Fujifilm GFX100S Manager Interview: Why No Battery Grip Option, No Tilt EVF, Quick Eye AF Demo and More

Fujifilm managers have released an interview in Japanese to a youtube channel.

Again we rely on the automatic translation tool. Here is the summary for you guys.

  • 1.7x larger sensor than full frame
  • the appeal of the GFX100S is not only megapixel
  • color gradation improves with the GFX sensor
  • the smaller form factor and more affordable price compared to GFX100, will make it appealing to more than just professional photographers
  • the lighter the camera becomes, the better
  • focal plane shutter and integrated battery grip made the original GFX100 big
  • IBIS was made smaller too
  • then developing the X-T4 battery, they were already thinking to implement it also on GFX cameras
  • ISO 6400 is still so beautiful
  • PSAM dial is used in other camera systems. People used to it will find it easier to switch to GFX now because it offers a PSAM dial
  • if you start adding shutter speed dial, ISO dial etc, the camera will get inevitably bigger and heavier
  • having a top LCD and command dials makes camera smaller and lighter
  • the tiltable and detachable viewfinder on GFX100 necessitates of some well build parts that cost money to implement. The GFX100S hence has a fixed EVF and it’s also slightly lower resolution to make it cheaper
  • the addition of a vertical battery grip option would have ment adding electrical boards on the bottom of the camera, which also would have made the camera bigger and heavier
  • the capacity per battery has increased thanks to the NP-W235 battery
  • it’s better to have the battery in the pocket rather than on a big integrated battery grip
  • by adding accessories like a battery grip option, the price would have come closer to the GFX100
  • nostalgic negative film simulation
  • at minute 5:45 of the first video linked below (click and it will start at the right point), there is a quick eye AF demo
  • AF algorithm has been improved
  • weights 1700g when paired with the new GF80mmF1.7
  • You can go more out in the field thanks to the GFX100S smaller size
  • the sensor is large so the lenses are large, too. This means the glass elements that have to be moved are large and heavy. So the manager asked to make the lens inner focus. They also have to remove aberration with special glass elements. It’s all about finding the balance between price, size and performance
  • you can’t shoot dozen of extremely high speed rapid bursts, because the focal plane can’t move that fast [note: the GFX100S shoots at a max. of 5fps], but it can capture shorter action moments, like a motorcycle passing by
  • 4K30p video
  • you can adapt cinema PL lenses via adapter
  • you can now experience the world beyond full frame

That’s about it :).

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Videos

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FUJIFILM Fiscal Year 2020/3 Results: Firm X-T4 and X-S10 Sales Push Operating Income Back in the Black to Same Level of Last Year!

Fujifilm Fiscal Year 2020/3 Results

The results for the third quarter of the fiscal year 2020 have now been published by Fujifilm (Q1 report here, Q2 report here). FYI, the fiscal year in Japan starts on April 1 and ends on March 31.

It’s a year devasted by COVID-19, hence also Fujifilm suffered in some areas. But there are also good news. Let’s go with order.

The biggest hit in the imaging division has been taken by broadcast and cinema lenses. Not really a surprise, given many big events being canceled, such as the Toyko 2020 Summer Olympics.

Good news comes from the X series, where “firm sales” of the Fujifilm X-T4 and Fujifilm X-S10 allowed revenue for the third quarter to recover to the same level of last year.

A pity Fujifilm is still not able to decently ship the Fujinon XF50mm f/1.0, which still is mostly back-ordered. If they’d been able to match the initial high demand for that lens, that could have shown up with even better numbers.

Crossing fingers the same shipping-desaster won’t happen with the Fujifilm GFX100S and Fujinon GF80mmF1.7, as they also enjoy an astonishing high amount of pre-orders, and if Fujifilm will be able to deliver within March, then they will have decent imaging division figures to show for the end of the fiscal year compared to other brands (Fujifilm manager already hinted they are doing better than the rest).

The instax system keeps going strong.

