My latest camera purchased arrived in the mail a few days ago: a Fujifilm GFX100S II. Along with the camera I also got a couple of lenses to go with it: Fujinon GF 80mm f/1.7 and GF 30mm f/3.5. This was, by far, the most money that I’ve ever spent on gear, and it was with some apprehensiveness that I clicked the Proceed with Purchase button. Let me explain why I bought it.
My first GFX experience was with the GFX 50S, which I was able to borrow for a couple of weeks in early 2021. It was a dream-come-true to try, but I was not convinced that it was something I wanted to own. Not only was it pretty far outside of my budget, but it was big, heavy, and slow, and didn’t provide any major advantages to my photography over the X-series. If I was given one I wouldn’t say no, but I wasn’t about to shell out many thousands of dollars for it.
The next GFX experience came earlier this year when Fujifilm invited me to a retreat in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Some photographers, including myself, were loaned preproduction Fujifilm X-T50‘s to try out, and some were loaned preproduction GFX100S II’s. While I didn’t get a chance to use one myself, I did get to see the amazing images that other photographers created with it, including Bryan Minear. I’ll never forget when Bryan and I got completely drenched on an early-morning photo outing in the rain.
A few days later Fujifilm had a rooftop launch party for the GFX100S II and X-T50 in New York City (above Foto Care), and myself and Bryan were enlisted to help. We were placed together at a touch-and-try station for the GF 500mm f/5.6 lens. I didn’t know much about the gear, so I wasn’t particularly helpful. I did get to touch-and-try very briefly, though, but not enough to form any sort of opinions of the gear. I met a number of interesting and talented people, and had an amazing time, so I’m extremely grateful and honored for the opportunity.
Most recently, when Bryan and I cohosted a photowalk in Ann Arbor last month, he let me try out his GFX100S II camera with the Fujinon 80mm f/1.7 lens attached. It was a beast, but also produced amazing images. It was that experience that pushed me over the edge to want one. Prior to this, I would have said that there’s no way I’m buying one, I can’t afford it. Instead, I began looking at what it would take to buy one. I had already began saving for the next camera purchase, so I was already partway along the path, but, you know, GFX is quite expensive.
It might seem like I just suddenly wanted one, like I was smitten with G.A.S., which is partially true. Actually, I’ve been thinking about it for some time now. Specifically, I have had an interest in creating 65:24 XPan panoramas, and the GFX cameras are especially excellent for that. I also want to explore square photographs, and GFX is quite good for that, too. My hope is to make large prints of these images, if I should capture any worthy of being printed.
Above: Me, as photographed by Bryan Minear using a Fujifilm GFX100S II & Fujinon 80mm f/1.7 with the XPan aspect ratio, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
There’s also the benefit of figuring out which Film Simulation Recipes work best with the camera, and what modifications, if any, need to be considered. I haven’t made much headway with that just yet, but hopefully over the coming weeks I can publish some findings. I’ve had a number of requests for GFX Recipes, but, without any GFX gear, that’s tough to do. I should be able to make some big strides regarding this now that I have a GFX100S II in my hands.
I’m not a big fan of the heft, or the non-tactile controls, but the images are incredible! However, for everyday use, there’s no way that you can tell it’s GFX, and not X-series. In fact, I published a few pictures on Fuji X Weekly that were captured with the GFX100S II, and nobody noticed. You have to crop deeply and/or print very large to really appreciate it, I think. Those who truly “need” GFX are a small group, and I’m not one of them …yet, anyway. I’m making plans where I hope the GFX100S II proves to be a necessity for what I’m creating, so we’ll see if it does.
Above: Vultures circling a desert ridge; photo by Ritchie Roesch with a Fujifilm GFX100S II & Fujinon 80mm f/1.7 with the XPan aspect ratio and Kodachrome 64 Film Simulation Recipe.
I had to sell a couple of items to afford the camera (and to make room on the shelf for it). Even then, it was a stretch to pay for it. I had some trepidation when I ordered it, but I think it might eventually be worthwhile. Now I’ve just got to get it to the places I want to take it to—mostly, National Parks—in order to create the images that I imagine capturing with it.
I’ll try not to bombard you with GFX articles. I plan to keep this website primarily focused on X-series gear, and only sprinkled with with GFX content. But I can’t guarantee that. I might end up absolutely loving the camera, and speaking more about it than I initially intend. Or maybe it will mostly collect dust, as I choose smaller, lighter, more fun gear. Time will tell. But, for this first post, I will share with you some of my first pictures captured with the new camera.
This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.
