Smallrig - Building your perfect camera rig - Fujifilm XH2/XH2s
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- Опубліковано 29 жов 2022
- A guide about what I went through building my first Smallrig camera rig for my Fujifilm xh2s, and what I wish i'd known before buying anything.
Do note all links below are affiliated - It won't cost you any more, but it'll help get me more Smallrig gear to review. (have a google for some discount codes to save a few %)
Fujifilm X-H2 / X-H2s cage
www.smallrig.com/SmallRig-Cag...
Quick release mini nato rail
www.smallrig.com/smallrig-min...
HDMI Adapter
www.smallrig.com/smallrig-ult...
HDMI Cable ultra slim 35cm
www.smallrig.com/smallrig-ult...
Top Handle [without Rec button]
www.smallrig.com/smallrig-nat...
Top Handle with Rec Button
www.smallrig.com/smallrig-nat...
Side Handle
www.smallrig.com/smallrig-min...
Rotating Side Handle [The one i wish I got]
www.smallrig.com/SmallRig-Uni...
Base Plate
www.smallrig.com/smallrig-bas...
6 Inch Rods [15cm]
www.smallrig.com/smallrig-2pc...
4 Inch Rods [15cm]
www.smallrig.com/smallrig-alu...
Battery Plate with Dual 15cm Rode Clamp
www.smallrig.com/smallrig-v-m...
Monitor Mount
www.smallrig.com/smallrig-swi...
Atomos Ninja V [NOTE while the V+ can record 4k 120, most cameras can't output 4k 120]
amzn.to/3VEU8wg
Black Magic Video Assist [a better monitor if you're editing in DaVinci Resolve]
www.blackmagicdesign.com/prod...
Matte Box Lite
www.smallrig.com/smallrig-min...
Smallrig VND Kit [does NOT work with matte box lite]
www.smallrig.com/SmallRig-VND...
V-Mount Batteries
50wh www.smallrig.com/SmallRig-VB5...
99Wh www.smallrig.com/SmallRig-VB9...
155Wh - coming soon
Matte Boxes that DO work with the Smallrig VND Kit
Cheapest - www.smallrig.com/SmallRig-Mul...
Medium - www.smallrig.com/SmallRig-Mul...
Best - www.smallrig.com/SmallRig-Mul... - Навчання та стиль
Saw this preview to this on Facebook and had to subscribe, had been waiting and I’m glad I subscribed! Amazing work, looking forward to more!
Thank you very much for the comment, really appreciate it.
Best rig award 2023🎉
It’s evolved a smidge so far in 2023 but I have been absolutely loving it since getting it.
Love the info and style of vid! About to pick up the smallrig battery too. Seems like a good compromise between weight and enough juice.
Thanks for sharing buddy!
Thank you!
Very complete !….very precise!…..thank you for your usefull advices.
Great video, straight to the point. Just what i needed :)
Great video and certainly helps me think about rigging the XH-2s more
Thank you!
Nice video, and good breakdown. Thank you!
Thank you
amazing build
Thank you!
super info much appreciated
Appreciate for your video! It was very useful!
Thank you
using your video as reference in my first build for a "rigged out" camera. They gotta give you a personal discount code! Top notch video, thanks for the info!
If you use the links down below I get a small commission, and if you have any questions please sing out.
Cheers for the support mate
I've got the XT3 and im looking for a setup like this. I rigged everything today and it looks fantastic! Thank you for this inspiration and help! :)
That’s awesome and thank you for the feedback, I really appreciate it
Hey, I also have the XT3 and want to rig it up further. Have you managed to eliminate the micro-jitter shake with this heavy setup?
@ggslav that’s a little harder with the xt3 as it doesn’t have ibis, stabilised lenses will help a lot, and my go to for the last few years has been to add a real long adjustable shoulder strap as another point of contact. But yes stabilisation specially ibis is great for handheld shooting
@@ggslav i‘ve got a big setup with the Sigma 18-35 f1.8 (really heavy Front, way heavier than the Camera itself)
And i always Shot with a Camera strap around my neck to be a Little more stabilized. I always shoot in 24fps and it always gets a little shaky but it looks Kind of cinematic to me :)
awesome video !!
Thank you!
for the handle grip, you can use tennis racket handle grip tape or the one used for race bicycles
Yes those would be great and make a massive improvement to just a standard handle
Nice rig setup. I’ve been on the fence with choosing a good matte box but the one you suggested might make it’s way to my rig.
If you plan to use a VND I wouldn’t recommend this one, otherwise it’s great for how cheap it is.
