AMEN to this video! I used to shoot weddings back in 2005 on a "state of the art" Canon 1Ds MkII (16 MP). People were blown away by the photos and I created wall canvases, photo books, DVDs and so on, with 100% satisfaction. We seek out the latest and greatest for obvious reasons (we want our art to be the best it can be) but often forget that we can achieve greatness with limited means. Django Reinhardt lost the use of two fingers and is heralded as one of the finest Jazz guitarists of all time. Make use of what you have!
Welcome to the D700, Adam. I have to say I am thoroughly in love with My D700 and will never part with it, even when the electronics eventually die, as everything does. For the time the D700 and D3 sensor was, and still is, an exceptional one. Comparing ther D700 with the GFX100 is like comparing a brand new car with a classic. The D700 is indeed a classic, much loved by many photographers around the world and I hope you have a lot of fun with it.
Having spent 27 year behind the counter in a pro camera store as well as more than 60 years as an amateur to pro photographer, I think it's more important to have good glass (lenses) than the latest, greatest camera. Way back when, in the '80s I think, I thought I was shooting with good glass when I was loaned a mid/upper tier Zeiss lens. I was fiddling around with it on my camera, comparing it to a similar focal length in my collection. I was focusing on some clothes hanging in my closet when I noticed something. The Zeiss lens was picking up more detail, I could clearly see the texture of the material my shirts and sweaters.
fully agree that good glass is the main ingredient. I used an older minolta 50mm f1.7 it's downside is shooting into direct sunlight other than that it outshines some modern lens. Excellent value from viltrox lens rdp Pro range
This was a very worthwhile demonstration. All these digital cameras are actually closer in output than what many imagine, and again, unless you make significant enlargements, the human eye is only capable of discerning so much detail at anything approaching a normal viewing distance. Yes, larger sensors provide better IQ at higher ISOs and/or in lower light, but in good light, the differences get smaller. The D700 (and D3s) sensors, whilst only outputting 12MP, actually produced lovely tonal response. It should be mentioned that the new Nikon Z lenses are phenomenal, and significantly better than their older F-Mount counterparts, so a 45MP Z Series body mated with one of their higher quality Z-Series lenses will produce results nearly indistinguishable from, say, a GFX50 camera body.
The dynamic range and low light performance of modern sensors, plus things like stabilization, enables images I couldn't even get with earlier gear. And then there is all the cropping ability you get with a GFX 100 without stitching and wotnot. It is true, better gear may not make you a better photographer, but it will make better photographs (files).
I think you summed up the entire video with one sentence Adam: “getting out there and making images”. Not to mention the experience(s) of doing such. I like to think of the camera as merely a tool, an excuse, a reason to go and get out there.
I couldn’t agree more! I’ve been photographing for 45 yrs. When my daughter started to take pictures I wanted so bad to buy her a DSLR. I held back. She had an iPhone. Taught her “Light” and “Composition”. After a couple years and seeing how good of pictures she was getting I gave her my D800e Oh my! Showing her how to ETTR she was getting fabulous pictures. She moved to Norway for 4 years and now in Iceland 3 yrs. I’m so proud of her. I really believe it was her learning how to see the composition and getting great light!!! I remember hearing an expensive stove doesn’t make a great chef! Love the channel. PS. After saying all that I am truly excited at the results I’m getting from my new Z8😎
A relative passed away several months ago and I was gifted his Nikon N1 cameras. A V1 and J4 with a few lenses. The V1 is 10MP and the J4 is 18MP. In addition I inherited his SD cards and was blown away by some of the photos he had taken with these little 1" sensor cameras when I put them in my computer. OK, said I, let's see what they can do.... I am always totally impressed with the results of these 2 early mirrorless cameras. I can stick them in a pocket and they look like toys BUT the photos are clear, detailed, and the colors are as good as my higher end Nikons. Perfect for street photography, and I use the J4 exclusively for macro work with a N1 to F adapter for some of my legacy F glass since it doesn't have a viewfinder. I agree, grab your old camera, charge the battery, and you will be surprised what they can do - especially with today's software editing capability.
My wife and I both started out with the Canon 70D, and when the Canon R7 came out with the larger sensor, faster exposures. I got it. Man what a difference. We do wildlife, macro, and night photography. I wouldn’t trade this camera for any other. We love them. I still have my 70D as back up, because it is still very good. Great advice Adam.
Great video and much food for thought! I learned this lesson, actually, when my 13-year old son took head shots of his classmates recently for a school play. He used a small micro 4/3 camera, which many people dismiss these days. He used a good lens and the results were fabulous - some parents even asked for copies. I believe that the results reflected his good relationships with his peers. This and your video have motivated me to get out with the camera I have and explore - all the more enticing because we’re relocating to Vancouver Island (Victoria area) this week!
That is very true. Any camera really will do. My goto camera that I have used for years is a Nikon FM. It is film, so not for everybody, but camera and lens include was about $150 total. But yes, I'm using it because I like the look of the photographs I get, and not that the image quality can compare to todays modern digital cameras.
The colours and tones from the D700 were amongst the very best I have ever experienced with Nikon. For portraiture skin tones I found the D700 to be better even than the 24mp D750 and the AF was way better than the D800 which replaced D700. The D700 may lack in resolution and have an old rear LCD which makes playback difficult to view, but that 12mp sensor produces magical warm tones and colour profiles.
I switched to a sony A7riv back in September from a D700 which I had been using for a very long time. I definitely enjoy the extra resolution and cropping power of the new body but I've never been disappointed in the actual quality of the image from the D700, it's an amazing camera and I think the colours it produces are preferable to the new one...Plus the 12mpx is more than ok for huge A0 wall art if viewing from anything other than point blank distance. The reduction in resolution obviously helps a little with the sharpness too as you dont need to keep the shutter speed quite so high for a sharp image.
So glad you made this video.... it doesn't matter what tools you have. You don't need the best and latest and greatest camera to take amazing photos. I would argue that, by not having the best equipment, it challenges you more and makes you a better photographer.
I was out shooting with a Nikon D700 last evening. One of my arsenal of older DSLRs, which I still enjoy using. I have a D850 and modern Nikon Zs, but I like to get creative with older cameras all the time.
At last, someone who has done a comparison video, great to see that you don't need the all singing, all dancing, latest newest gear to get great images, makes me want to stick with my Nikon D810 instead of upgrading to the Nikon Z7 or Z7II,
I think stating the downfalls to the GFX would be interesting too. You mentioned one, less depth of field. Plus there's the humongous files. My old 16GB laptop struggles horribly with my new 45 megapixel files. Always a trade off. Great video. Tell your Mum she has beautiful roses!! Thanks for the video. Have a great trip. 😊
First class video with excellent narrative. I agree entirely with the points you’ve made. I had some good quality Canon cameras and lenses but just didn’t enjoy using it. It was heavy and at times cumbersome. Having said that, Canon produce good gear. I’m changing to Fujifilm mainly for the lightweight bodies and lenses. I’m 75 and with the onset of arthritis in my hands, I need to consider weight and bulk of equipment. Finding the picture is more important than finding snazzy gear. Many thanks for a great video.
Adam, there are some triangular shaped diffuser/reflectors that have a solid grip one on corner, great for handholding or mounting. A second disk in black or dark grey placed behind the flower can help isolate it and remove distracting foliage/objects in the background. They can also act as a wind break.
No surprise about the quality possible from the D700. It was the much-beloved workhorse of the photographers at the newspaper I worked for in Massachusetts.
Ennjoyed this, Adam. Thanks. Maybe one time you could show us how to get good photos from floweds in your garden. The examples here made your point, but some had distracting backgrounds, but that is for another video. Cheers
Thanks Adam. Your video are always a pleasure to watch. You are so thoughtful in the manner you present yourself. Great video and images. Noticed you have been staying near home lately, hope the fires haven’t caused you problems. Looking forward to the California video and images.