Fiscal Reports

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Fujicast Interview with Fujifilm Manager: X-S10, GFX100S, R&D Choices, Instax Wide Printer and More

Here is the summary of part 2 of the Fujicast interview (part 1 here) with Fujifilm Manager Andreas Georghiades :

  • X-S10 was more expensive at launch than the X-T3, but the X-T3 was an older product when the X-S10 was launched and there were promotions on the X-T3
  • there are people who like DSLR’s and want to go smaller mirrorless camera, and the X-S10 is a great camera for them as it has a PSAM dial. Then there are rangefinder lovers (X-E, X-Pro) and others want individual dials (X-T4 etc)
  • X-S10 is targeted to attract new users in the Fujifilm system
  • for pure photographic orientated people, there are X100V, X-T3, X-Pro3 etc
  • there was a gap, and the X-S10 fills that
  • he does not know of an Instax Wide Printer, but he’d love to have one too
  • When it comes to making decisions (such as if implement vary angle screens or not etc), they get their feedback from various sources. From X photographers, camera reviewers, traditional press, youtube reviewers
  • at the end you can’t make everybody happy, some will always complaint. For example, the GFX100S has lower res EVF compared to GFX100, but it’s also much cheaper. But some complaint and wanted a cheap camera with the super-resolution EVF of GFX100
  • compromises need to be made sometimes
  • if you want X-T4 performance on a more photo centric camera, there is the X-T3
  • Fujifilm can’t please everyone
  • Brexit won’t have additional costs on repairs, but there might be delays initally
  • the Fujifilm UK X-Thusiast program won’t be extended to USA

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LIVE NOW: Introducing the FUJIFILM GFX100S with Fujifilm Technical Specialists and X Photographers – B&H Photo Event Space

The B&H Photo Event Space is hosting a dedicated Fujifilm GFX100S event that starts now (1 PM New York time).

You can watch the live stream here or join via zoom (follow the instructions here).

Fujifilm and B&H are proud to offer this introduction to the new GFX100S. This event will start with a presentation of the camera and its features by Fujifilm Product Technical Specialist, John Haggerty. Followed by our special guest Fujifilm X-Photographer Dinesh Boaz. Dinesh was one of the first photographers in the world to use the GFX100S. He will share the work he created with it and offer some insight to what it is like to work with this most powerful camera.

To join the live meeting, check out the dedicated B&H photo page here.

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Fujifilm GFX100S “More Than Full Frame” Promo Series… and How Suddenly Sensor Size Does Not Matter Anymore for Some Youtubers ;)

Fujifilm has launched a series of promo videos called “more than full frame“.

But unlike the title might suggest, the promo videos talk less about specs, but are more on the inspirational side… and I like that for sure!

I will share all videos below, but let me add a little note first.

After the Fujifilm GFX100S was announced, I saw a few videos of big youtubers, who consistently stood behind full frame as the only real professional format (ignoring that Fuji APS-C cameras creamed off the most prestigious awards), saying basically the following things about the GFX100S.

  • having a 70% “fuller” sensor than full frame does not really make a lot of difference
  • having more pixels and a bit more dynamic range does not really make a lot of difference
  • it is more important to have passion for photography and have a system that inspires you to shoot

Sure, I can understand that some influencers, who have strong connections with brands that don’t produce medium format cameras (and are not committed to APS-C), are arguing a bit contradictory and confusing these days.

If they say sensor size does not matter, then people will ask them “so why not go with cheaper and smaller APS-C systems“, and if they say sensor size matters, then people will ask “then why not go GFX?”.

In this regard, I respect youtubers like Tony Northrup, who just consistently said that he does care about megapixel and the more megapixel he gets, the better it is for him. Or also Jared Polin, who in a video asked Fujifilm to send him a GFX100S for testing (but Jared, maybe we can schedule a call first to organize a Fuji crash course, so that you avoid flaming again that you can’t move the focus point while face detection is enabled ;)).

And what does FujiRumors say about the sensor size debate?

Simple and true: every system has its strengths.

As for hybrid cameras, I consider APS-C the ultimate sweet spot (and so do these industry insiders like Richard Butler from DPReview and Co).

There are APS-C specific advantages and also GFX specific advantages. And of course, full frame has its strengths too.

It’s just great we have all this choice and whatever people pick, it’s surely the best system for their needs.

Personally, I am very happy with my Fujifilm X system. It’s so flexible. Small lens, big lens, fast lens, compact lens, bulky camera, super compact camera, affordable, expensive, hyperbolic specs, simplicity, retro, modern… there is so much to pick from depending on needs and taste in the Fujifilm X system, that I personally do not see any need to go full frame. I’d lose more than I’d gain (for my personal needs and preferences).

If I’d add a system to my camera bag, at this point I’d just go for the very best image quality I can get (for a reasonable price), hence with a sensor that is 70% “fuller” than full frame. Especially now, where the Fujifilm GFX100S dropped for a price cheaper than the Sony A1 and a body smaller than the Panasonic S1R.

But that’s just me, my needs, my taste, and totally personal.

If you shoot full frame and say it’s the best of the best, then it surely is like this for you, and you are blessed with lots of mirrorless options, too.

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More Than Full Frame

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