Fujifilm GFX 50S Landscape Photography Review
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- I spent a week with the Fujifilm GFX 50S medium format putting it through it's paces shooting landscapes in Tuscany and Cinque Terre, Italy.
This isn't meant to be an in-depth review, I only had a short time with the camera and didn't have the opportunity to really dive into all it's capabilities, but I wanted to give it a field test to see how it felt to use while out shooting landscapes, as well as the practicality of travelling with such a large system. I also wanted to have a good look at the RAW files, particularly in terms of dynamic range, detail and noise.
It's an absolutely amazing camera, the image quality is stunning, and thanks so much to Fujifilm Portugal for lending it to me.
If you're interested in purchasing a GFX 50S or any of the other gear I use in this video, and you enjoy my videos, please support my work by clicking on the affiliate links below. Thanks so much.
Gear:
Fujifilm GFX 50S amzn.to/2rkdqMs
Fujinon GF23mm f4 amzn.to/2sazt6r
Fujinon GF120mm f4 macro amzn.to/2qxwVhG
Big tripod for GFX = Gitzo Mountaineer Series 2 amzn.to/2sayNOq
I shot this video with:
Drone = DJI Mavic Pro amzn.to/2ktOTOR
Video camera = Fuji X-T2 amzn.to/2kbUW9L
Main video lens = Fuji XF18mmamzn.to/2rR8pvE
Microphone= Røde VMGO Lightweight amzn.to/2lyggrZ
Tripod = Gitzo Traveller Series 1amzn.to/2qxKZYq
Em Portugal podem comprar aqui www.colorfoto.pt
Music: Tomo Nakayama - Cold Clear Moon (Instrumental) via AudioSocket
Website: www.andymumfor...
Instagram: h / andymumfordphotography
Facebook: / andymumfordphotography
... the tears I get after carrying the camera and photographing are not of pain, but of pure joy when I see my images on my big Mac...!!!
I don't know about today's camera buyer. But I like the feel of large cameras. Especially if you have monster-size hands. Very difficult to use these mirrorless cameras on the market. I like the feel & the weight of the Fuji GFX.
Hi Alex, thanks for the comment. I also love the feel and weight of the GFX when I'm using it. It's an incredibly satisfying to use...however, I'm not so keen on it when I'm hiking or travelling on planes. It's a beautiful camera though and Fuji have done an amazing job with it
I have been squabbling with myself over the Pentax or Fuji medium format. My first camera was a Fuji (the HS50), a camera I bought years ago, and still use. Looks like in April, I'm going with a Medium-Format...Fuji!
I agree, my hands are medium to large, so I like the feel of the larger Cera bodies. It's why I choose the Pentax 645z
It’s my first time on this channel, and I must say, I’m shocked this video hasn’t received more upvotes, especially considering it was published in 2017 (it’s 2019 as I watch and type this). What a wonderful review & video. Comments were spot on, time wasn’t wasted, the pictures were incredible, there were tons of information... it’s got everything. I’m not even a medium format photographer, I still use a Nikon D850, but this has been extremely informative and well worth my time. Just wanted to give you a two thumbs up. Excellent work!
Thanks for the comment Haggen, really glad you enjoyed the video
lol
Everything he said is absolutely correct. I have the camera and its big and clunky. Amazing for studio usage but it's definitely not a street Photographers Camera. I am using the A7r2 for Street and the GFX for Studio work. Image quality wise it's the best I have used. It's very filmic in nature and less digital. I guess it just depends on what you plan to use it for. If you want a super high end filmic look this is the Camera to own.
Thanks for the comment
0:48 holy drone footage
Thanks a lot. That's Belvedere in Val d'Orcia, Tuscany...a really beautiful place
I just got the GFX 50S II, and after I saw the files, I don't think there's any going back. Right now I've got the 35-70mm lens, and at F/8 - F/16 it's pretty awesome. I think the 30mm and 45-100mm lenses would be an awesome two lens kit though, and a fairly light medium format setup. Add the 100-200mm and you've got a complete kit.
