Mat & Heather from Mirrorlessons just shared their complete comparison between the Fujifilm X-T2 Vs. Sony A6500. It’s as usual a very well done and detailed comparison. From the handling, the controls, the menu, the viewfinder, autofocus, and of course also high ISO, dynamic range and image quality overall. Excellent work, Mirrorlessons!
And who’s the winner? Well, it depends. Mirrorlessons says:
Choose the Sony a6500 if:
you want better video features (picture profiles, 120fps in Full HD, etc.)
you want to take advantage of 5-axis stabilisation with lenses that lack OSS
you can’t live without a touch screen (works for the AF only)
you want a more compact body
Choose the Fujifilm X-T2 if:
you want better usability thanks to the numerous dials and dual SD card slot
you want a larger EVF (it’s one of the best on the market)
you want a better selection of APS-C lenses
you like the idea of “downloading” a new camera every now and then
As probably many of you guys, I’m also curious about the ongoing Hasselblad X1D review at dpreview. They just shared their first impressions, and what’s relevant for Fuji Lovers, is that their studio scene samples now include also the Hasselblad X1D.
Although, I remind you that Fujifilm said that current Fujinon GF lenses are not used at their full potential, since they are designed to to resolve 100+ Megapixel. So it will be interesting to see if, once the 100 megapixel BSI Medium Format sensor comes true, the results will be still quite close or if the Fujinon glass will then start to shine and set apart the competition :)
So, check out the the Hasselblad First Impressions of dpreview here. And for the pixel peeping, go to their studio samples here.
REMINDER: For Photons to Photos GFX Vs. Rest of the World sensor lab measurements see this FR-blog post.
“Trying to come up with a decent L bracket for the GFX, given the massive battery door I can’t see a custom one working. I bought this FLM L bracket which is likely as good as it can get. If you find something better let me know. I mount the bracket with a gap so I can access ports for the remote release. A bit of a kludge“
Back at the beginning of March, here on FujiRumors we broke the news, that Fringer is developing an electronic smart adapter that will allow you to use Contax 645 lenses on Fujifilm GFX 50s and have autofocus and electronic aperture control.
Fringer says: “What you’ve seen is the first prototype and there are still a lot of problems to be solved. […] Although I’ll be working hard on the firmware, it would not be an easy task to make it relatively mature. Thus I can’t tell you when it will be ready for sale.”
As you can imagine, the comments over there are running hot, and Fringer is so kind to interact with the GFX community. Of course I can’t stay here now and copy and paste every comment, so feel free to join the discussions over there.
And of course I will keep you posted here on FujiRumors, with any news regarding this adapter.
The 6th episode of the GFX technologies series is now online. This time it’s about the new color chrome effect:
The development of Color Chrome Effect is derived from a reversal film: fortia. The film was introduced to the market in 2004 with the catchphrase “Higher contrast and more vivid color than Velvia“
no matter what you do in Velvia mode, it will never turn into fortia
When expressing colors such as red, orange, yellow, or yellow green in high contrast, high brightness tends to exist. If contrast and brightness both reach their peaks, there is no room for tonality. As a result, the image becomes very flat. But by analyzing the light and information received on the sensor surface, one can detect slight gradation. Color Chrome Effect uses this to create tonality while maintaining high contrast. As a result, an image is achieved without losing its depth.
Side effect: processing power is required. Even the X-Processor Pro needs about 1.0 sec. to process the Color Chrome Effect. If you are single shot user, then this is not a problem. But you cannot shoot continuously or set it to AF-C mode.
Fujifilm GFX 50S – Unboxing, studio test and my first thoughts at ThePhotonauts youtube… shows also the shadow recovery capability of the camera (see image below and video at 3:12)
2) Landscape photography in Madeira with the Fujifilm GFX in German at 0816fotograf (translation): ” The camera perfectly supports my very conscious and focused landscape photography and my other photographic aims. Thus the Fujifilm GFX is the ideal tool for the future. It is a professional tool that delivers top results when used correctly.”
