Zack Arias Impresses His Audience with ISO 12,800 and Crazy Sharp Samples Taken with FUJIFILM GFX at his GPP Stage Talk

GFX Launch NightZach Arias – X-Photographer

Geplaatst door Fujifilm Middle East op woensdag 15 februari 2017

As you read here, Zack Arias is considering to sell all his X-gear to get the GFX.

In his recent GPP talk, he introduces the GFX in an interesting one hour video. Here some excerpts:

  • He will start telling you why he chose Medium Format and his first steps in with Medium Market.
  • He goes through his personal issues that, amongst the others, also influenced his work…. and shares his way out of that.
  • At minute 31:00 he starts sharing his recent work with the GFX
  • 32:25: He shares pictures that his 18 years old son took with the GFX.
  • 35:00: “I’ve shot every format, but Medium Format has this look. It’s how the highlights and shadows are retained, the soft transitions between those two, how the focus falls off. I can’t describe steroscopic bokeh at all, but I can see it. […] I want that different look.”
  • 39:00. Pixel Peeping Time… and you will hear the people just say “WOW!!” when they see the amazing sharpness and details.
  • 42:30: The MF Phase One is amazing. Has 1 AF point, though. He goes at 1,600 ISO at max with his Phase One now.
  • 43:55: Zack shows an image taken at ISO 12,800 (JPEG)… and again another WOW goes through the audience.
  • 48:00: A Fuji Representative says that Capture One will support the GFX

Check out the video at Fujifilm Middle East facebook here. For more GFX videos at the GPP by Fujifilm Middle East click here.

Fujifilm GFX: USA BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, WexUK, ParkCamerasUK, PCHstore AUS: CameraPro

via theonlinephotographer

GFX Technologies #1 -The Secrets of the New Fujifilm GFX Sensor

Fujifilm just launched a new series about the Fujifilm GFX, the “GFX Technologies” series. Episode one is all about the GFX sensor, which is different compared to the other 44×33 MF sensor, because:

  • The sensor itself has the surface size of 43.8×32.9mm, but the shape of the sensor unit is different for the GFX 50S. Typically the sensor is mounted to the silicon circuit with terminals placed on both sides of the sensor. But in the case of GFX, the sensor is mounted to the silicon circuit with the terminals placed on the back side of the sensor. This allows not only the sensor unit, but also the silicon circuit to be smaller in size.
  • In order to effectively process the lights, the size of micro-lenses haven been reduced and more spaces have been created between each pixel. This is one reason why the images appear so sharp when taken by GFX even though the pixel counts are the same. You may wonder about the negative impact for sensitivity and S/N if the micro-lenses are smaller in size. There is no need for such concern. The pixel size is big enough to receive enough lights without making micro-lenses any bigger. This optimization is only possible for the medium format sensor.
  • The photic saturation point of the sensor is extended and wider dynamic range is realized as a result. The dynamic range becomes 1/3 step wider. This wider dynamic range is a result of extended photic saturation point, so the images are 1/3 tougher against over-exposure. This extended photic saturation becomes most effective when the sensitivity is set at ISO 100
  • The camera is not equipped with the phase-detection pixels, but the autofocus speed is quite fast for a medium format camera nonetheless. One of the reasons for this is the increased sensor readout speed from 130fps to 200fps. Our sensor is customized so that faster readout is realized during autofocus. The speed is slower than DSLRs with dedicated phase detection autofocus, but it is much more accurate than that of the DSLR.

Full story at fujifilm-x (thanks to the FR-reader for the link :) )

Fujifilm GFX: USA BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, CalumetDE AmazonUK, WexUK, ParkCamerasUK, PCHstore AUS: CameraPro

image courtesy: Jan Gonzales // GFX + 120mm – spotted at the Fujifilm GFX Facebook Group

Fujifilm GFX :: Power to The Images… and Nathan Elson GFX First Look Video!

