RAW File Converter EX3.0 adds Fujifilm GFX100II Support

RAW File Converter EX3.0 adds Fujifilm GFX100II support.

RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 3.0 powered by SILKYPIX Ver.8.1.14.0 – download here
The software update Ver.8.1.14.0 incorporates the following issue:

  1. Applicable models for the “RAW FILE CONVERTER EX 3.0 powered by SILKYPIX” are added.
    Applicable Model : FUJIFILM GFX100 II

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Fujifilm GFX100 II: The Truth about ISO 80 and the 30% Increased Dynamic Range

ISO 80 and Dynamic Range

We have just covered the talk about the the new sensor of the Fujifilm GFX100II and the up to twice readout speed.

At the end of that article, when I listed the reasons why to get the GFX100II instead of the GFX100S, I wrote the GFX100II has 30% (or 1/3rd of a stop) better dynamic range.

And since I noticed this is another thing that some people struggled with, I decided to elaborate now more in depth.

After testing the dynamic range, Jim Kasson (linked below) agreed that yes, dynamic range is increased, but not by 30%. Jim says:

At ISO 80 those folks at Fujifilm have dropped all the data below the nominal black point, slicing off the left half of the histogram, and cutting the measured read noise in half of what it would normally be. […] You’ll still get slightly improved FWC — but I don’t measure the claimed 30% improvement — and decently low read noise. So it’s an improvement, but not a huge one.

Now, whatever Fujifilm does in terms of software, that has been measured by Jim and I won’t argue that. And it is true that this does make ISO80 dynamic range look crazy good.

But what Fujifilm at the end of the day said, is that there is a 30% dynamic range increase.

What does this mean?

Well, 30% expressed in stops means about 1/3rd of a stop improvement. As a reference, 1 stop increase means doubling the amount of light you let in on the sensor.

So the misunderstand is simple: if the GFX100S has let’s say 14 stops DR, it does not mean that Fujifilm claimed the GFX100II has 18 stops dynamic range (+30%), but 14,3 stops of DR (+1/3). And moreoever, in the X summit the 30% increase is mentioned in the video section of the summit, and Fujifilm has not been clear if it applies also to stills.

What I can say, is that 1/3 DR increase for stills what a Fujifilm rep told me personally during a Fujifilm event. He told me Fujifilm Italy made its own measurements once they got the camera from Japan, and at base ISO they noticed a 1/3 to 2/3 of a stop DR increase.

Now, why did Fujifilm say 30% instead of 1/3rd of a stop, even though they mean the same?

Well, I guess it just sounds better saying 30% rather than 1/3rd of a stop, but of course it can create confusion.

So yes, at base ISO the new Fujifilm GFX100II will give you the better dynamic range over the GFX100S. Also Jim confirms this. But not by a very large margin. Fujifilm says it is 1/3rd of a stop for video, and Fujifilm Italy told me they measured that too for stills.

Jim Kasson Articles:

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujifilm GFX100 II Engineers and The Truth About the “New” Sensor and “Up to Twice” Readout Speed

Fujifilm GFX100II

Over the past few weeks, many have contacted me asking why I don’t talk about the reports that claim:

  • the Fujifilm GFX100 II sensor is not new
  • the Fujifilm GFX100 II does not read out at twice the speed and faster readout speed is achieved only with software tricks, meaning dropping down at 12 bit when in 8 fps mode

The answer is simple:

When Fujifilm published their first Fujifilm GFX100II development story episodes, they said they would talk about the GFX100II sensor in future episodes.

This is why I decided to wait, hear Fujifilm’s position, and then write an article that is as comprehensive and complete as possible.

And I am happy I waited, because in the 5th X Lab episode dedicated to the GFX100II, we get some helpful insights in the inner workings of the sensor (full episode with summary below)..

But before we dive into it, let me express my admiration for Jim Kasson’s brilliant work in analyzing the inner workings of the GFX100II and to Petapixel for bringing his findings to the attention of the larger public.

I decided to wait for more details coming from Fujifilm before reporting about it, but maybe they would not have disclosed those in such detail, if Jim would not have done his great work, and Petapixel made a huge buzz out of it.

The Truth in a Nutshell

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujifilm GFX100 II Firmware Update with Important Fix

Fujifilm has just released a new firmware update for the Fujifilm GFX100 II. It fixes an issue that many were complaining about. All details below.

