My Journey With The Fuji GFX100S: Long Term Review
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Join me on my photography journey as I give you an in-depth long-term review of the Fuji GFX100S. I'll share my experiences and thoughts on this amazing camera, along with some stunning shots taken with it. How slow is medium format? How much better is the image quality of medium format? Can the Fuji GFX100S be used as a day to day camera? I reflect on over 2 years of my work with this camera to answer those very questions.
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Do you own the GFX100S? Do you still like it? Did you trade it in for the newer GFX100 II? Tell me about it in the comments.
sigma will release MF lenses for fujifilm, so it will be mainstream
@@strippedlist I fully endorse this move by Sigma. I am going to visit their booth at WPPI in Vegas next week and press them on it.
Yes, I have the 100s. Your review was pretty well spot on. I use it mostly for portraits and landscape. For the later, speed of focus is not a major issue. Infinity focus can be an issue at times. For portraits, It works for me. I'd like the added focus speed and improved EVF of the 100II, but not enough to spill the $$$. I am hopeful that the 100S II will be a 100II without the video functions. I do not use, nor plan to, the GFX for any video work.
Sometimes I use my X-H2s for lifestyle shooting which is more akin to the moving around modeling you mention in the video.
@@317Media_Indy I'm with you 100%. Release a version without all the video stuff.
Yeah it will be on this account eventually I've just need to change a few things. I've been really busy with life over the last six months. I meant to have started at six months ago but some life stuff got in the way with Kids family and my day job, but I'm getting there so I had to put things on the back burner a little bit but it will be launched within the next few weeks. I'm just gonna start small I don't really care about you know how many followers I get and all that kind of stuff it's really just a personal journey stuff that I want to achieve and my channel will be about mindfulness and me, I'm actually in addictions counsellor by day might even do a video on how to stop buying lenses...lol from a clinical point of you, there are things that people are experiencing and this is the main reason why they buy gear. It's got nothing to do with Photography and having work in addictions now for 12 years. I totally understand it.
You are the first camera reviewer to highlight the overheating issue. Good catch.
It was a bit of a shock for stills.
Love your review, Kevin. A “real” photographer with “real” world experience who shares his thoughts with us. I like that you delve into the good, the bad & the ugly with all products that you review & offer other alternatives. Love Austin, Texas. I have fond memories of 6th Street from my time there in the 1980’s. Best wishes.😊
Thank you for the kind words!
6th Street isn't what it used to be, but I am also getting older, so neither am I.
Great video! I’m also dipping my toes in medium format, so much to learn. Makes me cry like a baby sometimes and run back to my R5.
You got this! R5 is way better with AF. It all depends on what you need the camera for.
I got the camera partly GAS, partly FOMO 😂. I have had a couple good shots that make my spine tingle when I opened the file on my computer 😆
@@albertma5467 yes. The files are amazing. My favorite two lenses are the 110 and the 45.
Probably the best value to image quality camera to buy right now considering the 100 II is out and the 100S does not lack many core features if you're into photography mainly. I'm a new GFX 100s owner and so thankful I did not go with Canon, Sony or Nikon, the focus on IQ and colour is just amazing
Well said. Thank she watching.
Am about to do the same and I can't wait!! Just bought a lens second hand to have something to get started once I get the 100S in a few weeks time. Just need to save up! 😅
@@olahaldor It's definitely a good time to buy. Although, they appear to be announcing the 100S MKII next month, so it may drop even more.
@@KevinDeal That's very exciting news!
At the local store here they're still running the black friday sale ($1600 off), so it's very much on my horizon.
I've never used medium format before, only APS-C crop sensor and MFT, so I see the 100S as a good introduction to a new dimension.
Photographers have made stellar work with it already, and I can't imagine I won't be able to even though it launched a few years ago. Tested and tried. :)
The campaign is running to the end of May, so I have a few weeks yet to save up and decide whether to go 100S or wait for the new, if it's within price range. :) Fingers crossed!