GFX First Look Video

Nathan Elson just shared his (pre-production) Fujifilm GFX first look at his youtube channel here. Here are some of his findings:

  • Batteries worked well also in extreme cold, and the whole camera performed incredibly well in the extreme cold
  • outside in good light AF worked really well. In studio and lower light, sometimes it hunt. Nathan also underlines that his GFX is still pre-prodcution, and that he used the smallest focus point possible. But when it does hit the focus, the accuracy is amazing, all over the frame. Overall he was super-impressed by the AF, especially since it’s pre-production
  • He wishes a faster sync speed
  • surprisingly light. He can hold it all day.
  • super customizable
  • JPEG’s have great details (he still could not use the RAW files)
  • lenses are incredible sharp also wide open

Fujifilm GFX: USA BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, CalumetDE AmazonUK, WexUK, ParkCamerasUK, PCHstore AUS: CameraPro

Power To The Images :-)

And now some images shared at the 7,000 member strong Fujifilm GFX facebook group

Fujifilm GFX Facebook Group Member GK Kutar‎ shared this image here – Full Size also at Disqus here. The image was taken with teh GF 63mmF2.8 @ 2.8. GK Kutar comments:

“GFX is great camera. I really love it. I pre-order it. This is shot with 63 mm f2.8 lens at iso100. ClassicChrome. Fine jpeg. There is also super jpeg mode for more quality. Also this picture shot with pre production model.

In reply to this image, GFX Facebook member Craig J. thinks that “the dimensionality and tonality of this photo is fabulous.”

Fujinon GF63mmF2.8: USA: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, WexUK, PCHstore AUS: CameraPro

The image below instead has been shared by Anton, always at the GFX facebook group, here. It has been taken with the GF 32-64mmF4 @ ISO – 200 f8 25 seconds.

Fujinon GF32-64mmF4: USA: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, WexUK, PCHstore AUS: CameraPro

Chris shared and image taken by Omar Robles here, that you can see below.

The next image has been shared by Keith here. It shows the terrific potential the GFX has in terms of sharpness. But Keith himself struggles if all that focus on sharpness is really what photography is all about. He also shared one GFX image that is NOT sharp, but has a wonderful mood into it… making it his (and one of mine) favorite GFX images so far.

Fujinon GF120mmF4 Macro: USA: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, WexUK, PCHstore AUS: CameraPro

Fujifilm X-photographers are starting to share their GFX images on the Fujifilm site. You can check them out here (select the GFX camera). Thanks to Hajime for sharing here at the GFX group.

Fujifilm GFX: USA BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, CalumetDE AmazonUK, WexUK, ParkCamerasUK, PCHstore AUS: CameraPro

 

Working with the Fujifilm GFX :: X-T2, Almost Good Enough to Switch :: F-Log X-T2 Profile at FilmConvert :: ON1 PhotoRAW Improves X-Trans Support (miXed zone)

2017 WORKSHOPS & Online Trainings

Cover Stories

Full size Fujifilm GFX SOOC at ivanjoshualoh

  • Work & Play with GFX at ivanjoshualoh
  • ALMOST Good Enough to Switch… – Fujifilm X-T2 Review at LinusTechTips Youtube
  • ON1 Photo Raw 2017.2 Now A Real Fuji Raw Contender. Raw Processors for Fujifilm (X-Trans from X-Pro2) Compared at joelwolfson
  • FilmConvert X-T2 F-Log Profile at filmconvert: “We’ve profiled just the F-Log picture style for this camera release – Fujifilm has included their own film simulations on the camera which we think look great!”

Fujifilm GFX
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Fujifilm X100F
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Fujifilm X-T20
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Fujifilm XF50mm
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Fujifilm GFX :: Impressive Backlit Dynamic Range, Crazy Sharpness and Fabulous Bokeh + Manager Says it Has Two X-Processor PRO!

DUAL X-PROCESSOR PRO?