Firmware Details & Download

Fujifilm GFX100 II ver.1.11 – download here
The firmware update Ver.1.11 from Ver.1.10 incorporates the following issue:

  1. The firmware bug is fixed that the EVF display ⁄becomes abnormal using some other manufacturers’ flashes and commanders, such as Godox’s.

The Latest

Fujifilm GFX100 II X Lab Development Story

Fujifilm has shared their Fujifilm GFX100 II centric X Lab episodes.

All Japanese. Google struggles to translate. It’s a pain…

A pain you don’t have to go through. It’s enough if I went through it and summed it up for you.

X Lab Episode 40

  • after using the GFX100S (small and lightweight compared to the original GFX100), the developers knew they wanted also the new flagship GFX100II to be smaller and lighter
  • usually flagship cameras have an integrated battery grip. Fujifilm wanted to make sure that it does not “lose its dignity” as flagship camera even if it has no integrated battery grip
  • the original GFX100 being bigger also gave more design freedom
  • Fujfiilm designed the optional grip in a way that, when attached, it sticks very rigidly to the body (it has a little hook on the border of the grip that snaps into the camera body for solid integration)
  • main target are professionals
  • when designing, 3 Fujifilm designer held a design competition to develop and 3D print several concepts
  • they also interviewed photographers to ask about the various concepts
  • 11 degree tilted top plate
  • Bishamon-Tex texture with tradition Japanese pattern inspired by Bishamon tortoise shell
  • people in the factory initially had problems to apply the new Bishamon texture to the camera
  • coating that does not scratch
  • larger top screen that displays differently if you are in video or stills. Especially the video display has been significantly revised

X Lab Episode 41

  • 9.44mDot and 1.0x magnification EVF
  • designed in a way that even if you move the eye away from viewfinder, the image will not get distorted. That’s not mentioned in the specs, but is something engineers have put lots of effort into creating
  • if for users the EVF is too big, you can make the EVF image smaller in the settings. Might be useful for example for people who wear glasses
  • initially they designed the GFX100II with fixed EVF to keep it more compact, but they listened to people and realized it was quite loved by photographers to have the tilt EVF option
  • full size HDMI and Ethernet port
  • Ethernet port has quite an impact on the internal design of the GFX100II. It would be complicated to implement it on the X-H cameras.
  • The IBIS Unit had to be redesigned in order to fit in the Ethernet port
  • they struggled until the end to decide where to put the headphone jack, at the end due to space constraints they decided to put it on the grip side
  • grip is designed slightly more inwards towards the top
  • they needed to redesign the tilt mechanism of the screen to make it compatible with the cooling fan
  • created as a piece of equipment to be used by professionals
  • refinements on the buttons, the mode dial etc.
  • better placement of the MCS focus switch (easier to reach and operate with thumb and also with gloves)

X Lab Episode 42

  • First Fujifilm GFX50S was a mid-range machine and it took long to arrive to that shape (admin note: remember the protruding back)
  • they decided for medium format sensor (admin note: the true story on how they decided to go medium format instead of full frame can be read here)
  • medium format cameras up until then were very expensive and for business use
  • Fujifilm wanted to create a camera that can be used also by the general public
  • biggest factor was size and weight of GFX50S
  • Fujifilm wanted to make it as small as a full frame DSLR
  • the most important thing about designing the GFX50S was how to make it easy to hold in the hands, so they spent a lot of time talking about the grip
  • they argued also on how wide it should be to assure enough space between grip and a large lens, so that you can still handle it nicely without a large lens getting in the ways of your fingers
  • so they cut the side of the GFX50S and inserted several thin plates to make it larger and saw how much wider it had to be (see image here)
  • GFX100 there were a lot of challenges to overcome
  • First GFX with IBIS (and X-H1 was first X series with IBIS)
  • integrated battery grip allowed to put batteries on the bottom
  • once the GFX100 was done, Fujifilm thought they needed a way to make it smaller, and to make the shutter mechanism smaller (admin note: that takes a lot of space in the camera)
  • they created the GFX100S
  • smaller motors (see GFX100S shutter vs GFX50R shutter in this image)
  • smaller shutter allowed it to keep IBIS, a smaller IBIS unit
  • they also used a smaller and yet powerful battery, the NP-W235
  • smaller shutter, smaller IBIS and smaller battery made the GFX100S possible
  • GFX100II is undoubtedly a flagship model
  • optional battery grip allows for 3 batteries total
  • Fujifilm wanted to offer a great photographic experience
  • 3 function buttons placed conveniently behind the shutter release button
  • top LCD has evolved to match the needs of photographers: larger, more pixels, changed shape to match the UI and just overall improved ease of use

