I received a PM from a forum user suggesting I start a new thread based on my reviews of the RAW samples available on line.
This probably belongs on the Medium format forum. However, given the interest shown here on this forum and maybe some hints of some features that might show up in the XPro and the reality that this is an X100VI on steroids, I decided to post it here.
On a previous thread that has reached its limit - I had two post that gave my impressions of the RAW data first on the DPR samples and followed by the PetaPixel samples. Since I am interested in this camera and hadn't taken a close look at the files from this sensor I found these samples very instructive. In the film days I gravitated to medium format film because it was much better IQ than 35mm which was important for my work. Medium format was also less aggravating and a lot more flexible than large format that I used when I just had to have camera movements. .
To summarize my previous two post.
DPR Sample Gallery
I downloaded 7 of the raw files from the DPR gallery and brought them up in Capture One. I took two of the ISO 12800 images, a couple a shutter speeds of 1/60 or less, a couple in bright outdoors conditions.
Here are some numbers to consider. Size does matter. The pixel pitch of the GFX100RF is about 25% greater than the XT5. Assuming a "round" collection, the light collection area will be about 23% larger than the 40 MP APSC sensor pixels. That is the 100 MP sensor pixel collects about 23% more light per pixel which jives with the two additional bit quantization in the ADC. It also collect more light than a FF and even more than an APSC simply because of the sensor size.
To print a GFX100RF image at "magazine quality" of 300 ppi the print size is 39x29. Printing smaller will result in an integration of the image by the print driver which will reduce noise.
The 12800 ISO samples were converted to B&W had better IQ ( smoother tonal gradation and less noise) than I can produce with my Leica Q2M at 6400 ISO and the Q2M is a 47 MP native monochrome sensor. It is close but the 128000 ISO GFX100RF are slightly better IQ than my Q2M. Here this comparison was made by scaling the GFX images to the equivalent side of produced by the Q2M. I suspect that this results from the inherent integration in the scaling process and the additional light collected by the larger sensor.
At ISO6400 the Q2M monochrome sensor produces better images than converted XH2 and XPro3 images converted to monochrome. With my XH2and XPro3 ISO 3200 is basically my limit and with my Q2M ISO 6400 is my limit. From what I saw I would be comfortable running the GF100RF up to 12800 ISO. All B&W conversions were done using the latest version of Silver Efex Pro.
Please note that black and white conversion tends to mitigate chroma noise in deep shadows. A native black and white sensor cannot produce chroma noise. Since my prime interest in photography is B&W, chroma noise is less of an issue that it would otherwise be. On the other hand programs like Topaz and Pure Raw does a good job addressing chroma noise. This was done without the use of any noise mitigation S/W like Prime Raw or Topaz AI.
In the bright outdoor conditions, one can zoom and zoom and zoom - almost like looking at a fractal as the detail just keep coming.
Even on the image of the train station, shot at ISO 12800 and ss of 1/60 at f4, the resolution was quite good. You can read graffiti on the post at the train station with no problem. There is number on the side of one of the cars which is probably on the order of maybe 4 to six inches hight that is legible without any special processing.
The image of the woman in the middle of what looks like a church looking up is a significant square crop from the total frame. Her face is in sharp focus and the eye, eye laches and nose ring are tack sharp.
One can think of a leaf shutter being somewhat equivalent to an electronic as far as shutter shock. I suspect that if the GFX100RF had a focal plane shutter, IBIS would be necessary to address any shutter shock.*(below) Shutter shock is not an issue with a lens leaf shutter. These images show that. I expect that at least for me handholding down to 1/50 sec would be no problem and at 1/50 motion blur becomes the limiting factor. I would be comfortable hand holding to 1/30 without any worry in situations of a static frame.
The caveat is I in my younger days I was former competitive hand gun shooter - trained by a highly decorated Army sniper who after retirement became the head sniper trainer for the Baltimore City police department and Maryland State Police. At one point I could put six rounds in a 2 inch cluster at 25 meters in 3 seconds with a semi-automatic and within 5 seconds with a revolver. Hand holding at low shutter speeds is all about stance, relaxing, breathing and lightly squeezing (not pushing) the shutter. If my camera does not have an in lens leaf shutter, e.g., XH2 I use the electronic shutter when I can. My Q2M has a leaf shutter and my Z8 only has an electronic shutter.
