Fujifilm recently released the GFX100RF; while the press has been largely positive, there have been a lot of criticisms in the comments section of articles and in forums. The complaints mostly revolve around two things: the lack of IBIS, and a maximum aperture of only f/4. What should Fujifilm do about this?
It’s important to understand that the Fujifilm GFX100RF is the smallest, lightest, and cheapest digital medium-format camera-lens combo ever made. It’s the most affordable (aside from used) and portable option for digital medium-format photography. That was Fujifilm’s goal for this model, and they achieved it quite fantastically. With that in mind, all of the positive press is easily understood. So what accounts for all the negative comments? I believe there are a few possible explanations.
First, the GFX system is niche, and is not for everyone. Most photographers don’t need it, but some do, and some who don’t “need” it enjoy GFX anyway; however, it’s not mainstream, and likely never will be. Because the initial expectations were that the GFX100RF was a medium-format X100VI, people thought this was going to be a camera for the masses. It’s not. It’s a niche camera in a niche system. While it might offer the best way to dip your toes into GFX before deciding whether or not to take the plunge, it is not a camera that most will appreciate. It will never sell nearly as many copies as the X100VI (although it could become the best-selling GFX model). Perhaps the comparisons to the X-series camera created some unrealistic expectations. Even though there are some similarities to the X100VI and even the X70, this camera is definitely divergent from both, and those comparisons should be taken with a grain of salt. If the new camera was literally a medium-format X100VI, it would be a lot different, including bulkier and more expensive. Some might want that, but this camera is not a medium-format X100-series model. It should be appreciated for what it is (smallest, lightest, cheapest), and not criticized for not being what it was never intended to be (a medium-format X100VI).
Second, I think most of the complaints are from those who have little or no experience with medium-format cameras, and have unrealistic understandings of the norms and physics of the format. Literally, there are some who have said they’d never buy the camera unless it had an f/1.7 lens. Yeah, Fujifilm could do that, but it would be so large, heavy, and expensive, I doubt anyone would buy. My guess is that the majority of those criticizing the camera were never going to buy it, but were always going to find an excuse to pass. Interestingly, the closest medium-format camera-lens combo in size and weight is the Hasselblad 907X (plus CFV 100C back) with the 28mm f/4 lens—which also lacks IBIS, has an f/4 maximum aperture, and costs nearly twice as much as the GFX100RF.
Which brings me to third: trolls. The internet is full of them, and the Fujifilm community is no exception. In fact, I’d say that the number of trolls lurking around Fujifilm content has dramatically increased over the last couple of years. It doesn’t help that one troll can have many accounts, and use a variety of personas. You might see a whole thread conversion, and not realize that it’s just one person talking to themselves using multiple names. It makes them appear to hold a popular opinion, but in reality most disagree. If you are an internet troll, you quite literally need professional help, and I urge you to seek out the mental health help you obviously desperately need. Interestingly, when you meet photographers in-person, you realize that trolls don’t exist in real life, they’re only on the internet. I met hundreds and hundreds of photographers over the last year, and can attest that none of them are trolls. But go to the comments section of most photography sites (thankfully, not this one), and probably anywhere from a quarter to a half of the comments are from trolls. I’d encourage content creators to crack down on internet trolls—if you don’t put up with them, they tend to go away, which makes the experience better for the real people who want to enjoy your website.
Now, this is what I propose to Fujifilm: make an actual medium-format X100VI. Call it the GFX100RF-XL. Give it a 45mm f/2 lens, or, if that’s just an impossible maximum aperture (which it probably is), go with f/2.8. Give it IBIS and an optical viewfinder (maybe like what’s in the X-Pro2). Yes, the body might need to be 25% or even 50% bigger. The lens would likely be 150% or 200% larger, maybe more. It might weigh twice as much as the GFX100RF. It’ll probably cost three thousand dollars more. But there are a lot of people who claim to want this, so give it to them. Let them have the opportunity to put their money where their mouth is. If it’s a big success, then they’ll have proven their criticisms both valid and valuable. Win-win. If the camera struggles to sell well, then Fujifilm knows to ignore those people in the future (so you better pony up if Fujifilm does this!).
