Truth about sensor formats | with Michael Clark & GFX 100S
Вставка
- Опубліковано 6 лип 2021
- Bigger isn't always better. No more than a Ferrari is the best car for picking up supplies at the hardware store. There continues to be a great deal of rhetoric online that centres around the mega pixel race. Want to know the difference between big and small sensors?
We put the 102 mp GFX 100S to the test alongside a 61mp Full Frame camera, and a 26 mp APS-C. We tested and explored the practical differences along with a very in-depth conversation with Michael Clark - one of America's most trusted adventure and commercial photographers.
One caveat, is that due to length some information has been omitted. One example was exploring the latitude between the 16 bit & 14 bit files. I wasn't satisfied with the results - feeling like I really needed a professional retoucher to guide me through it. It's also worth mentioning that "16 bit" isn't true 16 bit. It's 15.4 and rounded up. Which may also be the reason we don't see as big of a change as we'd like.
Ultimately I believe that it is the cleanliness of the image (minimal shot noise) and the lenses that give MF it's look above any other factor.
**Error correction/Notice. The Sony image at 9:30 is actually the GFX 100s image (you can see that it's identical to the GFX image). This was likely caused due to a file naming issue and I didn't catch it in the edit. My apologies for the error.
_________________________
Big Thank you to Michael Clark for being part of this video: www.michaelclarkphoto.com
Camera's used or referenced in this video:
The Fujifilm GFX 100S at Vistek:www.vistek.ca/store/443340/fu...
Sony A7RIV at Vistek: www.vistek.ca/store/445622/so...
FujiFilm X-T3/X-T4 at Vistek: www.vistek.ca/store/427088/fu...
www.vistek.ca/store/439010/fu...
Nikon Z6ii at Vistek: www.vistek.ca/store/441519/ni...
Nikon Z7ii at Vistek: www.vistek.ca/store/441522/ni...
#MediumFormat #FullFrame #APS-C - Наука та технологія
I love how full frame users go on about sensor size compared to aspc but as soon as you bring up medium format suddenly sensor isn’t important anymore.
I’ve been doing commercial photography for 20 years and I can say the GFX 100s is the first camera I’ve personally used that gives me the IQ of film without having to spend over 10 grand on a phase one back. Such a game changer for people that don’t have 30 grand plus to spend on phase one
Thanks for the great comment, John!
That's true and I agree with you, but don't forget that the GFX has a mid-fomat crop sensor. So you can't compare a 645 sensor 1:1 with a 44/33 sensor.
The handling of the GFX is brilliant compared to a Phase One, but the focus stacking, the image effect and the possibilities to work with ultra-short flash sync times speak in favour of Phase One.
If I didn't have a camera system yet, I would probably get into the GFX ecosystem, but I would never dip my Phase One system into the GFX.
Still, I think it's great that fuji is delivering such a performance here!
I watched my share of gear videos so I generally avoid them now. I've definitely also watched a lot of videos comparing or discussing sensor sizes, and most of those are not that insightful or helpful. But I must give you props for producing this video which offers a discussion of sensor size based on practicality, which is actually helpful and insightful.
Don, thank you very much for such a wonderful and thorough comment. Appreciate it!
You cant really discuss full format vs Fuji medium format without acknowledging that the name medium format in this case is misleading. It's a marketing term just for the reason that it's so much smaller of what most people think of when they think of medium format which is a throwback to film days. You think of 6x6 or 6x9. Not 4,4 vs 3,3 which is Fuji MF size in cm. Just google pictures to compare sizes. Full frame is about 2,2x ASP-C size. Medium Format is about 1.65x Full Format size. And people are still not sure in what situation full frame is crucially better than FF. Fuji certainly is of the opinion that Full Frame isnt inherently better than APS-C.
If at all, bigger sensor size in Fuji MF really only matters to professionals or super enthusiasts who print big, and probably as Clark said, the final product has more to do with other things than sensor size, depending on the situation (i.e. lighting), like bitrate, used lens, and even printing paper, printer quality etc.
I can get a 100 magapixel image with my iphone, shooting in panorama mode
Thanks for putting this together. Too many people online take to their social media to spew incorrect info on this topic, but I like the way you went about doing this because you brought in an expert, spoke facts, and were objective.
Thank you for the great comment Citizen Yülfi. I'm happy to hear that my intent was well received.
I use gfx 100s and moved from Lightroom to capture one. I found a tremendous difference of my raw images between the two. Capture one renders the Fuji stuff a million times better. I’ve seen it myself.
