Stephen, turn off Long Exposure Noise Reduction and that should fix the rendering time. I think you need to live with your GFX for a little bit, get to know it and then do another review in the future. Looking forward to your future work with this beast of a camera.
Wonderful video and really showcases the GFX. I like how you show the raw file first then the processed image. Amazing set of images from a system you’re new to. Looking forward to receiving my 50S II even more after your video.
This is posted about a year later, but I ended up with this camera and I absolutely love it. I'm considering upgrading to the new 100s ii. But I really love this camera and it takes amazing photos with good glass on the front. You can even use some third-party glass with adapters but I would recommend getting a couple of the FujiFilm lenses. I now have three FujiFilm lenses and that's a big statement because they are so expensive, but it is my dream kit for landscape photography I find the 50 megapixels is a sweet spot for medium format. The low light performance of this camera is just absolutely blowing and the level of detail is incredible. Thank you for your video. I'm interested to see whether you are going to upgrade to the hundred at any stage.
Congratulations on the new camera, Stephen! I got a GFX (50R) 6 months ago and I love it! I mostly use my Hasselblad film lenses on it. Great review and great images!!
Thanks again Steven for sharing, I had the gfx100s + the 110 and the 32-64 on a 48 hour loan (fuji UK) I did OK but actually messed up when using tripod left IS on by mistake consequently images not best (yes a rooky mistake), as regards the IS I and many other photographers I have spoken to constantly forget the IS while on tripod, me personally I would like to see a IS switch on camera next to the shutter or somewhere it would be hard to forget (in your face) I think is what I am trying to say, Your images are stunningly sharp off of this system, Myself I have the GF 100-200mm and no camera as yet (still shooting Nikon) My wife got me it as a birthday gift so now I am locked in, the camera is my next purchase I will be going for the 100s along with one of the lens in your video maybe both, yes just retired and wanting to enjoy what time I have left doing something I have loved for the last 10 and then some years, Your video's inspire people like me both you and Euwen, you guys keep us going please keep it up, Myself and my none photographer wife are making our once in a lifetime trip to New Zealand later in the year, Take care Stephen and enjoy what you do be confident that your videos are reaching us photographers in a wonderful way.
Hi Tom, glad you like the video. I too sometimes forget to turn the IS off. But, these days a rarely use a tripod because of the IS. I haven’t noticed any issues with the IS switched on whilst on a tripod. Some people have said the camera knows when it’s on a tripod and it switches it off, although I’m not sure about that. You can set one of the custom buttons near the shutter button to IS on/off. I changed the lenses in this video to the 32-56 and 100-200. Both are amazing lenses. I miss the 40-100 because I find I have to change lenses more often now. But, I have more reach with the 100-200 which is nice. Have you tried the Adobe Enhance feature? Keep an eye out on my website, perhaps sign up to my newsletter because I will be launching some photography tours / workshops soon that might align with your trip over. There might be an opportunity for you to see some special off the beaten track places, stephen-milner.com
Excellent video Stephen - I too am a GFX 50sii user. Your video gave me some valuable insights into some of the workings of the camera that I did not know about. One thing on switching IS on and off quickly. This can be done by aligning IS to the LCD screen. A swipe left or right turns on or off in a nano second. I also use the same method to quickly bring up the full histogram. Many thanks
haha, I've had this camera for half a year now and it never crossed my mind that I could just zoom in with touch to check pictures with the touchscreen... I am runninb to check it out right now :D
Thanks for the camera envy. It also looks like I need a new microphone and microphone stand 😂. Great video Stephen and it’s good to see an unbiased review of a camera. That’s becoming a rare thing these days.
Great Stephen Milner Video, Wonderful Camera Choice, Medium Format is the new "Black": in Digital cameras I'm sure you will love it after the Mamiya.loved the image at 12:34 Thanks for sharing
I shot 35 and Medium format when I was a young lad cuz digital cameras didn’t exist. I can remember when I was able to afford my first digital camera. I was wowed 😂
Great Job thanks for the video and sample photos, I’m sitting waiting patiently for mine to arrive. “Turn of NR in the menu and Long Exposures will be done when the shutter finishes. Check the Lens I’m not sure if IBIS turns off automatically when you place camera on a tripod. Many of the new lenses for xf do not need ibis turned off once on a tripod.