I don't have any dial problems with my GFX 100S, and I've only seen 1 complaint for it on the Facebook GFX 100S group. Of course, I don't take the same volume of images with the GFX 100S that you do. I hope you get it worked out. I currently use both a Fuji GFX 100S and a Nikon Z8, and while I do see a difference in the images they produce, I don't use the cameras for the same purpose. The Fuji is my landscape camera and the Nikon my travel/general purpose camera.
Great topic, you make a lot of sense. Not everyone needs 60MP - try showing the captured detail to your model. Too much detail, and way too big files, resulting in a very slow workflow. You make another good point that it is so easy to get drawn into the plethora of RUclipsrs out there and not actually getting out and doing photography. Watching RUclips is not a proxy for taking photos (!) ... except for your channel, Adam. Must admit, I do get a tad fed up with it all, and hanker for the simplicity of magazines (and books) ... like Practical Photography! 🤣
definitely agree. some of my favorite images were from using a $1k camera. No need to drop $10k on a setup! It's one thing if you enjoy it and have the $$, but definitely not a necessity
Most of my wildlife images are shot in Nikon D300s and I have won several Gold medals in International salons. Quality of image does not necessarily measured in terms of its tangible attributes. You are right in your analysis.
I’m a Nikon guy. Had a D80, my friend bought a D80. He went to South Africa, invited my wife and me to vacation there. Great photos. He also arranged a job interview, and I got the job! After 4 months, home to Canada for Christmas, back with a D90. He not very later got a D700! Envy! It wasn’t until a few years ago that I got a Z6ii, after several Nikon DX upgrades. He is at D850 level and may stay there. We are retired, mid-seventies, both Engineers. Full frame is great. Anything over 20 MPX is adequate. My Z6ii has a feature to facilitate focus stacking which your rosé pictures might have benefited from. In fact, it has a huge cast of features that I have yet to explore. Your lasting, go shoot, was the real best. For me, time is running out. Nothing imminent,but at 78 next month, … If I was younger, I’d get a Z8. May anyway. Technology does help me. I share my better results with a few folks who are not technically up to the moment, via email, and they say they see an improvement. Maybe they are correct. I figure it’s because I try, and because I have fine equipment. Not the best, but fine. Only Z lens is not S, it’s the 24-200 but I figure it’s the best lens I have ever owned. I use DXO Photolab, never concern myself about noise, it removes it. Love your work and channel.
Agreed, although the siren call of "more better gooder" (as my friend Uncle Rod puts it) can still be strong regardless of what you know to be true. 🙂 However, one thing that can't be "cheaped-out" is subject matter. As with computers, "garbage in, garbage out".
Agreed. I have the Fuji x100s I bought new and the Fuji xT1 I bought used for $400. Both are 12mp. When I look at my photos I like the ones from the x100s better because it's just so fun to use. Right now I can't justify upgrading. I'm focusing on becoming a better photographer instead. Slowing down and taking my time.
I had the D700 for a few years until it was stolen from car. 🎉 One of my all time favorite cameras! I felt I took some good photos with that camera even compared to the Sony’s and Leica’s I shoot today.
I don’t know i’ve also got the nikon Z9 to play with but the gfx 100s is in a league of its own. It’s so enjoyable to use. Luckily i haven’t had any major issues with my gfx 100s.
Same here! My only complaint is the weight but I’m happy to take my lighter d7500 on longer hikes. Maybe I will get a used Z7 and use an adapter one when one breaks.
The D850 was a monster of a Dslr when it was released, even though more people are going mirrorless the photos of the D850 are hard to match. I started with different Pentax DSLR'S, I have a k5 MKII, a K3 , K3 MKII and MKIII, Kp and a full frame K1 MKII, over the years I added cameras from Panasonic, Olympus and fujifilm covering full frame, APSC and 4/3 , I still enjoy using my Pentax DSLR camera bodies and glass. Each camera gives me a different photographic experience and that is why I have kept the cameras I have purchased over 15 years.
Thank you Adam, it's really good to go back and see a video like this it helps remind us just what you are teaching. The equipment isn't the answer, it's the operator. We all need to be reminded of that occasionally. See the old D700 didn't do to bad a job, interesting. The manufacturers don't want you to think that way! I still have some outstanding shots that I made in Maine with the original digital rebel that are really great. Thanks Adam for rattling all our cages.
Really looking forward to your video(s) from California. If I remember correctly, you said a couple videos back that you were heading for the redwoods. Fingers crossed for great light.
Ah, the Legend. The classic lenses available are superb, cheap and numerous, as you know. I finally replaced my Nikon D3000 for a Nikon D300s last October. Oh my. 12 mp crop sensor version of the D700. I absolutely adore it. I only paid 70 quid for it, and the seller threw in the Nikon battery grip and 2 extra batteries for nought. I had to give him an extra 20 quid though. My wife is extremely jealous of it as I spend more time with it than her 😄. Bless her. I actually bought her a Nikon D40 with only 4K shutter actuations, and I took it for a trial run, and the 6mp CCD sensor with the 18-55 kitty took beautiful sumptuous images. It really would be great to see you incorporate the D700 in your future videos, and rattle more cages. 👍
What's up Adam? Great video. I'm really glad to see you did this video. Most new photographers today have never used a film camera and that's one problem within it self. If you have a good working knowledge of an old school film camera the sky's the limit. Knowledge of shutter speed, f/stops, and ISO is basically all you need to work with. I have a Minolta SRT 202 film camera, and a Nikon 6006. These two cameras has gotten me through 4 different photography classes at Phoenix Community College in Arizona with a 4.0 grade average, and that's not too shabby at all. I think if you can take a good basic black and white film class it really will improve your skill. Right now, I'm shooting with a Nikon D330. It can be challenging sometime, but I'm learning. Great job with the video Adam. God Bless you my friend! Peace!
Good video Adam and I agree 100%. I began photography back in the late 70's and obviously the cameras back then were nowhere near as advanced as they are today, and the great photographers were able to capture superb images a century or more ago. I was recently in Sydney without my gear but managed to get some great architecture shots just using my old iPhone 8.
Hi Adam, Variety is the spice of life. Same with camera bodies and lens. Keep the Fuji’s and just go for a free up or blast with the D850 for a change.🙂
Very good and nteresting video and I agree that the resolution oif the Fuji GFX shows up when you want to make very large prints. I used to have a Fuji GFX 50S II until it was stoeln from my car in Spain and I have invested in a Nikon Z7II mirrorless and ever since I have also invested more time in the way of improving my photography, thanks to Adam's videos, I also find now that my Nikon D810 gets used again more often than before, because I have changed the way I approach my photography. Saying that I will still try and re-invest again in a Fuji medium format, because I also like the resolution advantage for bigger prints, which I do ever now and then
Full frame 3:2 is a creativity killer, and only allows use of the 3:2 portion of our expensive glass. All images have to be cropped from 3:2. Wide angle lenses, especially are hamstrung, not being able to shoot the widest images in 4:3, 5:4 or square. Probably all 35mm SLR lenses can be shot on GFX cameras (with adapter) in 65:24 pano with no or just slight vignetting, using the entire width of the sensor. The great 65:24 pano format is now becoming popular, thanks to the GFX cameras! Most full frame cameras don't even have 65:24 as an option, and if they do, they can't capture what the sides of the lens sees, what the wider GFX sensor can capture. Some 35mm SLR telephotos can be used on the GFX, using the entire image sensor. (Sometimes the rear baffle has to be removed, which is simple with just two fingers.) Many photographers already have lenses they can use on the GFX, so they don't have to buy all new lenses. The GFX's oversized sensor opens up compositional creative possibilities, instead of being stifled in 3:2. Full frame manufacturers should have adopted some type of oversized sensor long ago, at the very least something like Panasonic's multi-aspect ratio sensor, so at least 4:3 and 16:9 could be shot natively. Fuji has 7 aspect ratios for the GFX in small, medium and large. If they offered another set in-between medium and large, that would be useful for adapted lenses that don't quite fill the entire GFX sensor, which they could probably do in firmware. They already offer a 35mm Format crop in traditional 3:2. They could add their other 6 aspect ratios to that, so the entire lens circle of ANY 35mm SLR lens could be used in any of the 7 aspect ratios (unless they have a fixed petal style hood, which can be cut off). The GFX cameras are a compositional dream, compared to being stuck in 3:2 in full frame! All of that wasted expensive, full frame glass from which only the 3:2 area has been able to be captured - until now! The GFX 100s is a COMPOSITIONAL DREAM that has now finally happened!
