Really Enjoying the Fuji MF Experience!

[Elgattogordo]

Hello! First post in this forum, so please take it easy on me.


I’ve been shooting with a Sony A7RV with G-Master glass but I’ve longing for my old film MF days when I shot with a Mamiya C220 TLR. I loved the idea of being a little more deliberate with my images. When I saw the new GFX100 II, I new it was time to sell the Sony gear and take the plunge.

I’m really enjoying this camera! Great DR, I can adjust the raw files for days in ACR. I decided to start with the 32-64 and 20-35 lenses because that’s where I shoot much of the time. I may add the 120 macro later. Included a few images I took about a week ago at a couple of my favorite spots here in Pittsburgh.


Inside the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden


The entrance to the conservatory, looking directly overhead


A foggy sunrise over the Carrie Furnace near Pittsburgh

 

[Zebra13]

Welcome! Wonderful imagery.

 

[bobby350z]

Glad that you are enjoying your new camera. I felt the same when using GFX50s along with A7rIV. GFX50s felt so much enjoyable to use to me.

 

[Valued Customer]

Welcome. Nice photos. Look forward to hear more and see your work.

 

[Daniel B]

Phipps photos, I could spend hours there! I'm up the street from you in "Squirrel Hill" and I'm on the fence about adding the Fuji (still keeping the Nikon for certain photo shoots) for some of my trips. If you are in the area let me know, love to take a look at the GFX100 body and lens setup you're using. Heading to Bhutan & Laos and would love to to take the GFX

 

[yogi4fitness]

On a scale of 1-10.

1 being nothing like the A7RV and 10 being on par with A7RV.

 

[Blue_fuji]

I had a moment of weakness myself. I traded my A7RV for the R3. I’ve shot with every gfx at least once except the 50 Sii. I hated selling the 100/S due to their phase detection, etc. shooting events, I got some images I can’t produce the look with a FF sensor. I did have the Z8/9 as well. When I kept seeing reviews on the 100 II saying the AF is just as good as the Canon R5, I was thinking. Then I had another moment of weakness and sold the Nikon for the 100 II. Do I miss it? Yes. But I badly missed the GFX more and that tilt adapter. When you experience the 100 II, other cameras feel like a cheap toy.

 

[Elgattogordo]

Very cool! I lived near Frick Park when I first arrived back in the ‘Burgh. We’ll have to figure out how to meet. I’ll be at the Carrie Furnace next weekend. We’ll see how the camera does in low light.

 

[Elgattogordo]

On your scale, I’d give it an 8-9. They both “miss” at about the same rate for me, but when the Fuji misses it’s usually back or front focused near my subject while the Sony would select another object altogether. In the case of the Fuji, I wonder if the larger focus areas give it more latitude to select something in front or behind the intended subject, but understanding the technicalities is why I come here!

 

[Elgattogordo]

For me, I felt like I spent more time fighting the Sony than enjoying the experience. This camera (for me!) is a much more pleasant, engaging experience.

 

[yogi4fitness]

On your scale, I’d give it an 8-9. They both “miss” at about the same rate for me, but when the Fuji misses it’s usually back or front focused near my subject while the Sony would select another object altogether. In the case of the Fuji, I wonder if the larger focus areas give it more latitude to select something in front or behind the intended subject, but understanding the technicalities is why I come here!

Wow thats really high praise for the GFX100II being 80-90% AF performance of one of the fastest focusing FF cameras. Now I am even bigger fan of Fuji

Seems like Fuji made THE MF camera to rule them all

 

[Blue_fuji]

You’re right. The A7RV dropped focus during bursts too so I wasn’t gaining anything and I missed my GFX system so bad. The ergonomics on this thing smokes the Sony A1, Nikon Z9 or Canon R3. This cam is way more responsive than the 100S. Slower than the above mentioned but a Joy to use and body wise is a dream. Can’t wait to get my tilt adapter again…

 

[Valued Customer]

Phipps photos, I could spend hours there! I'm up the street from you in "Squirrel Hill" and I'm on the fence about adding the Fuji (still keeping the Nikon for certain photo shoots) for some of my trips. If you are in the area let me know, love to take a look at the GFX100 body and lens setup you're using. Heading to Bhutan & Laos and would love to to take the GFX

Bhutan, you will love it. Last year at this exact time I was in Bhutan. A Gfx performs wonders there.

if cost is no issue go for it with the new GFX100 II. If issue get used GFX100s. The colors, architecture, people, landscape just amazing. For lenses my suggestion: GF20-35 (never used but hear great things), GF35-70(get used if not still on sale for 500usd) and GF110. This covers from landscape to portrait and gives you lower light with the GF110. Also, if get used since crazy price take MCEX18-g. It is a thin extension tube so it you want shoot some close up it can come in handy.

if have any questions, just ask.



love to hear about your trip and look forward to see your travel and other work.

 

[Valued Customer]

On your scale, I’d give it an 8-9. They both “miss” at about the same rate for me, but when the Fuji misses it’s usually back or front focused near my subject while the Sony would select another object altogether. In the case of the Fuji, I wonder if the larger focus areas give it more latitude to select something in front or behind the intended subject, but understanding the technicalities is why I come here!

Is the front/back misses consistent by subject type or predictable based on expected speed or direction? If so can you adjust the AF speed and sensitivity a couple ways to meet typical situations? Also, how are you finding the subject matter choices for AF?

 

[yogi4fitness]

You’re right. The A7RV dropped focus during bursts too so I wasn’t gaining anything and I missed my GFX system so bad. The ergonomics on this thing smokes the Sony A1, Nikon Z9 or Canon R3. This cam is way more responsive than the 100S. Slower than the above mentioned but a Joy to use and body wise is a dream. Can’t wait to get my tilt adapter again…

You guys are making me drool so bad.

 

[Applecupcake]

Just got my 100 II, and would agree with your assessment! It's an amazing camera. It's my first Fuji though - so curious as to your experience - does the auto WB lean blue? Today it's quite overcast and the white balance introduces quite a blue cast over the image. Not sure if this is unique to the 100 II or a general Fuji thing.

 

[JimKasson]

Just got my 100 II, and would agree with your assessment! It's an amazing camera. It's my first Fuji though - so curious as to your experience - does the auto WB lean blue? Today it's quite overcast and the white balance introduces quite a blue cast over the image. Not sure if this is unique to the 100 II or a general Fuji thing.

JPEG? Raw? If raw, what developer?

 

[Elgattogordo]

Good advice! I didn’t know that setting existed. (In fairness, the manual is 500 pages)

 

[Elgattogordo]

I’m not noticing a temp bias so far. I shoot raw, use ACR, and have a personal preference for Reala and Provia profiles and they tend cooler, so I may not notice.

 

[Rand 47]

I’m not noticing a temp bias so far. I shoot raw, use ACR, and have a personal preference for Reala and Provia profiles and they tend cooler, so I may not notice.

Nor I. I shoot in auto WB 99% of the time, ingest into Lightroom Classic. I almost always tweak WB “somewhere” in the image, or globally, to taste - but find the auto WB to almost always be a decent place to start with Lightroom. It appears to be pretty much identical to my original GFX 100 - which is what I would expect.

Rand