I do think it’s worth exploring if the demand is actually real—I believe that some of it is real. There are people who would be all over a medium-format X100VI, despite the size, weight, and cost increase. It would be a dream-come-true for them. Why not find out just how many there are? If money was no object to me, I’d happily own both a GFX100RF and a GFX100RF-XL. At the very least, this camera would grab headlines, and bring attention to the brand. Most likely it won’t sell as many copies as the GFX100RF, but it would likely sell well enough to justify its existence, and become a legendary model in time, if not right away.
This post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase using my links I’ll be compensated a small amount for it.
Fujifilm GFX100RF in black:
Amazon, B&H, Nuzira, WEX
Fujifilm GFX100RF in silver:
Amazon, B&H, Nuzira, WEX
Fujifilm X100VI in black:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira
Fujifilm X100VI in silver:
Amazon, B&H, Moment, Wex, Nuzira
Let’s be honest here. Most of those commenters don’t have the camera itself to base any of their opinions on. They are beaking off based on some Youtube videos and the spec sheet. (That said, apart from the sponsored vids with the Fuji influencers that had the camera pre-release, we are seeing some “I was wrong about the 100RF” posts emerging.)
I have one on order and as soon as it arrives I will be in camera heaven, wandering the streets and back roads and playing with all the bells and whistles. Apart from a post-purchase bias that I will have, there’s the key to all this: I will have the camera. Most of the complainers don’t. I will be able to see if no IBIS is an issue. I’ll be able to see if F4 is enough. But mostly, I will be able to see all this because I will actually have the camera.
So let’s ignore the armchair photographers who are whining about a spec sheet.
Yeah, I agree. I didn’t get to touch it long enough to form any new opinions, other than a stronger desire to own one someday. I think you’ll love it, as everyone I have spoken with who has used it seems to be head-over-heels for it. Perhaps some of that is bias… but I also know that they’ve placed their own pre-orders, so they do have skin in the game, so to speak.
I would absolutely be in the market for the GFX100RF if I had the budget for a Leica Q3, and the choice between the two would be easy. While it’s out of my price range for the moment, I think it’s a steal considering the Q3 is its only competitor. As an X100V owner, I’ve never felt the need to upgrade to the VI because I have honestly never missed having IBIS and the 26mp sensor is more than good enough for street photography; however, the added dynamic range of the GFX would have the ability to put it in a different league. As someone who places a lot of value on the experience of shooting, having a wide range of aspect ratios is also a boon. I was somewhat disappointed it didn’t have an optical/hybrid viewfinder but I imagine that would have presented some technical difficulties as well as added significantly to the cost.
While I get your point about a medium format X100VI, I really don’t think Fuji should even attempt that, and I don’t think they ever will. Even if they limited the physical size of the lens to the Q3, it still would not satisfy the critics because it wouldn’t be anywhere near f/1.7. If they were to make a variant, I’d much prefer they made a monochrome GFX100RF-Acros, or perhaps even a full-spectrum version.
I say all this as someone who was very skeptical about the GFX100RF until I saw the actual demo. I think Fuji pulled a beautiful rabbit out of their hat. Now if they could release an updated version of the GFX50R next, that would be awesome.
I don’t think they will attempt it, at least not anytime soon. I would love to see a B&W-only version of the GFX100RF, that would be epic!
My opinion is that if this camera sells well, it will encourage Fujifilm to take a longer look at a GFX50R successor. I hope it does.
People who have that kind of money to spend, and who have high-end needs, have probably already invested in GFX interchangeable-lens body and lenses. Most of the negative commenters are just spec-sheet jockeys. Actual photographers have already figured out how to solve the problems they need solved.
That is an excellent point. Those who are doers are just getting it done; those who are not are likely the ones spending their time complaining on forums and such.
This camera is for me. I shoot on an X1D II. I love it. I have also always wanted to get into the GFX line because of Fuji’s film simulations. However, I didn’t want to invest in Fuji glass and I didn’t want to replace my X1D with another system. The GFX100RF was exactly what I wanted it to be. So I bought it and I love it. Coming from the X1D the autofocus is like magic. I usually stop down to f4 or beyond anyway. I’ve never even considered wanting ibis. My only issue is that I don’t love the filter adapter and the screen and evf don’t seem to accurately match the simulation colors I get when I load JPEGs in lightroom. The actually photos are much better then what the camera shows me. But the X1D has the same issue and who really cares.
