You can now already find the first few used Fujifilm GFX 50s samples at BHphoto here. You can save up to 18%! Also a few used GF 63mm lenses are now available used at BHphoto here (save up to 17%).
The news was spotted by fellow GFX facebook group member Liron and another GFX member, Chris said at the GFX group:
“That’s what you get for having a US retail return policy – people will buy the camera, play with it, and return it for a refund – just because they can. Must be a nightmare being a US retailer…”
On the other hand, it’s good for customers, though.
Fujifilm GFX 50s vs Hasselblad X1D-50c Cocktail Photography Shootout at michaels camera video & digital youtube (1 hour video, so prepare your cocktail. Mostly no comment, you just see the guys at work. Some comments now and then. In short: the GFX is better for real work)
GFX stories with Julien Apruzzese and the GF 110mmF2 at FUJIFILM youtube
GFX stories with Elia Locardi and the GF 23mmF4 at FUJIFILM youtube
GFX 50S: An Evolution by Omar Z Robles at fujifilm-x
Cambo Actus GFX part 1 – camera movements at Fauxtaku Youtube (shows also some design flaws) the maker of this video, Nathan, is also a fellow GFX facebook member :). Nathan also shared a video of the Linhof M679cs. It is relevant for the GFX video upcoming because Nathan will discuss why he’s moving on to the Cambo
Kevin Mullins: Snap Festival & My First GFX Experience at f16.click. Here an excerpt:
“I had maybe an hour maximum with the GFX. I won’t be using it for shooting my style of documentary wedding photography. I’ve spent the last six years downsizing from DSLR to smaller, faster mirrorless and I don’t want to reverse that decision. However, what I can say about my experience with the GFX is that it is very true what people are saying; the image quality and the “medium format” feel of the images is unrivalled from anything I’ve ever used. I can see this camera being amazingly popular with editorial wedding photographers or those who spend a lot of time doing bridal portraiture. It really does create razor sharp, gorgeous images and I intend renting one later in the year to see if it fits well with my equine work.”
ePhotozine just published their full Fujifilm GFX 50s Review. From their conclusions:
“The image quality possible is simply breath-taking – noise is extremely well controlled, colour reproduction is excellent, and the camera delivers Fujifilm’s beautiful colours. There’s also Fujifilm’s range of film simulations, so you can have the colour style you want. The GFX 50S makes medium format photography accessible in another way too, in that you don’t have to process every raw file to get the best out of it, with the camera producing excellent JPEG images straight from the camera. […]
Whether you should invest in the Fujifilm GFX 50S camera and system isn’t necessarily a question of whether the camera is good enough or not, it is, without a doubt, an excellent camera, and well worth the money. It makes medium format cameras accessible and delivers exceptional results.
If you have the money to spend on a camera like this, then you can’t really go wrong. If you’re in the market for medium format and want to move to another level of image quality then the Fujifilm GFX 50s delivers phenomenal image quality in spades and buckets.”
Lewis Von John tries to answer one of the most asked questions these days: is it worth upgrading from the Sony A7rII to the Fujifilm GFX 50s? Of course everybody has its own answer, depending on your own the needs (and budget).
Anyway, Lewis is mainly a landscape photographer, and he’s out with his trusty Sekonic 748dr light meter, comparing the A7rII and GFX. Here are some of his considerations.
Sony A7rII is a great camera, but no comparison to Fujifilm GFX
Fujifilm GFX great battery life as opposed to the A7rII
Better EVF for GFX
GFX more robust.
GFX build for professional use, feel great in the hand
Sony feels more like a computer, completely different user experience
Default standart colors are more vibrant and punchy on GFX, quite flat looking colors on the A7rII
Lewis prefers the colors that come out of the box from the GFX
images look really soft on the A7rII compared to the GFX
Lewis says he needs to do more testings, but from this first test, he would say the Fujifilm GFX wins hands down. You can check out the whole video, “Fujifilm GFX 50s or Sony A7R2, is it worth upgrading?” at Lewis Von John Youtube
Vassilis Pitoulis with Zarina Isakhan. shared here
Collecting that fruit
Shooting at the Baobab avenue with Zarina Isakhan
Fujifilm GFX Roundup
The Fujifilm GFX facebook members keep up sharing awesome work at the group, including images taken with pre-production GF110mmF2 and GF23mmF4 lenses. It’s is an incredible source for all things Fujifilm GFX, and a great joy to follow.
Holger Nitschke shared here
Portrait-test with the GF120. I was absolutely confused about getting the GF120 or the new GF110, but I came to the conclusion that the 120 with it’s OIS is more useful for me. I hate tripods and the focus-distance of the 110 can be a restriction. I’ve tested it yesterday and I was able to get non-blurry captures with 1/30 (and some with 1/15) – so I can say that the OIS is amazing. This image is the result of a short studio-test. No flash was used, just modeling light!