I know a number of folks who would differ on the eval of a D700 or D750 as a lesser machine. When I gave mine to my daughter (along with a bag and the 24-120) as she wanted to get into child portraiture, the only stipulation was that it was her unless she wanted to get rid of it. Then I wanted it back. I had replaced it with the D780 for the video (as a hybrid camera) since I was doing youth sports player analytic videos and it worked better for that, but as a picture taking camera it was just right . Plus I have a lot of older Nikon select glass that I will never part with unless I have no way to shoot it.
4.5 yrs into photography and 4 yrs of that using a little 24.2mp eos 200d and I'm quite happy with what i get image wise, most of them are nightscapes with a Tokina 14-20mm f/2 lens which isn't even the best lens for that type of photography but at the time was the best i could afford. I've printed up to 24x16 inch no problems, but most of the prints i sell are 18x12 inch. I dabble in a bit of night street photography also, so i purchased a secondhand Sigma f/1.4, 30mm lens because the f/4-5.6, 18-55mm was too slow. Where am i going from there I'm not sure 🤷♂️but full frame for better light gathering and lower iso performance thats for sure, but what ever it is it will probably see out my photography days as a hobbyist that sells the odd print now and then 👍
I really like the sentiment in this video and prices on quality DSLR’s and compatible glass are good given the shift to mirrorless. Sorry about the dial problems with the GFX 100s. I had similar reoccurring problems with Olympus (other than the original EM5) and have been happy switching to Nikon.
I Really liked the 2nd picture of the old English rose from the Nikon. It could have been the gold reflector but the image looked better than the fuji to my eyes. Could see the highlight blown out straight away on the last set of images. I had my D80 for 13 years or so before I upgraded, but I took one of my best shots ever with the D80 and always thought if I had my D850 how much better the image would have been, after watching this meh! maybe not at all, just enjoy the memory of the most spectacular sunset I have ever seen. Thanks for the video and look forward to the D700 getting used
Great video Adam. I totally agree that to make great pics, one does not need the best or highest resolution camera. However, there are applications, in my case landscape work, that the mega resolution allows you to crop with confidence and also print really big. I tried the Topaz upresing software on one of my Sony A7RIV files and was not happy with the results. It was a detailed wide shot and the software made a mess of the small shrubs in the picture, rendering them useless. I have a friend who swears by the Gigapixel up-resing software but my experience was totally different. The camera for the ages in my opinion was the original (12MP) Canon 5D which I shot a great deal of weddings with. My pro photographer friend, uses it for most of his studio portrait work to this day. He loves the colors and I have seen him print images for clients as large a 30"x45" or even larger. Go figure!
My d850 is a monster and my d4 is too. I’ve never shot a gfx, but my xpro 3 and xt4 never failed me on the street with hard and fast shooting. That’s in the rain and snow
I laughed out loud when you 'whipped out' the D700, as I had bought one with a low shutter count 2 months ago. I happily use my 24 mb Nikon Z cameras, but I have maintained since the early 2000's that any camera with more than 5 mb is a bonus. My main reason for buying the D700 is to make use of my 105mm f2, and 135mm f2 DC lenses that are not compatible with the Z system. The 12 mb sensor of the D700 in good light is just fine as you have demonstrated.
Nice comparison. Colours seem to have a softer transition from the Fuji. Big difference on the green hedge though. I've not had any problems with my dial but don't use the button on the dial so much. Dial gets used all the time though. Same sensor on the GFX vs. Hasselblad and will be interesting when/if you meet up with Gavin and do a comparison (you won't like the Hasselblad though...hehe). Thanks! 🙂👍👍
Well said! The new Nikon Z bodies have some new bells and whistles, but my D850 is still deliver exceptional quality images especially paired with prime lenses, so have no urge to go ML. Contrary, planning to get a 2nd D850. That camera is just a pure unbreathable awesomeness.
Yes Adam you are correct that the person behind the camera does creat a great image with whatever he uses. The medium format cameras I see them as creating a detailed cityscape or landscape photography where there are many dense subjects and a photographer wants to show a detailed image, but when it comes to photographing just a small area of a subject a lower resolution camera does suffice. I compared my Nikon Z5 with the 24-200 mm Z lens that I really like and my D850 with the Tamron 35-150mm lens and the D850 gives me a lot more detail in the image being twice the resolution, both Nikon cameras have an exceptional dynamic range but more in the D850. Both cameras are full frame too. If I owned a medium format I would be using it for bigger subjects as I described above either landscape or cityscapes where more detail makes the image a lot more appealing. (Another observation you look way better in your current hair style.) Have a great life, cheers.
Adam, I love all of your videos and really appreciate what you’re communicating about the quest for gear as a way to improve your photography. As to your comments on Sony cameras, I really do feel that it’s similar to the Apple vs Windows choice, a great deal depends upon what you have grown up with. If you learned using Nikon or Canon bodies they will feel most comfortable or familiar to you. Also, Sony bodies, (being the new guy on the block, have evolved and matured more than Canon or Nikon. I think you will find the newer Sony bodies much improved.
I shoot with my D3s regularly. I enjoy using it. Every quick customization is there. Every button is extremly easy to get to. And there is a button for everything. I cant say the same for my z6ii. I hate using it. It rake so damn long to go through menus to switch settings.
Funnily enough I just sold my GFX100s. I bought it (I’d imagined) to replace my Nikon Z7. And sure the files are lovely. But I have a lot to get I my bag as I shoot at night with lights on a drone, and the GF lenses we’re killing me. Also the AF on button on the GFX is awful, wrong place and too small, minor gripe, but I just never quite gelled with it like I did with my Nikon. I just want one system, now, with new noise reduction and Gigapixel AI, if I want an immense print it’s fine. My best shot was taken with my Z7 with a very average lens. So I sold the GFX and 2 lenses and got a “free” Z7ii and a Mac mini M2. 🤷♂️😊 now I can focus on just one system rather that debating what lens to buy for what camera. Life is a little bit simpler and lighter.
I've used a 12 MP Nikon d90 for 14 years before donating it. It took great photos and the raw files were smaller which didn't take up much space on the hard drive. The only drawback was it's poor performance in low light however if I bracketed my exposures the photos came out quite clean.
Thanks Adam you finally came to this conclusion. Mads Iverson was telling this for a long time. I love your photography and watch every video but thought this medium format is overkilling in this digital age.
One of my favorite cameras is an IR-converted Nikon D300. It's 16 years old and 12 mp. I recently made an 18x24 canvas print from one image taken with it. (I did 'cheat' a bit with Topaz Gigapixel AI).
Nice video! Not trying to be pedantic but it seems that the difference in dynamic range might be a bit more due to sensor generation than sensor size (according to photons to photos: D700 -> GFX100s 3.5 stops; Z7ii -> GFX100s 0.8 stops (approx.).
You make a good point that the experience of using a camera may matter more than the technicalities. If it’s a pleasure to use we are likely to use it more often, and will be in a better mood when we do so. It’s through practice we get better at anything, much as we might wish we could just purchase expertise.
Hi adam, i'm not going to get into one camera against another! at the end of the day it's a choice for the the photographer! well done him! thanks for sharing
Truly 'No Rest for the Wicked' in the tech world. The final verdict brought 'Thunder and Consolation' with both cameras shining in their unique ways. What an 'Impurity' of riches in this high-tech era. Looking forward to 'Green and Grey' colour grading in the future. Great work!
I think it comes down to resolution... the human eye can only comprehend so much... printer manufacturers suggest 300 pixels per inch for a good-looking picture... of course..., better cameras deliver a wider range for cropping, resolution considered... Thank you Adam, as always...!!! Following your videos for years now!!!