Awesome! I would love to own one myself someday.
If you don’t feed the trolls, they will wither and disappear. We learned that early on, in the first days of Compuserve and AmericaOnLine. It has to be relearned with every new set of trolls, it seems.
I think the new GFX100RF is a triumph. And I don’t even want one! Yes, I wish it was an f/2.8 lens, but seriously, with that svelte profile, f/4 is pretty nice. And I hardly ever wish for IBIS on my GFX50R; that’s what my X-T5 and Nikon Zf are for. And X100vi of course.
But don’t go by me. I just found a beautiful Hasselblad 2000fcm, to go so old school that the ghost of my long lost Canon Ftbn is dropping me emails. And just when the local camera shop had their 120 scanner most inconveniently break, too. (And they are too cheap to replace it.) So if you come across a Phase One P65+ in Hasselblad V fit, call me asap! Otherwise I am going to have just the most killer Instax square camera ever. Which is actually pretty fun, I must admit. It’s just a little heavy for the task.
With regards to IBIS and the 50R as a reference point, Jonas Rask (not entirely unbiased, but still) found that with the 50R, he got unsharp pictures at 1/40 second shutter speeds when hand holding, but was able to shoot sharply at 1/15 second on the 100RF. Higher MP count works against it, but difference of leaf shutter instead of focal plane shutter made a large difference.
That’s just one anecdote, but still.
https://jonasraskphotography.com/2025/03/20/impossibly-possible-the-fujifilm-gfx100rf-review/
This has been exactly my point about the lack of IBIS, but with a leaf shutter, which causes zero camera shake. I’ve gone below 1/15s on my X100V with acceptably sharp results, so I figured even with the higher resolution, it would be a snap (pun intended) to go down to 1/30s or 1/15s on the. RF. With a steady hand, of course.
Interestingly, the pixel density of the X100V (26mp APS-C) and GFX100RF (100mp medium-format) are the same.
Bryan Minear got a sharp handheld shot from the GFX100RF at 1/4 (!!). He posted about it in his IG story, but unfortunately those disappear after a time.
I love using my X100V in low light situations w/no flash, albeit I do bump up the ISO. The leaf shutter is amazing. Excellent point.
It is! Very underrated aspect of the Fujifilm fixed-lens cameras.
Trolls don’t like to be silenced or exposed for what they are. Those are the two basic options that work. Anything else only encourages them. This problem has been around for nearly as long as the internet, you’d think how to deal with it would be common knowledge, like the Nigerian Prince emails…. 🤣
Wait… you are using the Hasselblad for Instax Square photos? If so, that’s awesome!
It would be the perfect camera for my kind of photography. Shooting in daylight in a kind of new topographic style, I don‘t need IBIS and barely shoot above 5.6.
Even the focal lenght is my favorite. The only problem is, that I don‘t have the money to get it. So I will continue using my X-S10 with the 27mm and that is totally fine.
That’s my problem, too 🤣
The 27mm is one of my favorite lenses—definitely Top 3, maybe higher.
I think the issue is that it is a niche product in a niche market.
The market for MF cameras is small, the market for a fixed lens MF probably smaller?
Having said that I don’t agree with the assertion that it is not an attempt at an MF X100 series equivalent because it has the aesthetic appeal of it, the fact that it adds a few extra tricks because of the massive MP count is irrelevant.
If it was not trying to have the X100 appeal why insist on a pancake sized lens and size limitations that probably is what made adding IBIS prohibitive. Also saying that is not made for the masses (agreed) yet that they tried to make it the lowest cost MF camera is a bit of a contradiction, why conform to such a budget if you are not trying to appeal to a broader customer base?
What I think is that it absolutely tries to replicate the formula of the X100 (at the end of the day it took 5 generations before the X100 got IBIS) while introducing people to the MF Fuji offerings. I am still not convinced though because if you don’t have the budget of 7-8k for an GF 100IIS and a lens will you have the budget for a 5k fixed camera?
It is not for me for several reasons, IBIS is the most important, I do not have very steady hands so 100MP is just a recipe for disaster, with IBIS I’d love one. I use the digital zoom and aspect ratio changes of my S9 and X-H2 all the time love the freedom and having dedicated dials for those is fantastic.
