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
But it seems that she added some gear to her Fujifilm collection.
In fact, she has been spotted using a Fujifilm GFX100S for her Rihanna Vogue cover shot.
And to be clear, this post is not meant to say “you need a GFX to create well paid work“. In fact I have seen Annie also using Sony, Phase One and other cameras. Fujifilm is just one of the options she has.
I don’t know when/if Fujifilm plans a successor. But if they do not plan one, then this would be a massive mistake. the GFX-R line has a small but very loyal fellowship.
Steelsring is launching the Steelsring EF/GFX PRO Edition smart autofocus adapter. In addition to the multifunctional button there is also an aperture ring with A/C switch like we find it on Fujinon GF lenses.
FUJI Lens Mode Switch Simulation
FUJIFILM GF lens support mode C (Aperture priority by camera command dial) , mode A (Programming auto mode by camera) and Aperture dial mode.
For Steelsring EF/GF I/II/III adapters, with the help of short click of adapter’s MFB (multi-function button), it is able to simulate the mode switch simulation between C and A modes. initial mode simulation is mode C.
For PRO edition, with the add-on control ring in aperture body, it is possible to simulate an aperture dial too, the mode will cycle in C->A->Aperture Dial for PRO edition via short click of MFB, initial mode simulation for PRO edition is aperture dial instead of C for I/II/III adapters.
Lens mode switch simulation works always, is not relevant to adapter’s working mode as Adapter or GF lens simulation.
About MFB（multi-function button)
Activate firmware update mode for I/II/III and PRO adapters.
Press and hold MFB, then connect to PC/MAC via USB cable, then release the button will enable adapter enter firmware update mode.
When mounted on camera body with lens combination, after camera power on normally
Short click MFB once, will start lens mode switch between C and A for I/II/III adapter, or C->A->Aperture dial for PRO adapter.
Press and hold MFB for 5 secs or longer, then release MFB, will trigger adapter’s mode switch between Adapter mode and GF lens simulation mode, camera body will reboot EF/GFX adapter to be effective immediately.
About Manual Focus Ring (PRO edition only, not available for I/II/III adapters)
When lens mode switch simulation is in C or A mode, aperture control is done via camera body dial, then we use the control ring to simulate a manual focus ring, it is more like power focusing of curtain EF lenses. To be effective, lens body AF/MF mode switch must be set to AF, and camera body focus mode dial set to MF. Turning control ring, it will activate camera’s MF assistant automatically.
About Automatic Focus Bracketing (PRO edition only, not available for I/II/III adapters)
When PRO adapter’s control ring can function as manual focus ring, it is able to set the begin and end positions of auto focusing bracketing depth now. So before entering Auto Focusing bracketing setting in camera body menus, please make sure adapter’s lens mode switch simulation is in C or A mode, and set Lens body AF/MF mode to AF, then turn the adapter’s control ring to set the position accordingly. Please do not turn lens body’s manual focus ring, it is useless because lens won’t report any distance change after focusing position changed, but FUJI’s algorithm need that value.
After finishing automatic focus bracketing positioning setting, control ring can be set to aperture dial simulation again.