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography yes the VND matte box option you showed as an alternative was the one I was referring too. Thanks
Oh sorry my mistake
@@visionz_n_mediaif you haven’t bought it, I can confirm with my recent purchase of it… it is INCREDIBLE. Only drawback is that it can’t be stored with the VND in - other than that, wow oh wow ✅
Building my rig now, definitely will be similar to yours.
Awesome, I truely love mine
Awesome, I truely love mine
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography same
Awesome video.. Thomas.. subbed
Appreciate it mate, thank you!
I wanted a matte box for that "wow" factor 😂
It's very practical for cutting light and managing filters but when I thought of it it's going down the rabbit hole, it doesn't really work for zoom lenses and lenses that do not have internal focus but it's only compatible with some filters brands, sizes, shapes. I think the matte box should only come last one when one's settled on the lenses so it can fit all. Plus the price of the matte box + accessories + filters rack up very fast.
But when you finally have the matte box you can call yourself a filmmaker even if your camera just sits on a shelf never being used and just for the show 😂
true, and it only cost 60 bucks 🤣
Great video! Love the frame with all the gear mentioned. Few people do that!
2 quick questions;
1. Do you think this rig also works for someone with a follow focus, or would you do some additions?
2. Do you think a rig can replace a gimbal for a beginner?
I have recently started using a follow focus more and the rig really depends on what lens you’re using.
E.g. some cine lenses can be very long and/or heavy throwing the balance out.
And to answer 2nd question, No, for the price I think a gimbal is far more useful for a beginner
Hey Thomas, well made. efficient and clear. Your rig looks so good, I went out and spend my blackfriday budget on Small Rig. I'm struggling to mount the camera inside the case. In fact, it doesn't really fit without damaging the camera. Any trick I should try? grease it up a bit maybe 🙂 Thanks for any suggestion. greets from a happy Fuji user.
Just to double check you’ve 100% got the cage made for your rig?
And make sure you’re mounting yours from the correct side.
Mine gets mounted from the lens side, not from the rare if that makes sense
That looks great. Thank you. Two question who were not asked in the comments:
1. How long can you record or running the camera with both monitors on the 55 battery?
2. I guess you still have the original battery in the fuji cam plus the v-mount battery. Do both battery lose energy? Or will the v-mount battery lose first all the energy and when its dead the original fuji battery starts to work?
I’ve never done none stop recording to answer the first but I get about 5 hours of heavy use out of it (never had it die on a shoot).
I have stopped charging the camera from it though as it only charged it VERY slowly and was just another cable to worry about (if I remember correctly the camera only charges at 5w while on vs 30w when off) and as the camera battery was lasting me about 3-4 hours of heavy use without charging I just swap batteries mid shoot.
you’re good at this
Thank you…by “this” you mean?
communicating relevant information in a clear concise manner
also Cameras
Oh thank you, I very much don’t do it for the money hahaha so honestly the kind feedback means a lot.
your passion and commitment to precision come through
Hey, great guide! Would you recommend the Smallrig Cage for the Fuji XS-20? Im worried, because you mentioned, that the cage should have three points of connection, but the one for the xs-20 only has 2
If you can find a 3 point cage for another brand I’d suggest that, but if not ya don’t have much of a choice I guess.
Anything you attach to the cage if it’s near a point of contact will be solid, if it’s not near a point of contact you cage will flex a little
Hi! Awesome rig video! Very inspiring! Can I ask what cable did you use for your SmallRig NATO Top Handle with Record Start/Stop Remote Trigger? I have this same handle from my sony system and I only have the sony cable. Where can I get the cable that works with the record button? Thanks in advance!
Mine came with 3 cables I believe, I 100% haven’t brought any extras.
Thank you very much for the feedback though
Great video! I was wondering which CFexpress card are you using to record your footage?
I’m using a anglebird 512gb most of the time, but also use a bit of sandisk sd as backup
Could you please explain the benefit of installing a camera with this system and the difference between shooting with a gimbal, thank you.
It really depends on the look you are after for your video.
If you want to be able to react very fast to what’s going on around you this set up is fantastic, if you want long slow walking shots a gimbal is fantastic.
If you’re on a tripod and need to KNOW your in focus etc a big monitor makes a huge difference.
But in the end it all comes down to what you’re shooting and how you’d like your video to look
Can you please make a video about the 18-120? It's frustrating how few videos there are about this lens. I use the 16-80 F4 for most of my B-roll and I think it's great. I wish someone would show off how good with lens is for video since everyone else seems to crap on it because it's soft for photos. Thanks!