I think Fujifilm wanted something in the general category as the X100-series, a cousin to it, so to speak. And there are certainly similarities. I think some people expected literally an X100VI but with a larger sensor, and when this camera wasn’t that (more like something in-between an X100V and X70, without being like either) it made them upset because their expectations weren’t met. In my opinion, the GFX100RF is more closely related to the X70 than the X100VI, and is better viewed as a higher-end medium-format X70 (but even that is a flawed explanation).
Will people have $5,000 for this camera? Probably some, but not nearly as many as have $1,700 for an X100VI, which is by far the more practical buy for most people. I have some inclinations that the GFX100RF might become the most-sold GFX model (maybe), but that’s still going to be far behind most X-series cameras.
I cannot honestly say I was ever in the market for this camera, but I do love that Fujifilm is trying something different than other manufactures. On the idea of a Fuji GFX-XL, I feel like those who like the GFX or medium format shooting would feel even more seen by fujifilm if they made something like that. It immediately made me think about my dream film camera, The Pentax 67 and although it will hurt my back every time I bring it out due to its size the end results are always amazing to me. Great blog post Ritchie.
I appreciate the kind feedback! I have no idea if Fujifilm would ever make such a camera, but it would be quite interesting if they did.
I guess, there are ways for Fujifilm to find out, if the market is ready for a GFX100RF-XL.
Step 1: Sell the GFX100RF and learn from the customers and the analytics of the sales.
Step 2: Do a little feasibility study, and come up with a fictional price,
Step 3: Contact GFX100RF customers and other people, who say, they are interested and propose to them: Make a downpayment of $1,000 and then tell them, that if there are enough people, that are really interested, they will get the camera in 3 years with a discount of 20%, if not, they will get the downpayment back in 2 months – maybe with interest.
In other industries, this kind of market research approach works.
That way, they would most likely know, what the real interest is, and not just the babbling on some forums or (a)social media.
They can probably get a decent idea before investing large sums of money. I’m not sure that Fujifilm is interested in crowdsourcing, but if they can get some pledges with skin in the game ahead of time, maybe that could help?
The somewhat-serious “I wish it was XYZ” that I see a lot of is for this to be an update to the GFX 50R. It’s not that the other GFX cameras aren’t good, but they don’t feel quite as much like FUJIFILM!!! cameras as an X-T or X-E model. For example, the big missing Leica model is… lets call it an ML. A body as close to an M camera as possible, but with an L-mount,
An ILC GFX that’s not as much of a giant DSLR style body with PASM is probably fairly appealing. It doesn’t matter to everyone, but some folks really like the shutter dials. The 50R was early, before the system really caught on at all.
That said… I think folks probably have a lot of unrealistic opinions about how small a GFX 100R could be, or how affordable. If it’s also more than $5000, and noticeably bigger, there’s probably still a lot of complaints about how some feature or another is wrong, but really… it’s just that they aren’t at all interested in a camera that costs that much. GFX is overkill for almost everyone, and it’s fine to admit that we don’t need it, same as we don’t need one of those giant 60′ tall trucks they use in mining operations.
I think if the GFX100RF sells well, it could usher in a GFX50R successor. The fate of that line is closely tied to the new camera, in my opinion.
I know folks say that… but they really do seem like two radically different cameras. The GFX100RF is such an odd mix of overkill platform, stripped-down features, restricted options, and compact size.
Meanwhile, my best guess is that shutter-dial X-Mount cameras noticeably outsell non-shutter dial models. x100, X-T5, X-T50, X-T30ii vs X-H2/2s, X-M5, X-S20. I think there’s a fair chance that’s true even without x100. (browsing some, there’s this from Fujirumors which puts shutter-dial Fuji near the top of the top ten for all brands, and non-shutter-dial Fuji aren’t on the list – https://www.fujirumors.com/fujifilm-dominates-2024-outsells-sony-canon-and-nikon-in-map-camera-sales-rankings/ )
It just seems like willful obstinacy at this point that there isn’t a new GFX model with a shutter dial. Maybe it’d be more of an oversized X-T5 than an oversized X-E4, but anything a bit more “retro” than an oversized X-S20.