The General Manager for Fujifilm UK, Theo Georghiadesis says at camerajabber (starts 3:21 – video here):

“The GFX has the same processor as the X-T2 and X-Pro2, actually it has got two of those processors, which makes it more powerful and much more responsive in terms of focussing compared to other medium format cameras.”

UPDATE: Some of you think Theo was refering to the fact that it has a dual core processor. This applies also to the X-T2 and X-Pro2. But as Theo said in his sentence, he really seems to indicate that the GFX, as opposed to the X-T2, has 2 X-Processor Pros”

DYNAMIC RANGE + SUPER SHARP + FABULOUS BOKEH + 3D POP

Here are two more samples shared at the GFX facebook group, showing the impressive sharpness of the GFX and it’s dynamic range capability:

GFX + 63mm f2.8 @ISO 400 – Dynamic Range Backlit – shared by Thorsten Rother here – Instagram

To me, that’s Impressive!

GFX + 120mm, JPEG – all settings to “0” – Crop Below shared by Tom Museeuw here. Comment by Damien Lovegrove at the Facbeook Group – “Fabulous bokeh”

Crop of the image above – JPEG, all settings to “0” – shared by Tom Museeuw here

3D POP: GFX + 63 shared by Adrian Murray here

 

Fujifilm X100F, X-T20, X-T2 Graphite & XF50mm Final Release Date – PRESS RELEASE

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Fujifilm just published a press release at their Japanese home page, with the final release date for the latest X-gear launched this month.

So there is a slight delay on the originally planed release date. Although it’s strange that they mention the graphite X-T2, which I hear has already started shipping. Maybe this release date is for the second batch.

The press release does not say anything about the Fujifilm GFX release date, which makes hope that there won’t be any delay.

Fujifilm GFX: USA BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujifilm X-T20: USA: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujifilm X100F: USA: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujifilm XF50mmF2 WR: USA: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

PRESS RELEASE
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GFX + 2 Lenses Fit Billingham Hadley Small :: 56mm Disassembly :: Olympus E-M1 II Vs. Fuji X-T2 :: X-Trans Promise & Problem (miXed zone)

WORKSHOP

  • Fujifilm “X” Photographers Travel & Nature Summits at fujifilmxphotosummits with 3 ½ days of presentations, talks etc. by 4 Fuji “X” Photographers + technical and corporate from the FUJIFILM headquarters in New York. For the workshops check out fujixphotoworkshops
  • Go To New Zealand (or Guernsey) to Learn How To Master Your Fujifilm Camera at Rico’s Ultimate X-Secrets Workshops 2017. More here.

Cover Stories

GFX + GF 32-64 + GF 63 + X70 fit Billingham Hadly Small – via Ivan Joshua Loh at GFX Facebook Group

  • Fujifilm XF56mmF1.2 Disassembly at Andrew’s Flickr
  • Olympus OM-D E-M1 II vs. Fujifilm X-T2 – The complete comparison at mirrorlesscomparison
  • X-Trans: The Promise and the Problem at medium (NOTE: I share this article, because it is creating quite a buzz. Experienced X-shooters will know to take it with a grain of salt. The waxy skin tones problem, for example, is no issue at all in RAW and significantly reduced with X-TransIII. Moreover, Iridient has proven to be superior with the demoisaicing than Darktable (used in this review). X-TransIII now also gives better results overall, due to the reduced distance between the repeating RGB patterns, reducing certain types of artifacts and improving the results with Adobe. Also, unlike stated in the review, Fujifilm NEVER said that X-Trans “eliminates” moiree, they say it “reduces” it.)

Fujifilm GFX
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Fujifilm 100F
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Fujifilm X-T2

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Fujifilm Managers: “We are Aware of the Many Requests for Fujifilm X-E3. Rangefinder GFX is an Option. GF Lenses Design Challanges & Future”

Dpreview Interviews Fujifilm Managers

Dpreview interviewed Fuji Guy Billy (Manager for the Technical Marketing and Product Specialist Group) and two more Fuji Managers, Makoto Oishi, manager of Fujifilm’s Sales and Marketing Group and Yuji Igarashi, general manager of Fujifilm’s Electronic Imaging Division.