I kicked down to a Canon consumer camera as my everyday carry myself. The Fuji cam is now solely a work camera and there are times when I miss it's features, but not the image quality.
I recently had the experience you describe. I was re-processing a photo I took from a trip to the north side of the Grand Canyon about 15 years ago. That photo was from a 12 megapixel camera. I wanted to see what I could do with the current version of Lightroom and its plug-ins. That photo is as good as any I've taken of the Grand Canyon since, I wish I could show it here. P.S. - I also have the 100 S and find the front dial feels less solid than my Nikon's front dial.
Mate, the largest print on my walls are from the D700. 20"x30" and still looking great. Unfortunately I no longer have that camera. Way too big to carry around today.
I recently purchased a 55 inch Samsung Frame TV which is optimized for showcasing art & photography & even at that size my APSC Fuji photo’s look incredible. The hit rate for portfolio shots is less than with a full frame but when the light & subject is just right the quality is stunning. Of course lenses really are the biggest factor.
Interestingly (to me) i used a Sony A7R3 and then A7R4 61MP camera but after a year with the A7R4 I was not happy with the images (I am a landscape photographer). Sure, they were high res with loads of detail, but when I took the same image with a Fuji XT4, i preferred the look of the image every time. Now i don't own any Sony, only the Fuji, and have never regretted the move back to cropped sensor despite using full frame since the Canon 5D mk3 came out
I own the A7RIVa and love the detailed images I get out of it. However, for ergonomics and overall experience I prefer my Pentax K1 which I regrettably sold. I also bought the Fuji X-T2 and X-T30 cameras for video duty while I owned the Pentax K1. I would say they all produced excellent results but the Sony has the most to give as far as detail. I was starting a project and needed to be able to print at very large sizes and for the money, Sony offered the best value. I looked at the GFX too but I ended up with Sony and Tamron as the combo and got the entire package at 40% of the cost of comparable body and lens combo of the GFX and Fuji lenses. I shot Pentax for eight years and Canon digital before that for almost 12 years. The camera that really endures to this day is the original Canon 5D. My best friend uses the original 5D as his studio camera, despite owning the 5DMarkIII and two Sony hi-res FF cameras!
Adam, Love your video's. I also have the GFX100s and also had problems with the Command dials. My 'Rear' command dial became very notchy and difficult to operate. Fuji fixed it but it actually became worse after a short time. After a series of emails and my insistence, they replaced the complete "top" of the camera. Since then no issues and all is well. Hope this helps.
Hi Adam, I absolutely love your photography and I am your biggest fan. I watch everything that comes out from you. I absolutely agree with your point that great photography comes from the photographer, not the camera. Here however, you are comparing apples with oranges IMHO. All these images you showed here are of intimate kind and even today's iPhone can take the same quality images. The real test would be taking grand vista type of images where quality of the recorded details is crucial and dynamic range is very important (i.e. ability to recover darks for instance). You can of course do exposure blending, but it is difficult if there is even a slightest movement in the scene. So, I think this is where 12 MP camera won't measure up to even full frame decent camera, forget about medium formats.
Road Trip with the great Gav ? Could be fun, better not let Heaton jnow......The Nikon D700 was a beast and I really enjoyed using one back in the day !
The D700 is still a beast and I enjoy using mine now, though I have a D850 which spends most of it's time in the bag while a D700 is my daily shooter. It's a weakness of mine.
The biggest difference I saw was gold reflector vs silver/white. So for me this just reiterates that it's all about the light.... as a side note, I own a D850 but I shoot a 4x5 more. Does it make my images better? I doubt it. But I really enjoy using it.
Dumped the 5D IV for the R5. Big improvement in video. Let me say massive. Also, my photo's seem to be cleaner, less white-outs and better depth of field shooting landscape. The R5 Runs a higher ISO in low light, but cropping is better with 45mp. Most of my stuff is shot with the 24-70 f/2.8 lens, even in bright sunny days. If you know what your doing, a new high end camera is simply better at everything. Finally, I'm shooting 4k. 🙂 Thanks for the video Adam. In 2019 I was using, learning on a Rebel t5i. In 2018 it was a Sony Cyber-shot from about 2012, that took awful pictures.
@@DanielKennedyaeos Yeah, seems like deeper depth of field shooting landscape. Shallower is more dependent on f-stop, right. Maybe it's the EVF, seems like I can tweak better settings/ images over the old OVF (5D IV). Any way's, a month ago I would have said the 5D works just fine. Now after shooting the R5 for about a week, I'll never go back.
@@FlatWaterFilms do you think maybe it's just the apertures you're shooting at affecting DOF? What do you mean when you say the R5 runs a higher ISO in low light?
Thanks for sharing, it would have been much better to compare the 102MP GFX RAW file to the Nikon 16MP RAW, which is a more real life scenario. Currently my main kit is a Nikon Z9, but I also shoot the Fujifilm GFX 100S. Both great systems, but with different purposes. I have owned numerous 35mm Film, DSLRs, and mirrorless cameras over the years and have fond memories of many of them, all great tools in their time, however, it has been my experience that the current mirrorless technology allows me to be more creative than ever and provides more consistency and repeatability in many shooting environments and the colour, dynamic range, and crop ability of the GFX files at times still catches me off guard and blows me away. BTW, I only have about 45K clicks on my GFX, but have not had any issues up to this point. You now have me a bit worried…
had 2 GFX100s bodies almost since release and no issues with any bodies/lenses except accidental damage caused by idiocy and carelessness. Here in the UK Fuji’s repair turnaround is astonishingly quick and they in fact waived the charge on a couple of the repairs. I think you either have a rogue copy, bad luck or you are just ham fisted ……..🤣🤣
After my shutter broke on my 100s, I sent it in and got it back with the front dial broken! It was annoying but they let me keep the loaner the entire time.
I just organized a photo exhibition for my photoclub. Prints are 60x40 cm. Some of the files were 10mp. But the prints are equally sharp. Hence the amount of megapixels, 10mp, is sufficient. Personally my oldest camera is 16mp. I have little reason to sell it.
I mainly use 3 different digital cameras. The SONY Cybershot DSC R1 The Sony F828 The Olympus Camedia C8080 And two compacts The Canon Powershot SX120 iS The Lumix TZ3. Yeh all oldish cameras. I don't need cameras that cost a gazillion pounds. I have a Canon dslr but it usually stays in its bag, weird eh?
Hi Adam, It is strange learning about your dial problem. I’ve had my GFX 100s for 2 years and never had any issue, including the front dial. I also still have and use my D700.
I do enjoy using my Pentax K-70 And lately since I bought a brand new lens for it which is the ( HD pentex -DA 1:2.8 35 mm macro limited edition) And if there was a way to let you see two of these black-and-white photos I did with it I think you might just might be quite impressed So how can I show these two photographs to you
Still using my Canon 5D mark ii. Can't justify up grading. In fact started using my Canon 5D which has a unique filmic look which looks even better with newer software.
Just curious- any reason for the JPEG vs raw on the Fuji?
Yes I forgot to change the settings when I received the camera back from repair.
AMEN to this video!
I used to shoot weddings back in 2005 on a "state of the art" Canon 1Ds MkII (16 MP). People were blown away by the photos and I created wall canvases, photo books, DVDs and so on, with 100% satisfaction. We seek out the latest and greatest for obvious reasons (we want our art to be the best it can be) but often forget that we can achieve greatness with limited means.
Django Reinhardt lost the use of two fingers and is heralded as one of the finest Jazz guitarists of all time.
Make use of what you have!
Welcome to the D700, Adam. I have to say I am thoroughly in love with My D700 and will never part with it, even when the electronics eventually die, as everything does. For the time the D700 and D3 sensor was, and still is, an exceptional one. Comparing ther D700 with the GFX100 is like comparing a brand new car with a classic. The D700 is indeed a classic, much loved by many photographers around the world and I hope you have a lot of fun with it.
