Fujifilm GFX Evolution: Leaving Perfection for…
ZP productions tested the GFX100S and GF80mmF1.7. He loves both, and owns both.
But there is one note he makes.
He says that when Fujifilm launched the GFX system a few years ago, it had sheer perfect lenses. But he noticed that with the latest lens releases, Fujifilm traded in a bit of that perfection to release less perfect, smaller and more affordable lenses.
In this context, he compares the GF110mmF2 to the GF80mmF1.7, the first one being expressions of Fuji’s perfection, the second one, while still being excellent and he actually totally loves to shoot with it, just not being just as perfect as the GF110mmF2.
I’ll make a summary down below of his 17 minutes long video below and would love to hear what you guys think about it.
- Fujifilm GFX100S: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Focuscamera / Moment
- Fujinon GF80mmF1.7: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Focuscamera / Moment
Video Summary
- he uses the GFX system since 4 years
- his GFX50s was pretty slow. Very nice image quality, though
- compared to the GFX50, at that time the Sony full frame cameras where better in any aspect, except for dynamic range and sharpness
- GFX system has always delivered supreme image quality at the cost of weight, size, price, ergonomics and general usability
- lots of GFX users also have a FF or APS-C system to complement the GFX system when they shoot action or need a faster camera
- he also owns the Canon R5 for purpose of faster shooting
- Fujifilm is changing strategy lately. They give up perfection for the purpose of more affordable and smaller GFX cameras
- he enjoyed using the GF80mmF1.7 so much that he pre-ordered it
- but the GF80mmF1.7 it is not as perfect wide open as other GF lenses like the GF110mmF2 for example. However, it is much smaller and lighter
- if Fujifilm wanted to make a perfect lens, they could have made it, but it would have been bigger and more expensive
- wide open the GF80mmF1.7 is very nice, very contrasty, nice colors and render, but a little bit of chromatic aberration and the corners are not the sharpest of all GF lenses
- the Fujifilm GFX system has always been perfect, and a few years ago, they would not have made any compromise in image quality
- but the GF45-100, GF100-200 and the GF80mmF1.7 were less perfect than all the lenses that came earlier
- Fujifilm is shifting strategy a bit: no longer aimin for perfect lenses, but for lenses that public can accept
- lower price, smaller and lighter, but also slightly weaker performance over the first generation of GF lenses
- other systems are going the opposite way: they are releasing better and more expensive lenses compared to their earlier lenses
- GFX100S is Fuji’s attempt to make a medium format for the masses (or the upper 1% masses)
- GFX100S will sell strong, first batch of GFX100S is sold almost everywhere already
- some penalties of GFX100S are lesser buttons, no tilt-EVF, no battery grip option
- this reduces the overall function and performance of GFX100S, although they don’t affect image quality
- lower specs a little to make the GFX system more affordable
- $5,999 is still costly, but where can you get a 100MP camera with medium format sensor and medium format dynamic range in a body hardly any bigger than the Canon R5
- the first people, who bought the GFX system, they wanted perfection, and got it with the GFX system
- he hopes Fujifilm won’t forget them, and not focus only on lenses, that have to make some compromises
- perfection is also attracting people
- Fujifilm has been shifting slightly away from perfection, but he hopes more perfect lenses will come in future
- but the trade-off the GF80mmF1.7 makes is worth it. Very usable, even more usable than the GF110mmF2. Smaller and lighter. Half stop faster than the GF110mm and he appreciates the wider focal length
- now GFX is more in reach of people and more competitive with other systems
- he hopes Fujifilm won’t forget that they are a MF system
- he hopes in a GF1500mmF2.8, a GF200mmF2 (or 2.8 to make it smaller) or a GF50mmF2 with perfect image quality. Also, a tilt shift lens. Perfect lenses that don’t save on size and costs
- the future of the GFX system will be great
- he loves the system a lot
- he loves and enjoys the GF80mmF1.7 and he will use the system more thanks to it
- image quality of the GFX sensor is unmatched
Fujifilm GFX100S
→ USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Focuscamera / Moment
→ EU: AmazonDE / CalumetDE / WexUK / Parkc.UK / AmazonUK / PCHstore
Fujinon GF80mmF1.7
→ USA: BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / Focuscamera / Moment
→ EU: AmazonDE / CalumetDE / WexUK / Parkc.UK / AmazonUK / PCHstore
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