I bought a 100s used a few years ago and one thing that got me over the price hurdle was a belief the camera’s quality would not be surpassed for a long time. The sensor came out in 2017 and it’s still used in the latest flagship cameras from Fuji and Hasselblad. Years later I still believe the same thing. It will be many more years until the quality is surpassed in a non-incremental way. The next big leap is still probably 5 or more years out.
But autofocus absolutely sucks. Not just speed, accuracy is abysmal even when you give the camera all the time in the world.
I'm still shooting with the 50R and this long term review gives me a lot of faith in your opinion regarding future decisions. I recognise a lot of the small issues that are still present (like the paint, not protecting the sensor with the shutter) and the big advantages that make you stay. Thanks for the comprehensive, honest and complete review.
Thank for watching!
I rented the 100S and it was a gorgeous camera, but entirely too much for a dad amateur/enthusiast like myself. Found a 50R for $1400 and been thoroughly happy with it. It’s brilliant with the 50mm… like a big X100 💚
50R rocks too
I have had the 100S for almost a year and a half. I love it. I have a rather deliberate style of shooting anyway. I use manual focus a lot with landscapes. I don’t shoot weddings, and I shoot sports just a bit for fun. I don’t need to spray and pray. So much of what bothers other folks are not relevant to me. I don’t take the camera on vacations. If the purpose of a trip is for photography, then of course I take my best gear. If not, my Canon G5X II does great for travel. I don’t shoot much video. I shot a lot of a women’s college basketball game because I was testing color grading. One team wore read and the home team wore intense pink. I calibrated with a color test chart, and shot both Log and Rec 709, got great results, and learned a bit. This camera will exceed my needs for video. So I don’t perceive any advantage to me to get the GFX 100 II or 100S II, even if I had the extra money. It’s a great camera if it fits your style, and a better bargain now more than ever. The GF lenses are amazing, and my EF lenses work well with the Fringer adapter.
Sounds like it's a good fit for what you do.
I got the GFX 100 II, while I’m still learning to shoot with it, I did a wedding and it went just fine
Great to hear! I need to upgrade to one of the newer models soon.
Been on the fence for a year - to sell mine. But the loss has been too great and have recently picked it up and trying it with portrait and family lifestyle. Now I’m feeling a bit of love…thanks for this and I look forward to looking for some of your videos about non GFX lenses.
Thanks. I have already released a couple of videos on using vintage lenses with it. Now I am working on my Mitakon video. Slowly, but surely.
love your videos, you always get most of out from the camera
I try. Thank you for the kind words and for watching my video.
Awesome channel. When you use other company lenses do you find the colors change noticably? For example the hasselblad 80 mm the greens really pop in your photo. is that from editing or straight from camera?
Colors do look a little different but the film simulation there is classic negative, which changes the greens quite a bit.
Thanks for the kind words!
I like the way you are not one-eyed - you say it how it is. Wow - there seems so many cons for such an expensive camera. I know you like the images, but there is a lot to put up with for that quality. I just took a look and the new GFX 100 ii, is nearly 11K (body only), here in Australia. The lenses are all about 4-5K each as well. A very expensive proposition for something that is far from ideal in many situations. I've had it with Fuji too. I shot with them for 11 years as a working pro, but was struggling in so many areas. When I saw companies advertising for 2nd shooters and saying "...no Fuji shooters", then I knew I'd backed a bum-steer. Since I swapped from Fuji APSC to FF Nikon Z, it's just another world. My customers have commented on how brilliant my images are now, I've picked up extra work, and I am so much happier using proper professional cameras. I'm just filthy at myself for scabbing it with Fuji for so long, hanging in there for the improvements that never came. I should have swapped years ago. I enjoyed the video and can't wait for some more.
All that matters is that you found a system that you love. Thanks for watching!
I'm looking to purchase one to pair with an XH2 for studio and on location portrait work. I always like seeing what the camera can do after seeing what a good photographer can do. I "should" just get another XH2 or XT5, but the GFX has something special to it.
You'd be following my path. I don't own two XH2's or two GFX100S'. But I do own one of each. And pretty much as soon as I get typing this, I'm off to my studio and will have them both with me. Love the combination.