That's because x-trans sensor is very dumb and Fuji always insist on using it (developed by Sony and has not proven to be better in any way)
@@anonymousl5150 GFX doesn't use an X-Trans Sensor.
Thank you for making this video it was so informative and bringing in a well experienced professional photographer such as Michael was icing on the cake. You can tell the difference between someone who just grabs a camera and reads the specs versus a professional with decades of experience. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Thank You Danny!!
My first Dslr was a Pentax K-x and it was glorious. Got it used for cheap, it took AA batteries!, and I fell in love with photography. Moved to the Pentax K3 in 2014 and it's still my work horse. I travel and shoot with the Pentax KP. He is absolutely correct about knowing your system and knowing your cameras interfaces. Fall in love with whatever camera system you have and your pictures will be better for it.
Excellent. Like “the growing film community” trope - sensor size is the product of a marketing machine. It is wonderful to see a real discussion about how irrelevant sensor size is to 90+% of the population. Part of my work includes fine art prints that are very large and I too use a GFX. But most of my work is online and my XT3 is more than enough camera for the job. When out with my XT3 I get questioned every once in awhile by sensor snobs about why I don’t shoot full-frame (usually a Sony fanboy) and my answer is always the same - “I am too busy making money with what I have to think about changing.”.
First time I have seen the channel - but I will be back. Thanks!
Thank you MBT! Great comment!
Amazing video! Finally something informative on this subject!
This was definitely the best video about pros and cons of sensor sizes! Great work!
Thanks Andy!!
I’ve gone from Fuji X to GFX and it is just amazing… It does slow me down a little on the streets, but when I’m able to capture a magical moment, the image quality just make it mind blowing… I love my 50R and can do so much with it, it’s such a versatile system… I use it for astrophotography, street, portrait, reproduction, macro, etc… And as a bonus it works really well with Mamiya 645 lenses.
I have a Mamiya 645 AFD and lenses, didn’t realize they were compatible! Do I need some type of adapter to place on GFX body?
@@friendlyhuman4905 yes, you need an adapter, and set the camera to work without a lens. With AF lenses I don’t think you’ll be able to adjust the aperture though (it will always be wide open)… I only use older Mamiya 645 manual lenses.
Which lens did you ise for marco photo with a GFX? Thx
Great interview, a refreshing way to review a camera, keep using those experts and I’ll keep watching!
Thanks Trev! Super appreciate the comment!
Great video. I switch from FF to APS-C back in 2018 and have been very happy. For my type of work FF would be a luxury not a necessity.
Luxury means better, idk if downgrading is something to be content about.
Great review, well thought out and concise.
Thanks so much Bruce!
By far the best advice from any piece i have seen on UA-cam.And it ids not even close.The sheer number of very poor camera UA-camrs,often supported by very mediocre image making is a shame.This piece however,superb,straightforward,with terrific images.Thank you.
Thanks for the great comment, Steve! 🙏
One of the best videos on youtube and probably on internet about Fujifilm GFX 100S and Medium Format
Thank you for sharing all this inspiration
Now i know for sure i want one and few lenses for it
This was a great video and interview. Well done! I have my first GFX coming in a few weeks with the 100S II and I’m so stoked.
Well done, with the sense that both men were knowledgeable and realistic. -- BAK
Thank you, Brian!
Great video. Most of my work is for magazines and / or web publication, so, in theory, the mega pixel count shouldn't matter. But, in many ways it does for the very simple reason that at some point...maybe years later...I will end up printing an image that really speaks to me and I feel compelled to hang in my home. When that happens, I'm always thankful that I had a decent sized sensor. That said, when Fujifilm first introduced the X-T1 mirrorless camera with a 16.3mp crop sensor, I decided to take it along with me on a trip to India. Last year, I printed a few of them fairly large (around movie poster sized) and, damn, the print quality was extremely impressive even for the most discriminating eye. Now, even though I have a Leica Q2 with a 47.3 full frame sensor, I find myself, more often than not, reaching for my Fujifilm X-T4 with a crop sensor. In many ways, this topic is like chasing your tail. There's no easy answer, except to say that most so-called "expert" UA-cam reviewers who are pixel peepers are talking out of their asses.
