a Matte Box in front of the lens, for me to be able to easily slide in ND filters or other kind of filters if needed. Plus it definitely adds to the look.
Now all that we have to do left is to connect everything - power, hdmi - and we are good to shoot. Let me know if you have any questions.
List of gears used
If you are interested in any of the things mentioned in this article, here is where you can find them:
FUJIFILM X-H2S: https://amzn.to/3zmwiji
Smallrig Cage: https://amzn.to/4exIXjv
Top Handle: https://amzn.to/4bpYNJT
Cheese Plate: https://amzn.to/4cEYFHN
Base Plate: https://amzn.to/3KWpRWF
6inches 15mm rodes: https://amzn.to/3RIlD8T
9inches 15mm rodes: https://amzn.to/4bk7YLS
Viltrox Anamorphic Cinema Lenses: https://viltrox.com/ja/products/anamorphic-35-50-75mm-t20-1-33x-pl-mount-cine-lens
PL-X Mount Viltrox Adapter: https://amzn.to/4eCImNo
F60 Smallrig Follow Focus: https://amzn.to/45DAerV
Smallrig AD-100 Tripod: https://amzn.to/3RKJ41j
Matte Box: https://amzn.to/3KWnoLQ
ZGCine V99: https://amzn.to/3KWnoLQ
Smallrig Lens support: https://amzn.to/3xG3t0s
OSEE G7 Monitor: https://amzn.to/3VX8jjc
Watch the full video here.
