I just dropped a ton of money on this X-H2 because I wanted those 40 megapixels for my big landscape prints but honestly Im starting to regret it because nothing I have looks sharp. I went out to the coast yesterday to do some test shots before my big trip to the Dolomites in three weeks and when I got home and looked at the files on my 4K monitor I actually wanted to cry. I'm using the 16-80mm f4 because everyone said it was a great all-rounder but it looks like total mush on this sensor. I mean absolute mush. I stopped it down to f8 on a tripod with a remote shutter and the corners are just a blurry mess and even the center doesnt have that bite I was expecting from a high res body.
Its so frustrating because I moved over from a Sony A7III thinking Fuji colors would save me time in post but if the files arent sharp then what is even the point. I have about $1500 to spend on one really good piece of glass before I leave for Italy and I just need something that can actually resolve enough detail for this sensor. I keep reading conflicting reviews online about the 10-24mm being okay but then some people say it cant handle the 40mp sensor at all and then others are saying just get primes but I really prefer the flexibility of a zoom when hiking through the mountains.
Maybe I should just ditch the zoom idea if they all suck? I looked at the 18mm f1.4 or maybe the 23mm but I worry they wont be wide enough for the scale of the peaks. Then there is the 16-55mm red badge zoom but its so heavy and some people say its getting old and might not be up to the task either. Im just tired of pixel peeping and seeing blur where there should be crisp rocks and trees. It feels like I bought a Ferrari but I'm driving it on flat tires. Does anyone here actually have an X-H2 and a lens that makes them go wow when they zoom in to 100 percent for landscapes? What is actually the sharpest lens I can buy right now that wont let this 40mp sensor go to waste?
I had the same heartbreak with my own high-res body. That Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR is unfortunately just not up to the task and I almost sold my kit, tbh. I eventually switched to the Fujifilm XF 18mm f/1.4 R LM WR and the difference is massive. It actually resolves every pebble. Tip: keep it at f/5.6, anything higher and diffraction starts killing your detail on these 40mp sensors.
Caught this thread a day late. Quick tip: that 40mp sensor starts showing diffraction around f/6.4. Try shooting at f/5.6 to see if that restores some bite to your images. Could you clarify if you typically do focus stacking? If cost and weight are major factors for Italy, look at the Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8 R. Its a very methodical choice for resolving detail without the bulk of a heavy zoom.
I felt the same way when I first got my X-H2... totally deflated. Are you mostly shooting super wide vistas or do you like compression for the peaks? I finally found my groove after taking these to the mountains:
- Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR
- Only zoom that hits that wow factor for me.
- Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR
- Incredibly sharp. I have zero complaints now tho.
Quick reply while I have a sec! You really need to prioritize the newer primes designed for that high-res sensor to achieve maximum sharpness! Its amazing when it finally clicks! I have two main questions regarding Italy: how much total weight are you willing to pack into your kit, and do you need specific weather sealing for reliability? Safety is key when youre hiking... dont want to risk anything, tbh!
Jumping in here since I just went through this exact same thing! Like someone mentioned earlier, that kit lens is definitely the weak link for those huge prints. Its so amazing to see the detail the X-H2 can actually pull when you get it right! TL;DR: Get a better lens, keep it under f/5.6, and always turn off OIS on a tripod! Definitely be super careful about your aperture choice tho. I learned the hard way that stopping down too far actually makes things blurrier on these 40mp sensors because of diffraction... totally ruined some of my early shots! Also, a big DIY safety tip: make sure youre turning off your image stabilization when youre on the tripod. If you leave it on, the camera tries to correct for movement that isnt there and you get that weird mushy look. Dont want you to travel all the way to Italy just to have that happen! Its a total game changer once you dial it in and youre gonna have a fantastic trip!
To add to the point above: I've tried many setups over the years and honestly, I'm gonna disagree a bit with the idea that you need heavy red badge zooms or only primes to get results. I actually think the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary for Fujifilm X is a much better real-world pick for hiking the Dolomites. Its tiny, weighs almost nothing, and in my experience, its way sharper in the corners than the 10-24mm Fuji ever was. It really holds up on my 40mp sensor without breaking the bank or your back. Coming from a Sony A7III, you're probably used to that full-frame bite, but the X-H2 can definitely match it if you ditch that 16-80. If you want those epic compressed peak shots too, you should look at the Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR. Its super light and surprisingly sharp for a lens in that range. Ngl, the 16-80 is just a bit of a dud on high-res bodies, so dont let it sour you on the whole system... it just can't resolve the detail. Stick to f/5.6 and you'll see a massive difference with these others. Let me know if you need more details on the Sigma vs the Fuji zooms tho.