They talk about the latest big Fuji announcements. If you are in a hurry, here some of the highlights:

  • GFX TARGET: Fashion, commercial and landscape photographers. And especially when it comes to landscape, it’s not just professional photographers, but also amateur photographers. The tonality and dynamic range also mean it’ll appeal to wedding and architecture photographers.
  • NEW GF LENSES (besides the 6 already announced): We have some ideas but haven’t decided yet. For example maybe a wide-angle zoom for landscape photographers or maybe something like a 200 or 250mm and so on. We want more feedback from users about what to make next.
  • AUTOFOCUS: Some of the first [GF] lenses have linear motors, whereas the 63mm has a different motor, more like the one used in the 23mm F2. The autofocus speed is already very good: we haven’t had any complaints. Instead we’ve had some users surprised by how fast the contrast-detection system is. From a technical point of view, maybe in the future we might incorporate phase-detection pixels. On the other hand, we’re already developed advanced CDAF algorithms.’ There’s no image quality cost to using phase detection.
  • GF LENS DESING CHALLANGES: As the sensor becomes bigger, that means chromatic aberration becomes bigger: it’s proportional to the size. In GFX we’ve minimized aberrations optically and the used digital compensation only to refine then final result, and it depends on lens
  • GFX 50R RANGERFINDER?: The GFX 50S is one style: the ‘S’ means ‘SLR-style.’ Another way to do it would be a rangefinder style camera. Maybe an ‘R’ could be a rangefinder: we’re always considering other options and possibilities.
  • X100F: The X100 series presents a great opportunity: the body size means it works as a second camera for anyone: not just Fujifilm users. If they fall in love with your system then maybe they’ll consider your cameras in future.’ […] X100 is about design. Even making it a couple of millimeters thicker to incorporate a touchscreen or tilt screen would make a big difference. It could change the design completely
  • X-E3: ‘XE is an important series for us,’ Oishi says: ‘There are so many XE1, 2 and 2S users in the world. We are always thinking about the next model, whether that’s XT, XE or X-Pro. Obviously we can’t confirm anything at this point but we are aware there are many requests for this type of camera [see these FujiRumors Polls]

So there is hope for the X-E3… and I like it to believe we, the Fujirumors community, were able to make enough pressure on Fujifilm in all these months… as we already did with other products in the past apparently.

You can read the whole interview at dpreview here.

Fujifilm GFX Vs. Canon 5DS R Vs. Sony A7rII: “Incomparable. GFX IQ Far Better Than My Canon. Dynamic Range Surpasses My Sony”

 

Fujifilm GFX First Looks

As many of you guys, I’m also waiting for GFX reviews. Right now it’s still quite early, but we already have a bunch of first impression shared here in the live blogging. And new ones are coming in. So here are two more:

Adrian C Murray owns a 5oMP Full Frame Canon 5DS R and also the Sony A7RII. He had quite some time to make deeper tests on the GFX and published his First Impression here. Some excerpts:

  • Fuji GFX Vs. Sony A7RII Vs. Canon 5DS R: While the digital resolutions of both these cameras [GFX and 5DS R] are similar I did notice that the actual image quality was far better on the 50S. So much so that I’d pretty much say the two cameras are basically incomparable […] The 50s offers far more dynamic range than I’ve had on any of my Canon cameras and also surpasses my Sony A7Rii
  • AF SPEED: I was happily surprised with the autofocus […] I was able to obtain focus on some of the most difficult subjects in the world, children. Not just any children, but hyperactive toddlers. While I probably wouldn’t do any sport shooting with this camera, it’s autofocus is still very capable in the right hands.