The X T3 with the 18 - 55 mm f 2.8 is heavy enough at the end of the day, with the few accessories I carry. I clearly understand what you're saying.
P.S. I think your conclusions would change if you tried the GFX 50S II with the 35-70mm lens. It's lighter, smaller, adds stabilization, and with the holiday rebates is a bargain. You can run and gun with it no problem. I've got an X-T3 too, but I'd rather run and gun with my GFX instead. I had the X-H2 for a while, and it was 40 megapixels, but half of them are noise. Better than the 26mp sensor but not 14mp better. The 50mp GFX sensor is using the pixels much more effectively.
This is quite an old video now (I think I made this in 2018). I've been using the GFX100S for most of this year and actually have the 35-70mm. It's a nice lens, super light and small, but it does show some of it's flaws on the 100mp sensor compared with the 32-64mm or 45-100mm.
I really do enjoy the GFX system, but it's still lacking in some areas, particularly at the long end. I have the 100-200mm, and again, it's a lovely lens, but I've taken it to Tuscany, Namibia, Iceland and the Dolomites this year and on every trip wished I had something longer. The 250mm is a great lens, but it lacks the flexibility of a zoom and if you carry it instead of the 100-200mm you miss out a lot of really useful focal range.
Of course you can crop, which is what I've been doing, but that's not ideal when you need big prints, and the pixel shift doesn't work if there's anything moving in the frame (which is usually the case with landscapes).
Thank you for your detailed review and how the camera handle.You covered the very basics that no other reviewer does.Thinking of buying this camera for my Real Estate and Architecture jobs but the lenses not quite there. 23mm (18mm equivalent to 35mm sensors) is not really wide for my customers. Subscribed!
Cheers
Hey Andy, just thought I ought to point out that the GF23mm is 18mm (FF equiv) whereas the XF18mm is actually FF 28mm equiv), I am at minute 3.35 at the moment so apologies if later you correct yourself.
Hi, thanks for the comment.
I know the focal lengths aren't identical...I think I said they were similar as they are both wide angle primes (although admittedly the GF23mm could be classed as an ultra wide) and make a valid comparison between 1 camera + 1 prime of the two systems. The closest XF prime would be the 14mm, and that's only around 100g heavier than the 18mm, so it's close enough to show the disparity in weight between the two systems.
Excellent review Andy. I need a big win on the Lottery now!😁🍀
Cheers Andy, it's a fantastic camera
I've been using a Sony A7R II because I thought I wanted the extra resolution (43mp) however having recently picked up an X-T20 I realise just how much I enjoy the smaller form factor and also the smaller files. The Sony files are fantastic but if I do a lot of editing between Capture One/Lightroom etc my pc can almost grind to a halt so I'm going to sell my Sony and invest more into the Fuji system. That GFX is an amazing camera but dues to size, weight, file size etc, it's not for me. Great review as always.
Thanks so much. I've used both the GFX cameras (the S and R) and although I love them I always enjoy coming back to the X-T series....I just prefer the smaller form factor
awesome device and very good picture Andy
Thanks so much
thanks for this great review. Is a similar review of the GFX 100 on the horizon?
Glad you enjoyed the review. I won't be reviewing the GFX100...No doubt it's an amazing camera, but it's not one that I can ever see myself using.
Beautiful images and excellent content. Thanks!
Thanks for watching Jim
If there’s one thing I learned from watching videos review on camera particularly Fuji. Someone’s positive opinion is someone else negative opinion. The best way to finality about a Camera is to use it.
That's very true, and any review is always going to be subjective
Excellent review Andy!
Cheers David
Liked this review good job
Thanks a lot
Thanks for the Review , the 2nd droneshot is incredible nice , what a beautiful misty morning light... , i was hoping to see some of these beautiful captures with the GFX .... but i guess you kept it more informative on purpose !? . to show what is possible in Post .