@@KevinDeal It's nice to know that my thought process isn't that odd ball. I have an XH2S as well, but resolution wise and for the potential cropping and printing that things might get used for at work it feels like not the best thing to use for these. This is where the GFX comes in. Thinking about getting the 80 1.7 to use in place of the 33 1.4 for a 50ish type lens for versatility. The XH2 with the 56WR is a good combo for studio work though.
@@marcusbeasley3212 I only used the 80 1.7 once at a Fuji event. I liked it but felt it was too close to my 110 f2 to pay that much for it. The 55 1.7 is a little more appealing to me at the moment.
@@KevinDeal Yeah that makes a lot of sense. 63mm isn't that much different from 85mm. Just really depends on shot and working distance. I want both though 🤑
Excellent review from a pro who knows what matters 👍. I shoot mostly dance, using a GFX 50R if I can get away with it in the studio. But as soon as there's a lot of (improvised f.i.) movement, I have to switch to the R5. The AF just won't keep up. From your review, I conclude the 100S is not enough of a step up in that regard, and maybe even the 100 Mk II isn't, but that's too expensive anyway. Thanks for the very useful insight!
FWIW, I played with the GFX100 II at the WPPI show last week. The tracking and AF are noticeably better but it is still nowhere near an R5.
I feel like shooting dance on my GFX100S would give me nightmares. Lol
Thanks for the kind words!
@@KevinDeal Thanks for the update! Yeah, it's really for masochists to be honest, lol. But when it works, the results are so nice!
I was wondering since you knew going in the GFX system that the sync speed was only 1/125 why you did not consider hasselblad X2D. That also has phase detect. Since I assume that was the reason you didnt want to buy the 50mp fuji/hasselblad versions (all contrast autofocus).
Or was the X2D not out yet back then?
The 1/125 wasn’t a deal breaker. The Hasselblad cost more. So it was one compromise I made which wasn’t the end of the world.
With the right flash system can you not use HSS to overcome the slow sync speed? I know the Elinchrom triggers and light units allow HSS which would allow you more freedom in aperture and SS settings
You can. But HSS has its own set of problems.
To your bead of sweat on sensor event, always always always tilt the camera body downward when changing lenses. This applies to all cameras. Gravity always wins and gravity is the most likely force that’s going to cause objects to touch the sensor. Id much rather have dust land on the lens rear-element than the sensor.
Yes. It's never fun to learn that the hard way.
Fujifilm H mount adaptor g for your Hasselblad leaf shutter lens. I believe 1/800th second flash sync. Using leaf shutter of course
Yes. I actually made a video about adapting my Hasselblad lenses. It’s fun!
Best Chanel on UA-cam 👌
Wow. Thanks! That's quite a compliment!
I bought a refurb GFX100s from Fujifilm UK for £2500. It is in addition to my beloved R5. I am appreciating but not loving the different shooting experience. The RAW files are exquisite. I am a landscape photographer and I am looking forward to using it more as time goes on.
As an R5 owner and GFX100S owner myself, I simply have to put myself in a different mentality when I shoot on each system. With the R5 it's speed and great results. With the GFX, it's usually working to get one shot at a time and when it nails it's better than anything I can get on my R5.
The refurb deal you got is stellar.
Great informative video - and a good explanation of pros and cons.
Like many of your viewers I own a Canon R5 but have experience with the Fuji XT cameras and lenses and a,ways love the colour performance.
So the temptation for me is chasing more colour and more resolution - not that the R5 isn’t a great camera!
I think the GF 100S represents a great buy for fine art still photography that provides superior image quality albeit with a few limitations.
It’s on the shortlist!
You can get a 100S for a lot less since they announced the 100SII.
I am looking forward to my R5MKII. Can't wait to see how the improved dynamic range works out.
So I shoot the GFX100, EOS R5 and EOS Ra. I find I shoot the GFX100 the vast majority of the time, but the one the thing I wish it had was the sensor shutter to protect the sensor when you change out the lenses because as you say, it’s a dust magnet
Facts. Hello fellow R5 / GFX user!