I think the exception might be the X-M5. I read somewhere (can’t remember where off the top of my head) that in 2025, half of all X-series cameras sold in Japan have been that model. I think that the X-M5 is doing quite well. But outside of that, the PASM models do seem to sell less swiftly than the non-PASM cameras. In my opinion, the PASM models were specifically made to attract Canikony photographers (a.k.a. gain market share). To some extent that has been successful, but I also think it’s caused slightly a “house divided” situation. I would have rather Fujifilm better communicate why non-PASM might be preferred, but that’s not the route they chose.
Now as far as GFX, I think in the early years of it, Fujifilm realized that most of the buyers were not X-series photographers, but were coming from other brands. The GFX50S was a much bigger success than the GFX50R, which was viewed as a flop at the time (took awhile to sell, and many discounts). In the years since, more X-series photographers have tried GFX (especially the 50R, which now has a cult following), and so I think there’s a greater demand for non-PASM cameras in the system. That’s why I think the 100R will hinge on the success of the 100RF, as it will prove a real demand for non-PASM camera in the GFX range.
@ theBitterfig
There is no bigger fan of the lots of dials style than me, but in Fujifilm’s defense, I think the first and most numerous buyers into the GFX system were professionals from PSAM style competitors, and they preferred the PSAM S model, which was more like what they were used to, rather than the retro R model, which is more like what I was used way back when, so Fujifilm went that way. I dare say that X-Pro fans were on the R(etro) side with me, but we were outnumbered by professional photographers who did not want re-learn a new (old-fashioned) way of shooting when their success depended on getting the job done.
I don’t think the GFX100RF is for pros, it’s for really dedicated (and well heeled) amateurs, like the Leica Q. It doesn’t hurt those of us waiting for a new GFX-system R-model to imagine that Fujifilm might see from the success of this camera that there might be enough of us around to give it a try. Leica is coming out with an EVF, not OVF/rangefinder! version of the M before long, and I think the success of the Q has something to do with it.
I spent an hour this afternoon trying to figure out how to work the newer focal plane model with each shutter, in lens or in camera, using a meter prism adjusted for a different view screen, with various settings for mirror return or not, shutter safety on or not, all with the Nons Instax film back, which is fabulous by the way! (Except that the dark slide is about 1 micron thick.) I ordered a second back so I can have color and b&w interchangeable, and an extra dark slide, as I am sure to mess one up eventually…. I have more pictures of the oak tree and car trailer in my side yard than possible!
@Larry Adams – The thing with Fuji is that they’ve so often had a Both-And approach to cameras. So many of the cameras have the same sensor and processor, only differing in external aspects. One or two slots. ISO dial or not. Just seems strange to me that they haven’t done that with a GFX with physical dials. Again, maybe it’s a grippier model, more like an X-T than an X-Pro, but still.
What’s strange about an EVF-M to me is that it isn’t an L. Given the size of things like the Sigma FP and BF, Panasonic S9, it seems like it’d be easy enough to make it an autofocus L-mount body, and just adapt M lenses. Just seems like it’d make more sense that way. Well, who am I to guess why Leica does things one way and not another.
//
@ Ritchie Roesch – Personally, I just find it an awkward linkage between the GFX100RF and a possible future 100R. It’s like, if Fuji had an x70 successor, that doesn’t really demonstrate whether an X-Pro4 will have demand. They’re just two really different cameras. Maybe they’ve linked this in their minds, but it just doesn’t make sense to me.
Back at ya The BitterFig:
You are so right about Leica. I have a CL which I use with the L-to-M adapter to use M-mount lenses; it does an even better job at this than my X-Pro-2, recognizing 6-bit codes, for instance, and I would love a full size CL, not an SL or an EVF M. But Leica seems to be even more profit-centric than Fujifilm, which is probably why the TL and CL models were discontinued.
The linkage is this: Fujifilm views the GFX50R as a commercial flop, and that’s why there have been no other retro-styled tactile-control GFX models since. If the GFX100RF is also a flop, I doubt there will be any others in the near future, if ever. If the GFX100RF is a smashing commercial success, it will open the door for more retro-styled tactile-control models, including in the near-ish future. That’s why I think a lot rides on this camera.