Having spent 27 year behind the counter in a pro camera store as well as more than 60 years as an amateur to pro photographer, I think it's more important to have good glass (lenses) than the latest, greatest camera. Way back when, in the '80s I think, I thought I was shooting with good glass when I was loaned a mid/upper tier Zeiss lens. I was fiddling around with it on my camera, comparing it to a similar focal length in my collection. I was focusing on some clothes hanging in my closet when I noticed something. The Zeiss lens was picking up more detail, I could clearly see the texture of the material my shirts and sweaters.
fully agree that good glass is the main ingredient. I used an older minolta 50mm f1.7 it's downside is shooting into direct sunlight other than that it outshines some modern lens. Excellent value from viltrox lens rdp Pro range
This was a very worthwhile demonstration. All these digital cameras are actually closer in output than what many imagine, and again, unless you make significant enlargements, the human eye is only capable of discerning so much detail at anything approaching a normal viewing distance. Yes, larger sensors provide better IQ at higher ISOs and/or in lower light, but in good light, the differences get smaller. The D700 (and D3s) sensors, whilst only outputting 12MP, actually produced lovely tonal response.
It should be mentioned that the new Nikon Z lenses are phenomenal, and significantly better than their older F-Mount counterparts, so a 45MP Z Series body mated with one of their higher quality Z-Series lenses will produce results nearly indistinguishable from, say, a GFX50 camera body.
The dynamic range and low light performance of modern sensors, plus things like stabilization, enables images I couldn't even get with earlier gear. And then there is all the cropping ability you get with a GFX 100 without stitching and wotnot.
It is true, better gear may not make you a better photographer, but it will make better photographs (files).
I think you summed up the entire video with one sentence Adam: “getting out there and making images”. Not to mention the experience(s) of doing such. I like to think of the camera as merely a tool, an excuse, a reason to go and get out there.
I couldn’t agree more! I’ve been photographing for 45 yrs. When my daughter started to take pictures I wanted so bad to buy her a DSLR. I held back. She had an iPhone. Taught her “Light” and “Composition”.
After a couple years and seeing how good of pictures she was getting I gave her my D800e
Oh my! Showing her how to ETTR she was getting fabulous pictures. She moved to Norway for 4 years and now in Iceland 3 yrs. I’m so proud of her. I really believe it was her learning how to see the composition and getting great light!!!
I remember hearing an expensive stove doesn’t make a great chef! Love the channel. PS. After saying all that I am truly excited at the results I’m getting from my new Z8😎
A relative passed away several months ago and I was gifted his Nikon N1 cameras. A V1 and J4 with a few lenses. The V1 is 10MP and the J4 is 18MP. In addition I inherited his SD cards and was blown away by some of the photos he had taken with these little 1" sensor cameras when I put them in my computer.
OK, said I, let's see what they can do....
I am always totally impressed with the results of these 2 early mirrorless cameras. I can stick them in a pocket and they look like toys BUT the photos are clear, detailed, and the colors are as good as my higher end Nikons.
Perfect for street photography, and I use the J4 exclusively for macro work with a N1 to F adapter for some of my legacy F glass since it doesn't have a viewfinder.
I agree, grab your old camera, charge the battery, and you will be surprised what they can do - especially with today's software editing capability.
My wife and I both started out with the Canon 70D, and when the Canon R7 came out with the larger sensor, faster exposures. I got it. Man what a difference. We do wildlife, macro, and night photography. I wouldn’t trade this camera for any other. We love them. I still have my 70D as back up, because it is still very good. Great advice Adam.
I’ve got a D700 as backup to my D750 but still holds it’s own plus the colour rendition is second to none
Great video and much food for thought! I learned this lesson, actually, when my 13-year old son took head shots of his classmates recently for a school play. He used a small micro 4/3 camera, which many people dismiss these days. He used a good lens and the results were fabulous - some parents even asked for copies. I believe that the results reflected his good relationships with his peers. This and your video have motivated me to get out with the camera I have and explore - all the more enticing because we’re relocating to Vancouver Island (Victoria area) this week!
That is very true. Any camera really will do. My goto camera that I have used for years is a Nikon FM. It is film, so not for everybody, but camera and lens include was about $150 total.
But yes, I'm using it because I like the look of the photographs I get, and not that the image quality can compare to todays modern digital cameras.
The colours and tones from the D700 were amongst the very best I have ever experienced with Nikon. For portraiture skin tones I found the D700 to be better even than the 24mp D750 and the AF was way better than the D800 which replaced D700. The D700 may lack in resolution and have an old rear LCD which makes playback difficult to view, but that 12mp sensor produces magical warm tones and colour profiles.
Great talk, Adam! really agree with you here!
Nice one man, excellent points throughout. “I love you man!” ❤
I switched to a sony A7riv back in September from a D700 which I had been using for a very long time. I definitely enjoy the extra resolution and cropping power of the new body but I've never been disappointed in the actual quality of the image from the D700, it's an amazing camera and I think the colours it produces are preferable to the new one...Plus the 12mpx is more than ok for huge A0 wall art if viewing from anything other than point blank distance. The reduction in resolution obviously helps a little with the sharpness too as you dont need to keep the shutter speed quite so high for a sharp image.
So glad you made this video.... it doesn't matter what tools you have. You don't need the best and latest and greatest camera to take amazing photos. I would argue that, by not having the best equipment, it challenges you more and makes you a better photographer.
I was out shooting with a Nikon D700 last evening. One of my arsenal of older DSLRs, which I still enjoy using. I have a D850 and modern Nikon Zs, but I like to get creative with older cameras all the time.
At last, someone who has done a comparison video, great to see that you don't need the all singing, all dancing, latest newest gear to get great images, makes me want to stick with my Nikon D810 instead of upgrading to the Nikon Z7 or Z7II,
I think stating the downfalls to the GFX would be interesting too. You mentioned one, less depth of field. Plus there's the humongous files. My old 16GB laptop struggles horribly with my new 45 megapixel files.
Always a trade off.
Great video. Tell your Mum she has beautiful roses!! Thanks for the video. Have a great trip. 😊
First class video with excellent narrative. I agree entirely with the points you’ve made. I had some good quality Canon cameras and lenses but just didn’t enjoy using it. It was heavy and at times cumbersome. Having said that, Canon produce good gear. I’m changing to Fujifilm mainly for the lightweight bodies and lenses. I’m 75 and with the onset of arthritis in my hands, I need to consider weight and bulk of equipment. Finding the picture is more important than finding snazzy gear. Many thanks for a great video.
Adam, there are some triangular shaped diffuser/reflectors that have a solid grip one on corner, great for handholding or mounting. A second disk in black or dark grey placed behind the flower can help isolate it and remove distracting foliage/objects in the background. They can also act as a wind break.
No surprise about the quality possible from the D700. It was the much-beloved workhorse of the photographers at the newspaper I worked for in Massachusetts.
Ennjoyed this, Adam. Thanks. Maybe one time you could show us how to get good photos from floweds in your garden. The examples here made your point, but some had distracting backgrounds, but that is for another video. Cheers
I love my D700. Paired with a 105mm f2.8G the images are just out of this world
Thanks Adam. Your video are always a pleasure to watch. You are so thoughtful in the manner you present yourself. Great video and images. Noticed you have been staying near home lately, hope the fires haven’t caused you problems. Looking forward to the California video and images.
Nice pics of the roses. I think good photography is a passion and enthusiasm for the craft. 😊
No issues with the front dial on the 50sii, which is the same body. Actually love how solid and sure it feels to turn/push
I don't have any dial problems with my GFX 100S, and I've only seen 1 complaint for it on the Facebook GFX 100S group. Of course, I don't take the same volume of images with the GFX 100S that you do. I hope you get it worked out. I currently use both a Fuji GFX 100S and a Nikon Z8, and while I do see a difference in the images they produce, I don't use the cameras for the same purpose. The Fuji is my landscape camera and the Nikon my travel/general purpose camera.
It's great to hear someone on RUclips talk about these facts. Well done, Adam, and thanks for trying to teach others the truth. :)
My pleasure!