I use an xh2s and an 100s for weddings i do alot of wedding in the middle east and i have had the over heating happen to me but not very often to be a deal breaking
That’s an interesting excellent combination.
Excellent: you mention things that have concerned me but weren't addressed in other reviews: specifically, toward the 22 min mark, the protection (or not) of the sensor. I used to have Canon cameras and they have a shutter that protects the sensor when the camera is off. This is indeed as you say a "no brainer" in an expensive camera. Speaking of no brains: so many people, so many reviewers and writers, complain about the menus in Fujifilm's cameras. Is there some proprietary reason why they can't emulate the much more logical and user friendly Canon menu system? It's as if these designers are not talking to real-world photographers (only I know that they are) and are stuck with the menu system they developed. No, you could change it, and yes, it would be a pain for people used to the old, less logical menus, but we'd adapt. And then we'd love it.
Thanks for the kind words
Even the newer GFX cameras don't protect the sensor. It's lame. But not as lame and illogical as Fuji menus. lol
Can you slow down the color change in the background. I’d go 20% of what it’s set at here (or even slower).
Good feedback. Noted. And I should do that moving forward.
@@KevinDeal Please do not slow it down. Turn it off.
@@NorbertPietraszek Also noted.
Crank it up a go faster
@@666-t4d lol. That would be entertaining. Have a little rave going on.
Every time you said the camera is slow in your video, it made me less enthusiastic about it.
What is a good recommendation camera that still does extremely sharp images like this Fuji 100S but faster?
No digital media format is fast compared to full frame. But if you want a slightly faster cameras than the 100S, they released the GFX100 II. That would be your best bet.
I shoot some photo with Gfx 100s2, however, I can not convert the RAF format even with Fujifilm X raw studio. The raw format just open in the viewer, but clicking on Convert do not do anything. Like to Convert to Jpg and try different simulations. Do you know why? Thank you for your review.
Perhaps a firmware mismatch? I don't ever use RAW studio, but both Capture One and Lightroom open my files just fine. Then I can export them to convert them to my desired file format.
@@KevinDeal Thank you for the reply, CaptureOne did not work too. It was a camera tryout. That is the problem with marketing. I told the sales manager that he should adjusted the camera to Jpeg instead of Raw, he said it should not be a problem to convert it.
Looks like that the older software doesn't support GFX 100S II. Updating X RAW Studio and CaptureOne to the latest versions should solve this problem.
Within it's limitations, IT'S THE BOSS
You are correct
Please mention use lans
Most of the work in this episode was shot on the GF110, GF45 and GF63.
Great review and I subscribed the one thing I would say about the damage to your camera. Are you sure that your camera bag or some other device isn't damaging your camera because I hammer my gear in all sorts of situations out in the environment and I don't have a mark on any three of my fuji cameras, and I treat my gear pretty harshly and they will still look new, is there something rubbing on the cameras inside the bag? Shutter curtains are a bad idea. You only have to go over to the Nikon page and see how many shutter curtains actually break and fail you are creating a problem to fix another problem. It is really easy to keep your sensor clean. Just use a blower each time you change lens, it takes two seconds and your sensor will always be clean and learn how to change your lens by pointing the camera down. This will also keep your sensor clean. Don't leave your camera open when you take the other lens off put a cap on it, straight away or change the lens. Dust gets on the sensor in two ways. When your sensor is open, or from the other lens that you put on that's the only time a sensor will get dust on it from those two occasions if you eliminate both of those your sensor will stay relatively clean and may need cleaning every now and then, but it's easy to clean a sensor shutter curtains are a bad idea! I also think the camera being slow is a good thing. It is not a run gun camera and I think too many photographers rush all the time and this leads to poor images and images which to me look a bit fake. I actually think if we slow down in Photography, we actually get really good images and I know that is challenging for model style photography, but I shoot weddings and I certainly don't run and gun. In terms of auto focus, it's actually pretty good. I'm pretty good with the camera and there's a few settings that you can change to improve the focus on the GFX as well. I'm not gonna tell you what they are but if you go onto several of the other UA-cam channels you'll find them and it will increase your heat rate. I get about a 90% hit rate with my GFX and that's probably only about 5% off my XT5 so I'm happy with that
If it didn't take such great images, I wouldn't be so tempted to use it for fashion. lol
Thanks for your thoughts!