Handheld; RAW; 1/60; F4; ISO 500. Some Lightroom-adjustments and slightly Photoshop-retouche. http://www.instagram.com/holger.nitschke
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Jonas Rask shared here
An Icelandic outtake – part 2
Full res download here: d.pr/i/oqgT
GFX50s – GF23mm f/4 – ISO100 – f/32 – 0,4sec
Mitakon just unveiled some G-mount glass for Fujifilm GFX, the Speedmaster 65mm F1.4 and the Speed master 85mm F1.2 (manual focus only).
The release is scheduled for 2017, and the price has not yet been set now.
“SPEEDMASTER 65 mm F 1.4 details are not clear, but you can see in the photo of the exhibition that you can attach a filter with a diameter of 77 mm.
The SPEEDMASTER 85mm F1.2 specifications released have the shortest shooting distance of 1 m and the filter diameter of 77 mm. AF is not installed. There are 9 lenses in 6 groups, two of which are ED lenses, and four are high refraction and low dispersion glass lenses. There are 11 diaphragm blades. The total length is 94 to 120 mm, the diameter is 82 mm, the weight is about 920 to 1,050 g (varies from mount to mount).”
You can see the first images of the prototypes as well as some samples at stkb (tranlsation) – google translator might not open the images, so you might click on the Japanese stkb version. You can also read more at dc.watch (translation).
Mitakon already offers some fast manual focus glass for Fujiiflm X-mount.
Mitakon X-mount Speedmaster 35mm f/0.95 Mark II is now super-discounted at BHphoto and costs costs only $499 at BHphoto (it’s $799 at Adorama).
Valhalla, N.Y., April 24, 2017 – FUJIFILM North America Corporation, as the leader in innovation for photographers, announced the new Fujifilm Professional Services (FPS) in the U.S. beginning in May 2017. This service is designed to provide exceptional support for photographers currently using the new FUJIFILM GFX system, Fujifilm’s first medium format mirrorless digital camera.The innovative GFX system utilizes a Fujifilm exclusive 43.8 x 32.9mm (FUJIFILM G Format) 51.4MP CMOS sensor that delivers ultra-high image quality. The GFX 50S combines the heritage of over 80 years of imaging and theaward-winning functional design for a relentless pursuit of perfect image quality.
GFX FPS Program Puts Photographers First
Members of the new GFX FPS Program will receive extensive benefits to ensure the utmost support for photographers utilizing the new FUJIFILM GFX System, including:
Welcome kit
Personalized FPS Card confirming exclusive access to dedicated hotline technician telephone and email support
30% discount on non-warranty repairs for Covered GFX System products
Expedited two business day turnaround time for repairs with free 2-day express shipping to and from the repair facility
4 Check & Clean program service vouchers (voucher limitations, terms & conditions apply, terms here)
50% discount on additional Check & Clean program services and 2 business day turnaround for check and clean services with complimentary 2-day express return shipping for all service
GFX system product loaners for covered equipment in repair may also be available upon request if repair is expected to exceed two business days
GFX FPS Program benefits are intended to put photographers first by providing service andconvenience for an optimal photographic experience.
Program Requirements, Availability and Pricing
The GFX Professional Services begins on May 1, 2017 for an annual membership fee of USD $499. Photographers can become a member of the GFX FPS Program by registering online. For full details on the GFX Professional Services program requirements, please see the GFX digital camera and GF lens purchase requirements and other eligibility requirements here.
More images taken with GF110 mm f2 at williamchua (William is GFX facebook member and shared his images also here. Join the group to interact directly with beta testers)
Coney Island: What’s Old Is New Again at mendelsonfineartphotography. In the GFX facebook group, the author says: “I know the 110 and 23mm are getting all the news, but here is an example of the Zeiss 135 APO used on the GFX – the 3D effect is really apparent…for more photos taken with the GFX (and A7RII for really wide angle shots)“
Fujifilm GFX / Prise en main du GF23mm par Pascal Bourguignon at Fujifilm France youtube (also Pascal is GFX facebook member)
The video above shows a basic specs comparison between the newly announced Sony A9 and the Fujifilm GFX 50s. However, all the specs comparisons do not answer the big questions, how good the image quality of the Sony A9 is, also compared to the one of the Fujifilm GFX 50s.
I think it’s safe to assume, that the Medium Format 50MP Fujifilm GFX 50s will deliver a superior image quality over the 24MP Sony A9. But let’s wait for the first lab test and real life comparisons before making any final conclusion.
The Stacked CMOS sensor, the Speed and the Megapixel
As usual, when Sony announces a new camera, the specs look quite impressive. And the Sony A9 just continues this tradition (specs & price here).
