Fujifilm GFX50S II Review | Is this medium format for the masses?
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- The newest release of the next in line GFX camera - the GFX50S II, promises a lot of updates from the original GFX50S. It's also more affordable than ever. Could this be the time to jump to medium format? We dive in to explore the new features and see if it's worthy of all the fuss.
The GFX50S II w/ 35-70mm kit lens at Vistek:
www.vistek.ca/...
#GFX50SII #Review #MediumFormat #handsonreview
My work took a big turn at the beginning of the pandemic, which moved me away from GFX for a while. Now I’m starting to get back to the ultra large prints I love to do, which for the moment means renting a 100S until my order comes through. Earlier I had the GFX100, and though the 100 semi-pro body style with its vertical-ish grip had a few advantages, the new design seems easier to work with most of the time and definitely easier to pack. And since I shoot with an X-T4 for faster action situations, using the same battery saves money and hassle and at least a little bit of carrying weight. But all practicalities aside, I shoot GFX for the 4:3 aspect ratio. That extra height in the composition (or width in portrait orientation) comes in handy over and over again when framing shots. To me it feels expansive compared to full-frame 3:2 and often I can settle in closer to the subject matter than I would with full-frame, giving me access to more detail at the outset, and more latitude when it’s time to proportion a final print. So to me it’s a revelation that Fujifilm has priced those advantages down to the $4k range, while including their excellent IBIS design. So as long as users keep in mind that the relatively slow readout speeds of these sensors requires a more deliberate approach to image making, Fujifilm will end up with many new devotees. For landscape, architectural, product, studio, macro and other styles of image making which tend to require more prep and fewer frames in the can, the GFX system offers many advantages and the 50S II offers a radical improvement to the budget equation for those interested in exploring the benefits of this larger sensor alternative. For those who slow-shoot most of the time already, give it a try, I have a hard time thinking you’ll regret the move; and when your appetite for more detail grows, the GF glass will carry you into the 100 series without compromise. And *those* prints and images are jaw-dropping if ultimately your work calls for the ultimate in resolution, while still operating much faster, and flexibly (and weather sealed) compared with any other large format alternative-and for a lot less money.
I don’t normally reply and like comments, but you sir, blew my mind with this exceptionally informative and objective review of the GFX 👍
I just wanted to say that the single point AFS on the 50Sii is very fast and accurate. This is not a slow camera, it’s just not as fast as say a Canon R5 or Sony A1.
Thanks for making that point. Agreed.
lol
Hi, thanks for this excellent review. I'll get my GFX50S II tomorrow. It's my first medium format camera. And I'm aware of the limitations. But they are fine for me. I have a lot of experience with MFT, APS-C and FF. The GFX50S II will be used for high-res landscape, architecture and studio portraits. I'm pretty sure to put the GFX50S II to good use ;)
Always solid insight bro.
Thanks Ben!
Good job! Way better review than the other RUclipsrs that forget to breathe. lol.
Haha. Thanks!
Well presented , examples to observe by, and conclusions that simply make sense. Nice review.
I love mine for basic family photography and a bit of city shooting. It was $2000 new with the 50mm f/3.5... to me it's like a film-less Fuji GA645
I am using, GH5,S5 and are impressed of Fuji over all but I am more waiting for a global shutter until I will consider a buy of Fuji.
Oh good god, please stop using the term "studio portraits" XD so much for a suggestion.
I used the 50S and 50R at a wedding, shootings outside where the model doesn't have to move around, product photography, street, macro, landscape and even as a webcam.
Yeaa.. continuous AF isn't really good. So what? No everyone needs that. If more than 90% of your shooting isn't something that really moves to fast, you are definitely good to go and wont regret buying this camera.
When you buy this kind of camera you should already have a level of photography skills. I even did a high speed action shooting with the 50R and got great results.
You are not limited in anyway except for continuous AF tracking where the model is walking around like in this video.. and that's it. And even then you can work around that if you have some experience.
I was hoping it would be a great add for weddings but if it’s too slow for dancing reception photos I’ll stick to my xt4
Nice to hear the pros AND the cons!
The GFX cameras are wonderful - but think very very hard about what you want to shoot. If your coming from full frame - the lenses are completely different in use & options are extremely limited with regard to longer focal lengths - which also suffer from ‘restrictive’ focus depths. Remember that the 100 - 200 is ‘actually’ about a 75 - 150 & weighs a lot too.
