A video about the construction details of the Fuji GFX 100S and GFX 50 s cameras...

[Laci55]

Here is the video link. Watch it from 18 minutes mark...

What do You think?

--
'If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs...' Kipling
www.imaginestudio.se

 

[enigmatico]

Here is the video link. Watch it from 18 minutes mark...

What do You think?

My thoughts are that I am relieved I don't use my GFX cameras on a tripod.

Its hard to offer an opinion without knowing how other brands of camera are constructed.

 

[Laci55]

I do want to use my cameras on tripod too at certain occasions!

 

[zorgtool]

Here is the video link. Watch it from 18 minutes mark...

What do You think?

I would say that s*cks.

Fortunately for me I very rarely use the camera on a tripod. But after watching the video I will be extra careful when I will do and I will only use my smallrig L bracket to distribute a little the weight.

And it's for sure I will keep the “normal” attach and not using the sling_shot attach method with the L-bracket.

Its hard to offer an opinion without knowing how other brands of camera are constructed.

It's not only the design, it's also the fact using crap materiel. What the author say around the end of the video are 150% right.

 

[zorgtool]

I do want to use my cameras on tripod too at certain occasions!

I still think you can (knowing I'm not a specialist). But IMHO just be careful. At least it's what I would do. And I will use a L-Bracket to distribute a little the effort. And I would hesitate to use the 110F2.

The sad part is those «crap material» can be strong enough on one model and brake on another.

Wait the answer for someone like Jim

 

[Bipin Prag]

Here is the video link. Watch it from 18 minutes mark...

What do You think?

I would say that s*cks.

Fortunately for me I very rarely use the camera on a tripod. But after watching the video I will be extra careful when I will do and I will only use my smallrig L bracket to distribute a little the weight.

And it's for sure I will keep the “normal” attach and not using the sling_shot attach method with the L-bracket.

Its hard to offer an opinion without knowing how other brands of camera are constructed.

It's not only the design, it's also the fact using crap materiel. What the author say around the end of the video are 150% right.

I think its fair to say that there had to be some compromises for producing a camera at this price point and form factor. The GFX 100 may still be the preferred studio camera and superior resolution of the viewfinder the tilt adaptor viewfinder for shooting in portrait mode. The base plate highlighted here just adds to the robustness required for studio and landscape.

Aside the small perceived negatives the 100s is a gamechanger revolutionising MF being accessible to more users. Good one for Fuji

 

[maculatum]

If you listen to the full context of the video you learn that the camera in question got pulled over via a cord when it was attached to a tripod. And the main part of the camera separated from the baseplate. Now suppose the tripod socket and baseplate had been engineered differently to be much more solid. When the same incident happened you would have ended up with a bent mess not too mention much more force would have been transmitted to the rest of the camera. As it stands the camera could have been easily repaired than if the shearing had not happened. I have personally seen dozens of different cameras taken apart and most tripod sockets are not constructed or attached as solidly as one would think they should be. I know that camera manufacturers consider shearing forces when designing cameras and lenses. Nikon in particular made their lens mounts on the camera and the rear of the lens to a particular tolerance so when a camera was dropped it often required only a basic replacement of the mount on the camera and/or the back of the lens I point this out because it seems that an assumption is made that more solid is always better. Likely it is a balancing. Just imagine if that fuji baseplate and tripod mount were so solid that they could not be broken. You would end up with a giant bent mess. Likely the body frame would have been torqued and needed replaced. As to why Fuji would not just send the necessary replacement parts is not really a mystery but a result of corporate culture. I remember Canon pro services years ago telling me that if a customer had insurance they would total a camera but if the customer did not it was suddenly repairable albeit expensive. I think the concern about the construction mount of the Fuji GFX is much ado about nothing. FYI all the GFX are similar. A ton of bodies have been in the hands of users for a number of years. I assure you that many users of GFX use them on tripods the majority of the time. I am sure many have been knocked over. If this were a real issue we would have heard much more about by 2021.

 

[AlexNOR]

I've had two GFX 50S bodies. Both cameras had RRS L-brackets which add extra support around the base, except for at the front.

Every time I used the cameras on a tripod and pushed my eye up against the viewfinder, the bottom plate would flex and I could see the lens tilt down ever so slightly. This was using the tilt adapter and the larger eyecup giving good contact all the way around the eye.

I've also had the 50R, which seemed sturdier to me, meaning I didn't notice any weak points like I did with the 50S. Then again, I never pushed my eye up against the viewfinder on the 50R the same way I did with the 50S.

 

[Erik Kaffehr]

Here is the video link. Watch it from 18 minutes mark...

What do You think?

I think he has a point. I am a bit skeptical about mounting heavy lenses using the camera base plate. I much prefer lenses with tripod mounts.

From 2015 onward 2021 I essentially used Canon lenses on my Sony A7rII. The lens adapter had a tripod mount that I modified with an L-plate. That solution was very nice to have.

Since October I mostly use small primes that I mount directly to the camera.

Best regards

Erik

 

[Laci55]

I am using the original Fuji base plate what has no opening for the battery compartment but attached with some anti twist tags to the camera. of course the lack of the battery opening is not so good but after this video I think I can take this little inconvenience for the sake of my own peace of mind...lol...

 

[davidevans1]

Here is the video link. Watch it from 18 minutes mark...

What do You think?

Here's a photograph of the tripod mount plate on the GFX 100 (fourth image down).

Are the materials different from the GFX 100S?

For comparison here's the tripod socket on the Nikon Z7 (third photo down) and the Canon R5 (thirteenth image down).

I do use a tripod a lot of the time, though have yet to use one with the GFX 100S as the image stabilisation and smooth shutter is far better than I've used previously. However by coincidence I'd just ordered a Three Legged Thing Ellie universal L bracket about ten minutes before reading this article! Now I'm wondering whether the Fujifilm MHG-GFX S Metal Hand Grip would be a better option as it spreads the load right across the camera base, though this probably isn't much help if wanting to use in portrait orientation. And it has to be removed for changing batteries.

Are there any lens collars that suit the GF lenses, specifically the 45-100mm lens for me?

--

David

 

[Laci55]

Hi Erik, My 100-200 has lens collar, The 32-64 and the 80/1.7 hopefully won't give so much stress to the base plate...

 

[Erik Kaffehr]

I am using the original Fuji base plate what has no opening for the battery compartment but attached with some anti twist tags to the camera. of course the lack of the battery opening is not so good but after this video I think I can take this little inconvenience for the sake of my own peace of mind...lol...

The point he makes in the video is that tripod mount, or rather the point it is attached to is the weak link of the chain.

It seems that he referred to a Fujifilm customer who broke the base plate and Fujifilm refused a repair.

A tripod falling over can subject the camera to very high G-load and that can cause a lot of internal damage. So, it may be reasonable that Fujifilm doesn't take the responsibility for a repair, although the camera works fine.

Just to say, I would like to see more lenses with tripod mounts.

Best regards

Erik

 

[Laci55]

The original Fuji metal hand grip is very nicely made and very sturdy too. Taking it off at the battery change is very easy and the mounting back is easy too because the fitting tags it has... I do not have any objections against it anymore specially after seeing this video...

 

[Laci55]

Hi Erik, agree in 100%

 

[Erik Kaffehr]

Here is the video link. Watch it from 18 minutes mark...

What do You think?

Here's a photograph of the tripod mount plate on the GFX 100 (fourth image down).

No, that is just a cover plate.




I would suggest this one. As you see it is much bigger with a lot of assembly points on both sizes.

I would guess the shiny part is rolled aluminum why the body is probably die cast zink-alloy or magnesium.

Are the materials different from the GFX 100S?

For comparison here's the tripod socket on the Nikon Z7 (third photo down) and the Canon R5 (thirteenth image down).

I do use a tripod a lot of the time, though have yet to use one with the GFX 100S as the image stabilisation and smooth shutter is far better than I've used previously. However by coincidence I'd just ordered a Three Legged Thing Ellie universal L bracket about ten minutes before reading this article! Now I'm wondering whether the Fujifilm MHG-GFX S Metal Hand Grip would be a better option as it spreads the load right across the camera base, though this probably isn't much help if wanting to use in portrait orientation. And it has to be removed for changing batteries.

Are there any lens collars that suit the GF lenses, specifically the 45-100mm lens for me?

Best regards

Erik



--
Erik Kaffehr
Website: http://echophoto.dnsalias.net
Magic uses to disappear in controlled experiments…
Gallery: http://echophoto.smugmug.com
Articles: http://echophoto.dnsalias.net/ekr/index.php/photoarticles

 

[tgltgl]

And I would hesitate to use the 110F2.

Completely agree with the 110 comment. That lens is heavy enough where it should have a tripod mount. It does not balance well at all on my R50 regardless whether using handheld or on tripod. However, because of the amazing IQ I think it is still a must have GFX lens.

 

[stephens1]

Did I have to know this...

 

[davidevans1]

Here is the video link. Watch it from 18 minutes mark...

What do You think?

Here's a photograph of the tripod mount plate on the GFX 100 (fourth image down).

No, that is just a cover plate.


I would suggest this one. As you see it is much bigger with a lot of assembly points on both sizes.

I would guess the shiny part is rolled aluminum why the body is probably die cast zink-alloy or magnesium.

Are the materials different from the GFX 100S?

For comparison here's the tripod socket on the Nikon Z7 (third photo down) and the Canon R5 (thirteenth image down).

I do use a tripod a lot of the time, though have yet to use one with the GFX 100S as the image stabilisation and smooth shutter is far better than I've used previously. However by coincidence I'd just ordered a Three Legged Thing Ellie universal L bracket about ten minutes before reading this article! Now I'm wondering whether the Fujifilm MHG-GFX S Metal Hand Grip would be a better option as it spreads the load right across the camera base, though this probably isn't much help if wanting to use in portrait orientation. And it has to be removed for changing batteries.

Are there any lens collars that suit the GF lenses, specifically the 45-100mm lens for me?

Best regards

Erik

Hi Erik,

Thanks for putting me right on this, I can see the difference.

--
David

 

[Erik Kaffehr]

Here is the video link. Watch it from 18 minutes mark...

What do You think?

My understanding is that the X1D is milled from a single block of aluminum. That can have some advantages, depending on the aluminum. Unalloyed aluminum is very soft but precipitation hardened aluminum copper alloy is extremely strong.

I would guess that the X1D uses high strength aluminum alloy, making it for a very strong body.

Hand made in Sweden, I don't know if it matters. Well made matters a lot.

On the other hand, there are other terms like 'properly made', 'adequate strength' and that may be perfectly 'good enough'.

Best regards

Erik