I have been using this in a few photography projects, the FUJIFILM GFX 50S – Medium Format since a few months. Lately for commercial use and I’m happy to share my thoughts about the FUJIFILM GFX 50S review.
It is already been more than one year since FUJIFILM launched his first new digital medium format market. The main point is the 51.4MP (megapixels) CMOS sensor (Bayer) with the size of 43.8 × 32.9mm.
It is very easy to pass and shoot from my FUJIFILM X-T2 or X-T20 or X-E3 to the GFX 50S, the menu is almost the same together with bottom, joy stick (not on the X-T20).
Of course the GFX is a it bigger than a X-T2 but very reasonable comparing to other Medium Format or DSLR.
Special thanks to FUJIFILM SINGAPORE for such opportunities.
FUJIFILM GFX 50S review- Medium format camera – Introduction
Here are the various shots and situations that I have been using FUJIFILM GFX 50S:
- Studio shoot/ fashion shoot at FUJIFILM STUDIO with Profoto flash and light shaping tools
- Travel Prague (for Magazine article)
- For the advertising COCO PR & COMMINUCATIONS AGENCY with Shanthi Jeuland Portrait
- Eastern & oriental Express Train for a Magazine commission
- Food Photography (Japanese + afternoon tea) with my 2 Godox strobe flashes AD600
- Chef Portrait at St Regis Singapore
- Casual shoot in testing various lenses
- Street/documentary – photo essay for a new Singaporean media who will be launching soon with a video. I can’t reveal about this series for now.
Soon, I will embarking in a few commercial photography engagements who will need to use the FUJIFILM GFX 50S.
Some of the majors features of the FUJIFILM GFX 50S
.51.4MP medium format CMOS sensor (43.8 × 32.9mm) with Bayer filter
.3.69M-dot OLED Removable EVF
.3.2″ 2.36M-dot touch LCD tilts horizontally and vertically
.AF-point-selection joystick
.Weather resistant structure
.Film Simulation modes
.3 fps continuous shooting
.1080/30p video capture
.In-camera Raw processing
.Dual SD card slots (UHS-II)
.USB 3.0 socket
.Wi-Fi
Pricing is around: SG$ 10,099 ; € 6,999 ; US$ 6,499 (without discount).
What I like about the GFX (all of it) :
- Quality image
- Size
- How the body fit in my hands
- The design
- Dial setting
- The balance
- The little screen monitor display where all the setting and camera info are indicated setting on dial (XH1 have a similar one too)
- Screen touch, specially for zooming in the image.
What I don’t like (nothing about the camera):
- It will be more about my own budget rather than the price because it is very competitive against the competitor price.
FUJINON G Mount for the FUJIFILM GFX 50S
The range of lenses FUJINON for the GFX is complete. Since the release of the camera FUJIFILM have brilliantly developed and launched amazing lenses.
G Mount Zoom Lens:
– FUJINON LENS GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR
G Mount Prime Lens:
– FUJINON LENS GF23mmF4 R LM WR
For now, only the GF 23mm I did not had the chance to try it but should be very soon.
– FUJINON LENS GF45mmF2.8 R WR
– FUJINON LENS GF63mmF2.8 R WR
- FUJINON LENS GF110mmF2 R LM WR
Previously I did a blog post review about the FUJINON GF 110MM.
– FUJINON LENS GF120mmF4 R LM OIS WR Macro
– FUJINON LENS GF250mmF4 R LM OIS WR
– TELECONVERTER FUJINON LENS GF1.4X TC WR
Shortly, I will review more about the lenses that I`ve used.
What about the image out of the camera?
This camera makes it more convenient to photograph interior or in complex situations. By pushing the shadow cursor to get the details and exposure in shadow area. In some case I don’t need multi exposure.
Already, XT1, XT2 images are amazing – This is yet another level. I love the details that we can get in a photograph.
Few of my Commercial and Corporate Photography services Shots and Portraits :
The new Chef Bertrand Valegeas (with the GF 110mm) – ST REGIS HOTEL SINGAPORE
ST REGIS HOTEL SINGAPORE – Afternoon Tea Project (with the GF 32-64mm)
ST REGIS HOTEL SINGAPORE – Afternoon Tea Project (with the GF 120mm macro)
MAKAN KORYOURI – Japanese Restaurant (with the GF 120mm macro)
COCO PR & COMMUNICATION AGENCY – Advertisement (with the GF 110mm)
Portrait & Fashion (with the GF 110mm)
More about the FUJIFILM GFX 50S
Film Simulation
As usual for most of the FUJIFILM cameras
like: PROVIA; Velvia; ASTIA; CLASSIC CHROME; PRO Neg.Hi; PRO Neg.Std; ACROS; MONOCHROME; SEPIA;
For my black and white photography, I directly use the MONOCHROME Film Simulation, I really love it especially when I shoot portrait. Like this particular series, here.
