X-H2S: Music Video Production x Kyotaro Hayashi | X Priče

Impression of X-H2S

Since I was a child, I had many film cameras at home, and I liked the form and the presence of film cameras as objects. While searching for such a digital camera, I came across the X-Pro1, and since then I have been using X-Pro2, Pro3, and GFX 50R. I like them as objects because I feel they inherit the presence and philosophy of the old film cameras.

My first impression of the new X-H2S after using music video production was a good feeling of grip. It was similar to the feeling I had when using the GFX100S.

I used the X-H2S to shoot two music videos for the musician Strange Reitaro, and I shot them in a cinematic way as if I were shooting a documentary. The video was filmed by placing cameras in a car or on a stabilizer, and the concept was to recreate his joyful singing and live performance. In particular, for the song “Kasumi Grass,” I mounted the X-H2S near the bumper of the car and was worried that it would rattle a lot, but it did not shake in an unpleasant way, and I felt the power of the image stabilizer was very satisfactory.

I also shot in ProRes RAW with an external output, and even if I used color correction to create a somewhat absurd color scheme, I was able to create a beautiful finish without any strange distortions. I was also using X-T4 as a sub, but the resolution was totally different. I could see the advantages of shooting in RAW, such as the fact that bright and dark areas are less likely to be washed out or blacked out.
In the latter half of the day, the time was running and I had to finish shooting before the sun went down, but it was a very beautiful sunset, so I was glad that I was able to capture it in high resolution.

As with this piece, I often process images to make them look less digital. When shooting with film, light and dark areas may be smashed, but with a camera that has a wide dynamic range, light and dark areas remain well preserved, which is helpful when I want to add shadows to an image.

Also, I shot in 6K30P this time, and I like the fact that there is room to try cropping the image as shown in the photo, and to be creative later. 3:2 aspect ratio is attractive for me. I have always wondered why I usually shoot in 3:2 or 4:3 when I take photos, but as soon as I switch to video, the angle of view changes to 16:9. 3:2 allows me to use the full pixel sensor, and I was happy to be able to shoot video with the same angle of view as stills.

Since the age of video with SLR cameras, the distance between still cameras and video focused cameras has been getting closer and closer. The appeal of mirrorless cameras, including the X-H2S, is that they are compact and mobile, yet can seamlessly switch between photography and video.

One of the things I value in my own production is that I want people to feel “good” and “excited” when they look at my work, without being conscious of “rawness” or “realism. I hope that the X series will continue to provide attractive cameras that users “want” and “want to take pictures with”.

“Kasumi Grass” Official Music Video

Impression of X-H2S

“Kasumi Grass” Official Music Video

“Tamaranai Yokan” Official Music Video