X Lab Episode 43

  • they talk about the design of the grip again across various GFX models
  • they talk about the amazing resolution starting from the original GFX50S
  • initially models didn’t like it, because too much resolution, but then Fujifilm added the Skin Smooth Effect

Get Yours

Original Videos

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujifilm GFX100 II Smooth Shipping (and Low Demand) Illusion: At Least 6 Months Shipping Delay in Certain Countries

Everything seems to proceed smoothly in regards to the Fujifilm GFX100 II shipping in some parts of the world.

The GFX100 II is in stock and ready to ship in many stores such as BHphoto here, Amazon here and Adorama here.

And also in Europe at the stores I’ve checked, the situation looks good.

So is everything running smoothly?

Or, maybe worst:

is the demand lower than Fujifilm expected, and that’s why shipping runs without any problems?

Did Fujifilm just fool us with their notice of “higher demand than expected for GFX100 II” and the 1,500 montly samples they produce are more than enough?

Well, if you only look at North America and Europe, we could indeed have the illusion that everything is running well (for once!).

But sadly that’s not how things run in other countries.

In Japan for example many stores are either not giving any indication on when the GFX100 II will finally ship or they say it will take at least 6 months to finally be able to deliver the Fujifilm GFX100 II.

So it looks like Fujifilm is prioritizing certain markets, maybe because favorable currency exchange rates guarantee them better earnings if they cash in in Dollar and Euro at the moment (just a complete random speculation if mine) or other reasons I can’t think of at the moment.

Whatever the reason is, what we can say for sure is that Fujifilm is allocating an important part of the initial GFX100 II production to satisfy the demand in North American and Europe, while other countries experience shortages and have to wait much longer for their GFX100 II to ship.

I wish Fujifilm would have solved this issue by producing 3,000 samples each month, but it is what it is, and I feel sorry for those fellow GFX shooters who live in countries where they’ll have to wait at least half a year to enjoy the power of the Fujifilm GFX100 II.

via dclife

Best Memory Cards for Fujifilm GFX100 II, X-T5, X-T4, X-H2, X-H2S as Recommended by Fujifilm

Fujifilm has updated its list of recommended UHS-II SD-Cards and CFexpress Type B cards for Fujifilm GFX100 II, Fujifilm X-H2S and Fujifilm X-H2. You’ll find the detailed list in printed format below as well as in downloadable jpeg format also for Fujifilm X-T5 and X-T4.

But beware!

Not all CFexpress Type B cards are made equal.

Out of all the CFexpress Type B cards listed by Fujifilm, only the ones we highlight now give you access to the best performance without any limitations (longest bursts, access to all video codec, etc).

Overall Best CFexpress Type B Cards according to Fujifilm (no performance limitations)

Best SD-Cards

As far as SD-Card goes, depending on the camera you own, the recommended cards are slightly different.

For example, some SD-Cards recommended for the Fujifilm X-T4 (for example the Toshiba Exceria Pro) are now no longer recommended for the 40 megapixel Fujifilm X-T5. The updated list for X-T5 contains:

The detailed list of recommended cards for X-T5 can be found here and for X-T4 here.

Down below the SD-cards and CFexpress recommended for GFX100II, X-H2 and X-H2S.

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujifilm GFX100 II Best SSD for External Recording as Officially Recommended by Fujifilm

Best SSD

With the Fujifilm GFX100 II, Fujifilm introduced the capability to connect an external SSD via a USB Type-C cable to record photos and videos directly to an external SSD in all modes and formats, including 4K/60p and 8K/30p.

However, depending on the type of SSD, there are some modes and formats that cannot be recorded.

That’s why down below we will share the full compatibility list for SSD recommended by Fujifilm based on their own testings. The following SSD is recommended by Fujifilm.

Out of all these, the ones that work best (access to all video codecs and formats) are:

To see the full chart in detail and with all the notes, check out the list below or load the full JPEG file of the chart here.

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

IN STOCK: Fujifilm GFX100 II and Fujinon GF55mm f/1.7 at BHphoto & Co

The Fujifilm GFX100 II is now in stock at BHphoto here and a limited number also at Amazon US here.

Also the Fujinon GF55mm f/1.7 is in stock at BHphoto here and a limited number also at Amazon US here.