Hello friend, I've got the exact same setup, also with the 33mm 1.4 and the 16-80mm. I wanted to get a longer prime, had my eyes on the 56mm 1.2.
But since I'm primarily shooting video and ONLY focusing manually, I've looked at cinema lenses now.
Would you reccomend the vision set from 7Artisans? 4 of those lenes would almost cost me the same as the 56mm f 1.2 from fuji.
I own the 7artisans 12mm be it blew my
Mind how sharp it was.
ua-cam.com/video/OCmwIHEs8qA/v-deo.html
But they are a little heavy, but yes as you said for that price it’s an amazing deal.
Why not tilta?
Thanks for the info. 🎉
Tilta make amazing stuff, build quality wise I’d even say better in most cases than smallrig.
However I do not like the tilta cages and tilta options nearly always cost more.
Nice! thanks for sharing. I have the same top handle and the same grip problem. What a nice solution with the leather sleeve. You say you had it made for you, is it possible to see some pictures of that sleeve somewhere?
Hockey stick grip tape would be a easier solution.
I don’t have photos up of it yet.
But essentially you wrap the leather around it inside out with two very small lips to attached together.
Then slowly and with heaps of force you turn it inside out, this was hard to do.
Then I slid it over the grip with the seam aligned with the long slot down the side of the grip.
Marked a spot for a hole or two, punched them out, and used a small smallrig bolt or two to lock the grip in place.
But like I said in hind sight grip tape would have been much easier.
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography Thanks for the reply. I’m going to try it.
Let me know how ya get on, IG pm your attempt
Thanks for the video. I've just purchased the same top handle but it's not functioning correctly. It starts recording as soon as I plug the cable in to the handle or camera. I then have to use the camera shutter to stop recording, and then the button on the top handle doesn't function at all. Any help much appreciated. The cable is plugged in to the top handle and the remote socket.
What camera do you have?
Any particular reason you're not recording with the ninja? Just curious why you wouldn't go with the shinobi instead and save some money. Great build!
I brought the ninja well before the camera.
It can record prores internally, and the camera can’t output 4k 120 to the ninja.
If I had to buy again I’d get the black magic video assist but my workflow pretty never needs raw so I haven’t switched yet
Hi Thomas I built my XH2 exactly how you showed and my smallrig top handle record button doesnt work. Is there a setting Im missing or is the camera faulty? It is the second handle ive used and both wont work.
For those reading this in the future, I was also very kindly contacted via Instagram and have sorted out this issue, to which I’d encourage anyone else having this issue to please reach out, I’m always happy to help.
nice video.. i have some questions..
1. if we record 4k 60fps on the atomos? is it still cropped 1.2x like internal x-t4 record?
2. how is your hand position if shoot eye level?
thank you very much
Since recording this if I’m doing prolonged eye level shooting I’ll quiet often use a monopod.
I have completely stopped using the atomos for recording and only use it as a monitor as it does record a few of the xh2s formats that I like so I am unsure about the crop factor sorry.
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography thank you very much
I have the exact same top handle and although I love the Rec button, I miss the grip. I’ve been trying to find out a solution, yours like quite great but I couldn’t quite understand, what’s exactly that sleeve made of? Did you buy it or is it dyi stuff?
It’s leather, but grip tape would work great as well
Hello, thanks for your sharing. I find the Top Handle with Rec Button from Smallrig doesn't mention they support X-H2s, is the record button still works for xh2s? Thanks!!
I have used it on every single firmware version of the xh2s and never had issues.
However I have had a few people comment here saying they have had issues and after I have said make sure you put it in the right spot and press it in far enough none of them have replied.
I personally would very happily purchase another one for my xh2s as it’s been so reliable and useful
Thanks!!@@ThomasBusbyPhotography
3:27 How did you get the record button to work on your top handle? For the life of me I can’t figure it out. I’ve tried every port on the camera. Thanks!!
I have had lots of people comment with this issue and non seem to reply when I ask questions.
But just to confirm the port is on the grip side of the camera above the memory card door.
And it is a little firmer than expected to push it in, it’s not crazy hard to do so don’t break anything, but my first time I didn’t have it in far enough.
Please let me know if this was the fix and all the best.
How're you liking that XF 18-120 PZ lens? I have a long history of regretting the purchase of superzooms and have always ended up selling them eventually, but this one looks to be a different beast and has me curious...
For video it’s great, though if you like to crash zoom it’s a little slow
2:18 can I use a monitor without a pin area with that mount? Im using a desview r5 monitor
Yes the pins pop down, as sometimes I remove my monitor and turn it slightly if I’m doing a long interview depending on where I’m sitting
Is the 18-120 worth the purchase if you already own the 16-55 & 50-140 even though they're photography first lenses?