I agree - I found for the landscapes I was shooting, my 80D crop sensor made great images. I printed many at 11x17 and many on Canvas at 16x20. They really look good, even SooC jpeg for those uses IMHO. I only went full frame in the R5 because Canon didn't really have a 80D R equivalent with all the cool mirrorless eye AF etc tech. What's most interesting to me is I wanted the R5 not really to improve my Landscape game, but to improve my birds, people and family pet game. I wanted the 45 MP so I could crop in to make up for the "loss of reach" in FF. I also started cropping more again with people pictures. Landscapes are by definition "slower" in that you usually get time to frame up the picture you want, and you sit and then wait for light if you need to. You can often go back again. With animals and people (for candid shots) you don't really get that.
The other thing I'm noticing with the switch is I actually usually wanted the deeper DoF of APSC, and have to pay attention on the R5 to stop down and then get more into manual mode. With the 80D I could slap it in shutter priority, and be pretty sure I'd have a usable DoF at f2.8 - this isn't the case always with the R5. And if I do aperture Priority the SS will often go to slow.
All that said, I have also gotten some amazing landscape shots with the R5 (for me amazing anyway). Though then one of the uses I do is Zoom backgrounds, and I find Zoom will crop your 45MP image but wouldn't crop the 24MP. So now I have to resize the jpegs for more uses.
This was so interesting, informative, and factual! You just got yourself a subscriber.
Thank you Joshua! Really appreciate your support!
Amazing video. Thanks so much for detailing the differences between sensor size and where it can be important. As someone who just got into the Fuji X system, I am wondering what that next jump looks like and I love discovering (after watching this video) that there are many cases where it won’t be necessary. The conversation about iPhone megapixels and the print mediums is absolutely invaluable information in its distilled form, which you guys nailed. The one other thing I love that you guys noted is that it takes months and sometimes years to dial in to a camera or a camera system. From canon to Sony and now Fuji, I love that even the top level pros agree that it takes a lot of time and dedication to get what you want out of these systems, because after all, it is art! Thanks so much for this invaluable info! It is incredibly helpful! 😊
Thank you for the lovely comment!
First time viewer of this channel and my opinions on this video, for constructive feedback purposes. I don't subscribe to channels or like videos willy-nilly, unless they actual warrant it and tick my boxes. This video did exactly that, and as a result I did like and subscribe. I would like to explain to the content creator why I took this rare step and what it was that persuaded me that this channel was worth watching again.
There was none of the usual bs that most other channels, like the naff and nonsensical intro of 'whats up guys', and self promotion and sponsorship plugs in the first 3rd of the video, rather, he just gets straight into the content, which I found really refreshing. Displaying explanatory text at the start and speakers names worked well, and saved us 20+ seconds of unnecessary and awkward intros and explanations, whereas using text on screen to communicate to the viewer just made the video flow better and made the information easier to digest. I doubt all these subtleties and design considerations were done by accident and it shows a mature and confident style that just works well and is non-pretentious or offensive. So nice to be able to watch a video without ads and sponsorship in my face, and also to gain so much quality knowledge that I did not know before, it really boosted my understanding of the subject. It's getting harder to find such quality videos on youtube these days as they are getting drowned out by the 'Hey, what's up' and affliliate focused crowd, which is starting to feel like 90% of the suggestions that the UA-cam algorithm presents to me. So hats off to the content creator for making many clever design choices and producing such a great watchable video.
Phil, thank you so much. We have a small channel, for a number of reasons. I don’t always think what we make has the same level of integrity (because sometimes there are competing factors), but overall I try to make content that I would want to watch. Every time I make a video I ask myself - if I was just sitting at the bar with a friend, what would I say? And then I try to make my videos that. I’m not always right, I don’t always have all the facts - but I try to get as close to the truth as I can. Because I don’t use click bait titles, nor have the resources or energy for a fancy studio or shoots - I really have to just rely on making videos that feel real, and not some sugar coated sponsored message. I’m happy that my perspective resonated with at least one person. Thank you for your super kind and thorough comment. It is beyond simply being appreciated. 🙏🙏
Ok…maybe this video was a bit click baity. But overallllll….
This was excellent! Given the subject matter this could have easily been way too geeky or dry, but you kept it fun and interesting and I loved the image examples. Great stuff!
Thanks Joseph! Super appreciate it!
Great discussion with a lot of valuable insights! Thanks 👌
Thank you adventure_photo!!
Fantastic video. Thank you so much for that. This was the best I have seen so far about this topic. 🙏👏
Thanks Sven!
Good stuff! For my needs, my Olympus EM1X is just fine :)
Thanks Randy! You got a great camera there!
