Fujifilm X-H2 is a camera with one of the highest resolving APS-C sensors currently on the camera market. When you combine that with certain film simulations, photos will just look naturally sharper. This is especially the case with some of the slide film options like Astia, Provia, and Velvia. But there’s another way to make the images look even sharper — and we’re telling you all about it below!
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The Secrets to Sharper Photos
First off, a lot of folks don’t know this, but the deeper the black levels are in your images, the sharper they look. That’s because of the fact that our minds simply just ignore those areas and focus on the rest of the scene instead. It’s a trick that photographers have known for years — especially if you’ve printed photos before.
To do that, start off by making sure that the dynamic range on your Fujifilm X-H2 is set to the standard setting and not trying to optimize the dynamic range.
Then, here’s the next big trick. Go into the menu and change the clarity settings.
Lots of people can’t tell the difference between clarity and sharpness. To make this really simple for anyone reading it, clarity affects the mid-tones of an image. On the other hand, sharpness has to do with how many lines of resolution there are as well as the difference and contrast between one pixel and the one next to it. However, so many people think that raising the clarity of a photo simply just makes it look sharper. And indeed, that’s true because of how the mid-tones are affected.
Combine it with the ACROS film simulation to see the strongest effects here. Alternatively, use the slide film simulations that we talked about previously.
Most of all, use it with Fujifilm X-H2 because of the higher resolution sensor. While this method will work with any Fujifilm camera that has the clarity and dynamic range setting, it will work best with X-H2 because of the resolution it can offer.
Want even more sharpness? Well, we recommend using a flash — specifically a flash or a strobe. Studio lighting like this helps to create specular highlights on a subject — which are details that the human eye otherwise can’t naturally see. While an LED can do it, it also doesn’t give you the true versatility that a flash can. If you’re photographing a subject outdoors, you won’t get the full effect of doing something like overpowering the sun. Therefore, you won’t be able to get those deeper black levels that you’re looking to get sharper-looking photos.
We recommend that you give it a try for yourself! Fujifilm’s X-system has loads of great lenses that can help you do this easily. Some of the company’s latest lenses like XF23m F1.4 R WR are excellent for it. Lots of folks tend to love XF56mm F1.2 R WR as well!
We hope you see the difference that we can!