On paper, the strength of the Sony A9 is “speed“.
The new “stacked CMOS sensor” makes it possible to have impressive 20fps with no viewfinder blackout. However, in order to achieve this speed, the Sony A9 has to sacrifice Megapixel. Hence, it has 24MP, compared to the 42MP of the Sony A7rII. For wildlife and sports photographer, who might occasionally need to crop their shots quite a bit, this could be an issue.
(NOTE: in theory, as Fujica shows us here, also the X-T2 could be capable of 20fps, but not black-out free)
But you know Sony, maybe in 4 months they will release a successor with 42MP and stacked CMOS sensor :)
So let’s talk about speed:
It’s safe to assume, that nobody out there bought the Fujifilm GFX 50s for its speed. All what GFX owners want, is the ultimate image quality… and they are willing to sacrifize speed for that.
Who wants the ultimate speed in the Fuji world, has to go with the Fujifilm X-T2. And just last year, even the godfather of the Sony A7 series, Sony Manager Kimio Maki confirmed in this interview that the fast focussing Fujifilm X-T2 is a threat for Sony A7 series, since “we don’t have this weapon [speed] right now”.
Well, now Sony dropped this weapon on the market, and it’s called Sony A9. On paper, an amazing answer to the X-T2, in terms of speed. Well done Sony.
And it’s good that Sony keeps up innovating their sensors… because you know, also Fujifilm buys them from Sony :).
Read also this article: “Fuji Fun Vs. Sony Specs…. a Story about my 3 days Flirt with the Sony A7rII and why I now Love Fujifilm even more!”
Now, my Inbox is exploding with questions regarding the ultimate X (last rumor summary here). I get especially one question: will it have a stacked CMOS sensor, too?
The answer is simple: I do not know it…. yet ;)
Sure is, that Sony sells its sensors to Fujifilm. And if Sony will implement the stacked CMOS sensor technology also on APS-C sensors, then Fujifilm will be able to buy it. Of course with the usual rule, that other companies have to wait a couple of months after the first Sony camera featuring the new sensor technology has been announced, before they can use it on their own cameras. This gives Sony a little time advantage. But if you are willing to wait a bit, then you will get the same sensor also on other cameras.
So, it is possible, that the Ultimate X will have a stacked sensor. But for now, I have no information about it. I will share an update, as soon as I know something more… in the meantime, asking me this question in the comments and via email might not help much. I just can’t answer it now.
Another question I often get, is when the Ultimate X will be announced. And again I have to say that I don’t know it. It’s a bit too early to have any sure and final release date. The camera is still under development. I will let you know when time has come :)
Innovation in mirrorless cameras is fast. And now the last DSLR bastion is falling: speed!
Two years ago Canon (or was it Nikon?) released a video, showing how annoying the black-out during continuous shooting in mirrorless cameras is. Their goal was to demonstrate, that for sports and wildlife, you still have to go with a classic DSLR.
Last year, the Fujifilm X-T2 already made a nice step forward in this regard and its speed makes tracking using the EVF so much easier. However, the new stacked sensor technology now allows blackout-less EVF experience even at super-high frame rates. That’s better than any DSLR can do.
The ultra fast sensor readout made possible by the stacked sensor will improve the overall speed of mirrorless cameras so much, that you won’t miss a DSLR for sure :).
But the stacked sensor is not enough, to declare the death of DSLRs.
“[Answering the question when mirrorless will completely replace DSLRs] It will happen around 2020: Tokyo Summer Olympics feature the global shutter in mass market cameras –> end of DSLR technology as mass market technology. DSLR hybrid cameras will probably continue to exist in the high-price segment (Canon EOS 1X Mk3?).”
It’s almost done… mirrorless will completely replace DSLRs. And kudos also to Sony, for improving sensor technology so much to make this possible… and to Fujifilm for making that technology such a pleasure to use in cameras ;)
And now I do hope that also Canon and Nikon will take the mirrorless market segment seriously and give us some great mirrorless cameras soon. The more offers we have, the better it is for us customers :)
Check out this awesome combination of Elinchrom ELB 400 with GFX that fellow FR-reader Markus Klinko sent me via email (thanks).
The Quadra Action head only weights 10oz, and while extremely powerful, this set up is lighter than most basic on camera flashes.
Works with different accessories, from hard + spotted with grid to super soft with the Portalite 56.
As shared in the previous mixed zone, check out Markus’ exhibition “Bowie Unseen“, a collection of rare unseen photographs of David Bowie. More at headon. Fujifilm Australia sponsored event.
Join the terrific GFX facebook group which will soon count 12,000 members. An incredibely helpful community creating infinite GFX content. For fast, reliable, and 100% GFX news and rumors follow the Fujifilm GFX facebook page.
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