The computational photography options on that are amazing (live ND, live comp, etc). Nice camera!
Nicely done and all points are very thoughtfully made. In the end it a artistic and emotional choice in any case. We all love the system we have embraced and spent money on. Hopefully re
Thank you for the comment, Icog.
My empirical observation from the GFX 50R compared to the 24 Mp FF & APS-C bodies I have access to or even the D850 I used to own (which has APS-C level pixel pitch) is that noise at ISO 100 appears nonexistent and gradients are incredibly smooth, there are no blotches of pixels to be seen in skies or surfaces.
Excellent! Thank you and keep going.
Thanks Teru!
Quality of these photos is out of this world
Thanks Mistric!
10:40 says it all and well said btw. I have been trying to talk myself into selling my 100S and just using my XT4. Cost aside, It's lighter, smaller and way more convienent. But... everytime I take it out and get it back to post, I end up being dissapointed and I used to LOVE the images the XT4 produced. Once you go GFX... very hard to look at anything else.
What a breath of fresh air to see a UA-cam video that isn't just doing the bare minimum to advertise products! And unlike so many videos in which the influencer has no actual knowledge, this video says a lot that's factually correct! I can't agree with the notion that sensor size equals less noise because that's not how noise works. It's really more about designing components to perform to a price point and no better because the manufacturer has to leave something to make top of the line products worth buying. Although there are some things related to the Bayer mosaic needed for color with only one chip that relate directly to chip size, most do not. But as long as laypeople associate big numbers with quality, the industry is going to make the biggest ones the best ones. And that's a shame, because I used to take my 16mm Minolta camera places where I never would have taken a 35mm camera, because I could conceal it.
As a beginner photographer, I am very happy with my used Nikon d700. The more I learn, the more I understand that this is probably the best stills camera for the money.
Dayum you call yourself a beginner and have a d700, I still use my d5100 🥲
@@neerajnongmaithem392 luckily for you, full frame is getting cheaper, get on it.
That D700 is an amazing camera. 12mp is enough.
i rented the gfx100s and it opened up so much for me… coming from many many years w nikon D3 and last 3 years w top of line song cameras. the medium format is another level. the color, quality is outstanding. the camera felt very familiar with virtually no learning curve. i plan on buying. the 80mm 1.7 blew me away too!!
Hey bro i’m interested in renting this camera also where did you rent it from are you based in the US?
The main reason I actually got the Fuji was because of the lenses and the way the medium cameras make portraits look. As you said it makes you look good as a photographer and stand out from the crowds
Great interview - thanks a lot! I've subscribed!
Thanks Buzz!
brilliant interview ... what is refreshing is that Mr. Clark exhibits no false modesty - he is an expert with massive experience. Thank you for sharing! I am saving up for this Fuji.
Thanks Phred! Super appreciate the comment!
Excellent and professional knowledge and experience here! Thanks
Thank you Alexander! Really appreciate the support & kind words.
Very good video gentlemen, It's all about the right tool for the right job. I would have love to see you include the Micro Four Third system in your discussion however.
Thanks Eric. My apologies for the exclusion. It was due to time constraints - but the physics remain in place for people to make their predictions about the MFT system (smaller lenses, faster continuous etc).
@@vistek No worries! Great video anyway!
@@vistek as a MFT shooter I too would have appreciated inclusion. There are so many times MFT is excluded and then fanboys of other systems wonder why MFT folks are "defensive." Otherwise, thanks for the informative video and discussion
I'm still very satisfied with my Olympus PenF
I love mine as well, I also have the om-d 5 3 and it's a nice upgrade for me when I attempt to shoot birds in flight.
Well…they do say that size doesn’t matter… except in porn.
I'm a big fan of micro four thirds. It's a shame Olympus is out of the mix now. They did some great work over the years.
Hans Baier very interesting! keep us updating!
Love pen f best looking camera period
let's get that sub number 100k soon. I'll keep liking and commenting on these videos. i like the logic you use to translate specs into real world performance.
Thanks Nick! Thanks definitely the goal. I honestly appreciate your support and the kind words!
very useful and thoughtful video, thanks!
Thank you, John!
Michael is great! Lots of knowledge! Great video!
Thanks JCRB!
VERY INSIGHTFUL & HELPFUL... THANKS!!
Wow, very well made video. Thanks for this!
Thank you Ulysses!!
Fantastic vidéo !