All in all this camera seems to be a good option for a, throw over your shoulder everyday carry around camera. It can do a little bit of everything. The DOF for the F4 lenses if one believes the equivalence hype is about the same as the X100VI. It seems to be fairly flexible and not much larger than an XPro3 and maybe a bit more compact considering the near "pancake" lens on the GFX. The 100 MP sensor results in a high quality image that holds up very well to cropping with nice compositional aids in the aspect ratio dial and digital zoom. Its weight is within 5 grams of my Q2M. The physical size in about the same as the XPro3.
* A later poster pointed out that IBIS has marginal effects on shutter shock. That seems to an open unresolved question but it is a good point.
PetaPixel Gallery
Sample review update. I just downloaded the PetaPixel samples that Chris (Nichols) took in the Prague at the Fujifilm Summit. These were basically all low light with some being significantly back lite. That give me a chance to witness the sensors dynamic range. Maybe those that have a GFX camera would not be impressed. However, this is my first detailed look at this sensor. All the PetaPixel images were taken hand held with relatively show shutter speeds. The slowest was 1/15 and several between 1/30 and 1/60. The fastest shutter speed of any of the files was 1/125. The highest ISO was 8000 with about 6 of the nine at 3200 or greater.
The 1/15 was dark and the vehicle and motor cycle were obviously blurred for motion. However, the image was sharp. Small signs on the wall of the parking gauge could be seen and read at 200%. Was it the full resolution of the sensor, probably not but downsampled to the same size as my Z8 files it was comparable to what the 47 MP Z8 with IBIS would have produced at 1/15 and f3.2 and 28mm in those lighting conditions. .
It looks like a steady hand can hold at 1/30 without IBIS from these samples. You will need to be careful and deliberate but it is doable. It might also take some practice with developing the proper stance and breathing control techniques. At 1/50 on it seems stabilization is not needed. That also jives with some of the development details Fuji provided Fujirumors.
However, the thing I take away from these backlit shots is the dynamic range of the sensor. The images in question were taken at either sunrise or sunset. The exposure was basic exposure to the right as the skies were bright but not blown. The objects in the foreground were very dark. In this case the extra two bits paid off as the raised shadows had a smooth tonal gradation. The ability to raise shadows this sensor provides is frankly something I haven't seen before in any of my previous cameras including the Q2M which is very good but not as good as the GFX 16 bit 100 MP sensor. Again this is my first real look at this sensor - color me impressed.
End of Summary
Discussion:
The questions I had when I went into this process were:
1. How good is this sensor in lowlight.
2. How much of a compromise is the combination of f4 and lack of IBIS.
These are the my conclusions based on my anticipated use for this camera as a throw over the shoulder hacking around camera with some street, documentary, travel and from time to time landscape - hand held the bright light and off a lightweight tripod in lower light when a large DOF is desired.
First I was impressed with the lowlight ability of this camera. With all my previous color gear, Fuji and Nikon, 3200 was my upper ISO limit. I was comfortable using the Q2M at ISO 6400. With the GFX100RF, I would be comfortable running the ISO up to 12800, particularly on B&W.
Second, If you are really good, and use the best technique and maybe brace yourself against a solid object, one can get usable images at a ss of 1/15. Second if your technique is solid you can get images that rival my Q2M (which has OIS) at ss of 1/30. By ss of 1/50 with good technique the lack on IBIS is not a significant issue. You would have to have good technique at the lower end of that range.
That jives well with the information supplied by the camera product manger that was published in fujirumors.
However, for landscape where I might like to be shooting at f11, I would mount it on a tripod and use a timed release or a release from my iPhone. It would not take a large tripod because of the lack of shutter shock. This is no different from an SLR where I would put the camera on a tripod, compose and lock the mirror up and then use delayed release or remote release. However, in this case, a fairly hefty tripod would be required to mitigate the high frequency vibrations resulting from shutter shock.
It would have been nice to have a hybrid VF. On the other hand the ability to see outside the frame on a top of the line VF when you are composing with a crop is the next best thing and I can live with that with the high end EVF. The 5.76 EVF resolution on my XH2 is really sweet.