Im thinking of stepping up from Fullformat to medium format , for more detail in landscape and Studiophotography . , Ill guess the GFX is one of the best compromises in the moment for Landscape , Arquitecture and Studio , in regard of Weight , Imagequality , Price , Waterresistent etc. . Ill guess i have to try it out .Recently i changed to the Fuji X System and i fell in Love with the Colour my xt2 produces , coming from Canon i always have problems with reds on skin and greens sometimes in Landscape , the Fuji makes an incredible colour job. Does the Bayer Sensor produce also these nice colours !? , Greetings from Spain
Hi Jan
Glad you liked the review, as well as the the drone shot...I was lucky that day as we had a wonderful sunrise.
With regard to the images I showed, it was as you said, I mainly picked images that would demonstrate a particular aspect of the camera's capability; dynamic range, resolution, high ISO etc, and on top of that, I only had the one ultra wide angle lens, so quite a few of the images I shot on the trip were with the X-T2 and a longer telephoto lens (for example, the scene in the drone shot works better with a telephoto lens). You can see the final versions of the images I shot with the GFX in my written blog review on my website www.andymumford.com/blog/2017/6/4/fuji-gfx-50s-landscape-photography-review
There were a couple of locations where I shot the scene with both the X-T2 and the GFX, and I couldn't see any difference in colour reproduction...although it was far from a scientific test.
The GFX is a fantastic camera if you're shooting studio or don't mind carrying a heavy beast when out shooting landscapes. I've just got back from a camping and hiking trip in Iceland and was really glad to be carrying the X-T2 and not the GFX.
Good luck with whatever camera you decide to go with
Again, worth it to see your work, as much as the analysis. I enjoy your music choices too (listening with headphones).
The pluses and minuses reminded me of my former Pentax 6x7 film camera. It looked like it should work hand-held, but needed lots of muscle and endurance to do so.
Ironic that some of the best shots are from your Mavic, which has what, a 1" sensor?
I'll be watching for more of your stuff. It's great.
PS Funny photo-bomb by that Fly at 2:55.
Not sure about the size of a Mavic sensor, but it's tiny...smaller than 1". It's about the same size as you'd get in a top end cellphone. It looks fine on UA-cam, but the image quality really does fall apart in the shadows. Still, for what I use it for, it's a great little drone. As for the fly..yeah, it was pretty hot and we were on a farm in the countryside so they were pretty busy.
Hey Andy, great video! I just picked up on something you said about using the Exposure Compensation Dial a fair bit. I seldom use exposure compensation, so I was wondering how you use Exposure Compensation for landscapes/where does Exposure Compensation fit into your workflow?
It depends on the landscape. When I'm not shooting something where a require a particular shutter speed (for example moving water), then I'll set the aperture, and then use the exp. comp, dial to get the exposure I want. I'll also sometimes use it instead of bracketing when I want a darker or brighter exposure above the base to blend in later.
Is it "Heavy"? I didn't hear you say.
Now we wait for a GFX 100s 😃Great video Andy. Same as you I prefer my Xpro2 for traveling but hell if you have the money for this and the lenses then you'd have someone to carry it for you lol. Pentax 6x7 for me to shoot Medium Format until I win the lottery as other commenters have said 😂
I think it will be interesting to see where Fuji go with the next GFX, but to be honest I'm more interested in where they take the X-T2/X Pro 2 cameras :-)
beautiful scenery. would love to move to a villa in tuscany
I would looove to have that camera XD
great review
Thanks Roberto
Hi Andy. Nice video, and very informative. I find myself in a similar position to you - I have gravitated towards a lighter kit ( X-T2 ) from full-frame DSLR. I shoot travel & landscape mostly with some portraiture & studio. I was interested to hear at the end of the video that you have decided not to pursue getting your own GFX 50S. Can I ask, was it the cost of the system, or the weight of the gear that was the biggest factor in making this decision ? I'm still very much on the fence ......