I'm glad I found it today, thank you very much. :-)
Nice commercial.
I like my Leica M10M and M10P light weight and compact, they are just fine ❣️
If the xt2 is a poor mans camera idk what poor means anymore
It really came down to editing for me. The medium format cameras have more color information. N9t having color shifting while raising shadows or pulling down highlights is a savior for editing.
Like Michael I have been shooting with Nikon camera's for 30+ years. Since a couple of months I own a GFX100s and used it for a couple of shoots. And the GFX files definitely look different. It is hard to put it in words, but what I think what comes closest is that the Nikon files look sharp but harsh and the Fuji files look sharp but smooth.
Thanks for the insightful comment, John!
Nah
Great video really appreciate it!!! Thanks 👍👍
Thank you David! Very much appreciate the comment!
13:18 - Oh wow, I love this image!
Yeah...that one is special.
AWESOME INFORMATIVE VIDEO!!!
Thanks REMROD!
Great review . Intelligent and well thought from a real world user point of view. I have been getting by with a 6D with an L series for baby and family portraiture because it does such a great job . It is about expressions and capturing the moment or should I say digitising .Now I embraced the RP with a native 50mm lens it has given more creativity with the flippy screen and My clients appreciate more on how we engage with them All the best guys 🙂
Yes, I love my GFX100. It does have something special.
Thanks for the comment George!
Gotta say, I shoot a 50Sii as a full amateur, dad ‘tog. It’s brilliant, and it was $1800 used with the 35-70 kit zoom. We now live in a world where medium format digital is available to those of us amateurs who make near $0 from photography.
What a great deal! Totally agree. Great time to be a photographer - amateur or pro!
I always suffer from the GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). I know I don't need anything better than what I already have, but sometimes I still want to upgrade because another 'better' option exists.
Excellent summary of the Pros & Cons of Larger Sensors (hint: Larger Budgets!) vs Smaller Sensors. I personally picked the Sony A7R3, over the A7R4, because of a smaller file size. I have a Quad-Core i7 with 16GB of RAM, and it struggles with the A7R3 images. It would have crawled with the larger images of the R4! Availability and cost of lenses is a huge area that also comes into the decision: There's very few aftermarket lenses available for the Fuji system. So you'll be paying A LOT of money for that glass. Whereas for the Sony system, there's a whole ecosystem of excellent lenses out there. Commercial vs Hobby photography is also a completely different ball game. If you can recoup the money you spent on glass through your work, then it makes it easier to justify the investment in a more expensive system :)
This is a really fine assessment of competing systems.
Thank you Joseph!
Yup. All of that made perfect sense. Excellent video. I shoot a GFX50R for portraits and dance (in a studio setting). If I shoot a dance performance as it happens, I prefer a Leica M. It's just my preferred tool in that scenario: faster and you see your subject coming into frame etc.
Thanks Filibert!
Which shows in your Instagram - also your landscapes are very gently done
If you shoot on an x trans sensor (Fuji APS-C not GFX which is Bayer) and you care about image nuances like detail, colour and tonal gradations, contrast, white balance etc, you can't use Lightroom, it butchers them. That's why there's such a difference in colour, contrast and detail in the portrait from the XT-3 to the GFX100S. If you opened them in Capture one the XT-3 would look closer to the GFX 100S.
Fujifilm APS C doesn't have a conventional bayer sensor. which is WHY Lightroom butchers it.
The 'buffer' on my Medium Format camera is how fast I can wind the knob to next frame and cock the shutter...
Just a thought, but could the XT3 results have been affected by LR which reportedly does not process Fuji RAW files as well as Capture One or X-Transformer? Would a Nikon, Canon, or Sony crop sensor camera have provided different results in LR? The late David Thorpe had said crop sensor cameras could compete with FF in prints up to 36 inches. Thanks,
Thanks again for this interview. For a long time and commercial ie journeyman Hassie owner to pivot to Fuji is in my estimation a big deal.
Thanks Richard!
I have done photography since 1979, both as a hobby photographer and a pro. I have used many types of cameras, in analog 35mm cameras to 4"x5" and 5"x7" cameras, my most used camera was 6x6 Hasselblad which I loved. In 2007 I slowly started to use DSLR cameras with APSC cameras, now I use full frame 61 megapixels cameras which I am more happy using than my 6x6 Hasselblad camera. I think today the full frame size sensor cameras and Lenses are the most versatile system. I am thinking of a larger format, but if I get a larger format, then I will wait for fx a Fuji GFX 150s with 150 megapixel. My photography covers nature, wildlife, birds, macro, landscape, portrait, street/urban/architecture and art.
