Fujifilm TX-3: Why Not Just Crop?

The latest Fujifilm TX-3 digital panorama camera rumors have raised one question mainly: why buy a dedicated 65:24 camera if the Fujifilm GFX has already such a crop mode built into the camera?

Pavel already answered this question for us in a dedicated guest post (with lots of beautiful images). You can check it out here.

I just wanted to add my own thoughts to it.

So again, buy a dedicated 65:24 camera if the Fujifilm GFX has already such a crop mode built into the camera?

There are even adapters, such as the Kipon GFX-XPAN adapter, that allow you to mount Hasselblad XPAN Lenses on Fujifilm GFX cameras.

Well, first of all, none of the Fujinon GF lenses is specifically designed for the 65:24 format.

And if Fujifilm proceeds with its XPan plans, then they could also design specialized lenses optimized for panoramic photography. It could be a fixed lens (if the camera was a fixed lens camera) or a few lenses for panoramic photography (in case of an interchangeable lens camera).

Specialized lenses designed for  a specialized sensor will always give optically better results, with minimal distortion, best sharpness etc.

Also, shooting with a panoramic camera encourages photographers to think differently about composition. Instead of relying on cropping to achieve a desired composition, photographers must carefully frame their shots within the panoramic format, leading to more intentional and thoughtful compositions.

This also leads to a potential creative boost, as photographers will be “forced” to see the world in new ways (the “panoramic world”) and therefore might be more inclined to explore different perspectives and experiment with unconventional compositions.

So yes, you can simply crop a regular GFX image. But a dedicated panoramic camera provides a more authentic and immersive experience for photographers who appreciate the unique characteristics and creative possibilities of panoramic photography.

And look, for many this might not matter. But there is a niche out there who finds inspiration and joy in the process of shooting with a dedicated panoramic camera.

For them, owning such a camera is not just about capturing images; it’s about embracing a distinct style, exploring creative possibilities, and finding fulfillment in the art of panoramic photography.

And you know Fujifilm: they don’t see niche as a waste of money and time.

On the contrary: Fujifilm recognizes that niche photographers embody the genuine essence of photography and that they represent one of the purest form of photographic passion.

And given Fujifilm’s massive photography history, I consider Fujifilm at this point the only brand capable of nurturing this niche with a dedicated camera. I mean, technically also Hasselblad, but since they are now owned by DJI, the DNA of Hasselblad has deeply changed.