Since we are currently in 'LOCKDOWN’ due to a global pandemic, I thought I’d take sometime to follow up on a few blog posts I’ve had drafted.
I’ve been shooting with my GFX for over two years now and I thought it would be good to have a sort of ‘mid lifecycle review' of the system and my experiences with it.
I’ve got a fair lot of use out of this camera in two years, its my main camera for both personal work & commissions, so I’ve come to learn the system [and other Fujifilm cameras] inside out. I’ve become some what of an advocate [fanboy] for the Fujifilm brand & the GFX.
Somehow I’ve got several people to pick up the GFX & subsequent cameras, like the x100 line of cameras.
I recently exchanged my GFX 50s for a 50R, so I will cover both of these cameras and where I feel the system needs to go.
Things I like about the 50’s/50R [both cameras are very different so will separate these points]
50s Pros
Image quality [50R is the same]
Large grip
Side loading battery
Being able to plug into the mains
Dials, ISO & shutter, very welcome
3 way tilt screen
Focus stacking [Same in the R]
50s Cons/Dislikes
Large ugly protruding back of the camera
1/125 max shutter, though this can be resolved with HSS
Camera strap holder, not a great system and have since been removed on future GFX systems
Initially the system wasn’t supported by Capture One, this was a huge issue
Ropey video
I’ve always wanted a digital Mamiya 7 and upon the release of the 50R, I wish sure to switch systems eventually. Why? I just suits my shooting style, though since swapping from the S to R, there are some downsides.
50R Pros
Feels like a Mamiya 7/big rangefinder
Light and not bulky
USB C connection
Panoramic/x-pan crop [Same in the S]
Very enjoyable camera to use, it make me enjoy shooting more
50R Cons/Dislikes
No USB charging
USB C/ports on the bottom of the camera, mental!
Bottom loading battery
No ISO dial, though used a function button to change this
Ropey Video
Lack of 3 way tilt, didn’t realise how much I used this
As you can see, a lot of negatives with the R, but for me this camera is a much more simplistic camera. I would like to have kept both systems, but with a rumour of a successor to the 50s, I felt like it was time to exchange for the R.
So the future of the GFX system,
I feel there is a market for this camera, even with full frame cameras cramming more and more megapixels into their sensors. It appears Fujifilm are trying to cut the cost of medium format, just look at the 50R and the endless deals they seem able to offer several times a year.
Medium format today is cheap, compared to even 5 years ago. The initial launch price of the 50s is a fraction of the cost of a Phase One system, and with the 50R constantly being reduced I see little reason to buy a phase unless you really have clients that are willing to pay for it.
Even APSC, which dominates the camera market [which I only recently learnt], is more than enough for most applications. I do find it hard to go back to APSC when shooting the GFX as the quality is far greater. 90% of images are viewed at on laptops and phones, so APSC is really enough.
Saying that, I’m a bit of a quality geek, so would always opt for the GFX where I can. Though shooting things like football, I’ll always go for the XT3 as medium format isn’t built for such things, and that’s fine.
Things I’d like/that are needed from this system,
A tilt shift lens or 2, or an adapter at least.
More megapixels, a 50s refresh to say, 70-80MP would be welcome, though does this start to step on the toes of the 102MP?
4k video is standard in any GFX camera going forward.
I’m very glad I invested in the GF system, as I’ve always wanted a medium format, nearly taking the plunge with Phase/Leaf 5 years ago. Thankfully I brought a bike and decided to cycle across Japan instead, best decision I ever made.
I look forward to seeing what interesting developments happen with this system and other X series cameras once the world regains some normality.
Stay safe out there.