The Spanish site Fujistas was at the Fujifilm GFX 50R launch event. They wrote about it on their blog here (translation), and amongst the others, they shared the following tidbits:
Fujifilm claims to be worldwide Nr.2 mirrorless camera manufacturer
they demonstrated the crop capabilities of the Fujifilm GFX 100 Megapixel camera and they were extremely impressed
If Fujifilm’s statement is correct, then Fuji surpassed Panasonic and Olympus, and, considering also DSLRs, they are now 4th behind Sony, Nikon and Canon.
Also, a few days ago we shared some Chinese Fujifilm media slides that showed us the details of the upcoming firmware update for Fujifilm GFX 50S. However, we struggled a bit with the translation.
Now Fujistas shared the English version of the slide (see above). The firmware update for Fujifilm GFX50S will bring the following new functions:
35mm Format Mode with GF lens and Fujinon HC lenses
GF 45-100mm not sure if it will work with 1.4x TC (slide does not mention that it will support TC, so it is likely that it won’t.)
GF 100-200mm will have internal zoom design (so lens’ length won’t change when zooming. Again, probably not the case for GF45-100mm)
GF 50mm F3.5 R will have linear motor
Fujifilm GFX 50S future firmware update:
Not everything is clear what’s written in the slides, but that’s what’s written
faster eye sensor reaction time
delete RAW and JPG together (that’s what’s written in the slide) – (by FR-readers: when choose to take jpeg+raw mode, so deleting photo will be in-sync)
35mm format crop mode will support GF lenses and FUJINON HC lenses
The slide also says “EVF/LCD adds white indicator point(s) – color customization”. FR-readers say “Usually refer to exposure clipping of the white point, i.e. the white Blinky when everything look white, so the color customization mostly refer to the white Blinky color, like what u can set in Adobe Raw or LR”
Camera Remote App / Camera Update
As we reported here already, version 3.2.0 of the camera remote app allows you to update your camera firmware via remote app, provided your camera has bluetooth. The Fujifilm GFX 50R has bluetooth, so it supports this feature.
I am not that kind of guy, who breaks into a place bypassing security checks…
I broke into photokina bypassing security checks 1 day ahead of the official opening, because I could not wait to deliver you the first images side by side of the XF33mmF1.0, XF16-80mmF4 and XF16mmF2.9 and first hands on video of the Fujifilm GFX 50R.
But let’s talk about it later and start with the Fujifilm managers.
ePhotozine published a couple of hands-on photos of the Fujifilm GFX 50R with GF 50mmF3.5.
I am pretty sure ePhotozine just did it just to trigger my GAS even further, because I kind of fell in love with the Fujifilm GFX 50R while trying it out at the Fujifilm booth.
They also shared hands on images of the GF45-100mm and GF 100-200mm here.
And despite all the reviewers make a brilliang job covering the Fujifilm GFX 50R, they have a hard job this time, since it has the exact same performance of the Fujifilm GFX 50S. The only difference is the design, and I strongly invite you to test it out by yourself, because what I loved to handle on the booth, you might hate it.
And in no case I would recommend this camera to left eye shooters, since you are going to cover the screen with your face, and you can forget to swipe the touch screen to access your custom functions while you have your eye on the viewfinder. The swipe function will be used a lot, since there is not D-Pad, where to assign custom functions.
With that said, if you are a rangefinder lover, then you probably already are right eye dominant and the corner viewfinder placement.
I just came home from another busy day at Photokina, and I played again around with the Fujifilm GFX 50R. It’s a really fine camera, and my GAS goes strong, but $4,500 still make it out of my reach. So my money is safe (I think :) ).
For rangefinder guys like me, the Fujifilm GFX 50R is surely more fun to use than the GFX 50S, also on the streets and for daily documentation of life.
Kevin Mullins and Jonas Rask also said on their live talks at Photokina, that the Fujifilm GFX 50R is a medium format they enjoy to pick up and carry around for daily shooting, much more than a bulkier Fujifilm GFX 50S, which is definitely a wonderful tool for professional work, but not as “casual” as the Fujifilm GFX 50R.
So keep in mind that performance is just the same of Fujifilm GFX 50S. What the real difference is, is the shooting experience. So I will share a few reviews down below, but none will tell you how the Fujifilm GFX 50R feels in your hands.
– Incorporates a large sensor approximately 1.7 times the size of full-size 35mm image sensor
-New model with a rangefinder style design, a lightweight 775g* body and easy operability
-Produces ultra-high image quality with 51.4 million pixel sensor, ideal for both snapshots and portraits