Great topic, you make a lot of sense. Not everyone needs 60MP - try showing the captured detail to your model. Too much detail, and way too big files, resulting in a very slow workflow. You make another good point that it is so easy to get drawn into the plethora of RUclipsrs out there and not actually getting out and doing photography. Watching RUclips is not a proxy for taking photos (!) ... except for your channel, Adam. Must admit, I do get a tad fed up with it all, and hanker for the simplicity of magazines (and books) ... like Practical Photography! 🤣
I’m with you there can’t beat a good old physical photo magazine or book
For sure! Can’t beat a good old physical photo mag or book👍🏼
definitely agree. some of my favorite images were from using a $1k camera. No need to drop $10k on a setup! It's one thing if you enjoy it and have the $$, but definitely not a necessity
Great video Adam. So spot on.
What a cracking explaination Adam debunking some myth's .. thanks for this extremly helpful and informative video 👍
Very welcome
Thanks, Adam - another great presentation, and it confirms my decision to keep my D700.
Most of my wildlife images are shot in Nikon D300s and I have won several Gold medals in International salons. Quality of image does not necessarily measured in terms of its tangible attributes. You are right in your analysis.
I’m a Nikon guy. Had a D80, my friend bought a D80. He went to South Africa, invited my wife and me to vacation there. Great photos. He also arranged a job interview, and I got the job! After 4 months, home to Canada for Christmas, back with a D90. He not very later got a D700! Envy! It wasn’t until a few years ago that I got a Z6ii, after several Nikon DX upgrades. He is at D850 level and may stay there. We are retired, mid-seventies, both Engineers.
Full frame is great. Anything over 20 MPX is adequate. My Z6ii has a feature to facilitate focus stacking which your rosé pictures might have benefited from. In fact, it has a huge cast of features that I have yet to explore. Your lasting, go shoot, was the real best.
For me, time is running out. Nothing imminent,but at 78 next month, …
If I was younger, I’d get a Z8. May anyway. Technology does help me. I share my better results with a few folks who are not technically up to the moment, via email, and they say they see an improvement. Maybe they are correct.
I figure it’s because I try, and because I have fine equipment. Not the best, but fine. Only Z lens is not S, it’s the 24-200 but I figure it’s the best lens I have ever owned.
I use DXO Photolab, never concern myself about noise, it removes it.
Love your work and channel.
Agreed, although the siren call of "more better gooder" (as my friend Uncle Rod puts it) can still be strong regardless of what you know to be true. 🙂 However, one thing that can't be "cheaped-out" is subject matter. As with computers, "garbage in, garbage out".
Agreed. I have the Fuji x100s I bought new and the Fuji xT1 I bought used for $400. Both are 12mp. When I look at my photos I like the ones from the x100s better because it's just so fun to use. Right now I can't justify upgrading. I'm focusing on becoming a better photographer instead. Slowing down and taking my time.
I had the D700 for a few years until it was stolen from car. 🎉 One of my all time favorite cameras! I felt I took some good photos with that camera even compared to the Sony’s and Leica’s I shoot today.
I don’t know i’ve also got the nikon Z9 to play with but the gfx 100s is in a league of its own. It’s so enjoyable to use. Luckily i haven’t had any major issues with my gfx 100s.
That's why it's going to take a lot of improvements for me to give up my D850.
Same here! My only complaint is the weight but I’m happy to take my lighter d7500 on longer hikes. Maybe I will get a used Z7 and use an adapter one when one breaks.
The D850 was a monster of a Dslr when it was released, even though more people are going mirrorless the photos of the D850 are hard to match. I started with different Pentax DSLR'S, I have a k5 MKII, a K3 , K3 MKII and MKIII, Kp and a full frame K1 MKII, over the years I added cameras from Panasonic, Olympus and fujifilm covering full frame, APSC and 4/3 , I still enjoy using my Pentax DSLR camera bodies and glass. Each camera gives me a different photographic experience and that is why I have kept the cameras I have purchased over 15 years.
Luxury problems - you owe a very expensive camera - still
Thank you Adam, it's really good to go back and see a video like this it helps remind us just what you are teaching. The equipment isn't the answer, it's the operator. We all need to be reminded of that occasionally. See the old D700 didn't do to bad a job, interesting. The manufacturers don't want you to think that way! I still have some outstanding shots that I made in Maine with the original digital rebel that are really great. Thanks Adam for rattling all our cages.
Really looking forward to your video(s) from California. If I remember correctly, you said a couple videos back that you were heading for the redwoods. Fingers crossed for great light.
Clever vid Adam! Thank you!
Ah, the Legend.
The classic lenses available are superb, cheap and numerous, as you know.
I finally replaced my Nikon D3000 for a Nikon D300s last October. Oh my. 12 mp crop sensor version of the D700. I absolutely adore it. I only paid 70 quid for it, and the seller threw in the Nikon battery grip and 2 extra batteries for nought. I had to give him an extra 20 quid though.
My wife is extremely jealous of it as I spend more time with it than her 😄. Bless her.
I actually bought her a Nikon D40 with only 4K shutter actuations, and I took it for a trial run, and the 6mp CCD sensor with the 18-55 kitty took beautiful sumptuous images.
It really would be great to see you incorporate the D700 in your future videos, and rattle more cages. 👍
Great video, Adam, as always. Thank you
My pleasure!
What's up Adam? Great video. I'm really glad to see you did this video. Most new photographers today have never used a film camera and that's one problem within it self. If you have a good working knowledge of an old school film camera the sky's the limit. Knowledge of shutter speed, f/stops, and ISO is basically all you need to work with. I have a Minolta SRT 202 film camera, and a Nikon 6006. These two cameras has gotten me through 4 different photography classes at Phoenix Community College in Arizona with a 4.0 grade average, and that's not too shabby at all. I think if you can take a good basic black and white film class it really will improve your skill. Right now, I'm shooting with a Nikon D330. It can be challenging sometime, but I'm learning. Great job with the video Adam. God Bless you my friend! Peace!
Good video Adam and I agree 100%. I began photography back in the late 70's and obviously the cameras back then were nowhere near as advanced as they are today, and the great photographers were able to capture superb images a century or more ago. I was recently in Sydney without my gear but managed to get some great architecture shots just using my old iPhone 8.
Hi Adam, Variety is the spice of life. Same with camera bodies and lens.
Keep the Fuji’s and just go for a free up or blast with the D850 for a change.🙂
Very good and nteresting video and I agree that the resolution oif the Fuji GFX shows up when you want to make very large prints. I used to have a Fuji GFX 50S II until it was stoeln from my car in Spain and I have invested in a Nikon Z7II mirrorless and ever since I have also invested more time in the way of improving my photography, thanks to Adam's videos, I also find now that my Nikon D810 gets used again more often than before, because I have changed the way I approach my photography. Saying that I will still try and re-invest again in a Fuji medium format, because I also like the resolution advantage for bigger prints, which I do ever now and then
Full frame 3:2 is a creativity killer, and only allows use of the 3:2 portion of our expensive glass. All images have to be cropped from 3:2. Wide angle lenses, especially are hamstrung, not being able to shoot the widest images in 4:3, 5:4 or square.
Probably all 35mm SLR lenses can be shot on GFX cameras (with adapter) in 65:24 pano with no or just slight vignetting, using the entire width of the sensor.
The great 65:24 pano format is now becoming popular, thanks to the GFX cameras! Most full frame cameras don't even have 65:24 as an option, and if they do, they can't capture what the sides of the lens sees, what the wider GFX sensor can capture.
Some 35mm SLR telephotos can be used on the GFX, using the entire image sensor. (Sometimes the rear baffle has to be removed, which is simple with just two fingers.)
Many photographers already have lenses they can use on the GFX, so they don't have to buy all new lenses.
The GFX's oversized sensor opens up compositional creative possibilities, instead of being stifled in 3:2.
Full frame manufacturers should have adopted some type of oversized sensor long ago, at the very least something like Panasonic's multi-aspect ratio sensor, so at least 4:3 and 16:9 could be shot natively.
Fuji has 7 aspect ratios for the GFX in small, medium and large. If they offered another set in-between medium and large, that would be useful for adapted lenses that don't quite fill the entire GFX sensor, which they could probably do in firmware.