@@KevinDeal yeah it is a bit of a double edge sword Kevin I hear what you're saying I've doubled with it in weddings but I've gone back to my XT5 given that that takes pretty good images as well and usually weddings are in pretty good light, especially for the daytime stuff it is a double edge sword.... I like what you said about getting the model to standstill or just pose maybe slightly differently and it's just working differently and maybe it is just literally like I said slowing down. I like your channel man I didn't know you had a channel. I'm about to start my own UA-cam channel as well. Mine will be a little bit more about mindfulness which I'm actually big into and I use that to teach Photography
@clarke9225 thanks for the support. Best of luck with your new You Tube channel! I'll be sure to subscribe! Is it going to be the account you're using here or another account?
I wish I could use the GFX for weddings. Just too hot here in Texas. I haven't tried 35mm mode though. Maybe that's what I should try at a wedding. Perhaps it won't over heat as fast? Not sure. Need to explore that.
I'm curious how 'tough' this camera is, honestly. my 'Main Battle Tank' is the 5dmk4 and it has taken a few lumps with aplomb while I slide my ass down unstable rockslides and climb up washed out ravines..
The body itself is tough in that if it takes a fall it will be fine. The finish is meh. It wears very easily. The ring around the shutter release is already losing black paint.
@@KevinDeal Good to know, I mean my 5dmk4 has lost whatever anodization I guess is what they use on a lot of the 'wear' areas since I have it on a Peak quick release on my backpack strap most of the time. it has a magnesium body if I remember correctly, I've taken a few hard knocks, most of the time it Is ME who takes the damage in an effort to protect it, but things like branches scraping it and the odd rock while squeezing through some areas, but I'm not intending to drop it from orbit (UPS will handle that on delivery)
Hi, recently I’m thinking to switch from GFX100S to Nikon z8 because of better versatility that I can shoot all kind of photography much better. But still I am not sure if this decision is good or not. Because between 14 and 16bit is huge difference and I cannot cover it by pixel shift or enhancing resolution in post! Although this difference is not visible by human eyes and only is important for aggressive cropping or X-Large print but I believe I can recognize beautiful deep dynamic range produced by my GFX100S! So, shall I sacrifice all in one camera for 16bit image quality, or I should sacrifice 16bit IQ to have all in one camera system?!
The Z8 is a beautiful camera. It is more versatile. The GFX, when it nails, looks better. I’ve used both.
@@KevinDeal since you used both, do you think I can achieve professional night quality images by 14bit vs 16 and 45 vs 102mp?
@@mrz1342 your lenses are the most important factor there. Both sensors are clean in low light.
*This whole medium format has better dynamic range is completely overblow.* I really do not understand how dynamic range and noise performance of GFX 100s is better than say a Z6 or R6, these are a function of pixel size. Pixel size for GFX 100s is 3.76um and for Z6 is 5.94um. I could understand this argument if you were comparing a 50MP full-frame to 50MP GFX, but it is just scientifically untrue otherwise.
From my experience using Z6 and Z9, I can see remarkable better dynamic range and noise performance on my Z6 as compared to z9 (pixel size 4.35um) when pixel peeping. The only saving grace for Z9 is that the noise is tiny and if you are not looking at the image at 100%, you don't notice it that much even if it is present more as compared to Z6. And I suppose I would see similar result with a GFX50* (pixel size of 5.35um), but GFX100* would probably fair similar to Z9 if not worse.
I've shot and edited files on the Z6 and Z8. Both are fine cameras. Neither are able to pull detail out of shadows like my GFX can. I can't comment on the Z9 because I've never used it outside of at a trade show.
When you shot real world jobs on a GFX100, what did you conclude when you put those files side by side with your Nikons? I'd love to hear about your experiences on the GFX100.