3) Fujifilm GFX experience in Norway at williamchua (shooting northern lights with the GFX and testing weather sealing and battery life in extreme conditions): “The details and dynamic range is fantastic. Coupled that with the Fuji colors and the black and white film simulation, its definitely a winner.”
4) GFX 50s First Impressions at fotograficoweb: “The GFX is a pure medium format camera – quintessentially. Feels smaller, like a DSLR, follows the X series brilliant ergonomics and disappears from your hand after a couple of hours letting you focus on photography. And this is probably one of the better attributes of the GFX. It is not an extremely desirable object like a X100F or a X-Pro2 from the design point of view but it is highly functional, specially because it produces MF files […] Is it better than a full-frame DSLR? It is DIFFERENT and not comparable. ”
Get over all this and focus on what the GFX can do best: take images
ISO INVARIANCE TEST
I don’t know you, but when I use DPReviews own studio comparison tool, and make a 6 stop push starting from ISO 100, I can see a clear difference (see screenshot above). Look at the purple thread, which basically loses completely its texture in the Canon 5DSr and looks not good on the A7RII, too. The D810 is better than the other FF cameras, but the GFX 50s is still visibly better than the D810.
NOTE: I’m not saying the other cameras perform bad, not at all. I just say the GFX performs better.
I don’t know why DPReview did not mention the ISO invariance test results in their article, where they criticized the GFX. It’s a very important test, for example for landscape photographers, who want to be able to recover shadows with as little noise and retaining as much details as possible.
The GFX combines everything into one camera: lots of details, great dynamic range and awesome noise performance.
Is it worth the extra money over a high-end APS-C or FF camera? I don’t know, and luckily it’s a question I don’t have to think about it too much, since the GFX does not get along well with my bank account anyway.
With that said, I’m still firmely convinced that our beloved APS-C X-series cameras can do 90% of what the GFX does.
But yes, if you want the ultimate image quality and ultimate freedom to push your files to the limit, then the GFX is the upgrade you are looking for, since it does these 10% extra you are looking for better than any APS-C or Full Frame camera out there (as demonstrated also by DPR’s own studio tests).
This is just a minimal fraction of the terrific amount of content (images & discussions) that 10,000 fellow GFX shooters and fans are sharing at our Fujifilm GFX facebook group.
In a quick interivew, well-known FujifilmUK manager (as well as fellow GFX facebook group member) Theo Georghiades, says that:
The Fujifilm X-T2 feedback and sales are remarkable, worldwide. It’s the top 5, sometimes top 3 interchangeable camera in the country. “The Canon and Nikon stranglehold is starting to relax a bit.”
Recently, especially the Fujifilm X100F has such a high request, that Fujifilm can’t fulfill pre-orders. Fujifilm is aware that customers are upset, but they do their absolute best.
The Lens quality and variety are the biggest aspect of Fujifilm’s success
The Fujifilm GFX Feedback is really amazing. Really positive vibe about the camera.
The manager also sounds very confident about the GFX image quality, as he says he likes that people put Fujifilm products up against the big contenders and to open people’s eyes to what else is out there.
Check out the interview at Hireacamera.com youtube here.
Btw, the Fujifilm GFX facebook group is well represented by Fujifilm Managers, employees and X-photographers, as well as 10,000 more fellow Fuji G shooters and fans. Feel free to join us there.
Fuji GFX 50s vs Sony A7r II in German at enjoyyourcamera (the reviewer somehow sounds much more excited about the GFX image quality and says it has more 3D pop than the Sony)
GFX 50S: Surpassing All Expectations by Kara Mercer at fujifilm-x
The Photography Show 2017 (general coverage with short remarks also about Fujifilm and the GFX and Hasselblad X1D) at electriclemonade
Two or three times a year, I feel like I need to put a bit of order in the whirlwind of rumors, and give you guys a well-ordered overview of the rumors shared so far this year by FujiRumors.