Roberts Photo out of Indianapolis, IN is who I normally sell my used camera equipment. They have always done right by me and are easy to work with. My Q2M is in shipment. They made me a really good offer. A GFX100RF should provide the same monochrome IQ of the Q2M with maybe a little better noise performance. Since the GFX100RF has base ISO of 80, and the sensor is larger than the FF in the Q2M, I have no doubt the GFX100RF can easily take the place of that camera and if I have the GFX100RF the Q2M would only collect dust.
In the back of my mind, I was assuming the new XPro used the 40 MP sensor this was also a comparison of signal quality and usability differences between the GFX100RF vs. the new XPro for my use. In other words if I got the GFX100RS, I will have little interest in the new XPro. While the hybrid VF is nice, the state of the art in EVF technology is on the verge of making an OVF obsolete. Since my use of the XPro is travel, street, documentary and an everyday over the shoulder knock around camera shooting primes - primarily my 35 f1.4 - I see little need for to have an XPro along with the GFX100RF. So this camera would mitigate any interest I had in the new XPro.
As soon as it was released for preorder before I sent off my Q2M, I preordered knowing I could cancel if after analysis of the raws I didn't see the benefit. After I determine that for me it was a significant upgrade to the Q2M and a good companion for the XH2 and Z8.
This was my thought process and my conclusions from looking at a number of sample raw files. Only two of the files were taken in good light at shutter speeds of 1/125 or greater. The rest were challenging images that tested the properties of both he sensor and camera. My conclusions are above. Is it a camera for everyone - of course not everyone's interest and requirements vary. It is for me. Of course everyone's mileage will vary.
Hopefully I got high enough on the list to get it shipped on release date. Hopefully it is expensive enough that the TicToc teenyboppers have second thoughts and don't jump on it like they did the X100VI and that Fuji does a better job estimating initial demand. After it arrives, I'll report back probably on the Medium format forum and supply a link here.
That's my long winded story and I'm stick to it.
This probably belongs on the Medium format forum. However, given the interest shown here on this forum and maybe some hints of some features that might show up in the XPro and the reality that this is an X100VI on steroids, I decided to post it here.
On a previous thread that has reached its limit - I had two post that gave my impressions of the RAW data first on the DPR samples and followed by the PetaPixel samples. Since I am interested in this camera and hadn't taken a close look at the files from this sensor I found these samples very instructive. In the film days I gravitated to medium format film because it was much better IQ than 35mm which was important for my work. Medium format was also less aggravating and a lot more flexible than large format that I used when I just had to have camera movements. .
To summarize my previous two post.
DPR Sample Gallery
I downloaded 7 of the raw files from the DPR gallery and brought them up in Capture One. I took two of the ISO 12800 images, a couple a shutter speeds of 1/60 or less, a couple in bright outdoors conditions.
Here are some numbers to consider. Size does matter. The pixel pitch of the GFX100RF is about 25% greater than the XT5. Assuming a "round" collection, the light collection area will be about 23% larger than the 40 MP APSC sensor pixels. That is the 100 MP sensor pixel collects about 23% more light per pixel which jives with the two additional bit quantization in the ADC. It also collect more light than a FF and even more than an APSC simply because of the sensor size.
To print a GFX100RF image at "magazine quality" of 300 ppi the print size is 39x29. Printing smaller will result in an integration of the image by the print driver which will reduce noise.
The 12800 ISO samples were converted to B&W had better IQ ( smoother tonal gradation and less noise) than I can produce with my Leica Q2M at 6400 ISO and the Q2M is a 47 MP native monochrome sensor. It is close but the 128000 ISO GFX100RF are slightly better IQ than my Q2M. Here this comparison was made by scaling the GFX images to the equivalent side of produced by the Q2M. I suspect that this results from the inherent integration in the scaling process and the additional light collected by the larger sensor.
At ISO6400 the Q2M monochrome sensor produces better images than converted XH2 and XPro3 images converted to monochrome. With my XH2and XPro3 ISO 3200 is basically my limit and with my Q2M ISO 6400 is my limit. From what I saw I would be comfortable running the GF100RF up to 12800 ISO. All B&W conversions were done using the latest version of Silver Efex Pro.