Thanks ... I'm really keen on this camera to take my landscape photography to the next level I am a semi-professional photographer in Albany Western Australia images and do professional work but it's not my full-time profession eventually I would love that to be the case ..i use a Fujifilm xt5 and love it ... but I've always wanted a medium format camera in fact if Fujifilm made a full frame camera I would probably buy that because I love the colour science that Fuji offers thank you for your video full stop in Australia the price of the gfx 50 S2 has come down significantly
Hi Stephen, nice work. I did a bit of double take when I heard you say 'Redwoods in Pirongia' an then had a little laugh when you made the comment about wanting to hold the camera up to your eye. When I shifted back to film I would often forget to focus or set the exposure, I was so used to all the automation. Anyway, keep up the good work.
as a gfx100s user myself i did a lot of reseach on whether to use the 16bit raws. there are some in dept discussions and tests on dpreview (the medium format forums) where they say that there is basically no difference between 14 and 16. i ended up just using 14 bit. i hope that makes you miss that option less.
Generally it is great. Can struggle in low light conditions when there is limited contrast. I use manual focus if needed. The depth of field scale on the lcd is very helpful.
Stephen, enjoyed the video. A couple of times you mentioned the sensor having a low signal to noise ratio. The high image quality with low image noise comes from the sensor having a high signal to noise ratio. Have I misheard or misunderstood something? John.
These days only Fujifilm , only Fujifilm. After some years, my next choice might be! might be! this camera. Before buying this camera I will have to acquaint myself with all the intricacies of my beginner camera, only then buying this particular Fujifilm camera will be helpful for me. What do you say?
Raw files should open in the C1 express version, fairly sure they used to before I bought the Fuji Pro Version. In the pro version there are quite a few options for importing specifics in the import dialogue, maybe there is a setting within the dialouge? Nice, I was expecting an X T3 or 4, but no, straight into the big stuff, awesome
Since it has the same processor as the GFX 100S, I'm curious why they chose to omit the 16-bit RAW. I understand the sensor is a slower one, but couldn't at least have given the option? The whole selling point of this camera is image quality and they cut down on this? I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this and if we should be expecting maybe a software update to support this? Cheers!
One bit of an advise. Never change or assemble a lens on the body pointing the camerabody up. The sensor is completely unprotected. All kinds of debry can land on the sensor. Better to change a lens pointing the camera with the lens opening down. :)) Beuatiful gear. Would like to have this camera with a 45-105mm. Have to work on the neccesary funding:))
Thank you, great review! I visited New Zealand in 1995, beautiful country. What I have been able to determine is that Fuji medium format sensors are better than full frame because of better dynamic range, so that you can bring out shadow color and detail without noise. Image sharpness is similar to full frame. Is this right? Otherwise what justifies the huge expense of this camera? ($8K to $10K with lenses)
Thank you 🙏 I hope you had a nice trip then. Image size is bigger so bigger prints and signal to noise ratio is better because of the sensor size vs megapixels, so cleaner photos. ✌️
Cool desision to buy the gfx 50 ii, have fun with it! I see why quite some photographers (mostly landscape) going for a fuji gfx system, and must say i am impressed by it on basis of what I'm seeing of it. Thanks for sharing. I'll just stick with film, i love it too much for what i want to create, but i must say a gfx50 really is becoming quite tempting. if only I could afford it... But what happened with your hasselblad? I seem to have missed something.
When you were using the Acros simulation with the filters, did you actually use a filter, and I assume the results were jpeg files? Coincidently, I have ordered a 100S with 45-100 and 100-200 lens, but we cannot get them in the US. They are backordered and no delivery dates are given. You are fortunate to get your camera and lens, maybe it's a New Zealand thing. Also, when you decreased your jpeg previews in LR preferences, did you select medium size? I see only full size and medium size choices. Great video Stephen!
Thank you The film simulation and filter was selected before taking each photo and then added to the RAW file in Lightroom using the colour profile camera matching setting. In LR, I changed the performance setting to “use smart previews” and I increased the cache size to 100GB.
Thanks for the video and cool to look at your images on a digital camera and how you use this GFX! Was there a specific reason not to go for the Hasselblad XD-system? I don't own either but from looking at sample images I prefer Hassy's colour science. I'd love to know your thoughts on the matter!
Thank you. I was initially looking at the Hasselblad X1DII. I struggled to get a sample in NZ that I could try out first. Plus, the price difference is significant.