Thanks, glad you like the video. To answer your question, it's mostly to do with the weight and bulk. The trip that I filmed this on was a relatively easy one in Tuscany where most of the shooting locations were only a short walk. This summer I'll be in Iceland and then the Dolomites, and both trips will involve hiking and camping, so I'll be packing light....I know that if I had the GFX I wouldn't take it with me as it would be so heavy, especially if you factor in that I'd need at least three lenses and I'd still have less range and variety of focal lengths than I have with the X-T2 and two lenses. I'd also need to take the larger tripod I was using here rather than the lighter tripod I use with the X-T2. Overall it would probably add 2.5kg - 3kg to my pack and take up three times the space. The quality is superb, it really is stunning and it's a beautiful camera, but at the same time I love the image quality I get from the X-T2. Added to that I shoot a lot of travel photography, which involves street portraiture and the GFX really isn't designed for that..so again, I'd probably leave it at home (as an example, here's the gallery of my first trip with the X Series. You can see that a good proportion are street shots where the GFX would have been awkward www.andymumford.com/indonesia ) You said you shoot some portraiture and studio, and the GFX would be fantastic for that....and of course it's great for landscapes if you don't need to pack small and light. For myself, I just don't think I'd use it enough to justify the price. Not sure if that helps you, good luck making your decision :-)
Thanks for taking the time to reply Andy. That's a stunning gallery of Indonesia. I should probably reach the same decision as you and persist with my X-T2. I can easily stow away that camera with 2 or 3 lenses, filters, a traveller series Gitzo tripod and a Mavic drone in one medium sized backpack and not be unduly troubled about weight. The one question I have in my mind is could I get away with just using one lens for the GFX system whilst out in the field ? Only I can answer that, but knowing how I tend to shoot I believe that the majority of my landscape shots could be captured with the 32-64mm f4 zoom alone. At a push I'd possibly take the 23mm f4 too. Obviously at home, or in a studio I could care less about weight ... it's just not an issue there. I'm assuming you found the weight burdensome because you were carrying the 23mm f4 and 120mm f4 macro with a larger tripod. It's a difficult decision ... I love the stellar IQ from the GFX, but I would be conflicted about carrying it on some longer trips. The X-T2 and lenses are just so portable and still afford a great IQ.
Thanks, glad you like the gallery...it's an amazing place for photography. It sounds like we have VERY similar kit. I use a Gitzo Traveller for the X-T2 (I needed my old series 2 mountaineer for the GFX) and a Mavic. I don't know if you know F Stop Gear, but I use one of their Small Pro ICUs and can fit the X-T2 with 2 lenses and an X-T20 as a back up body, alongside the Mavic, it's controller and two spare batteries, plus SD card wallets, spare Fuji batteries and a couple of filters in it. shop.fstopgear.com/us/product/icu/pro-icu/small-pro-icu.html That's my whole travel photography kit, which I drop in a regular Osprey or Dueter backpack.
For this trip I could fit the GFX with the 23mm (I didn't take the 120mm macro with me, I just did those shots when I got back home) and the X-T2 plus 2 zooms and one prime in the same F Stop ICU. Basically the GFX and one lens took up the same amount of space as the Mavic with it's controller and 2 batteries. If you were using it with just the zoom (sadly Fuji didn't have one to lend me or I'd have taken it) then it probably wouldn't be too much of a burden if you didn't feel you needed to take the X-T2 as well. I couldn't get by with just the zoom, it's neither wide enough nor long enough for me, although I accept this is a really personal and subjective thing as I've never really got on with mid-range zooms. But, if you could get by with just the one zoom then yeah, it would be a heavier kit but it's certainly manageable.....tough choice to make :-)
i also shoot Fuji had xt20 sold it purchaced the gfx 50r and 32-64mm saving for 45mm i also have Nikon 810 and some zeiss lenses to adapt to gfx the zeiss lenses renders exilent on gfx but lacks the resolution or sharpness.for MF and 51.4mp the gfx lenses is rated for about 100mp
Love it. I use the Fuji x100s for street & travel. I have a Canon 5DS that has 51 Megapixels too, is the image from the 50S that much better? Having a high pixel count like this does require a certain discipline, hand held shots can be more difficult and a good tripod is needed for best results.