I’d only get the 18-120 if you’re doing video, absolutely love it for video.
For photography I’d stick with the two lenses you have.
Thank you so much for sharing your setup and findings with us. I am actually right now building a very similar rig with a FUJI X-H2S & the XF18-120 as my primary lens (Getting a set of vintage Canon FDs in addition). I want to power the camera, the Atomos Shinobi and .. who knows via a Smallrig V-mount battery (not sure yet if 50 or 99? ) What would you recommend (and why) in terms of cabeling? D-Tap-connection to Monitor or to battery-dummy? I had D-Tap to W235-dummy in mind and the 8V to Monitor (also with an adapter) ... Thanks for your thoughts ....
Be aware you’ll need a xh2s dummy battery, not just a w265 battery as it’s a different dummy battery from the xt4.
I get about 4 hours using mine to just power the monitor, so if you’re thinking about powering the camera as well I’d definitely get the 99
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography Hi, I have a X-T4 and a X-H2S here on the table and both use the same NP-W235 batteries. So A 'NP-W235-dummy' should do the job for both cameras, no? I wonder if there arguments pro or contra using 'dummy to D-Tap' or reserving the D-tap for the monitor? Or maybe it does not matter ... ??
But the cable comes out of a different spot from the T to the H hence why it’s not the same dummy even though it’s the same battery.
With connects it’s more about power output and what your device needs etc
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography Oh yes .... Thanks for making that clear !
No worries at all and all the best.
Awesome! I have a very similar rig for my X-T4 :) Have you found a shoulder option for this type of rig? I'm worried too much weight would be forward and not much on the back but would love to be able to throw this setup on the shoulder. Thanks!
Smalleig do a very cheap shoulder rig which I’ve held but never used, I actually use a sling neck strap instead which I’ve been very happy with as I like lower angle shots rather than higher angle shots plus it works well with a top handle monitor
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography interesting I’ll have to check that out. Is the sling featured on your page somewhere?
@@melvinbrinson this link might take you to the New Zealand site but this is the strap I use
nz.peakdesign.com/collections/straps/products/slide
Very useful. Thanks. I've got the same problem as you on hitting record on the camera. Do you use the atomos to record as well?
No the atomos doesn’t offer any recording options I need, and doesn’t offer a few recording options I use in camera, so I now just use a shonibi
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography I'm curious: what specs are missing on the Atomos that you want and find in the X-H2s?
@lucapellizzaro80 4K 120fps (the xh2s can’t output that via hdmi even if ya get the V+)
And h265 without paying another $99 for it. Plus it’s on the reliability of 2 hdmi ports and a cable rather than just a memory card which is farrr more secure
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography that's fair enough. I have my ninja v for the long takes on a tripod and yes, hdmi is not reliable but I've experienced major fails with the Cf express cards so...
@lucapellizzaro80 yeah nothing beats dual recording
Hi, which USB C cable are you using to charge? I have a right angle as well but the head is a bit too bulky. Thanks!
To be honest I have now stopped charging via usb-c.
Charing while using made such a small (nearly unnoticeable) difference, and I’d rather have the extra life on the monitor.
But the cable I used was a UGREEN UG-50125 USB-C to Right Angled
Which I got shortened to suit the rig.
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography thank you Thomas
I'm researching on building rigs for my new xh2s. Never done anything like this before. One quick question. i was looking at the falcam system but they don;t have a cage for xh2s. Is it possible to have the smallrig cage and then work in falcam's accessories so that i can have the best of both worlds?
I have the falcam system, and while I love their neck strap and use it with my gimbal every single time.
I would highly recommend suggest not using any of their quick release systems as I have found they all come lose far to easily.
They sent me a few items to review and stopped replying to me after I asked some questions and voiced concerns
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography thanks for the tip!
What quick release connection option would you suggest ?
For Re quick releasing which parts?
so you can mount the baseplate and all the rig onto a tripod?
Absolutely, the base plate has both the usually tripod mounting holes
Is the Atomos Ninja V+ needed for the XH2 to record 8K or is the standard V fine?
On the Atomos website they have a great breakdown of what cameras can do with their system.
www.atomos.com/compatible-cameras/x-h2
But yea in short you need the V+ and a fast / supported ssd to 8k
Built this exact same rig from your video and had a few questions. would appreciate any advice.
The colors look different on my atmos v than the lcd on my Fuji. I am only using this to view the footage larger. How do I sync them? I would love to see the flog assist color on here or what it actually looks like in rec 709 instead of flat.