Hi, just want to inquire, did you have any issue with depth of field while working with such big sensor? Will huyperfocal focusing work or are you obliged to focus stack? Thank you
Thanks for watching and the question. Hyperfocal works fine, in my test the results are better when hyperfocul is used in lieu of stopping down. Focus stacking will always give better results when you are close focusing within 2 meters.
Hey, there is a company in the United States that has Mamiya parts still, they are currently repairing my Mamiya 6. The company is called Precision Camera Works, maybe they can help? Cheers
Stephen, turn off Long Exposure Noise Reduction and that should fix the rendering time. I think you need to live with your GFX for a little bit, get to know it and then do another review in the future. Looking forward to your future work with this beast of a camera.
Thanks James 🙏
Wonderful video and really showcases the GFX. I like how you show the raw file first then the processed image. Amazing set of images from a system you’re new to. Looking forward to receiving my 50S II even more after your video.
Thank you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
This camera is under my consideration. Thanks
This is posted about a year later, but I ended up with this camera and I absolutely love it. I'm considering upgrading to the new 100s ii. But I really love this camera and it takes amazing photos with good glass on the front. You can even use some third-party glass with adapters but I would recommend getting a couple of the FujiFilm lenses. I now have three FujiFilm lenses and that's a big statement because they are so expensive, but it is my dream kit for landscape photography I find the 50 megapixels is a sweet spot for medium format. The low light performance of this camera is just absolutely blowing and the level of detail is incredible. Thank you for your video. I'm interested to see whether you are going to upgrade to the hundred at any stage.
Congratulations on the new camera, Stephen! I got a GFX (50R) 6 months ago and I love it! I mostly use my Hasselblad film lenses on it.
Great review and great images!!
Thank you 🙏
Which adapter do you use for hassblad film lenses? Which hasselblad film lenses do you own?
Love mine. With the dynamic range feature there is really A LOT of dynamic range on tap !!
Loved your video and your way of explanation !!
Thanks again Steven for sharing, I had the gfx100s + the 110 and the 32-64 on a 48 hour loan (fuji UK) I did OK but actually messed up when using tripod left IS on by mistake consequently images not best (yes a rooky mistake), as regards the IS I and many other photographers I have spoken to constantly forget the IS while on tripod, me personally I would like to see a IS switch on camera next to the shutter or somewhere it would be hard to forget (in your face) I think is what I am trying to say, Your images are stunningly sharp off of this system, Myself I have the GF 100-200mm and no camera as yet (still shooting Nikon) My wife got me it as a birthday gift so now I am locked in, the camera is my next purchase I will be going for the 100s along with one of the lens in your video maybe both, yes just retired and wanting to enjoy what time I have left doing something I have loved for the last 10 and then some years, Your video's inspire people like me both you and Euwen, you guys keep us going please keep it up, Myself and my none photographer wife are making our once in a lifetime trip to New Zealand later in the year, Take care Stephen and enjoy what you do be confident that your videos are reaching us photographers in a wonderful way.
Hi Tom, glad you like the video. I too sometimes forget to turn the IS off. But, these days a rarely use a tripod because of the IS. I haven’t noticed any issues with the IS switched on whilst on a tripod. Some people have said the camera knows when it’s on a tripod and it switches it off, although I’m not sure about that. You can set one of the custom buttons near the shutter button to IS on/off. I changed the lenses in this video to the 32-56 and 100-200. Both are amazing lenses. I miss the 40-100 because I find I have to change lenses more often now. But, I have more reach with the 100-200 which is nice. Have you tried the Adobe Enhance feature? Keep an eye out on my website, perhaps sign up to my newsletter because I will be launching some photography tours / workshops soon that might align with your trip over. There might be an opportunity for you to see some special off the beaten track places, stephen-milner.com
Excellent video Stephen - I too am a GFX 50sii user. Your video gave me some valuable insights into some of the workings of the camera that I did not know about. One thing on switching IS on and off quickly. This can be done by aligning IS to the LCD screen. A swipe left or right turns on or off in a nano second. I also use the same method to quickly bring up the full histogram. Many thanks
Hey Malcolm, thanks for the tip. I’m glad you liked the video.
haha, I've had this camera for half a year now and it never crossed my mind that I could just zoom in with touch to check pictures with the touchscreen... I am runninb to check it out right now :D
Thanks for the camera envy. It also looks like I need a new microphone and microphone stand 😂. Great video Stephen and it’s good to see an unbiased review of a camera. That’s becoming a rare thing these days.