They already offer a 35mm Format crop in traditional 3:2. They could add their other 6 aspect ratios to that, so the entire lens circle of ANY 35mm SLR lens could be used in any of the 7 aspect ratios (unless they have a fixed petal style hood, which can be cut off).
The GFX cameras are a compositional dream, compared to being stuck in 3:2 in full frame!
All of that wasted expensive, full frame glass from which only the 3:2 area has been able to be captured - until now!
The GFX 100s is a COMPOSITIONAL DREAM that has now finally happened!
I know a number of folks who would differ on the eval of a D700 or D750 as a lesser machine. When I gave mine to my daughter (along with a bag and the 24-120) as she wanted to get into child portraiture, the only stipulation was that it was her unless she wanted to get rid of it. Then I wanted it back. I had replaced it with the D780 for the video (as a hybrid camera) since I was doing youth sports player analytic videos and it worked better for that, but as a picture taking camera it was just right . Plus I have a lot of older Nikon select glass that I will never part with unless I have no way to shoot it.
4.5 yrs into photography and 4 yrs of that using a little 24.2mp eos 200d and I'm quite happy with what i get image wise, most of them are nightscapes with a Tokina 14-20mm f/2 lens which isn't even the best lens for that type of photography but at the time was the best i could afford. I've printed up to 24x16 inch no problems, but most of the prints i sell are 18x12 inch. I dabble in a bit of night street photography also, so i purchased a secondhand Sigma f/1.4, 30mm lens because the f/4-5.6, 18-55mm was too slow. Where am i going from there I'm not sure 🤷♂️but full frame for better light gathering and lower iso performance thats for sure, but what ever it is it will probably see out my photography days as a hobbyist that sells the odd print now and then 👍
I really like the sentiment in this video and prices on quality DSLR’s and compatible glass are good given the shift to mirrorless. Sorry about the dial problems with the GFX 100s. I had similar reoccurring problems with Olympus
(other than the original EM5) and have been happy switching to Nikon.
I Really liked the 2nd picture of the old English rose from the Nikon. It could have been the gold reflector but the image looked better than the fuji to my eyes. Could see the highlight blown out straight away on the last set of images. I had my D80 for 13 years or so before I upgraded, but I took one of my best shots ever with the D80 and always thought if I had my D850 how much better the image would have been, after watching this meh! maybe not at all, just enjoy the memory of the most spectacular sunset I have ever seen. Thanks for the video and look forward to the D700 getting used
Great video Adam. I totally agree that to make great pics, one does not need the best or highest resolution camera. However, there are applications, in my case landscape work, that the mega resolution allows you to crop with confidence and also print really big. I tried the Topaz upresing software on one of my Sony A7RIV files and was not happy with the results. It was a detailed wide shot and the software made a mess of the small shrubs in the picture, rendering them useless. I have a friend who swears by the Gigapixel up-resing software but my experience was totally different.
The camera for the ages in my opinion was the original (12MP) Canon 5D which I shot a great deal of weddings with. My pro photographer friend, uses it for most of his studio portrait work to this day. He loves the colors and I have seen him print images for clients as large a 30"x45" or even larger. Go figure!
My d850 is a monster and my d4 is too. I’ve never shot a gfx, but my xpro 3 and xt4 never failed me on the street with hard and fast shooting. That’s in the rain and snow
I laughed out loud when you 'whipped out' the D700, as I had bought one with a low shutter count 2 months ago. I happily use my 24 mb Nikon Z cameras, but I have maintained since the early 2000's that any camera with more than 5 mb is a bonus. My main reason for buying the D700 is to make use of my 105mm f2, and 135mm f2 DC lenses that are not compatible with the Z system. The 12 mb sensor of the D700 in good light is just fine as you have demonstrated.
Nice to see you going back to your roots bud 👍🏻
Nice comparison. Colours seem to have a softer transition from the Fuji. Big difference on the green hedge though. I've not had any problems with my dial but don't use the button on the dial so much. Dial gets used all the time though. Same sensor on the GFX vs. Hasselblad and will be interesting when/if you meet up with Gavin and do a comparison (you won't like the Hasselblad though...hehe). Thanks! 🙂👍👍
Well said! The new Nikon Z bodies have some new bells and whistles, but my D850 is still deliver exceptional quality images especially paired with prime lenses, so have no urge to go ML. Contrary, planning to get a 2nd D850. That camera is just a pure unbreathable awesomeness.
Looking forward to you getting into the m43 system 😊 totally happy with it… just sayin
Yes Adam you are correct that the person behind the camera does creat a great image with whatever he uses. The medium format cameras I see them as creating a detailed cityscape or landscape photography where there are many dense subjects and a photographer wants to show a detailed image, but when it comes to photographing just a small area of a subject a lower resolution camera does suffice. I compared my Nikon Z5 with the 24-200 mm Z lens that I really like and my D850 with the Tamron 35-150mm lens and the D850 gives me a lot more detail in the image being twice the resolution, both Nikon cameras have an exceptional dynamic range but more in the D850. Both cameras are full frame too. If I owned a medium format I would be using it for bigger subjects as I described above either landscape or cityscapes where more detail makes the image a lot more appealing. (Another observation you look way better in your current hair style.) Have a great life, cheers.
Adam, I love all of your videos and really appreciate what you’re communicating about the quest for gear as a way to improve your photography. As to your comments on Sony cameras, I really do feel that it’s similar to the Apple vs Windows choice, a great deal depends upon what you have grown up with. If you learned using Nikon or Canon bodies they will feel most comfortable or familiar to you. Also, Sony bodies, (being the new guy on the block, have evolved and matured more than Canon or Nikon. I think you will find the newer Sony bodies much improved.
I shoot with my D3s regularly. I enjoy using it. Every quick customization is there. Every button is extremly easy to get to. And there is a button for everything. I cant say the same for my z6ii. I hate using it. It rake so damn long to go through menus to switch settings.
Funnily enough I just sold my GFX100s. I bought it (I’d imagined) to replace my Nikon Z7. And sure the files are lovely. But I have a lot to get I my bag as I shoot at night with lights on a drone, and the GF lenses we’re killing me. Also the AF on button on the GFX is awful, wrong place and too small, minor gripe, but I just never quite gelled with it like I did with my Nikon. I just want one system, now, with new noise reduction and Gigapixel AI, if I want an immense print it’s fine. My best shot was taken with my Z7 with a very average lens. So I sold the GFX and 2 lenses and got a “free” Z7ii and a Mac mini M2. 🤷♂️😊 now I can focus on just one system rather that debating what lens to buy for what camera. Life is a little bit simpler and lighter.
I've used a 12 MP Nikon d90 for 14 years before donating it. It took great photos and the raw files were smaller which didn't take up much space on the hard drive. The only drawback was it's poor performance in low light however if I bracketed my exposures the photos came out quite clean.
Thanks Adam you finally came to this conclusion. Mads Iverson was telling this for a long time. I love your photography and watch every video but thought this medium format is overkilling in this digital age.
One of my favorite cameras is an IR-converted Nikon D300. It's 16 years old and 12 mp. I recently made an 18x24 canvas print from one image taken with it. (I did 'cheat' a bit with Topaz Gigapixel AI).
Nice video! Not trying to be pedantic but it seems that the difference in dynamic range might be a bit more due to sensor generation than sensor size (according to photons to photos: D700 -> GFX100s 3.5 stops; Z7ii -> GFX100s 0.8 stops (approx.).
You make a good point that the experience of using a camera may matter more than the technicalities. If it’s a pleasure to use we are likely to use it more often, and will be in a better mood when we do so. It’s through practice we get better at anything, much as we might wish we could just purchase expertise.
Hi adam, i'm not going to get into one camera against another! at the end of the day it's a choice for the the photographer! well done him! thanks for sharing
Truly 'No Rest for the Wicked' in the tech world. The final verdict brought 'Thunder and Consolation' with both cameras shining in their unique ways. What an 'Impurity' of riches in this high-tech era. Looking forward to 'Green and Grey' colour grading in the future. Great work!