The GFX100 and 100s has such a subtle highlight falloff that’s amazing. But the average client won’t notice unless there’s a side by side. I’m still holding off for a few years before going GFX though
Customer does not need to nitice it but they will notice the picture being very very good and this is what counts
Killer video, you deserve a lot more subs
Thank you 911_dan! So very much appreciate the support!
I love my D850 bodies I’ve shot with for years… but the GFX 100S does have something special and once I saw those files on my screen (and out of my printer) I was ready to toss the D850 bodies in the heap (I won’t, I still use them… right tool for the right job and all). But yeah, the GFX 100S is a beautiful camera.
Yep. I have a level down on both (D810 and GFX 50S) and feel the same way. The biggest downside of the GFX is that you still need to use your other cameras and you don't really want to.
I love my D850. But it might be having gone to war with it and all. But it has been one of my favorite cameras ever
This video is so helpful thank you so much
Thank you Nicole!
Truthfully I actually forgot what megapixel my camera was until I saw this video
I'd take the soon to be announced Fujifilm GFX 50SII over a Sony, Canon or Nikon Full-Frame. I use an X-T4 which suites me just fine for most of what I shoot, but that extra resolution, pixel colour depth and sensor size of the GFX system is what draws me to the medium format system rather than a full-frame option even with a similar or higher MP count.
Whoah, I never thought I'd find a camera channel talking about camera tech, with my other hobby in the video, downhill skateboarding :)
great video, very informative!
Glad you enjoyed it!
cool discussion and nice to go deeper on some of these issues - I really appreciated you doing the prints and sharing the insights there. Is there any discussion like this one considering the video shooting capability of the GFX100 s - I know thats not its function but IM keen to understand more about the opportunities and perils of shooting video with this camera in much the same way you"ve explored it for stills - even to hear from you of your observations shooting video with it - thanks
Hi Simon, I spoke about this in another thread. You should be able to find it if you search for it.
I have been spending hours on YT searching for just this topic. Now that I have found it I subscribed and liked. I am waffling around between the X2D and 100S so that I can print large wall pictures for clients. It would be awesome to hear some more from you (and/or Michael) specifically on the best system for that use case. I am just afraid of missing focus that I have seen so many videos on with the X2D.
Thanks for the comment, and I’m happy that the video proved helpful! In terms of your question, I am not sure I can give you the best answer as I haven’t really shot with the Hassy much. Focus is a rather touchy subject because there are many factors that go into accurate auto focus. Larger sensors will always lag behind smaller ones, regardless of focus drive (phase or contrast, or hybrid). Some lenses perform better as well, depending on how much the focus elements have to move (wider lenses move less than longer, zoom moves (sometimes) less than prime). Subject and lighting play a role too. Then it’s the settings - and matching those to your shooting situation. The only way to know for certain is to try to rent or test these cameras in a situation that models your typical shoot. If you’re dropping this kind of money, it’s possible that a camera rep would be happy to come to you and let you test the camera for an hour and answer technical questions for you. I know that Fujifilm does this often.
@@vistek I appreciate the reply. Its food for thought for sure. Thanks.
Honestly speaking this was the best!
🙏🙏🙏
I learned a few things here, thank you
Thank you Francisco!
Fantastic video!!
Thank you RPP!
I shoot with a 645z, and it's wonderful. I don't need 102mp, but, IBIS and up-to-date lenses make the Fuji tempting.
645D user here. feeling the same on GFX.
As for sensor size and my macro photography, the higher the resolution the better, so the sony R series is my choice so far, as Fuji GFX don't have a dedicated 1:1 Lens or even a third party 2x lens. For street photography the Fuji X-T2 with a 16mm 1.4 is great as i prefer a journalistic style and for wildlife photography i still use the old Nikon D500 with a 200-500mm.
2:18 Oh wow. I was one of those photographers. I shot a pano of an early sunrise over the Dubai skyline. My son was 5 days old and waking us up every morning bright and early. I just got the iPhone 6 and after settling him down I grabbed a pretty amazing shot of the Burj Khalifa. That week after post on social media an ad agency messaged me though instagram if I would sigh an NDA on an image that wanted to use. I’ve signed these in the past. That next day my jaw dropped when it was apple that wanted to purchase my image for the ad campaign. My photo was on 100+ billboards around the globe.
