The Fujifilm GFX100 is getting tons of positive feedback so far, and it seems that reviewers can’t really believe they are holding a medium format sensor camera in their hands, since everything with a digital sensor bigger than 35mm was notoriously slow.
The Fujifilm GFX100 changed the game: it is fast and responsive, despite having a 70% larger sensor than full frame and 100 megapixel. And thanks to IBIS, it is also versatile.
ALPA just announced the ALPA XO Exoskeleton for Fujifilm GFX100:
ALPA XO, the high-end exoskeleton for the brand new Fujifilm GFX 100 camera. ALPA introduces the extraordinary ALPA XO line, which supports the new generation of medium format cameras for still and moving images. The first series of products will include the ALPA XO exoskeleton, top handle and professional adapter for PL and LPL cine lenses. Of course, everything will be modular and flexible in ALPA style.
Filmmakers use camera cages to add various kinds of accessories to their rig. With ALPA XO, they can attach handles, matte boxes, follow- and remote focus systems, field monitors, recorders and wireless video solutions to match their creative vision. Even without the need for accessories and other lens mounts, the XO-cage will reinforce and protect your camera in every situation.
Just one week after the official launch of the Fujfifilm GFX 100, you can see the prototypes of the ALPA XO Exoskeleton for the Fujifilm GFX 100 at CineGear 2019 in Los Angeles at the booth of Fujifilm and Samy’s. On the latter also together with the ALPA Switar Cine Prime Lenses.
Last week DRPreivew brought us inside the pre-production Fujifilm GFX100 assembly line, where the Fujifilm GFX100 is manufactured by hand.
Today, while scrolling through the very active Fujifilm GFX group, I noticed this post by Ken from Channel X, that gives us a few more interesting pictures from inside the assembly line.
Back in March 2018, I have used Fujifilm technical X-H1 IBIS scetches and put them into the Fujfiilm X-T2. See the article here.
The result was the image you see above.
It’s my pleasure to see that over one year later, the topic is coming up again (better late than never), so I am glad to share it again with you.
The Fujfilm X-T4, if it keeps the size of the X-T3 and X-T2, will have a hard time to fit IBIS into its body. But Fujifilm has repeated many times, that they are working to make IBIS smaller.
And since we talk IBIS…
I had a personal curiosity to see how the Fujifilm GFX100 IBIS unit fits in the Fujifilm GFX 50S and Fujifilm GFX 50R.
So I took the IBIS unit displayed at the Fujifilm GFX100 live stream event, and mounted it on the Fujifilm GFX50R/S.
As you can see below, the IBIS unit is too big for both cameras, but not by a large margin. So there is hope that, with further development, the next generation IBIS will be small enough to make it fit also in the GFX R and GFX S line of cameras.
Samuel shared with he community Fujifilm GFX100 RAW files linking to his google drive here. Damien is actively discussing his first impression of the Fujifilm GFX100 in this post here. Keith has shared the image and 100% crop of the parrot, you can see it in all its glory here.
Want more?
I have downloaded some 600 MP GFX100 TIFF files provided by digitalcameraworld (link below), and opened them in Capture One Pro 12. It’s only when you play around with the GFX100 files, that you understand why this beast is worth the money!
… we love the art of painting with light, the creative process of composing a story, of freezing fugitive moments and capturing ephemeral beauty in an image forever.
The camera specs are the last thing we care about.
Ok, now let’s get serious and have an exciting pixel peeping time! :D
Keep in mind that these are JPEGs from a pre-production Fujifilm GFX100. We can’t really make final conclusions, until we finally have standardized tests using RAW files developed in the same RAW converter.
Anyway, judging from the JPEGs, the Fujifilm GFX100 beats them all in terms of sharpness and high ISO performance, including the $30,000 (or is it $50,000) Phase One XF IQ3 100MP.
However, the there are some problems: for example, GFX100 sample was shot at f/8, whereas GFX50 at f/9. Let’s hope their RAW comparison will be more accurate.
Holy Crop! The Fujifilm GFX100 is pixel peeper paradise!
Down below I share some samples available at the imaging-resource comparometer here, where you can compare the Fujifilm GFX100 to any other camera in their database.
We love photography, because we can experience a childish joy of discovery, sometimes also by digging deep into the most technical aspects of it. :)
We have already posted a first Fujifilm manager interview earlier today here. It’s a good one, with lots of information, including the future of the Fujifilm X-H line. Make sure to read it!
Also B&H Photo, Adorama, Samys and Henrys are at Fujikina 2019, and they had the opportunity to go hands on with the Fujifilm GFX100 as well as have talks with Fujifilm managers.
I have put together the main points of the various interviews down below:
Fujifilm manager Justin explains why calling the Fujifilm GFX100 “large format” makes sense
Fujifilm has a medium format sensor roadmap, and GF lenses are future proof since they can resolve more than 100 megapixel
1/4 of a second at 200mm gave tack sharp images
shutter shock absorbers in the GFX100
going at 5fps continuous shooting with a medium format 102 MP camera is unheard of
Adorama says it feels like shooting a flagship DSLR as opposed to medium format
Adorama says they can’t believe it, and that Fujifilm is changing a lot
Fuji manager Justin says Fujifilm is trying to re-invent photography
Fujifilm needed 3 years to develop IBIS for the Fujiiflm GFX100. 1.5 years of development were shared with the Fujifilm X-H1 IBIS development, and another 1.5 years for the IBIS on the GFX100 only
One of the advantages of medium format, is that it is easier to design high-resolution lenses for it.
So if resolution, sharpness, cropping flexibility, big prints and having future proof files for upcoming high res screens is important to you, investing in GFX large format is the way to go.
BHphoto here: Complete Comparison Fujifilm GFX100 vs Sony A7III vs Nikon Z7 vs Canon EOS 5DS R
Now you say, it is unfair to compare it with full frame. And yes, it is. But it is also unfair to compare it to other medium format cameras.
It’s the first medium format camera with IBIS, it’s mirrorless, it’s fast, and it has the size of a full frame DSLR with integrated grip, such as the Nikon D5 and Canon 1Dx MK II.
And if you think $10,000 is too much for the Fujifilm GFX100, then look around and you’ll discover that a Mamiya Leaf with 50MP 44×33 sensor, which is inferior in every regard to the GFX100, will cost you $24,000!
The Fujifilm GFX100 simply sets itself in a new territory.