Stuff.tv that has spend a few hours with the GFX. Here are some excerpts of their first impression:

  • Full-frame photographers watch out – there’s a new high-end champion to get jealous over
  • IQ: With the right lighting and camera settings, you’ll get billboard-quality shots right off your memory card – especially as the GFX shoots in 14-bit RAW, which is perfect for capturing wide dynamic range.
  • AF SPEED: Motion wasn’t a problem, tracking two dancers as they moved across the frame and delivering crisp shots every time […]. It really is amazingly fast. […] I’ll need to see how it deals with faster action
  • Tethering: The GFX 50S will do tethered shooting with Adobe Lightroom, too – as long as you buy the optional Pro plugin.
  • Initial Verdict: It’s smaller than full frame DSLRs from the likes of Nikon and Canon, but packs in a larger sensor, and is arguably easier to use. Fuji’s fantastic control layout is easy enough for newcomers to learn, and instantly recognisable for anyone stepping up from an X-series camera. […] The GFX 50S might be the camera that pushes medium format into the mainstream

Fujifilm GFX: USA BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS EU: AmazonDE, AmazonUK, WexUK, ParkCamerasUK, PCHstore AUS: CameraPro

5 Things You Will Love & Hate About the Fujifilm GFX … … But It’s Frankly Fujifilm’s Best Product Launch Ever ;)

 

Fujifilm GFX: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujinon GF63mmF2.8: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

5 Things You Will Love and Hate about the GFX

Holy Moly! That was a heck of an annonucement.

And after the massive live blogging (that still continues!!!), I’m slowly finding the time to go through the various first look reviews. And I invite you to check out the live blogging, too. A lot of great stuff to find there also about the X-T20, X100F and XF50mmF2.

But now I want to focus on the GFX, and make a list of 5 things you are going to love & hate about it. I’m basing the list on the first looks I’ve read.

LOVE:

A hard list, because there is so much to love about it.

  1. Image Quality “deserves to be printed“: Astonishing Sharpness (see for example the video at minute 3:30 at thedigitaltrekker). Excellent high ISO (Read also High ISO… Noise, What Noise? at Damien Lovegrove’s prophotonut) and great dynamic range.
  2. Dual Operation: Command dials or dedicated Shutter/ISO/Aperture Dial? You can use whatever you prefer. Extremely customizable camera overall.
  3. Despite the Beta Firmware, the AF speed is snappy and seems to be already as fast as the X-T1 (read ivanjoshualoh).
  4. EVF: A “monster of a viewfinder“, says jonasraskphotography. Huge (0,85x magnification), high resolution, tilting… awesome!
  5. You can create TIFF files in camera

HATE:

I think that, with the GFX, Fujifilm made the best product launch ever (much better than when they launched the X-system). It comes with tons of features and 6 lenses in just 1 year. So it’s hard to find the “Hates” and I’m streching the list quite a bit. The GFX is an awesome camera, but I’ll challange myself and pick out 5 points:

  1. Price: You get the kit for $8,000. Considering that we are talking of a Medium Format camera, this is actually a more than fair price, but it’s still $8,000… and most of us won’t be able to afford it.
  2. There is an adapter for HC lenses. So you can get the leaf shutter. And there are electronic contacts for aperture. But no Autofocus.
  3. The file size is big. And with the new Super-Fine JPEG setting, you have little compression. But when it comes to workflow, rendering a preview can be cumbersome (up to 10 seconds according to thedigitaltrekker – Video minute 4:25)
  4. 14 bit color depth. That’s what the specs say. But a Swiss Manager, who said it would have 16 bit color depth, was wrong. But from all the samples I could see until now, I think we might easily get over it ;)
  5. 1/125th sync speed (but you can adapt leaf shutter lenses on it… and HSS can help here, too)

And how would your “5 Loves & Hates” list look like? I’d be curious to read it in the comments.

Fujifilm GFX: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujinon GF63mmF2.8: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujinon GF32-64mmF4: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujinon GF120mmF4 Macro: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS

Fujifilm X-T20: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujifilm X100F: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujifilm XF50mmF2 WR: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS