I am still holding my breath - GFX100s

I've been on the fence for all the usual reasons. However, it sounds as if you should just rent one and see if the limitations bother you. Butler's concluding thoughts in his review were relevant, I think. He simply noted that it's a question of priorities. If absolute ne plus ultra IQ is your jam, how bothered are you going to be my B+ autofocus? If you shoot still lives, do you really care about the viewfinder resolution? Etc.

Good luck!

Discombobulated said:

The 100s inventory is available now but I just can't pull the trigger... Something I don't feel too comfortable with it. Maybe the auto focusing is too slow and I should wait for the next generation with improved focus? Should I wait but when will be the 100s2 to come out... I admire how amazing GFX's dynamic-range and how much more I can do in post editing. I'm struggling to justify cost and there are few awesome Fujinon lenses I want to get. I really don't know... what would you suggest?

Click to expand...

Two separate questions here:

• Are you willing to give up certain measures of convenience for ultimate IQ?
• What about the prospect of a 150 mpixel sensor in two years, improved IF in 18 months, etc., etc.

The first was easy for me: I was always the guy who wasn't satisfied with the resolution and feel of a 4X5 negative, I wanted 8X10 (and then 12x20...!) I think the GFX100S gives me better IQ than anything else remotely in the range I can afford, and I am perfectly happy with a slower approach and some limitations on subject matter. I am delighted with the camera, and it is the only thing I shoot now except for my Samsung phone!

Number 2 bothers me, it is the opposite of the large format ethos, where older cameras and lenses continue(d) to be highly esteemed. Planned obsolescence and constant "innovation" is a part of life in photography now, as in other areas of society and it is not such a great thing. I think all we can say about that is with the camera market decreasing 15% year on year, camera innovation eventually will have to slow down, tighter budgets and smaller profits just can't justify the continued R+D. Then maybe we can all be cured of our GAS and just enjoy what we have.

I ride a 17 year old Ti frame bike every day to work that looks as good as the day I bought it (if I ever wash it). And it makes me happy.

Best regards,

Nathan

Discombobulated said:

The 100s inventory is available now but I just can't pull the trigger... Something I don't feel too comfortable with it. Maybe the auto focusing is too slow and I should wait for the next generation with improved focus? Should I wait but when will be the 100s2 to come out... I admire how amazing GFX's dynamic-range and how much more I can do in post editing. I'm struggling to justify cost and there are few awesome Fujinon lenses I want to get. I really don't know... what would you suggest?

Click to expand...

100S AF performance I think is very good and with many GF lenses quick and silent. The most notable exceptions being the 63 and 80mm, some say the 45 also. If you are looking for quick eye AF though stick with your Nikons, maybe a new Z9? I believe a 100S mark 2 will be a least a couple years out if not longer. Digital medium format will always be slower in AF than FF, it's just the nature of the beast.

Discombobulated said:

The 100s inventory is available now but I just can't pull the trigger... Something I don't feel too comfortable with it. Maybe the auto focusing is too slow and I should wait for the next generation with improved focus? Should I wait but when will be the 100s2 to come out... I admire how amazing GFX's dynamic-range and how much more I can do in post editing. I'm struggling to justify cost and there are few awesome Fujinon lenses I want to get. I really don't know... what would you suggest?

Click to expand...

In the more recent past the MF forum has had many individuals who are GFx users. I wondered why that was the case and began looking in more frequently at GFx user posts. After much contemplation for months..I became a GFx100S owner late October even though I own 4 other systems. Justifying the cost of the cam and lenses was not an issue. HOWEVER, I don't regret my purchase at all and am in the process of "thinning the herd."

If you want an all rounder and your subject selection is weighted heavily for fast action ...or you desire your cam to be very lightweight....look elsewhere.

However, if you want a "relatively" affordable cam (MF larger sensor) for portraits, architecture, landscape, macro, etc. that offers the best IQ and DR for its price point then the 100S is a great choice. If you don't use a tripod (recommended to squeeze every mp you can) the GFx 100S' IS is exceptional. You can still get highly detailed images fit to print. Additionally the physical form factor is similar to a smaller DSLR and was easy to adapt.

Could go on but there is a wealth of resources available that can provide information for your decision. What cannot be done is for me or anyone else to tell your "gut" what to do. The cost of the body and a couple of lenses ain't cheap. It is understandable having second thoughts. Someone even suggested renting one. ....a good suggestion.

I did not rent...just bought it. After sticking it on a tripod and testing the lenses all I could say to myself was WOW! The resolution and accuracy was uncanny....maybe my reaction of not having owned a digital medium format cam may have contributed to the wow effect but I do own a Sony A7r4. The 100S beats that puppy hands down (maybe some will disagree). Bottom line, the wow factor convinced my gut it did the right thing. YMMV.

Sure wish I didn't sound like a Fuji marketing rep. Ain't one but the product is a good one with few, if any real flaws. Good luck in your process and don't let your gut suffer too much.

Bob

goodbokeh said:

Discombobulated said:

The 100s inventory is available now but I just can't pull the trigger... Something I don't feel too comfortable with it. Maybe the auto focusing is too slow and I should wait for the next generation with improved focus? Should I wait but when will be the 100s2 to come out... I admire how amazing GFX's dynamic-range and how much more I can do in post editing. I'm struggling to justify cost and there are few awesome Fujinon lenses I want to get. I really don't know... what would you suggest?

Click to expand...

100S AF performance I think is very good and with many GF lenses quick and silent. The most notable exceptions being the 63 and 80mm, some say the 45 also. If you are looking for quick eye AF though stick with your Nikons, maybe a new Z9? I believe a 100S mark 2 will be a least a couple years out if not longer. Digital medium format will always be slower in AF than FF, it's just the nature of the beast.

Click to expand...

I use nikon since the 80s and I still have a FM2 in like new condition. I think I am done with nikon due to their products are going... mainstream and vastly made of plastic (actually many more but those nikon worshipers will jump me if I list them out). I am still using their lenses from late 90s and nothing interested me since. I have no interest in neither sony nor canon as well. I am very attracted to Fujifilm for something as simple as mechanical aperture ring on lenses or not weight too much in video performance. I wish they made a cut-the-crap high resolution camera that shoot just raw. A really fine tuned light meter that I can trust would be enough.

In fact, when I do portraiture I use pin-point focus (as you can see I also shoot with RF camera) but sometime when my model is moving too much or I have a tele lens mounted, eye focus is really helpful. I hope GFX can achieve 80% hit rate on eye focusing.

New to DSC-World said:

Discombobulated said:

The 100s inventory is available now but I just can't pull the trigger... Something I don't feel too comfortable with it. Maybe the auto focusing is too slow and I should wait for the next generation with improved focus? Should I wait but when will be the 100s2 to come out... I admire how amazing GFX's dynamic-range and how much more I can do in post editing. I'm struggling to justify cost and there are few awesome Fujinon lenses I want to get. I really don't know... what would you suggest?

Click to expand...

Two separate questions here:

• Are you willing to give up certain measures of convenience for ultimate IQ?
• What about the prospect of a 150 mpixel sensor in two years, improved IF in 18 months, etc., etc.

The first was easy for me: I was always the guy who wasn't satisfied with the resolution and feel of a 4X5 negative, I wanted 8X10 (and then 12x20...!) I think the GFX100S gives me better IQ than anything else remotely in the range I can afford, and I am perfectly happy with a slower approach and some limitations on subject matter. I am delighted with the camera, and it is the only thing I shoot now except for my Samsung phone!

Number 2 bothers me, it is the opposite of the large format ethos, where older cameras and lenses continue(d) to be highly esteemed. Planned obsolescence and constant "innovation" is a part of life in photography now, as in other areas of society and it is not such a great thing. I think all we can say about that is with the camera market decreasing 15% year on year, camera innovation eventually will have to slow down, tighter budgets and smaller profits just can't justify the continued R+D. Then maybe we can all be cured of our GAS and just enjoy what we have.

I ride a 17 year old Ti frame bike every day to work that looks as good as the day I bought it (if I ever wash it). And it makes me happy.

Best regards,

Nathan

Click to expand...

I) yes, but the eye focusing can't be like this now.

2) I "believe" the megapixels isn't something I am after and 100MP is satisfying. I'm more into its magical dynamic range. I also love Fujinon lenses, the design is very original, nothing fancy yet functional.

Adam007 said:

I've been on the fence for all the usual reasons. However, it sounds as if you should just rent one and see if the limitations bother you. Butler's concluding thoughts in his review were relevant, I think. He simply noted that it's a question of priorities. If absolute ne plus ultra IQ is your jam, how bothered are you going to be my B+ autofocus? If you shoot still lives, do you really care about the viewfinder resolution? Etc.

Good luck!

Click to expand...

Does eye focusing get B+, that's pretty good actually. Say... if I had a 250mm F4 shooting a moving model in half body using eye focusing, will I get around 80% hit rate?

Tried GFX100s with 45-100mm in the studio. Eye-AF and it nailed almost all the shots. What else people shoot with MF? Sports I would happily take A1 over GFX100s.

BobsYourUncle said:

However, if you want a "relatively" affordable cam (MF larger sensor) for portraits, architecture, landscape, macro, etc. that offers the best IQ and DR for its price point then the 100S is a great choice. If you don't use a tripod (recommended to squeeze every mp you can) the GFx 100S' IS is exceptional. You can still get highly detailed images fit to print. Additionally the physical form factor is similar to a smaller DSLR and was easy to adapt.

Click to expand...

couldn't agree more. It's just those little things pulling me back...

bobby350z said:

Tried GFX100s with 45-100mm in the studio. Eye-AF and it nailed almost all the shots. What else people shoot with MF? Sports I would happily take A1 over GFX100s.

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It is good to know thank you, this stand zoom is on my list, the OIS is a nice feature.

Rent one.

I didn't but then I had 50R before...

You might get run over by a bus next week.

"Oh I wish I had 150MP in my camera not merely 102." Said nobody, ever. What would you do with 150 that you can't do with 102?

The Fujinon lenses were designed to resolve the 100MP sensor. Will they properly work on a 150MP sensor? I don't know.

I just got my GFX100 yesterday (not s) and it is massive, quite heavy and utterly brilliant. The menu is relatively sensible (compared to Olympus anyway) and there are so many features and things it can do that it is easy to see that they actually spoke with photographers to perfect those options.

If you have the money or a use for it - or both - then just get it. What is the point of not shooting with it for 2 years whilst you wait for a camera that might never arrive or that fate might deny you?

When the 150MP version comes, will you put off buying it in case the 200MP version comes? That way, madness lies.

Kiwisnap said:

You might get run over by a bus next week.

"Oh I wish I had 150MP in my camera not merely 102." Said nobody, ever. What would you do with 150 that you can't do with 102?

The Fujinon lenses were designed to resolve the 100MP sensor. Will they properly work on a 150MP sensor? I don't know.

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They will work fine. That’s only 22% more resolution.

Kiwisnap said:

I just got my GFX100 yesterday (not s) and it is massive, quite heavy and utterly brilliant. The menu is relatively sensible (compared to Olympus anyway) and there are so many features and things it can do that it is easy to see that they actually spoke with photographers to perfect those options.

If you have the money or a use for it - or both - then just get it. What is the point of not shooting with it for 2 years whilst you wait for a camera that might never arrive or that fate might deny you?

When the 150MP version comes, will you put off buying it in case the 200MP version comes? That way, madness lies.

Click to expand...

Discombobulated said:

The 100s inventory is available now but I just can't pull the trigger... Something I don't feel too comfortable with it. Maybe the auto focusing is too slow and I should wait for the next generation with improved focus? Should I wait but when will be the 100s2 to come out... I admire how amazing GFX's dynamic-range and how much more I can do in post editing. I'm struggling to justify cost and there are few awesome Fujinon lenses I want to get. I really don't know... what would you suggest?

Click to expand...

I was in a similar situation last year. To cut a long story short I ordered the GFX100S and 45mm GF lens from my dealer, he offered me 45 days to try the camera and if I did not like it I could return it for a full refund.

I love it! It complements my Leica M system, and I have not looked back.

The best image quality I have had from any camera system, and I have tried them all.

Life is short, pull the trigger and enjoy!

AdamM6 said:

Discombobulated said:

The 100s inventory is available now but I just can't pull the trigger... Something I don't feel too comfortable with it. Maybe the auto focusing is too slow and I should wait for the next generation with improved focus? Should I wait but when will be the 100s2 to come out... I admire how amazing GFX's dynamic-range and how much more I can do in post editing. I'm struggling to justify cost and there are few awesome Fujinon lenses I want to get. I really don't know... what would you suggest?

Click to expand...

I was in a similar situation last year. To cut a long story short I ordered the GFX100S and 45mm GF lens from my dealer, he offered me 45 days to try the camera and if I did not like it I could return it for a full refund.

I love it! It complements my Leica M system, and I have not looked back.

The best image quality I have had from any camera system, and I have tried them all.

Life is short, pull the trigger and enjoy!

Click to expand...

I have the similar offer as well. I worry myself become an impulsive buying animal or upsetting my wife for having too many toys. I've already had 2 film and 2 digital cameras and many lenses.

I could sell 2 leica lenses to buy the 100s + 80mm F1.7 but these 2 leica lenses are my favorites and could be mounted on 100s thru an adapter.

I need to sleep with it for a month and see...

P.S. did you sell your leica?

Discombobulated said:

I could sell 2 leica lenses to buy the 100s + 80mm F1.7 but these 2 leica lenses are my favorites

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Here's some general advice: don't sell your favorite lenses!

Discombobulated said:

and could be mounted on 100s thru an adapter.

Click to expand...

JimKasson said:

Kiwisnap said:

You might get run over by a bus next week.

"Oh I wish I had 150MP in my camera not merely 102." Said nobody, ever. What would you do with 150 that you can't do with 102?

The Fujinon lenses were designed to resolve the 100MP sensor. Will they properly work on a 150MP sensor? I don't know.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

A 150 mp sensor will have less blur, so lenses will be sharper. It will also ender fine detail with more fidelity.

So, it is a win win situation.

But, it is quite probable that older lens design were made for film. Which film were they made for? Were they made for Tri-X, Tmax 100 or Technical Pan?

What I think that we have seen are three trends:

• Modern lenses are often well corrected.
• Modern lenses are often designed to deliver good results at full aperture.
• There may be a trend to well corrected lenses having medium maximum aperture.

Older lenses can still deliver good performance, but they may need to be stopped down to f/8 or even f/11.

Modern lenses are great winners at large apertures.

The photographer also plays a significant role. Making best use of gear needs exacting workflow.

I would suggest that focusing accuracy plays a major role and so does reduction of camera shake. If the photographer is sloppy with his/her part, the other stuff matters little.

Best regards

Erik

JimKasson said:

Discombobulated said:

I could sell 2 leica lenses to buy the 100s + 80mm F1.7 but these 2 leica lenses are my favorites

Click to expand...

Here's some general advice: don't sell your favorite lenses!

JimKasson said:

and could be mounted on 100s thru an adapter.

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Excellent advice. Guess how I know?

Discombobulated said:

I admire how amazing GFX's dynamic-range and how much more I can do in post editing.

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I’m curious on this one, do you have any exemple of that « amazing » dynamic range difference?