Steve Spencer
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 p.77 #14 · Pre-order: Fujifilm GFX 50S Medium Format body ($6,499) | |
adamdewilde wrote:
Ok.... So after using the GFX today (my dealers are trying to get me to buy one!) I decided not to buy one on the spot.
First let me start by saying that it's better than I thought it would be. I heard from a friend who has one overseas on assignment that the AF is a let-down. I was worried when I tried it, BUT it was fine. It was a good day with lots of light, and it focused faster than I thought it would being medium format. And can do typical street shooting well enough. It acts like a X-T2 in most ways, and the menus are pretty easy to navigate. One annoyance is the lack of switches the X-T2 has. I wonder why they didn't just make it a big X-T2. Ergonomically the X-T2 is as easy as it gets. Speed wise it sits between the X-T1 and X-T2.
The 120 macro actually focuses the fastest if your subject doesn't vary to much in distance. Especially if you flick the limiter switch on the lens. It can limit itself to only macro, everything and everything but macro. The macros out of this lens are pretty amazing. Really the colours aren't quite as good as the 120S lens, but the bokeh and focus transition in macro mode is AWESOME. The lens also seems to focus closer (something I haven't looked up, but seems true). The lens is great for portraits too, but the rendering is less special at headshot-portrait and half body distances.. The 120S really beats it there. And the colour/vibrancy/pop/rendering of the 120S are more to my liking.. But a lot of this is sensor dependant and also getting use to a lens.
The zoom is quite the jewel for versatility and size. Not big and heavy, well not compared to the Leica S lens, or even other 35mm zooms. Though the range isn't exactly there. I can't comment on corner sharpness, I don't care about these things. But I can say that I would use this as a walk around street lens no problem. IF you needed one lens for vacation and you favoured landscapes to people/candids the zoom is perfect for the job. I'd bring this lens with me on any vacation over any other lens currently available for the system. I mean with 3-4 lenses, it's not hard to imagine that. Though I guess what I mean is, I'd take this zoom over three primes. When normally when I travel, I only take primes and pretty much hate zooms.
The 63 is ok. A bit underwhelming for a standard walk around lens. Really can't compete with f/1.4 lenses from 35mm. Sharp yes, nice bokeh yes.. But veiling flair that reduces contrast w/hood is annoying. Focus is ok, but again just nothing special. I much prefer the macro for anything I could have used the 63mm for. And I think I would much much prefer the 110/2. Simply because of the better working distance and aperture. I also much prefer the 50SL and 50APO. Also not to be a Leica snob I find the 50FEZA to be more to my liking too. I guess not apple to apples but still.
Overall I must say that Fuji REALLY knows how to make a medium format lens. These are all in all great lenses in the limited amount of time I used the system.
Would I buy one and adapt lenses? Nope, no point. I did it with my S lenses on the SL, and Contact645 lenses on the S-006 and S-007. I just don't care for it. I'd sooner use the great Fuji lenses, and wait a bit for even better ones to come!
Am I getting one? No and for a few reasons. One, I prefer the A7sII + 35ZA/50ZA/85GM to anything Fuji currently has available. Does the Fuji sensor beat the A7rII that I also own. Yes, colours are good and clarity of file is closer to that of the M240 w/more resolution (and if you know me, you know I like the M240 sensor before they tweaked it for the M262). BUT ergonomically and overall look of rendering I'd still pick the A7sII and A7rII plus lenses. At a similar price point too you have both bodies.
Also keep in mind that I have a SL + all the SL lenses. Including the 50SL which I have issues with, but head to head against the 63mm I'd take the 50SL any day of the week. Even though the size weight is heavier/bigger than the GFX system.
I also have an M-D and 50APO. And I still prefer the 50APO to any other lens I've used. I would sooner buy an M10 and put up with RF focusing, which isn't a problem for me. BUT I do know others can't/won't want to go that route.
BTW, the GFX is way bigger than I thought. I guess it's because I've used the X1D so much now that the GFX just seems huge. It's not heavy, but just big in the hand. Nothing slick about it. The X1D is a dream to hold, the GFX isn't. BUT the GFX is GREAT to use, the X1D is horrid. But it does have that medium format look. Not that film medium format look, but that digital medium format look. It's a good system and I wish Fuji well, but not it's not for me.
Will I buy an X1D now that I've used the Fuji? No, but for different reasons. One the X1D needs major firmware work. Hopefully DJI rebuilds the firmware from the ground up. And hopefully it's not the hardware that's limiting the X1D. Second, I actually don't like the X1D lenses. Fuji's lenses are more interesting by far. IF the X1D had better firmware and a fast (f/2) standard lens that renders in a way I like, I'd actually consider buying it. I do like the look/ergonomics better. But again, I think I'd sooner just pick up another M10 (even though I'm not even going to do that).
Here's to hoping the next A7 series camera, or FE camera has what I'm looking for. Because I foresee that being the only purchase I make this 2017-2018.
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Thanks Adam. As always I appreciate your thoughts. I could have seen it yesterday as my home town shop had one to demo, but alas I had to be out of town. Maybe they will still have it when I get back tomorrow. I do hope to get mine soon as well. I still can't find where I can buy the M adapter, but when I do I will be sure to let you know if/how the 50 cron AA works with the camera.
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