Oh wow, that’s an incredible story! Thanks so much for sharing!
Great interview!! I’d love to play with that camera not sure how the work flow would be. 🤔
Thanks Joe! Well, I can tell you that it is slower on the system in general. Exports etc take longer than on smaller file size cameras. Even going through JPG selects are slower compared to smaller resolution cameras. It's just a slower process over all - but it's also more contemplative. So you generally don't shoot as much either, which does translate into less photos to go through. So maybe it evens out in the end. IDK.
For non-commercial photography, my current dream camera simply does not exist. I want a 100 MP fixed lens medium format Fujifilm "compact" camera with IBIS and a 45mm f/2.8 lens (35mm FF equivalent). In other words, a X100V on steroids. Such a camera would be my final Graal. For commercial photography, this video is spot on: whatever current generation FF system with a 36-to-60 MP sensor will be the best investment, including for wedding/portrait photography, even though the files from that GFX will bring more personal satisfaction to the discerning photographer himself/herself. Thanks for this very down-to-earth video.
you put thought into this. thanks. (subscribed)
Great video!
Thank you Dan! Super appreciate it!
Larger sensors offer this very clean and low noise look. The downside is really the lens options.
Personally, I really like the 35mm focal distance, but it ends up being way to wide on a full frame. 50mm makes faces look really weird in my opinion.
Thanks for the comment Calvin!
For the difference between sensor formats with regard to noise (and everything else), see Tony Northrup's videos on crop factor.
In this video it was claimed that the sensor size (or actually, the pixel size) is the reason images look cleaner. But pixel size only matters when viewing an image at 100% magnification. For a similarly sized print out across formats, what matters is total light gathered on the sensor, regardless of pixel size.
Great video! However, I guess that only a few people will understand the „magic of medium format“, because all they do is to publish their pictures on the web. You do not need MF or this resolution for the web. Thus, if you do not print your pictures, do not spend your money on MF gear. But if you print your pictures, you‘ll be in for an image quality that you won‘t get on any full frame camera, including Leica. And I am not referring to ultra large prints. The difference is visible in normal sized prints, too.
Thanks for the great comment Hartmut!
Hypothetically wouldn’t MF quality be noticeable on web if you’re viewing a gallery on a large 4K monitor?
Eh, no
Or actually the magic of 100mpix, BSI and good lenses… the magic is in the resolution, bit depth and dynamic range… which exist in some FF sensor/lens combinations too…
@@okitasan try it!
Watch homepages from photographers with cameras over full frame and answer yourself!
My oppinion: their is different but not everybody can see it. The photographers has to use the advantages of the sensor and you need a good monitor. ;-)
Good overall, but a few points:
1. It is not just size, but what sort of image one is intending to end up with. A "straight" shot of a landscape might lose its impact if it is too low of a resolution, but when one gets into other sub-genres of art photography, resolution is secondary or barely an consideration at all. Particular painters might want tiny detail, but the world of painting itself is not obsessed like photography tends to be.
2. If one is merely exporting a tiff (jpg, etc) from a RAW file, what difference is there from using that final format SOOC? One is still using a factory interpretation. The whole point of RAW is having the info to create one's own vision. The test isn't what the software default spits out, but what one can do with it. Granted, the GFX will give one more latitude and still be the winner, but the image straight out of the software is less telling than it might seem.
3. Michael Clark's point about the crafting of the image being the most important thing is the main takeaway to me.
4. Landscape is a far broader category than presented here. Landscape does not have to be razor sharp, it does not have to be broad in tone, etc. It can be as varied as any other genre of art.
BTW, "fine" art is pretty much a bizarre category in photography.* What it tends to mean is traditional "realistic" images. The photographic world seems to limit itself in artistic expression far more than any other genre.
*And elitist in general.
His advice mirrors mine for people I teach photography to. Glad people are actually putting out the info. My daily camera is 24mp full frame Sigma fp but I have D850 for higher resolution and the d500 for action.