I think most of the haters aren’t even the target audience and would not likely purchase this regardless of specs. A $5k medium format camera isn’t targeted at x100vi users let’s be real. This isn’t a casual user/influencer camera. It’s for those curious about medium format that either want a fixed lens option or aren’t ready to invest in the bigger, more expensive GFX lineup. Medium format has better dof than full frame at the same aperture and you just don’t need Q3 like f/1.7 on this type of camera. Also, lack of IBIS is just something for casual photographers to whine about. Buy the camera, try it, then complain about it if it’s a real issue.
I agree that most of the “haters” were never going to buy no matter what, there was always going to be something. If it had IBIS and f/2.8 lens, it would have been too big, heavy, and expensive. Fujifilm could never “win” with these people.
I think it’s also worth noting that numerous complaints about lack of IBIS are uneducated users simply repeating the misinformation they read about needing IBIS on a larger sensor without having any understanding of what they’re talking about. Some blogger told them they need it so that’s what they believe. Same thing with concerns about high ISO due to it ‘only being an f/4 lens’. The GFX sensor is amazing at managing noise at high ISO compared to any full frame camera.
It’s a big misunderstanding, I think. A modern myth. The pixel density is the same as the 26mp sensor, so if IBIS isn’t necessary on that sensor (think X-T3, X-T30, X-Pro3, X100V, X-E4, X-T30 II), then it isn’t “necessary” on the GFX100RF. Nice to have? Absolutely. Necessary? Nope.
They want something that is physically impossible as you pointed out. They want it as is (or smaller) with a faster lens and ibis. My guess is that the cameras creators simply find this ignorant attitude amusing or perplexing. It won’t hurt sales at all as buyers of a camera like this know what they are paying for.
Yeah, I think what many of the complainers are insisting on is just physically impossible.
Slightly off topic, Ritchie, but I am very excited to have been second on a list over here with a London stockist for a GFX100RF, picking it up tomorrow. Much faster than I could have imagined! So as this is principally an X not a GFX site I wondered if you will be hoping to release any GFX100RF-specific film simulations. Or if by any chance you have an idea if your X-Trans V range of sims would work? And I am sure that no IBIS and no ultra-fast lens aren’t going to be a problem in the slightest as the lens is wide and the high ISO so good.
Use X-Trans V Recipes.
https://fujixweekly.com/2025/01/23/film-simulation-recipes-for-fujifilm-gfx-cameras/
Many thanks; I don’t know how I missed that article. I have collected my black GFX100RF today and can’t wait till the weekend to get going! I’m impressed with the design of the hood and related accessories and the camera’s kind of beefy compactness.
Oh, awesome! Congratulations, I know you’ll have a ton of fun.
You are completely and absolutely right. Keep on to be like you are.
Cheers from Venice, the real one surrounded by sea water.
I appreciate the encouragement!
Wise words Ritchie. Your site is a refreshing oasis and a Fujifilm users treasure Well done to Fuji for making such an amazingly small and lightweight medium format camera that can be so easily carried around the neck all day. I also find it amusing to read all the naysayers. Consider for a moment the past internet clamour for a XPan camera. Well here it is ! Smaller lighter and less expensive than a 2nd hand XPan ! I don’t recall XPans having super fast lenses or image stabilisation, yet somehow people managed to take nice images with them. can’t wait until mine arrives.. best wishes from Australia
That’s an excellent point: the three XPan lenses were 30mm f/5.6, 45mm f/4, and 90mm f/4.
Please purchase so I can buy it off eBay for 50% off. For now I’m going with used gfx100 with a good lens for $3500. Just crazy how many people unconditionally support products instead of using their power as a consumer.
I suppose for it to be available used, someone would need to buy it new and later sell it.
For the X-series, because there is a larger interest in the brand and because Fujifilm is becoming better at not overproducing models, I think those cameras hold their value quite well (a lot better than just three years ago), and it is harder and harder to find basement bargains. GFX is a different story, and I think it’s because a lot of people who buy into that system have extra money, and it’s no issue at all to upgrade to the next model whenever the next model is released, and also the demand is a lot smaller in general. So if you have $3,000 or $4,000 to spend, it is quite possible to get into GFX going the used route, whereas you might need double that if you were to buy the latest models brand-new (BTW, I don’t think the GFX100RF will be 50% off for a long, long time, if ever). But, again, those used models wouldn’t exist without consumers using their power to support the brand in the first place—the very people who you call “crazy” are an essential aspect of your GFX100 ownership. Crazy, right?