Fujifilm GFX100S II:
Amazon, B&H, Wex
Fujinon GF 80mm f/1.7:
Amazon, B&H, Wex
All my congratulations Ritchie 👏
Enjoy 👌 Looking forward recipes for it 😉
Thanks so much for your kindness!
Welcome!
And welcome to GFX world, buddies. Like you’ve done this earlier year with Full Spectrum 😉
I was about to say I wish they’d make a GFX camera with the controls and ergonomics of the X-T5, but then I’d have to spend a fortune on buying one. Therefore I hope they don’t!
Logically though I believe they should and very possibly will. It would be extremely popular and catapult the system into the mainstream.
🤣🤣🤣
Honestly, they should have one with the retro tactile dials like the X-T5, that’s what I would prefer. But I think the GFX 50R did not sell nearly as well as they thought it would, while the GFX 50S exceeded expectations, so they used that as their guide for future models.
Well the GFX100RF should be fully retrostyle and fill the gab for those not minding a fixed lens like with X100.
And upon discussing with my reseller it’s coming, it will trigger another hard price drop of the GFX50R, or even killing it (for market reselling point of view).
Will be a big opportunity for those who still cannot afford a secondhand GFX50R in good working condition.
But I already know that my reseller with this announcement, is not willing at all to take back my secondhand GFX50R (which I bought from them) if I elected to grab a GFX100RF. Not even now!
But upon rethinking, I already reinvested in a couple of Nikon AI lenses along a good GF-Nikkor adaptor. So fun to use those extra good Nikkor vintage lenses on a GFX camera 👌
So with the numerous X cameras I own along the huge XF lenses and chineses manual lenses stock, I will not resel my GFX50R!
Hence, the GFX100RF brand new will be for me a real budget issue like for all the other GFX cameras new (which are way more cheaper and better than other MF cameras and on par to FF ones), and will the same story/dilemma that Ritchie faced for owning his GFX100S II !
Have to say that most of the shots could have been shots taken with a phone.
You must have a really nice phone, my iPhone 13 is certainly not that capable. 🤣
Good for you. As someone who is very happy with his X100V and X-T5 plus a nice arsenal of Fuji X glass, I am in fact hoping to expand my horizons in the next year or two by investing in a GFX, albeit likely a 50R with the Mitakon 65mm f/1.4, both to save money and to stick with my favorite rangefinder-style. I look forward to seeing more of your output using the GFX.
The GFX 50R is quite tempting! I have heard good things about that Mitakon lens.
Just wait for the coming of the GFX100RF. The price of secondhand GFX50R should drop significantlty a second time like when the GFX100 came.
I could be the opportunity you’ll be looking for… I hope it will fir you.
Amazing work RItchie!
Apologies for roping you into GFX 😅 I was very much in your position a few years back, and now i can’t imagine life without one. I certainly still use my X Series cameras for the everyday work I create, but when you reach for GFX, it’s always very intention and purpose driven. Lately I find myself thinking about selling everything but my X100VI and GFX kit…
Nah, that’s crazy. Thanks for including me in this wonderful write-up. Love the images!
🤣🤣🤣
It was bound to happen, you just sped it up a little. 😉😀
My problem is whenever I think I might want to sell some Fujifilm camera, I always find some excuse to not do it. 🤣
Wow! You really did get bit!
I am working almost entirely on Xpan ratio panoramics and square format shots, on a used GFX 50R. Instead of OEM Fujifilm GFX lenses though, I am using a bunch of mostly M-mount (and a few Nikon F-mount) adapted full-frame manual lenses from Voigtlander and Zeiss. The only Fuji GFX lens I have is the 50mm pancake. Besides the expense, which is substantial, the size and weight of the GFX lenses is completely prohibitive for me. I remember when i could and did carry loads of gear. Go for it!
I got an M42 adapter, planning to use some vintage lenses, especially the Helios 44-2. I definitely would go for some smaller glass… might have to pick up the 50mm “pancake” at some point.
Good pick and trials Ritchie.
Like Larry wroted, the size + weight + price of GF lenses are prohibitibe to me too.
I own the 50 pancake and ‘kit’ zoom to stay lightest as possible (they are both about the same weight).
Both like the GFX50R bought secondhand…
Therefore I’m using primarily Nikkor lenses with my GFX50R to be as much as possible lightest and also keep the budget as low as possible even with a Nikkor tele.
But with a brend new GFX100S II not using gorgeous GFX lenses well that’s another story…
The size/weight aspect is definitely one of the negative aspects of it. I’m hoping some vintage manual lenses help a little with this.