It’s also the opportunity for me to check back the accuracy of all the rumors I’ve shared this year.
So high time for some facts:
229 blog post published so far in 82 days (2017)
36 rumors shared in 82 days (2017)
12 rumors still to be verified
24 correct rumors out of 24 verifiable rumors
0 wrong rumors out of 24 verifiable rumors
100% correct rumors
Sure, there are still 12 rumors that have to be verified, not all will be correct (because they are wrong or Fujifilm will change plans), but I’d say of the 12 remaining, I wouldn’t be surprised if most are correct.
A big hug goes to all sources, from the most anonmyous to the most trusted one, who decided to help me to find the right path in the fake rumor jungle and to put excitement in the Fuji world by sharing accurate rumors. You make being an Fuji shooter even more fun :-)
Also, thanks to everybody, who spotted some interesting Fuji related news/rumor/deal/review on the web, and took his/her time to drop me an email with the link to it. Much appreciated… and feel free to keep it up.
Fujifilm X80 Coming Second Half of 2017 (shared February 20)
Trusted Source Confirms: “Fujifilm Developing Ultimate APS-C X-camera. Based on X-T Design. Price Not Yet Set, but Most Expensive X” (shared 14 March)
Instax Goes Hybrid: Fujifilm INSTAX Square SQ10 Will have a Micro SD Card Slot (shared 16 March)
First LEAKED Image of the Fujifilm Instax SQ (not SQ10). Film Only (shared March 17)
Instax Square SQ10 with USB-Charging (shared March 18)
MEDIUM HIGH RATING*
*50% to 74% correct
Fujifilm X100F Allows You to Change ISO Value with Command Dial (Probably Coming to X-Pro2 via Firmware) (shared January 16) – NOTE 1: X100F part is correct. To see if it comes also to X-PRO2. NOTE 2: The firmware announcement of March 23 says that this feature will come via Firmware, but only to X-T2. This sounds very strange to me. Could be an error of Fujifilm. I’ll wait for the firmware to come out, and if indeed the X-Pro2 does not get this feature, move this rumor in the wrong rumors section
Fujinon XF 33mm F1.0 No Longer on Fujifilm’s Internal Roadmap … GAME OVER for Fuji’s Super Fast Lens? (shared January 30)
Fujifilm Plans Fujinon XF 18mm F2 Mark II Lens (shared February 9)
Profoto and Miltiblitz support for GFX (shared February 26)
Fujifilm (Currently) Planing a Fujinon XF200mm F2 (shared March 2)
MEDIUM LOW RATING* *25% to 49% correct
Fujinon XF 8-16mm F2.8 WR will Be The Next X-mount Lens Launched after the XF80mm Macro (shared January 25)
Fujifilm Working on the Ultimate $5,000+ APS-C X-Trans X-series Camera (also for Video) (shared March 3)
LOW RATING* *1% to 24% correct
This could actually be by far the longest section…. I’d just need to publish all the fakes ;) .
DPReview published a controversial article about the GFX, where they basically end up saying that the GFX is not worth the money extra compared to FF cameras. In short:
Low Light noise performance: Current Full Frame systems offer faster lenses than the GFX, so you’ll get less low light noise with FF. Moreover the FF sensor technology like Sony’s back-illumited sensor allows to catch up with MF since “sensor is better able to use the light projected onto it“
Base ISO Dynamic Range: The Nikon has the ISO 64 mode. “Each pixel can hold more total charge before clipping, relative to equally-sized pixels on any other sensor in a consumer camera. That means it can tolerate a longer exposure at ISO 64, longer enough (at least 2/3 EV, or 60% more light) to capture as much total light as the 68% larger sensor in the GFX 50S exposed at its base ISO (100). […] noise performance at ISO 64 rivals many current medium format cameras their base ISOs“
Shallow Depth-of-Field: The GFX lenses are not as fast as the fastest FF lenses, so they have less shallow DOF
Resolution: Resolution-wise, they simply can’t imagine anything better than the Canon 5DS R paired with truly stellar lenses. However, they also add that “larger sensors will always tend to out-resolve smaller sensors with equivalent glass. And so this is the area where we most expect to see an advantage to the Fujifilm system, especially over time as we approach 100MP, and beyond. It’s probably easier for a F1.8 prime paired with the GFX 50S to out-resolve a F1.4 prime on a 5DS R when both systems are shot wide open, but whether that will be the case (or if Fujifilm will even make a F1.8 or brighter prime for the system) remains to be seen. I certainly don’t think it would be a cheap combination.”
