I don’t buy into the narrative that wants you to believe you can make professional work only with full frame gear.
And it’s not just a “feeling” of mine. It’s a hard core fact proven by the irrefutable reality that you can win the Pulitzer prize or the World Press Photo Award with images taken by Fujifilm APS-C cameras.
And I also don’t buy that “sensor size is everything” narrative.
Look, I’ve shot it all: from my loved Micro Four Thirds to APS-C and Medium Format, and yes, even quite some Sony Full Frame as I have easy access to that system thanks to the SonyAlphaRumors guy living not far away from my home.
So I can confidently say: every system has its Pros and Cons and every system, from M43 to MF, can be used for professional use, of course with some cameras being better suited for certain uses than others.
So if somebody tells you that you absolutely need a system with a 70% larger sensor than full frame (the GFX system) to really stand out with the quality of your images, then you better don’t trust that person.
And yet, as we said, every system has its Pros and Cons, and the advantage of the GFX system is undeniably that it offers the best image quality you can get for a more than reasonable price.
Then add to this that the Fujifilm GFX100S and GFX50SII have the size of the Canon R5, are even smaller than the Panasonic S1 cameras and cheaper than full frame cameras like the Sony A1, and you start to get a combination of advantages that might make the Fujifilm GFX perfect for your needs.
And it sounds like the combination of advantages the GFX system offers was perfect for Jason Eng, who, in a talk with Evelyn from TCSTV explains his move to the GFX system.
Here is a quick summary:
Jason’s assistant Aiden was looking to buy into a new system. He looked at Sony, Nikon and Canon and almost pulled the trigger on the Canon
Jason suggested him to try the GFX50SII which costs about the same what Aiden was about to spend for the Canon
Aiden put his hands on the GFX50S and it had “these magical files“
then they also shot the GFX100 side by side with Sony A1 and Canon R5
even by just comparing the images on the laptop sized screen, they noticed the detail in shadows and the way that the camera handled gradation from highlight to shadow was just… “I could not unsee it, it tortured me until I inevitably bought the system“
he bought the GFX100 with a classic pro body with integrated grip and fully usable autofocus
he often shoots vertical, so having the integrated grip is important
he was and still is a Sony shooter, enjoying a smaller and lighter body
then Fujifilm offered the GFX100S with its smaller and lighter body and it reached a larger target audience than what the GFX100 could do
both options, GFX100 and GFX100S, are great
he often shoots tethered and loves that the film simulation he uses goes right into Capture One
as a long time Sony user for 10 years, color was always hard. The standard was Canon
when Fuji released their APS-C mirrorless cameras he loved the colors, but he could not commit to a smaller sensor than FF
but now they have exceeded his expectations and gone larger than full frame
skin tones are great, reds are beautiful, rich and deep
he uses also legacy glass adapted to the GFX system
Fujifilm offering GFX cameras from $4,000 to $6,000 is a game changer for medium format
color and shadow tonality range, you can’t unsee it once you see it side by side
Because the X-E4 would be the perfect fusion between the form factor I love (X-E3) and the power I sometimes need (X-T4). Plus it would have a two way tilt screen which I vastly prefer over the selfie screen on my X-T4 (even though in some radical composition necessities it can be very helpful).
So this weekend I will just make shameless private use of FujiRumors and ask what you think about this idea.
But let me be clear: this post is not to say the X-E3 is not a capable camera. I mean, I shot a wedding with it and it worked just fine. But the X-T4 is simply the more powerful tool and in some occasion this extra power can be useful.
So why am I still hesitating?
The reason is simple: I’d no longer have an X series camera with IBIS (only my GFX100S).
And yes, I know the 5th generation of Fujifilm cameras is coming. I will probably get one of those cameras, too. So maybe it would be better to wait and see what Fujifilm has to offer in 2022/early 2023, and based on that see which cameras sell, keep and buy.
I don’t know, I am confused. Maybe just sell everything and go for X-E4. Or wait a bit longer, see what the future brings, and then take decisions.
And since lately I am so absorbed by Fujifilm X-E4 reviews, trying to make up my mind, I will share a couple of reviews down below.
Reviews… or 5 Reasons why the Minimalist X-E4 is Perfect for Stree Photography
When I started with Fujifilm MILC about 10 years ago and my bank account at that time regularly and literally hit the zero mark as I spend all my remaining resources into summer travels (and gear that I needed to capture those travels), I would have loved to have cheaper autofocus options for the X mount. But there were not. So I mostly stuck with a few XF lenses (and some manual focus lenses).
Oh, how nice would it have been if 10 years ago I could have bought something like the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 for my travels, or even the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 for portraits.
A wider range of affordable third party AF lenses would have facilitated my X system build-up. But with none of that around, I just bought slowly into it, sometimes wishing for lenses for certain images that I could not afford.
Today it’s different.
For those who just start out with the X system or do not have or want to invest a bigger amount of money into lenses, these Sigma X mount lenses are a terrific option.
That’s why personally I consider them a wonderful addition to the X system, even though they are close to what Fujifilm already offers.
Outside of technical stuff like image quality and autofocus, there are some cameras that just make you happy when you hold them. To celebrate great ergonomics, Chris Niccolls runs down his top five handling digital cameras of all time.
Fujifilm X100V
Many people love the analogue control experience of the X-T line. Chris prefers the ergonomics of the Fujifilm X-S10 and Fujifilm GFX100S. But at the end Chris picks the Fujifilm X100V because it is a refined and pocketable camera. Hybrid Viewfinder is nice to use. Flip out LCD is so thin that it does not make the camera bulkier. Compact 23mmF2 lens. Fits in pocket and very nice to use.