Thanks Matt 🙏
Great Stephen Milner Video, Wonderful Camera Choice, Medium Format is the new "Black": in Digital cameras I'm sure you will love it after the Mamiya.loved the image at 12:34 Thanks for sharing
Thanks Tony 🙏
You can assign a button for IBIS on off. That is what I do and it works well and fast
Just tried it, yes I can assign it to an Fn button. Thanks 🙏
Great review on 50Smk2. Nice to see our mountain as subject.
Thanks Tony 🙏
I shot 35 and Medium format when I was a young lad cuz digital cameras didn’t exist. I can remember when I was able to afford my first digital camera. I was wowed 😂
Great Job thanks for the video and sample photos, I’m sitting waiting patiently for mine to arrive. “Turn of NR in the menu and Long Exposures will be done when the shutter finishes. Check the Lens I’m not sure if IBIS turns off automatically when you place camera on a tripod. Many of the new lenses for xf do not need ibis turned off once on a tripod.
Thanks David 🙏
Thanks ... I'm really keen on this camera to take my landscape photography to the next level I am a semi-professional photographer in Albany Western Australia images and do professional work but it's not my full-time profession eventually I would love that to be the case ..i use a Fujifilm xt5 and love it ... but I've always wanted a medium format camera in fact if Fujifilm made a full frame camera I would probably buy that because I love the colour science that Fuji offers thank you for your video full stop in Australia the price of the gfx 50 S2 has come down significantly
Hi Stephen, nice work. I did a bit of double take when I heard you say 'Redwoods in Pirongia' an then had a little laugh when you made the comment about wanting to hold the camera up to your eye. When I shifted back to film I would often forget to focus or set the exposure, I was so used to all the automation.
Anyway, keep up the good work.
Thank you 🙏 Definitely no Redwoods in Pirongia 😂 I keep forgetting to select ISO, too use it being embedded in the film.
Great photos!
Nice job Stevo - a great review I thought a certain gentleman from Orkney was doing some videoing for you - a very unique style
Thanks Steve 🙏 Ewan is a gent for helping me out with the video.
Thanks Stephen... Awesome vedio
Thank you 🙏
as a gfx100s user myself i did a lot of reseach on whether to use the 16bit raws. there are some in dept discussions and tests on dpreview (the medium format forums) where they say that there is basically no difference between 14 and 16. i ended up just using 14 bit. i hope that makes you miss that option less.
Thanks Manuel 🙏
Has Fujifilm provided any firmware updates on your requests for improvements, are there no options to assign a button to switch IBIS on and off.
Ibis on and off can be assigned to a fn button
Nice work mate fuji make fine cameras.
Thanks Paul, it’s a nice camera.
A very helpful and constructive review. What was your experience of the auto-focus like?
Generally it is great. Can struggle in low light conditions when there is limited contrast. I use manual focus if needed. The depth of field scale on the lcd is very helpful.
Stephen, enjoyed the video. A couple of times you mentioned the sensor having a low signal to noise ratio. The high image quality with low image noise comes from the sensor having a high signal to noise ratio. Have I misheard or misunderstood something? John.
Fujifilm website says “stronger signal to noise ratio” ✌️
These days only Fujifilm , only Fujifilm.
After some years, my next choice might be! might be! this camera.
Before buying this camera I will have to acquaint myself with all the intricacies of my beginner camera, only then buying this particular Fujifilm camera will be helpful for me.
What do you say?
Sounds like a good idea
Raw files should open in the C1 express version, fairly sure they used to before I bought the Fuji Pro Version. In the pro version there are quite a few options for importing specifics in the import dialogue, maybe there is a setting within the dialouge? Nice, I was expecting an X T3 or 4, but no, straight into the big stuff, awesome
Thanks for the tips 🙏
Congrats on the new camera! Now, how about going large format? 😁
Which should I choose between GFX50SII and A7RV?
I usually shoot people, group activities, and landscapes.
GFX body and lenses are big compared to the Sony. GFX is good for commercial work and printing really big. Autofocus on Sony is better for people.
@@StephenMilner Ok I got it! Thank you so much for your answer.