Hi Arthur. I can't make a comparison between the Canon 5DR as I've never used one. Before using Fuji cameras I shot with Nikon full frames, so the closest point of comparison I have is with the Nikon D800E which I used to own. I believe the dpreview compared the GFX to the 5DR, D810 and A7R2 in their review and found that each one of the cameras performed as well as the GFX in a particular area (resolution, high ISO and dynamic range), but none of them was as good all round as the GFX. If I remember correctly the 5DR has comparable resolution and detail, but doesn't match the dynamic range of the GFX...I'd have to go back to the review and check though. As you said, using a camera like this requires an element of discipline, which I actually enjoyed, but it's really not a camera that is at all designed to use handheld.
I have heard that Lightroom isn't the best processor for FujiFilm cameras. Maybe Capture One Pro 10 would do even better.
Hi Dennis, Lightroom doesn't deal as well with the X Trans sensor array in Fuji X series cameras (although it seems to be much better with the second generation sensors of the X Pro 2, X-T2 etc), but as the GFX has a regular bayer sensor, Lightroom handles it as well as any other RAW converter.
Hi Andy, to expand on Dennis' question. I use the XT-10, and I absolutely love it but if lightroom isn't the best which program would be better for processing the raw files?
Hi Tom. I've always used Lightroom with my Fuji files, and I've used the X-T10 as well as the X-T1, X-T2 and X-T20 (and of course the GFX) and I've never really had a problem with it. Sometimes with fine detail in foliage you can see smearing at 100%, but that certainly seems to have got much better with new versions of Lightroom, and it was never a big enough problem for me to feel the need to use a different converter. I've read multiple times that Iridient Developer gives the best conversion of Fuji raw files, and that Capture One is also pretty good, but I can't say for sure because as I said, I've never really felt the need to switch from LR.
... I can't compare as I've never used Lightroom... but I can assure you that CaptureOne works marvellously with GFX files...!!!
Good stuff !
Thanks
Hi Andy,
Great video; really enjoyed it. I notice that you're doing your processing on a Macbook Pro which you were also using in the "At the Edge of the Sea" video (also very well done and informative}. I'm going to replace my aging 27" iMac this year and have been thinking about a laptop that I can travel with and that will also double as my main editing machine at home. Are you using the 13" or 15"? I'm concerned that the 13" may not have the power as it has a dual core processor and no discrete graphics card.
Any insights you can offer will be most welcome.
Hi David, glad you liked the video, and the At The Edge of the Sea...we had a lot of fun shooting that.
OK, so to answer your question I also came to the Macbook Pro from a 27" iMac. I think mine was a late 2009 model, so I can understand where you're coming from.
My Macbook Pro is a 15" 2.5Ghz Intel i7 with 16GB of RAM. It has no problem with X-T2 or even GFX files in photoshop, and is pretty capable with 4k video in Premiere Pro as well (although with a big timeline full of a lot of clips it does slow down somewhat with 4k footage). I wouldn't go with the 13" for the same reasons as you, a concern about it not having the power (particularly for video) and also the screen being a little too small.
One change that I've had to make is due to the lack of HD space. My iMac had 2TB, and while I obviously had everything backed up on external drives and in the cloud, my main Lightroom library and all my images were on the iMac. With the limited storage of a Macbook Pro I now only have images and video that I'm currently editing on my main machine, and once it's done everything is moved off of the machine and into my main library drive, which is a mirrored 2TB external drive on my WiFi network. It's actually still possible to edit them on the external drive via the wifi network, but there's obviously a little lag for larger files.
Hope that helps
It does indeed help. It clarifies that I do need the 15" model. My iMac is a late 2012 model which is still working fine but I'm afraid something will need replacing soon and as everything is soldered to the logic board except the memory, it becomes a very expensive repair. A friend recently had the video card on her iMac fail and it was a $1,000 repair!