Is it just me that genuinely find the colours and dynamic range to be very mid for these gfx cameras? I want one, but I can't get over the fact that cameras like the Canon 6d or especially R6 produce better images.
And watching 'til the end of this video it seems like a classic case of form over substance. Not well thought out system or durability. For that amount of money you would assume it would be more solid. Thank you for this honest review.
Having owned a 6D and used the R6, I guess I don't see what you're seeing. Both are fine cameras, but the GFX (to me) produces images those other two cameras aren't capable of.
I'm curious, if the colors look "mid" to you then why do you want one?
@@KevinDeal I've been looking at and comparing pictures online and I honestly don't see it. Just looked at a "pdr" dynamic range comparison and apparently the Canon 6d is on par with (and with magic lantern even surpasses) the GFX 50s. I'm not sure if much increase in dynamic range has been made later on with the 100s?
There's just something that is off. I bought a 5d Mark II recently just out of curiosity (I went from the 5d to 6d directly), the sensor of the 5dmkii wasn't better than the 5d classic imo, there's something artificial about the increase in MPs that cause their "integrity" to fail. Back in the day it was also shown through testing that the actual resolution hadn't really increased. Maybe it is a similar case with the GFX, seeing as they are so high in MP count? Maybe increasing the size of the photons would increase the IQ? Say if they lowered it to 30mp?
I want to adapt vintage lenses and get a comparatively compact camera with that "medium format look". I want the bigger sensor basically. But seeing as it is only a 20% increase in size I'm struggling to motivate the money for it. Btw I seem to be the only one thinking that about the colours so that's why I'm asking. If I go in looking at flickr full res and compare them to gfx the forementioned cameras always win. It's weird. As long as it is in focus the Canon 6d sensor seem legendary. If the R6 had a top display (I like to see what I'm doing without looking at the EVF or screen) I would get it.
Ps. I added a sentence to my original comment. Thanks for the review.
@@TheDavveponken
I don't know what to tell you. I own and have owned a ton of cameras, including the 6D you references earlier. None of my cameras can hold a candle to my GFX.
I don't really care what paper charts tell me. I use my eyes to create and I like what the GFX gives me.
Maybe it's just not your thing.
@@KevinDeal No need to get hostile.
@@KevinDeal No need to get passive aggressive (prev comment disappeared?)
video is not what you get this camera for, good for you, for me its my best video camera, I actually like it more than my Ursa 12k
If the AF were a little better, it would actually be a pretty good video camera. At the end of the day, it's an amazing sensor, so video does look good through it.
Fuji has always had bad autofocus, they’re probably the worst out there. Their bad focus has nothing to do with the size of the sensor
Very true. Even their small sensors struggle with AF.
Lost me on that crazy ass music
Thanks for stopping by
Hi Kevin, thank you to share your work. Today in 2025 the fujifilm gfx100 second hand is arround U$3000 on ebay the same than the gfx100s. Do you think that maybe the gfx100 it is better option than the gfx100s thanks to the grip, more resolution viewfinder and the 800 shots battery?
It’s my understanding that the original GFX100 doesn’t have IBIS. The 100S does. So that’s something to consider.
I’ve never even gotten close to running out my batteries. My card would probably be full first, due to the large file sizes.
So really you’d have a bulkier camera but better resolution in the viewfinder.
@@KevinDealthank you so much Kevin. The gfx 100 has the same ibis than the gfx100s ( 5 steps).
The gfx 100sII ibis has 8 steps.
@@diegoramirez6165 That's right. My brain went blank there for a second.
What I was trying to remember is that the original GFX has contrast-based AF and the 100S has phase detect.
@KevinDeal ok Kevin. So both af works almost similar? I mean the same semi "slow af"? I plan to use the camera for fine art as main use and portraits with some canon ef with fringer adapter and maybe get the fuji 100 200mm.
@@diegoramirez6165 phase detect is better than contrast. That being said, neither of these cameras will blow you away with autofocus. They are slow. If you approach your shots that way, you'll be fine.