Is there a specific order you power and plug things into your battery? I heard that you can fry your hdmi port if not.
Lastly - how is the record handle working? I’m not seeing any cables or sections to plug it into my camera.
Thanks in advance!
I struggle a little with the colour matching as well, and find my self switching between 709 and native on the monitor a lot. I’d suggest getting used to native as it does preview a lot more dynamic range, and I switch on 709 for when showing the client out in the field.
If you really don’t want to do this, just load up 709 (or whatever lut you want to preview with) and then adjust your monitor gamma until things look closer, gamma tweaking helps.
I constantly power cycle everything in odd orders and have never had issues, I did start to get annoyed with dtap getting knocked out a lot and have just added a Velcro band around the mount battery to hold the dtap in better, I should have done this long ago, if you’re looking for a fancy one I found 2x fpv drone battery straps to be perfect.
Everyone misses the handle port, it’s very small on the right hand side near the top of the grip.
Hope this all helps mate and you love the rig
Any advice for being able to hear audio on playback? When in the field and having to review a scene I am noticing I cannot hear any sound when watching the footage while monitor is plugged in. I am also just using this monitor to view footage and not as a recorder. A bit annoying. Do you have advice or a work around?
@MattRussoMedia does your monitor have a headphone out?
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography yeah it’s the same ninja v monitor as yours. I am assuming I will have to buy headphones or a 3.5mm Bluetooth plug and external speaker to let clients hear audio on playback in field?
@MattRussoMedia if you’re recording good audio id would highly suggest even just a basic pair of headphones for monitoring.
Nothing worse than getting home and finding out a mic was rubbing on a shirt on you had interference and all audio is wasted.
Can’t you just thread on a ND filter onto the matte box?
You can still attach a filter to your lens but you can’t roll a VND without getting you’re hand in the shot.
Hey Thomas where do you buy your small rig gear from?
From small rig, links down in the description.
Brought the battery locally though as it couldn’t ship to my country
can i do the same build to Fujifilm Xs20?
If you can find a cage for it and make sure the top handle cable works with it, yes you could do this build with any camera
Price on the whole setup? Besides camera and lens ofc
Hard to say as I brought it all over time a while ago.
Everything is linked in the description. You could add everything to your cart to get a total and customize it to your needs
I bought the small rig handle with the button to record, but even after plugging it in, via USBc, it doesn't seem to trigger the record. Is there a setting that I am not looking at?
Have you plugged it into the mic jack on the left hand side of the camera?
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography I used a USBc cable for the USBC port. Am I supposed to put it into the port above the memory card port?
Yes correct you are supposed to add it to the port above the card slot.
The first time I used mine I required the slightest bit of pressure, like a second click in. Nothing to hard though
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography it's not doing it for me.
Maybe do a factor reset on your camera just encase.
What camera do you have?
what bag do you use for storing the whole setup?
I currently have a bit of a custom storage unit for it in my car.
Or the peak design backpack fits it once broken down a little if needed
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography aight thanks!
what battery would you recommend since the Smart rig batteries are currently sold out in the 55wh size?
Is the 99 a option for you? It really depends on what you want to run
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography It looks great but is a bit too pricey for me right now.
Oh so do you mean what other brands?
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography Yeah exactly!
What output ports do you need?
Hey mate, where in NuZelan are you from Bro?
Taranaki
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography I bet it's like a chilly bin across the dutche at the moment! Nice and warm here in Brisbane 21
Yeah she’s crispy
Can i do the same with the xt5 ?
Absolutely but you’d need a different cage
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography Thanks a lot for you answer!
what about microphone
I now use the road wireless pros with 32bit float and love em
total cost of the set up
Sorry this video is a few years old now I can’t recall, and brought most of it on different sales over time.
Why would you flip the monitor that way?????
Which monitor which way?
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography built-in. I guess it is prone damages.
Because if it’s folded away you can’t use it behind the battery.
As I don’t use the ninja to record I actually have my output display info turned on and the screen tucked away. But if you wanted to record with the ninja you’d want the monitor out like I have
@@ThomasBusbyPhotography that’s what I’m trying to say, you already have your reference monitor mounted at the top.
I was just showing if you want to record with it you’d need it out
Definitely ultra pro level set! Do your XH2s have overheating problems when shooting longtime(>6hrs) 4k60 videos? Mine got serious overheating issue🥲
I’ve shot 4k 120 all day in the sun and got a warning once, otherwise never have any over heating issues.
But I am sure overheating can be easily caused from some cards, so if you’re having issues and try and completely different and maybe better card