Point very well taken about trolls! But getting back to the camera, I preordered one the day after it was available for preorder, and not even the full 24 hours after. It’s the camera I’ve been waiting for over a decade to have. And that’s because I had previous experience with a single lens medium format film camera (Fuji GSW690II)—my absolute favorite film camera—and since 2014 a Pentax 645Z. I know what medium format is, what it is not, and the many varieties of that experience from film days to today. I know the shooting experience as distinct from FF cameras I have had or used (Pentax, Sony, and Canon). Please don’t get me started about the “look” of medium format. And I know what my use case is for this camera.
AFAIC, there’s just been a lot of blather about this camera from the uninformed. Sadly, most of the YouTube videos have also been either uninformed or undisciplined or have been asking the wrong questions or speculating on “who is it for?” nonsense. They have also skewed towards younger “creators” who have limited /no experience outside of this century. The camera is for photographers like me. Question answered.
My favorite videos about the camera are from GxAce, Jasmine Quiñones, and Faizal Westcott. I think they show different perspectives from three talented creators (who were together, actually). But I’d love to see someone like Kyle McDougall post a video about it, I think that would be especially insightful.
The GFX is going to be tiny compared to the medium format film cameras you are used to. We can thank the resolution of digital sensors compared to film for that, since the 100mp sensor in the GFX is half the physical size of your Pentax’ film image and one-quarter the size of the Fuji. I lucked into a Hasselblad 2000 and a 50mm lens recently, which seems huge now, though it is smaller and lighter than the Mamiya RB67 I used for medium format in the last century (couldn’t afford the Hassy). Nice going!
If you are a beginner having trouble taking decent photographs the solution is to buy a more expensive camera?
This silly camera costs as much as my first three Volkswagen beetles.
If you need a camera like this to prove you’re worth as a photographer, you may want to look into a new line of work or find yourself another hobby. The most important thing to do with your time is to make more images, so that even if you are a terrible photographer, eventually you should get a bit better. A new camera will not help, so that after you have completed this step, by all means go out and buy it. It deffinatly is a fantastic camera.
Then again what the hell do I know, as among my Leica’s, I myself have an old medium format Fuji Film folding camera, that I bought years ago, that I still use, that I love, and would never sell. So on second thought, perhaps you better get out there quickly and buy one, before they are all gone.
http://www.georgejanecek.com
Nobody is suggesting (certainly not me) that the GFX100RF is for beginner photographers. I’d highly discourage this camera for that person, actually. The X-T30 II, X-M5, X-S20, X-T50, and models like that, are much more appropriate for a beginner photographer. The GFX100RF is for advanced hobbyists, semi-pros, and pros—people who know what they are doing and why they are doing it.
The VW comment is absurd. The only VW Bug you can buy in 2025 for the price of this camera is a non-working junker that needs money put into it. You certainly couldn’t buy three working ones! I’m sure 50 years before you purchased those three cars you could have purchased a whole house for that same money. So what? Money is not worth the same in 2025 as it was in 1975 or 1925.
I really don’t understand your point (and not only because you change it). Nobody is suggesting the thing that you are accusing people of. It would be like someone going to the Bonneville Salt Flats and accusing the people there of not putting money into the parking meters. See, makes no sense.
Now, as to your point of picking up your camera and using it, that is indeed the very best way to improve your photography. That’s pretty much undisputed, but a good reminder nonetheless.
George,
You are absolutely right, one needs to buy a more expensive camera, if you are a beginner! Actually the GFX100RF is too cheap, so I propose an M11P or M11 Safari with the “best” lens, the Noctilux! THAT will make the beginner better! And Leica happy, since they sold expensive equipment.
Well, cynism aside, as Ritchie said, the GFX100RF is no beginner camera, however, even someone, who is not that experienced will be able to get very good photos with it.
And for what this camera offers, I do not consider it expensive, and for the cynism, well, I couldn’t let this opportunity go…