Semi-pro photographer of over 25 years here. I'm trying to find a good excuse to pick up a medium format system, and while I can afford it, I also remember I switched from Nikon Full frame a few years ago to the Fujifilm X system and haven't had a real need for more. I love my X-T3. The allure of razor sharp giant fine art wall hung pictures is definitely there, but in the real world where most usage is digital screen size images at best, it's tough to justify it. When I pair one of my razor lenses, like the 200mm f/2 or the 80mm macro lens, I get resolution I don't think I ever had with my D810, and it's a smaller sensor, with fewer pixels. When I shoot weddings, I don't think I'd want to retouch a 100mp file either. Just too much detail for a smooth workflow, IMO. The other option is to split the difference and backorder a Nikon Z9, it could be the best of both worlds. Probably a 2 year backorder at this point. I had a D850 on order forever, and by the time it finally shipped, everyone had already made the switch to mirrorless. Don't want to miss out on technology, just because of a backorder.
I don't have the GFX 100 but I do have a 50SII and it has served me well. Since I have a very nice Hasselblad 503CX system and lenses I went the adapted route on the 50SII. Yes they are all manual focus and manual or aperture priority but I shoot mostly landscape and some portrait so the slower setup doesn't mess up my workflow too badly. I do have the 35-70 kit lens for the 50SII and again for my type of shooting it has been a rather nice lens. I do see a resolution and color difference with the Fuji that I don't see with my Canon EOS R but nothing so bad that I'd use one over the other if I had too. The Canon is faster with Canon lenses when focusing than the Fuji 35-70 but is for me the only really measurable difference
I was so gutted when this camera came out after owning the GFX100, although the GFX100 paid itself off but I would've loved to have the smaller form factor just for making long days and travelling easier. Sadly where I bought the GFX100 wasn't interested in trading in for the s as the s pretty much had the gfx100 beat in every way including price. Ah well since covid I ended up selling it since I cant travel for work anymore and bought the R5.
Hi, Dale. Very informative video, thanks to you and Michael. A question for you: Knowing what you know, if you yourself were about to build a GFX system from scratch would you - a) Put your money initially into a selection of lenses and "settling" for the time being for the 50S II body? Or - b) Start with the 100S body and simply "make do" with a single lens until able to fill things out? My main concern is autofocus as I often photograph animals, human and otherwise, and there's always some movement. (In that use I did get a bit frustrated with the 50R, and noticed in your review of the 50S II a similar reaction.) Was there for you, really, that big a difference in AF between the two bodies? Say, a $2000 difference? ( Kidding, but you know what I mean.) Any thoughts and/or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you again.
Hi William. Thanks for the great comment. You pose a tricky question. It really depends on so many factors. To be honest, the GFX system is not the system I would personally use to shoot wildlife. It’s way too slow. Even the 100 series. Can be done? Sure - but your experience would likely be a lot better with a faster sensor/camera. The 50 can handicap you even further because it does not use phase detection AF. Contrast is considerably slower. For me, the 50 is really made for commercial, still life, portrait, and products. Anything outside of that and it’s not really the ideal system (in my opinion). I’m lucky enough to get to use the GFX on a regular basis despite not owning one (thank you Fujifilm!) and I can say that the 100 is still my most favourite portrait camera. But when I go back to using even just simple full frame cameras, I’m blown away by their speed. So, yes - in many ways the $2000 extra for phase detect makes a difference. Enough of one for fast moving subjects? That’s going to be hard to gauge.
I might add that the differences that one sees are subliminal in that the "impact" is not always a measurable quantity but none the less something that the 100s can deliver!
Thanks for doing this video! I would appreciate your opinion about the GFX 50s II. Is the image from that in the same league as the 100s as you describe in this video? Is the new BSI sensor used in the GFX 100s part of the magic?
Thank you Portlandprodrones! I absolutely love the image that comes out of the 50s (plural) or 100s (plural). I don’t notice much if any difference in image quality between any of the GFX cameras. Though none to me are as robust as the original GFX100. The focus is amazing for a medium format camera, but still no where as reliable or as fast as a full frame or aps-c sensor camera. I looking at Fujifilm’s recent camera advances, I feel confident that there will be some significant performance improvements in future models or future firmware for some bodies.
Be interesting to see a similar video on smaller cheaper cameras - Point n shoot, vs Micro 4/3, vs... vs full frame...
great video!
Thank you!
The question on the sensor gets answered instnatly to me by the price since this is just a hobby for me, being low income bloke... so, sensor format question, done for me.. but still interesting to see that video from the technical perspection aswell.
Thanks for the comment!
@@vistek You're welcome. Thx for the work and effort you put into that.. To give you a hint of what I'm using: I'm on a Samsung NX300M Camera and I use a lens adapter to use FD Mount lenses.
Thank You Very useful
Thank you GHK!
Great promo for Fuji. Bravo guys.
ok