Weight
Approx. 825g / 29.1 oz. (including battery and memory card), Approx 920g / 32.5 oz. (including EVF)
Approx. 740g / 26.1 oz. (excluding accessories, battery and memory card)
Battery
The NP-T125 Battery is bigger than the original NP-W126S for the x-mount series. One battery can last my entire day of shoot in travel and just nice for a long studio session.
I never had the chance to try the Vertical Battery Grip VG-GFX1, i`m sure it is very useful and conformable for some situation.
Auto bracketing
.AE Bracketing (2/3/5/7/9 frames) ±1/3EV – ±3EV, 1/3EV step
.Film Simulation Bracketing (Any 3 types of film simulation selectable)
.Dynamic Range Bracketing (100%, 200%, 400%)
.ISO sensitivity Bracketing (±1/3EV, ±2/3EV, ±1EV)
.White Balance Bracketing (±1, ±2, ±3)
.Focus Bracketing (Interval, Number of shots, 10 step)
Image format
The FUJIFILM GFX 50S saves pictures in a variety of formats and quality like: 4:3; 3:2; 16:9; 1:1; 65:24; 5:4; 7:6.
Since then, I mostly like to use 4:3 for my portrait work. Instinctively I was always shooting in 3:2 and more me now it make more sense to shoot my portrait in 4:3.
Video
I did a few video shoots in HD by night, looks very good but did not have time to do anything with it.
I have a friend who was very interested to see if it was possible to film in 4K so that he could use some of his old medium format lenses. For now it isn’t in 4K.
Using the FUJIFILM GFX for the Eastern & Oriental Express Train:
Latest publication with the GFX in Prague:
During this trip in Prague, I shot a bit of everything with the zoom lens 32-64mm, and prime lenses as 45mm and 110mm. I really enjoyed playing with the camera in doing long pause, I was using my Manfrotto MT190CXPRO4 Carbon Fiber Tripod (past review – here) and the Manfrotto XPRO Ball Head in magnesium with 200PL plate MHXPRO-BHQ2 (past-review – here).
Travel compact and light?!?
When I travel, I cary more camera gears than clothing – I like to have it compact in order to make my travel journey easy and flexible. When I got the medium format camera with the lenses in their original packaging boxes, it looked very bulky and I was concern about how it was gonna fit into my bag.
Actually, it fits very easy and I still have space for more. Even during the day, when i use my messager bag, it could fit in the body and 2 lenses. Meaning that the size of this fabulous camera is very reasonable compared to what you can achieve.
Here is my bag Manfrotto – Pro Light camera backpack Bumblebee-220 (review here).
Conclusion – FUJIFILM GFX 50S review – Medium format camera
I’m a big fan of this medium format camera. I will love to use it more often. It is an outstanding camera and there is no flaws about it.
To shoot with the the FUJIFILM GFX 50S, it is different rather with the FUJIFILM X-T2, I take more time to frame, I’m more selective of what I’m shooting and at the end of the day, I shoot less but efficient.
For now, I still have to invest in a few major x-mount lenses that is require for my project or my work, but at one point I will do the jump to purchase the medium format for my work. It is definitely a complimentary camera set to have and to use the x-mount series.
The FUJIFILM GFX 50S is a perfect camera for commercial photographers who are shooting for food, fashion, portraiture, landscape, interior, product, architecture etc… and specially for those who are looking for detail, quality, and possibility to print in large format.
But not only for pro commercial photographer, even for passionate photographers who are not professional can enjoy this wonderful camera.
FUJIFILM GFX 50S and fine art printing?
For my future photography exhibitions, it will be a plus to use it. My latest photography exhibition in Singapore about the Haenyeo, I did print my photographs in a very large scale, like over 2 meters by using FUJIFILM X-T1 mostly and the result was fabulous. I can not imagine the result if the images were taken with the GFX.
My previous blog about the printing process for the exhibition:
Part 1 – here the link: https://www.josejeuland.com/from-digital-pictures-to-giant-fine-art-prints-with-epson-singapore-part-1/
Part 2 – here the link: https://www.josejeuland.com/from-digital-pictures-to-giant-fine-art-prints-with-epson-singapore-part-2/
Great camera for artist photographer. I never printed in a large format a photograph from this medium format digital camera. I can’t wait to process it.
Rumors says that something will come soon from FUJIFILM regarding the medium format division – Exciting times ahead…
(The New Firmware Ver.3.10
This firmware update will add compatibility for FUJINON GF250mmF4 R LM OIS WR lens and adds the following new functions Flicker Reduction, Select/Create Folder and Large Indicators Mode, all designed to improve operability for users.)
You can follow me on instagram: @josejeuland and thank you for reading my FUJIFILM GFX 50S review.
(All the camera images: ©josejeuland)
(This Prague photo :©Shanthi Jeuland)
