Its been 2 years when I first heard about this unnamed Medium Format
camera from Fujifilm. Together with 3 other X photographer; from
Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines we are presented with basic
prototype designs. We were asked on what’s our view on the design form.
Medium Format is not new to Fujifilm. They have been producing Medium
Format since 1950s with their TLR name Fujicaflex. In recent times with
GX645 which looks like a Hasselblad Digital Medium Format.
Fast forward to today; I am certain Fujifilm stole the lime light at this year
Photokina with their first medium format mirrorless camera, GFX 50s.
Here are the specs.
GFX house a 50MP CMOS sensor. Which measure at 43.8 x 32.9mm. That
is 1.7 times bigger then Full Frame sensor. At 51.4MP its effective pixels
is at 8256 x 6192. GFX is also world’s first medium format mirrorless
camera with focal plane shutter. Top shutter speed is at 1/4000 and
X-Sync is at 1/125.
GFX is light. Was told its about the weight of Canon 5D4. GFX and
GF lenses are all dust and weather resistant.
The lens mount is call G Mount. Taking advantage of the mirrorless
system’s structure, the G mount has a short flank back distance of just
26.7mm. This prevent vignetting to achieve edge to edge sharpness.
By early 2017 Fujifilm will roll out 3 GF lenses and 3 more lenses later in
the same year.
GF63mm F2.8 R WR. ( equivalent to 50mm in 35mm format )
GF32-64mm F4 R LM WR ( equivalent to 25- 51mm in 35mm format)
GF120mm F4 Macro 1:0.5 ( equivalent 95mm in 35mm format)
Mid 2017
GF23mm F4 LM WR ( equivalent 18mm in 35mm format)
GF110mm F2 LM WR ( equivalent 87mm in 35mm format)
End 2017
GF45mm F2.8 R WR ( equivalent 35mm in 35mm format)
Like XF lenses the GF lenses also spot a aperture ring. There is a new
C ( Command )position on the aperture ring. This is to enable aperture
adjustment with the command dial on the camera body.
GFX comes with a standard detachable electronic viewfinder. Which
can be remove when using an external monitor or wanting to make
GFX lighter and just work with the back tilt LCD just like X-T2. In addition,
an optional rotary adaptor makes it possible to fit the EVF to any angle to
suit any scene. There is also an optional vertical grip.
The camera also support tethered shooting. Which is essential part for
commercial and professional photographer workflow.
Final Thoughts.
I was at the GFX press conference which give the “standard” details of
GFX. Its was on display but there was no hands on. The next day I was
at the Media Launch where we had the entire team from fujifilm to explain
and share slightly more details and the best part; a real hands on GFX.
Do note that this are still pre-production camera. Many details are still not
firm up as Fujifilm is still working on it. I don’t have details on ISO, AF
point, will they produce a leaf shutter lens, 16 bit color,battery life, 4k
or 8K video,etc.
The camera at its bare is rather small. I guess a tad smaller that canon 5D.
When attached with a vertical grip, more like a 1DX in size. Which is small
compare to digital medium format cameras. I don’t have a Hasselbald
X1D to compare side by side in size with GFX. I could only say they are
close. With Hasselblad having a slight advantage. I may be wrong.
Auto Focus. I did have the opportunity to try out Hasselblad X1D Auto Focus
at Photokina. Very good by Medium Format standard. Very Snappy. I also
tried GFX’s AF. I felt its about the same speed as X1D. The good news is
this is a pre-production set. So which means it could get even faster.
GFX uses a larger battery; which is expected. It has also 2 SD card slot. The
Fujifilm team did mention that they may consider making lens adaptor. Which
make me happy that I could still use my leaf shutter lens from my Phase
One system.
X1D will be GFX closest competitor. But I feel they are very different. X1D is
a very modern and futuristic design. Where else GFX is modern with a sexy
retro dials. With all the accessories available; GFX does looks like a more
“pro” set-up camera. Here is a photo that was enlarge at Fujifilm booth in this
year’s Photokina. I was totally blown away at what this 50MP GFX could
product. Its truly amazing.
According to Mr. Toshihisa Iida, who is the General Manager of Sales and
Marketing at Fujifilm; the new GF lens is capable of handling 100MP sensor.
Which means; my guess is, there might be a higher MP GFX camera in the
future. As for price for GFX 50S, according to Mr. Toshihisa Iida; its gonna be
less then USD$10,000 with a lens. My guess could be less then USD$9000 with
a lens. Finger cross!
First the launch of X-Pro2 at the beginning of this year. Followed X-T2 in the
mid year and now GFX at Photokina. What an awesome year for Fujifilm. All
I know is that I have 4 to 6 months left to start saving and start selling my
other Medium Format system. LOL!
You consistently call the X1D 1XD 🙂
Nice writeup though. First one I have seen to comment on the AF speed of the X1D since the dreadful pre-production firmware. Do you know if you tried the X1D with production firmware or was it still pre-production?
Hahaha. Thanks for the heads up! Appreciate it. I don’t know if the X1D is pre production or production.
I would dare say the GFX AF is as good as X-T1’s speed when it was first launch. Cheers and have a great weekend.
With short flange distance (26mm) the body could be mounted to the back of my 6×9 Linhof Technikardan, except that the grip would be a problem. It would be good to have the option of camera movements as well as the regular Fuji lenses for this camera.
With the flange distance of only 26mm the GFX body could be attached to my Linhof Technikardan 6×9 to take advantage of camera movements. The grip would prove a problem though. I also have a couple of Bronica PG lenses, the 65mm f:4 and the 110mm f:4; it would be nice to be able to use these in addition to the Fuji GFX lens line.