Since it has the same processor as the GFX 100S, I'm curious why they chose to omit the 16-bit RAW. I understand the sensor is a slower one, but couldn't at least have given the option? The whole selling point of this camera is image quality and they cut down on this? I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this and if we should be expecting maybe a software update to support this? Cheers!
I agree. I suspect it related to the sensor and it can only produce 14 bit.
One bit of an advise. Never change or assemble a lens on the body pointing the camerabody up. The sensor is completely unprotected. All kinds of debry can land on the sensor. Better to change a lens pointing the camera with the lens opening down. :)) Beuatiful gear. Would like to have this camera with a 45-105mm. Have to work on the neccesary funding:))
Thank you 🙏
Thank you, great review! I visited New Zealand in 1995, beautiful country. What I have been able to determine is that Fuji medium format sensors are better than full frame because of better dynamic range, so that you can bring out shadow color and detail without noise. Image sharpness is similar to full frame. Is this right? Otherwise what justifies the huge expense of this camera? ($8K to $10K with lenses)
Thank you 🙏 I hope you had a nice trip then. Image size is bigger so bigger prints and signal to noise ratio is better because of the sensor size vs megapixels, so cleaner photos. ✌️
Thanks for the video! Does the contrast-detect autofocus work well enough in landscape photography?
Yes, it works well. The only time I have noticed it struggling is at dusk and dawn, when it’s dark.
Cool desision to buy the gfx 50 ii, have fun with it! I see why quite some photographers (mostly landscape) going for a fuji gfx system, and must say i am impressed by it on basis of what I'm seeing of it. Thanks for sharing. I'll just stick with film, i love it too much for what i want to create, but i must say a gfx50 really is becoming quite tempting. if only I could afford it...
But what happened with your hasselblad? I seem to have missed something.
Thanks Dennis 🙏 I sold the Hasselblad a year ago to buy the Mamiya 6. I will continue to use film.
@@StephenMilner glad to hear man, love your black and white work.
When you were using the Acros simulation with the filters, did you actually use a filter, and I assume the results were jpeg files? Coincidently, I have ordered a 100S with 45-100 and 100-200 lens, but we cannot get them in the US. They are backordered and no delivery dates are given. You are fortunate to get your camera and lens, maybe it's a New Zealand thing. Also, when you decreased your jpeg previews in LR preferences, did you select medium size? I see only full size and medium size choices. Great video Stephen!
Thank you
The film simulation and filter was selected before taking each photo and then added to the RAW file in Lightroom using the colour profile camera matching setting. In LR, I changed the performance setting to “use smart previews” and I increased the cache size to 100GB.
Thanks for the video and cool to look at your images on a digital camera and how you use this GFX! Was there a specific reason not to go for the Hasselblad XD-system? I don't own either but from looking at sample images I prefer Hassy's colour science. I'd love to know your thoughts on the matter!
Thank you. I was initially looking at the Hasselblad X1DII. I struggled to get a sample in NZ that I could try out first. Plus, the price difference is significant.
which is better when you have 35-70.. 45-100 or 100-200 ?
100-200
Hi, just want to inquire, did you have any issue with depth of field while working with such big sensor? Will huyperfocal focusing work or are you obliged to focus stack?
Thank you
Thanks for watching and the question. Hyperfocal works fine, in my test the results are better when hyperfocul is used in lieu of stopping down. Focus stacking will always give better results when you are close focusing within 2 meters.
@@StephenMilner thank you so much. That info helps a lot
Cheers mate.
No worries
If I was a pro, I'd be tempted but obviously I couldn't justify or afford the outlay
are you going to pre order the new 20-35?
No, I don’t need something that wide and if I did I would do a multi stitch
Where’s the hasselblad??
Sold the Hasselblad a year ago and purchased the Mamiya 6
Hey, there is a company in the United States that has Mamiya parts still, they are currently repairing my Mamiya 6. The company is called Precision Camera Works, maybe they can help? Cheers
Thank you, I have sent it to them 🙏
Get ride of the long exposure noise reduction and you’ll have not to wait for the camera to do that.
Thank you 🙏
Shame Fuji implemented a 5 yr old sensor.
What do you think they could have improved in the sensor?
Fuji did a lot of research about sensor options and couldn’t find anything that was better, ‘if it ain’t broke ---.’