The converter weighs over 16oz & is only 1.4 x mag
I use the GFX body with the GF23mm - it is superb. I will change to the 20-35mm when it comes out !
But I use an x body & longer zoom for telephoto shots.
The GF 32-64 isn’t much better than a kit lens & the GF 100-200 has very limited use !
The 45 - 100 is rather here nor there !
simple and a great review, thank you !
Thank you!
Got one yesterday. Now, if I can only get my brain to work!
I'm looking at pairing this with a Fujifilm xt5 and poorly using it as a landscape camera that it's a medium format camera I really don't want to get into portrait work with this camera they also have a Nikon d850 that I can use for just about any kind of sports photography but I couldn't find many reviews for the landscape side of it but it seems like it's a really good camera for landscape photography I imagine you could still shoot waves with it and things like that where I can just pick a spot still use auto focus
Perhaps a couple of other areas where the 50SII may shine is using adaptive lenses that generally were not built for 100MP and astrophotography where the larger and less densely populated pixels may be an advantage over the 100MP sensor. Thoughts?
Man I like your reviews!
Thank you YH! 🙏
I won't be keen in this camera as I have both the GFX100 and GFX100s. Waiting for the XH-2 for the fast action sequences. Then it would complete the pro and cons of the Fujifilm system for me.
About to get the GFX 50S II, with kit lens. I would love to see examples of ANY GFX camera used with a lens adapter for either Canon (mine) or Nikon or whatever mount lenses, to see how much is vignetted. I know that Metabones has a costly adapter with glass in it that magnifies the image circle by 1.26X to avoid any vignetting, but not sure if adding glass to a Zeiss Milvus lens is what I want to do.
I just found your channel and have to say I enjoy your insights
Thanks Chris!
Short and Nice review ! I'm interested to buy it is a bit frustrating a 6 year old sensor. Imagine if you want to sell it in two years... it would be very difficult.
My X-Pro3 AF is mediocre vs. my R5, and if this is even worse than the Pro3 and with minimal advantages to high end full frame cameras, then no thanks! The only thing I prefer is the 4*3 format.
Most of the reviews I've seen on this camera is only about photography. Any recommendations for video? 👀
So how does your price model work with any other manufacturer? I've never seen the Sony R series drop their new model, in fact I've never seen any manufacturer follow that pricing structure.
As for it being a big step up on the old 50S, how exactly does that work? You say the Mk2 is good for art and landscape, how does IBIS as the major upgrade help there when it will be switched off? LOL
So GFX with dark lens like f4 will be brighter and cleaner (even on high iso) than for example sony a7riv with f1.8 lens ?
Not in a million years. Stick with the Sony
Remove "this camera, " or" that camera ". We get confused which one you are talking about, thanks 😊
Excellent review! So the 100 is more responsive than the 100s?
I found to it to be. Noticeably more responsive. I think that has a bit to do with the battery voltage. But I can’t say for sure.
@@vistek very interesting. Thanks!
I was very tempted by this model or even the gfx50r but I haven't seen anyone yet resolving the equation which explains me how I will use this great gfx body with the necessary and expensive gf lenses?
I still prefer 50s ergonomic better than the 2 and 100s. It is made for photographers
This camera seems redundant...for street I'd take my GFX100s. I shoot a Sony a7RIV as well and leica..street doesn't necessarily require medium format...
Wait, this new camera doesn’t have 16 bit color?
Hi Eirik, correct. Only the 100 series cameras have 16 bit.
I sold mine. Hated it in every way
No 4K without lens.
I didn't know Mads Mikkelsen was a photographer.
He does it only when he’s not taking over Johnny depps roles
Medium F cameras are not designed for fast AF, if you need fast AF get another camera for sports action.
The masses use phones. Those who have invested in a pro lens selection for Nikon/ Canon will not be spending $25-$30k to replicate that reach in a format whose resolution exceeds 99% of publishing media
Dedicated camera for photography can't be for masses even if it will be priced at $500.
Is that face or phase detection? lol
I grew up shooting film long before autofocus was introduced. You guys that claim to be expert photographers, yet complain about AF not being fast enough, are not professional by any stretch of the imagination. Turn off the AF and master Manual Focus.
Yes master
see no point to this, its too close to 35mm, it really needs 100m files
The larger pixel size offers advantages, which is why Leica also reduced their pixel count in some cameras. Better colors and more dynamic range are achieved with larger pixels and lower pixel count.
You’ve got your megapixels and sensor size mixed up Gerard