I watched the behind the scenes video for At the Edge of the Sea too; it did look like you were having fun. Must have been quite a change to your normal routine to be the "star", as it were, and have cameras pointing at you. The video and especially your stills and drone footage make me want to visit Portugal. I expect I will make it to Portugal at some point but not this year as I was in the Costa del Sol in Spain for three weeks over the late winter (escaping winter here in Canada) and will be going to Newfoundland in early August for two weeks to do some shooting.
BTW, I downloaded Tony Kuyper's free panel and am starting to learn how to use it. Still figuring it out but I think it will prove useful. I currently use Lightroom almost exclusively but do have access to Photoshop too.
I looked at your workshop for Lisbon's Wild Coast and am sorely tempted, but must save my pennies first.
Thanks very much for taking the time to repsond and sorry to have rambled on.
Best,
David
@@AndyMumford Hi Andy thanks for a great review, I got reading the comments and your backup system caught my attention... I understand this was 3 years ago so you might have changed systems since, but what drives did you use? I'm also on a 15" MBP, also perpetually struggling for HD space so often when shooting tethered it goes straight to an external 2TB LaCie, and the backups are done manually (via ChronoSync) to 2 other bigger externals... So something with wifi capabilities could be interesting and make my workflow easier
great video
Thanks Francisco
see you been reviewing charlie waite images lol
will you use a gfx50s iso-6400 for northern light or milky way?
Will you consider buying this to replace your xt3 for landscapes?
It's a great camera, but the system is too heavy for me to consider it as a replacement for my X-T3
When you were taking the pictures at the 9:06 mark what were you changing on the camera and why?
I'm changing the shutter speed on the camera, but as it's around a year since I made the video and it's tricky to remember exactly why. From what I can see it looks as though the LCD on the camera has blinking highlights, so I'd guess that I'm increasing the shutter speed to reduce the exposure in order to capture the highlights.
Would love to see a comparison to A7RIII
I'm considering trading in my Canon 5DmkIV to help me purchase a used 50S.
It’s a lovely camera, but as someone who now uses the GFX system full time, one thing I think people coming from a full frame system need to be aware of is that as such a new system, the lens range for GFX is very limited compared to full frame Canon, Nikon or Sony.
@@AndyMumford Yes the fact I will have 5 Canon lenses I can't really use with it makes me wonder if I should do it. I also own a Pentax 645 and can adapt those lenses just fine but of course I wont have auto focus.
when you put the picture on100% than how many inches is the picture wide??
A general rule of thumb is that you 100 pixels works out at 1cm. The GFX is 8256 pixels wide, so that's about 82 cm at maximum resolution.
Strange.when i press the 100% button in Lightroom on a nikon d800 picture i already get 165 CM.
Depends on whether you're talking about "virtual" size on your screen or the printed size. If you have a low resolution screen it'll look really huge and if you print with a low printer resolution (100dpi) you'll also get a big print - although without a lot of detail.
But if you look at it on a high resolution screen, it won't appear as big and if you print it with a high resolution (300dpi) it won't be as big.
At 300dpi the GFX50s will produce images that have a maximum width of 27,52inches or approx 70cm.
At 200dpi it's 41,28inches / 104,8512 cm etc.
Is that articulated LCD removable?
No, the LCD is attached and can't be removed. The EVF fits into a mount on the top of the camera and that can be removed.
Like
Thanks so much
D850 also pretty similar capability wise
ur outta focus danielsan........
It's a crop medium format...
it isn't, the lenses are especially made for the system and there is no light going anywhere but the sensor, hence its not a crop.
It' NOT a Medium format SIZE sensor, wise guy...
Yeah but for a REAL medium format you have to shell out $38000 so yeah this is 3 times better
3 times better...LOL
Technically Medium format is anything bigger than 35mm. So, yes, the sensor in the GFX isn't as big as a Phase One for example, but by definition it is still a medium format sensor. You could argue that value for money, cameras like the GFX and Pentax 45Z take the cake in the medium format world.