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3 Observations I Made When I Took My Medium Format On the Road That Will Have Me Taking It Out Again

guest post by Greg Pai – You can follow Greg on his photographingGOD Photography webSIGHT and Instagram

Fujifilm GFX 50S + GF lens (save $1,000): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
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The goal posts of camera technology are being moved every day. When I say portraiture, you say higher resolution. When I say sports; you say faster, more accurate autofocus performance. When I say weddings and events, you say increased ISO sensitivity. And, when I say journalistic or street photography, you say medium format? Not really…

Most pros relegate medium format to studio, landscape, or tripod-mounted applications and more ergonomic formats for journalistic style photography. So, it was typical that I would pack my Leica gear for a recent one month assignment through the Mekong (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam).

However, at the last minute, I was somehow compelled to swap it out for my medium format Fuji GFX 50s system taking up nearly 3 times the space. What was I thinking? Well, I wasn’t thinking straight for sure. But that is how some of the most remarkable things happen in life (Like when my wife said “Yes”)!

My last minute decision was partially influenced by the fact that image technology across sensor types (e.g., Crop, Full-Frame, and Medium) is converging rapidly and the features are blurring between such systems. So, at some point in the near future, I suspect these choices will be made for me anyway by process of elimination. I suppose I also wanted to test my patience and persistence. But, there was also an element of surprise I was seeking. I really wanted to see what this thing could do in the field under varied conditions and over a lengthy assignment.

Suffice to say, I was exceptionally pleased by the potential of the Fuji GFX 50S medium format in the field and hope that the following observations are an inspiration to all who are (i) facing decisions about upsizing or downsizing formats, (ii) interested in my approach to journalistic photography, or (iii) wanting to simply experience the beauty of the people and colors of the Mekong.

1. Medium format is too heavy and bulky for journalism and street photography; Or is it?

Back on January 30, Fujifilm GFX member Clive told us here, that Really Right Stuff has redesigned its L-Plate for Fujifilm GFX 50S. The new design allows to access the batter without having to remove the L-plate from the camera.

So far the good the news. The bad news however, is that if you purchased the previous L-plate and want to get the new version, you will not get any discount on the new one.

“Really Right Stuff has confirmed that its new L-plate for the GFX 50s no longer requires the locking screw to be unscrewed and the bottom plate to be completely removed in order to fully open the battery door. Unfortunately, no discount is being offered by RRS to those customers who bought the previous version of the L-plate, which wasn’t really fit for purpose, and now wish to switch to the workable version.”

You can get the RSS L-Plate for Fujifilm GFX at BHphoto and RRS.

Join: Fujifilm GFX Facebook group
Follow: Fujifilm GFX facebook page

Fujifilm GFX 50S + Any GF lens* (save $1,000): BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
* GF63mmF2.8 / GF45mmF2.8 / GF32-64mmF4 / GF120mmF4 / GF110mmF2 / GF 23mmF4

Fujifilm GFX facebook member Gregory shows us the improved design, that allows to access the battery

KIPON just announced three new autofocus adapters for Canon EF lenses on Fuji FX APS-C and GFX 50S medium format cameras.

• EF-FX AF – 298USD (optically improved. New production from better optic supplier)
• Baveyes EF-FX AF 0.7x – 428USD (focal reducer, or “speedbooster”)
• EF-GFX AF – 298USD

Photographers, who already ordered KIPON EF-GFX E before, can get extra 15% discount on Kipon’s new EF-GFX AF adapter.

Kipon will show these adapters at CP+ 2018 Yokohama Japan. Shipment date would be soon.

via Fujifilm GFX facebook Group – via Kipon Facebook page

List of available or soon to come smart adapters

• Techart (Canon EF-GFX)
• Steelsring (Canon EF-Fuji X, Canon EF-GFX, Nikon F-GFX, Nikon F-Fuji X)
• Fringer (Contax 645-GFX, Canon EF-Fuji X)
• Kipon (Canon EF-GFX, Baveyes EF-FX AF 0.7x, Canon EF-Fuji X, Contax 645-GFX)

Fujifilm just released the new edition (24) of their interactive Fujifilm X Magazine.

Amongst the others, this edition contains:

• X RAW STUDIO presentation
• Interview with landscape master Jean Michel Lenoir
• Low Light Shooting tips
• Tech Guide on how to make the most out of the wireless connectivity of your Fujifilm camera
• XF80mm and GF45mm Tests
• Possibility to win the XF 80mm Macro lens
• & More

Fujifilm GFX is Tough (Tougher Than Sony ;) )

We already reported here, how the Fujifilm GFX 50S faced an extreme blizzard, and came out with absolutely no problems ;).

And knowing that the Fujifilm GFX it’s so tough, also our fellow GFX owners at the facebook group are not scared to use it under extreme conditions.

John Rourke for example is not afraid to let his Fujifilm GFX in the snow, as you can see here. Here is what he says about his GFX.

“still shooting strong on everyday temperatures of -8 to -17 in Switzerland“.

Another GFX shooter, Graham Welland, took it out in the rain forest. He shares his experience here.

“Weatherproof testing in the rain forest, literally pouring rain and dripping camera.

Only problem area was the EVF. A drop of water blocked the eye sensor enough that the LCD flipped to the EVF. Took a minute to work out what had happened (ie camera hadn’t failed) and once I soaked that up we were back in action.”

Looks like the Fujifilm GFX is tougher than the Sony A7RIII, which failed in a recent weather sealing test made by imaging-resource here on youtube.

Hcam Double Shifter

Our Fujifilm GFX group is also a great resource to find any GFX related news, and inspiration of content not only for FujiRumors ;) .

Today we say thanks to Hcam manager Stefan Steib, who informed us in this GFX facebook post of January 22 about the new Hcam Shifter. Full details in this Hcam facebook post.

“For all the Fuji GFX Users –

here is our proposal for a double shift version with tilt –
using Mamiya 645, Pentax 645/ 67 or Hasselblad V/F lenses.

It´s a combination of our DRS Shifter for GFX
plus the perfectly matching Mirex M645, P645/ 67
or Hasselblad V/F adapters.

The Kitprice for both adapters is 1695,-€ for all versions.

For more infos please PM me at s.steib@hcam.de“

Of course Stefan is actively replying and answering all the questions regarding this adapter, so feel free to join the discussion here.

And before I leave you with some stunning images shared at our group, make sure to join not only our 16,000+ strong GFX facebook group, but also follow our dedicated Fujifilm GFX facebook page for 100% GFX news and rumors

Fujifilm GFX: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Fujinon GF 45mmF2.8: BHphoto, Adorama, AmazonUS
Used G Gear AmazonUS used/refurbished, BHphoto used/refurbished

Images

Who follows our Fujiiflm GFX facebook group, will have already seen lots of samples and followed discussions about the Mitakon Speedmaster 85mmF1.2 for Fujifilm GFX, since Jonas Rask is one of the Beta Testers and is actively sharing his images and findings in the group.

But now the Mitakon 85/1.2 is finally available for everybody, and you can find get your copy at zyoptics here.

Here are the official specs and down below some images taken by Jonas Rask with this lens and shared at the Mitakon facebook page..

And make sure to follow our Fujiiflm GFX facebook group and our dedicated Fujifilm GFX facebook page.

Tech Specs