Hi, Horus. I just got a Fringer Nikon F to Fujifilm GFX auto adapter which allows full use of Nikon auto-focus lenses (AF-S & AF-P) on a GFX camera. It also allows auto-aperture control of AI-S manual focus lenses, and saves EXIF info. Nice! I have not really used it yet, just tested what works, which is everything so far. All of the full-frame F-mount lenses I have checked cover both the 1:1 format and the 65:24 pan format, but only a few, like the 90mm f/2.8 APO Skopar Voigtlander cover the full GFX sensor.
Hi Larry.
Awesome 👍 Thanks a lot for the intel 👌
Hi Ritchie,
Shooting with X-T5, X-E1 IR conversion & X100f. Just as many other Fuji Shooters I have a hankering for 65:24 aspect ratio, to this end the thought of a GFX50R is a temptation. I have however been looking at the possibility of adapting a clip in filter with a 65:24 aperture cut into it using a suitable thin plastic sheet.
That might be a cheaper alternative. I really wish that Fujifilm would add that aspect ratio to the X-T5… it has enough resolution, for sure.
Me too! Would love to have the ratio options.
And so much could be achieved via a ‘simple’ firmware update like the C1-C7 ‘fix’ you promoted from Fred…
Hélas, Fujifilm keeps separate / reserves quite interesting stuff between GFX and X series on purpose in that respect 😓
Congratulations Richie, GFX is definitely another level and anyone that skews otherwise is just fooling themselves. I have the 50SII with the GF45mm lens. I use it for landscape work exclusively. There is actually a learning curve with digital medium format. When I view my images in Capture One, what is stunning imagery makes me feel like I arrived. Again, Congrats!
Thanks! It does seem like a different approach is necessary. It’s a philosophy shift, I think.
Indeed it is! Like Infrared and Full Spectrum photography 😉
So glad I can do now all that with my Fujifilm gear!
10 years ago I would not even have dreamed of doing what I’m doing now!
So true! I feel like the last 6-8 months have been really pivotal, and I’m doing things I would have only been able to dream of.
When shooting 102mpix sensor if you display at 4K you throw away 85% of the pixels which is ridiculous. But I don’t get why people say they need a GFX to shoot 65×24 I do it on my x-t4 and H2s all the time. When you display it on a monitor you get the exact same # of pixels on the screen For APSC and GFX and I would rather not have some algorithm throw away most of my pixels. Anyway somebody please explain? An XPAN sensor camera makes a bit more sense as it uses the top and bottom pixels to add to the width so less is wasted, but then gain you run into the same problem with the display. All fine if you print large but how many can you print large and display. Anyway enjoy, sorry for raining on your parade
Hi, Pierre. You are so right about resolution and monitor displays. Even a 6K monitor shows nothing of the resolution in the original. But what most of us are talking about is prints… big prints… or at least really wide ones! If you print even one, it is a photographic triumph! Rain away, no one minds you being 99% right if the 1% the big camera shooters are reaching for is also reachable. I remember having to shoot film on an 8×10 view camera to get this kind of detail and depth; a GFX camera is tiny and featherweight in comparison. I still have the giant wooden tripod!
You are not raining on my parade. First, I like that the XPan crop is available in-camera, and it is a shame that it’s not an option currently in the X-series. Second, and more important, I plan to print very large (2′ x 5’5″), which is beyond the limit of 26mp and even 40mp. I have to capture pictures worthy of being printed that large, but that’s the goal nonetheless.
Nice replies, was expecting an earful 🙂 GFX certainly makes sense for people who print large or crop or need dynamic range. I haven’t been printing, just starting now but with film in the darkroom in b&w and small fir now til I get the hang of it. My first good print was impressive, blacks were really good and also the amount of detail from 35mm film. Btw I got 2nd and 4th places using xpan format in landscape competition, the format seems appreciated, I know I like it, puts the focus on the subject.
If you are just starting b&w film darkroom printing, then you are just beginning my favorite photographic work. Nothing else can give you a better appreciation for light. Congratulations on the competition success!
I remember doing a lot of split filtering… using both #00 an #5 contrast filters. I don’t know if I could do it now straight from memory, but I used to do a lot of that many, many years ago. Would love to have a darkroom someday; however, I think I would miss the daylight (as I would spend all day in the darkroom 🤣).
I spent about six years with more time in the darkroom than out, working at two pro labs, then kept my own darkroom for b&w printing for another decade as a professional photographer. Those were the days, my friend.
That’s awesome!
Welcome to the GFX universe that you will love more and more as you use it and over time.
The quality of the images produced is not only due to the resolution but rather to the general rendering, it is difficult to explain but there is clearly a particular texture approaching film.
In any case, for me, the GFX was a discovery last year and every time I use it, I am always surprised by the images produced.
No camera had given me such a feeling.
Thanks for your kind and encouraging comment! BTW, your Urbex photos are incredible!