… You Just Need 3 Top Full Frame Cameras to Perform like 1 Fujifilm GFX :-)
Ok, this paragraph has quite a provocative title, but it’s actually inspired by the words of DPReview itself (more below)
I’ve seen many comparisons called “unfair” (and I like unfair comparisons). But I’ve never seen this: put together the strengths of 3 different high-end Full Frame cameras (Sony A7rII, Canon 5DSr, Nikon D810) and then compare it all with one single camera, the Fujifilm GFX.
The GFX has a terrific resolution? Don’t worry, the Canon 5DSr comes close to it (really?).
The GFX has a terrific base ISO dynamic range? Don’t worry, the Nikon D810 comes close to it (got to check this out soon).
The GFX has a terrific noise performance? Don’t worry, the Sony A7rII comes close to it (hm, my ISO invariance pixel peeping says differently).
The problem is… what if you want it all in one? I’ll quote DRPreview: “if you want both the base ISO dynamic range of the D810, and the low light noise performance of an A7R II, then the GFX might be your ticket.”
And I allow myself to add, that if you want the high-resolution of the GFX, then neither the D810 nor the A7rII are for you. You have to take the Canon 5DSr… but then you lose the dynamic range and noise performance.
So, seen from another perspective, we could say you need all these 3 Full Frame cameras to perform almost like 1 Fujifilm GFX (but I doubt that, since the pixel peeping I did, shows that with a 6 stop push, the GFX spanks them all).
There would be so much more to discuss (and in part debunk) on that article, such as the lack of fast lenses. As our GFX group demonstrates day by day, you can adapt ultra fast lenses on the GFX. And Fujifilm has the 110/2 in the pipeline for this spring. But I have to make a break now after a long day… my guitar is waiting :)
Anyway, I think you guys can make up your own mind on this and read the article “Thinking about buying a Fujifilm GFX 50S? Read this first” here at dpreview.
GFX has Huge Cons and DPReview is Right!
Don’t get me wrong, the GFX has it Cons, just like any other camera. The AF-speed is not really snappy, it has no 4K, it does not have the super fast EVF refresh rate of the latest X-series cameras, it’s expensive and more.
It will shine in some areas, but create frustrations in others (good luck shooting some serious sports photography with it).
But if there is one thing you do not have to worry about the GFX, then it’s its image quality. As proven by DPReview today, it delivers an IQ, that you need 3 different Full Frame cameras with different strenghts to almost match it :).
And yet, DPReview is right. 95% of us don’t need the GFX. We can be more than happy with any modern APS-C or FF camera. But the GFX was made for the niche, for the 5%, for the people, who need (or want) the ultimate image quality and don’t want to spend a fortune for a Phase One.
Well, for those people the waiting is over. The Fujifilm GFX will give you the extra boost in your images you were looking for :)
Round 1: GFX Vs. X-T2 at billfortney: “The GFX has a ton of resolution and can be blown up to outer space and still have enormous detail, and the X-T2 holds it’s own until we start cropping or making very, very large prints on the order of feet by feet. Can you see the difference with your nose against the print, yes you can, but standing back at a reasonable distance I suspect it would be harder, though the GFX would still have the edge!”
