Let’s have a detailed look on how to build a professional cine-camera around a FUJIFILM X-H2S as a core. We will start with the cage and base plate and go outwards from there. The camera body is safely secured in the SmallRig FUJIFILM X-H2S cage. In order to ensure maximum flexibility when it comes to different lenses (with varying front diameters) we opted for a Rod base that allows height adjustments: The SmallRig Universal Rail Support-Base. . Two (longer) SmallRig 15mm Rods make it easy to mount the V-mount battery plate on the backside and the PolarPro Matte Box and a follow-focus system in front of the camera body. For the top- and side-handles Falcam has two very nice quick-release options in their F22 series. Thanks to the smart quick-release system, any component is installed or un-installed without the need for tools within one second. Especially the mushroom-shaped side-handle is one of our all-time favourite handles, as one can rotate it directly in the palm of the hand - allowing different camera positions from low above ground to overhead. An alternative is the SmallRig NATO Top Handle with Record Start/Stop Remote Trigger - it allows to start and stop the recording directly via a button in front of the handle.Durin

During the production of the video we chose a DZOfilm cine prime (the Vespid Prime 16mm T2.8). Like most professional cine lenses it has a PL-mount. The DZOfilm Octopus X- to PL-mount adapter is the essential part here. In the images below the FUJINON MKX 50-135 T2.9 is shown. Together with the FUJINON MKX 18-55 T2.9 these two cine lenses are the direct x-mount options available from FUJIFILM. To allow smooth (remote) focus control the Tilta Nulceus Nano II Follow Focus is a good choice. With up to three motors focus, iris and zoom (when a zoom lens is used) can be adjusted via the external control unit. We will talk about various lenses and their advantages / disadvantages in Part 4 - Optics. The above mentioned PolarPro Matte Box is a high-end professional Matte Box system, that allows to stack multiple filters including a circular polariser filter. This gives the operator a variable ND-filter for smooth adjustment of the light entering the lens. In the stage 3 version as seen here it comes at a price of around 1300€ - There is an alternative solution from SmallRig, I can recommend: The Modular Matte Box #3641, which is available on the market for a starting price of around 400€ (depending on how many and which 4x5,65” filters you chose).

In order to have the best possible control over your image composition, the exposure and focus control there is no way around a bright external monitor. To keep the size of the rig decent while still offering all pro-features including the option to use a wireless ‘directors monitor’ , we opted for a 5” Hollyland MARS M1. It has all professional assist-features like false color (dark, mid-range and bright areas of the live image are shown in different colors, allowing to judge the exposure with one quick look on the monitor), focus assist, framing guidelines and more.