I think it comes down to resolution... the human eye can only comprehend so much... printer manufacturers suggest 300 pixels per inch for a good-looking picture... of course..., better cameras deliver a wider range for cropping, resolution considered... Thank you Adam, as always...!!! Following your videos for years now!!!
I kicked down to a Canon consumer camera as my everyday carry myself. The Fuji cam is now solely a work camera and there are times when I miss it's features, but not the image quality.
Interesting presentation.
I recently had the experience you describe. I was re-processing a photo I took from a trip to the north side of the Grand Canyon about 15 years ago. That photo was from a 12 megapixel camera. I wanted to see what I could do with the current version of Lightroom and its plug-ins. That photo is as good as any I've taken of the Grand Canyon since, I wish I could show it here. P.S. - I also have the 100 S and find the front dial feels less solid than my Nikon's front dial.
Mate, the largest print on my walls are from the D700. 20"x30" and still looking great. Unfortunately I no longer have that camera. Way too big to carry around today.
beautiful Roses. Very nice pics. ❤❤❤
I recently purchased a 55 inch Samsung Frame TV which is optimized for showcasing art & photography & even at that size my APSC Fuji photo’s look incredible. The hit rate for portfolio shots is less than with a full frame but when the light & subject is just right the quality is stunning. Of course lenses really are the biggest factor.
Interestingly (to me) i used a Sony A7R3 and then A7R4 61MP camera but after a year with the A7R4 I was not happy with the images (I am a landscape photographer). Sure, they were high res with loads of detail, but when I took the same image with a Fuji XT4, i preferred the look of the image every time. Now i don't own any Sony, only the Fuji, and have never regretted the move back to cropped sensor despite using full frame since the Canon 5D mk3 came out
I own the A7RIVa and love the detailed images I get out of it. However, for ergonomics and overall experience I prefer my Pentax K1 which I regrettably sold. I also bought the Fuji X-T2 and X-T30 cameras for video duty while I owned the Pentax K1. I would say they all produced excellent results but the Sony has the most to give as far as detail. I was starting a project and needed to be able to print at very large sizes and for the money, Sony offered the best value. I looked at the GFX too but I ended up with Sony and Tamron as the combo and got the entire package at 40% of the cost of comparable body and lens combo of the GFX and Fuji lenses.
I shot Pentax for eight years and Canon digital before that for almost 12 years. The camera that really endures to this day is the original Canon 5D. My best friend uses the original 5D as his studio camera, despite owning the 5DMarkIII and two Sony hi-res FF cameras!
One thing though - the change you see is not "medium format" vs full frame etc - it mainly because of the improved sensor quality. And sharper lens.
Adam, Love your video's. I also have the GFX100s and also had problems with the Command dials. My 'Rear' command dial became very notchy and difficult to operate. Fuji fixed it but it actually became worse after a short time. After a series of emails and my insistence, they replaced the complete "top" of the camera. Since then no issues and all is well. Hope this helps.
Thanks for sharing
Hi Adam, I absolutely love your photography and I am your biggest fan. I watch everything that comes out from you. I absolutely agree with your point that great photography comes from the photographer, not the camera. Here however, you are comparing apples with oranges IMHO. All these images you showed here are of intimate kind and even today's iPhone can take the same quality images. The real test would be taking grand vista type of images where quality of the recorded details is crucial and dynamic range is very important (i.e. ability to recover darks for instance). You can of course do exposure blending, but it is difficult if there is even a slightest movement in the scene. So, I think this is where 12 MP camera won't measure up to even full frame decent camera, forget about medium formats.
Road Trip with the great Gav ? Could be fun, better not let Heaton jnow......The Nikon D700 was a beast and I really enjoyed using one back in the day !
The D700 is still a beast and I enjoy using mine now, though I have a D850 which spends most of it's time in the bag while a D700 is my daily shooter. It's a weakness of mine.
The biggest difference I saw was gold reflector vs silver/white. So for me this just reiterates that it's all about the light.... as a side note, I own a D850 but I shoot a 4x5 more. Does it make my images better? I doubt it. But I really enjoy using it.
Dumped the 5D IV for the R5. Big improvement in video. Let me say massive. Also, my photo's seem to be cleaner, less white-outs and better depth of field shooting landscape. The R5 Runs a higher ISO in low light, but cropping is better with 45mp. Most of my stuff is shot with the 24-70 f/2.8 lens, even in bright sunny days. If you know what your doing, a new high end camera is simply better at everything. Finally, I'm shooting 4k. 🙂 Thanks for the video Adam. In 2019 I was using, learning on a Rebel t5i. In 2018 it was a Sony Cyber-shot from about 2012, that took awful pictures.
How does the R5 offer better depth of field? I assume you mean more depth of field rather than shallower. I thought the R5 was also full frame?
@@DanielKennedyaeos Yeah, seems like deeper depth of field shooting landscape. Shallower is more dependent on f-stop, right. Maybe it's the EVF, seems like I can tweak better settings/ images over the old OVF (5D IV). Any way's, a month ago I would have said the 5D works just fine. Now after shooting the R5 for about a week, I'll never go back.
@@FlatWaterFilms do you think maybe it's just the apertures you're shooting at affecting DOF? What do you mean when you say the R5 runs a higher ISO in low light?
@@DanielKennedyaeos Thinking pixel size is smaller with the R5, 45mp more detail, cleaner DOF?
@@FlatWaterFilms sorry I don't think I follow.
Thanks for sharing, it would have been much better to compare the 102MP GFX RAW file to the Nikon 16MP RAW, which is a more real life scenario. Currently my main kit is a Nikon Z9, but I also shoot the Fujifilm GFX 100S. Both great systems, but with different purposes. I have owned numerous 35mm Film, DSLRs, and mirrorless cameras over the years and have fond memories of many of them, all great tools in their time, however, it has been my experience that the current mirrorless technology allows me to be more creative than ever and provides more consistency and repeatability in many shooting environments and the colour, dynamic range, and crop ability of the GFX files at times still catches me off guard and blows me away. BTW, I only have about 45K clicks on my GFX, but have not had any issues up to this point. You now have me a bit worried…
had 2 GFX100s bodies almost since release and no issues with any bodies/lenses except accidental damage caused by idiocy and carelessness. Here in the UK Fuji’s repair turnaround is astonishingly quick and they in fact waived the charge on a couple of the repairs. I think you either have a rogue copy, bad luck or you are just ham fisted ……..🤣🤣
After my shutter broke on my 100s, I sent it in and got it back with the front dial broken! It was annoying but they let me keep the loaner the entire time.
I just organized a photo exhibition for my photoclub. Prints are 60x40 cm. Some of the files were 10mp. But the prints are equally sharp. Hence the amount of megapixels, 10mp, is sufficient. Personally my oldest camera is 16mp. I have little reason to sell it.
I mainly use 3 different digital cameras.
The SONY Cybershot DSC R1
The Sony F828
The Olympus Camedia C8080
And two compacts
The Canon Powershot SX120 iS
The Lumix TZ3.
Yeh all oldish cameras.
I don't need cameras that cost a gazillion pounds.
I have a Canon dslr but it usually stays in its bag, weird eh?
It seems to me I've made a typo error. I'm shooting with a Nikon D3300 right now. Sorry folks.
I had and sold a d750. It was my favorite camera but I now have a z8 so we’ll see if it lives up to the hype?
Hi Adam, It is strange learning about your dial problem. I’ve had my GFX 100s for 2 years and never had any issue, including the front dial. I also still have and use my D700.
I do enjoy using my Pentax K-70
And lately since I bought a brand new lens for it which is the ( HD pentex -DA 1:2.8 35 mm macro limited edition)
And if there was a way to let you see two of these black-and-white photos I did with it I think you might just might be quite impressed
So how can I show these two photographs to you
Post them somewhere and send a link
Still using my Canon 5D mark ii. Can't justify up grading. In fact started using my Canon 5D which has a unique filmic look which looks even better with newer software.
Excellent hoodie