Please note that black and white conversion tends to mitigate chroma noise in deep shadows. A native black and white sensor cannot produce chroma noise. Since my prime interest in photography is B&W, chroma noise is less of an issue that it would otherwise be. On the other hand programs like Topaz and Pure Raw does a good job addressing chroma noise. This was done without the use of any noise mitigation S/W like Prime Raw or Topaz AI.
In the bright outdoor conditions, one can zoom and zoom and zoom - almost like looking at a fractal as the detail just keep coming.
Even on the image of the train station, shot at ISO 12800 and ss of 1/60 at f4, the resolution was quite good. You can read graffiti on the post at the train station with no problem. There is number on the side of one of the cars which is probably on the order of maybe 4 to six inches hight that is legible without any special processing.
The image of the woman in the middle of what looks like a church looking up is a significant square crop from the total frame. Her face is in sharp focus and the eye, eye laches and nose ring are tack sharp.
One can think of a leaf shutter being somewhat equivalent to an electronic as far as shutter shock. I suspect that if the GFX100RF had a focal plane shutter, IBIS would be necessary to address any shutter shock.*(below) Shutter shock is not an issue with a lens leaf shutter. These images show that. I expect that at least for me handholding down to 1/50 sec would be no problem and at 1/50 motion blur becomes the limiting factor. I would be comfortable hand holding to 1/30 without any worry in situations of a static frame.
The caveat is I in my younger days I was former competitive hand gun shooter - trained by a highly decorated Army sniper who after retirement became the head sniper trainer for the Baltimore City police department and Maryland State Police. At one point I could put six rounds in a 2 inch cluster at 25 meters in 3 seconds with a semi-automatic and within 5 seconds with a revolver. Hand holding at low shutter speeds is all about stance, relaxing, breathing and lightly squeezing (not pushing) the shutter. If my camera does not have an in lens leaf shutter, e.g., XH2 I use the electronic shutter when I can. My Q2M has a leaf shutter and my Z8 only has an electronic shutter.
All in all this camera seems to be a good option for a, throw over your shoulder everyday carry around camera. It can do a little bit of everything. The DOF for the F4 lenses if one believes the equivalence hype is about the same as the X100VI. It seems to be fairly flexible and not much larger than an XPro3 and maybe a bit more compact considering the near "pancake" lens on the GFX. The 100 MP sensor results in a high quality image that holds up very well to cropping with nice compositional aids in the aspect ratio dial and digital zoom. Its weight is within 5 grams of my Q2M. The physical size in about the same as the XPro3.
* A later poster pointed out that IBIS has marginal effects on shutter shock. That seems to an open unresolved question but it is a good point.
PetaPixel Gallery
Sample review update. I just downloaded the PetaPixel samples that Chris (Nichols) took in the Prague at the Fujifilm Summit. These were basically all low light with some being significantly back lite. That give me a chance to witness the sensors dynamic range. Maybe those that have a GFX camera would not be impressed. However, this is my first detailed look at this sensor. All the PetaPixel images were taken hand held with relatively show shutter speeds. The slowest was 1/15 and several between 1/30 and 1/60. The fastest shutter speed of any of the files was 1/125. The highest ISO was 8000 with about 6 of the nine at 3200 or greater.
The 1/15 was dark and the vehicle and motor cycle were obviously blurred for motion. However, the image was sharp. Small signs on the wall of the parking gauge could be seen and read at 200%. Was it the full resolution of the sensor, probably not but downsampled to the same size as my Z8 files it was comparable to what the 47 MP Z8 with IBIS would have produced at 1/15 and f3.2 and 28mm in those lighting conditions. .
It looks like a steady hand can hold at 1/30 without IBIS from these samples. You will need to be careful and deliberate but it is doable. It might also take some practice with developing the proper stance and breathing control techniques. At 1/50 on it seems stabilization is not needed. That also jives with some of the development details Fuji provided Fujirumors.
However, the thing I take away from these backlit shots is the dynamic range of the sensor. The images in question were taken at either sunrise or sunset. The exposure was basic exposure to the right as the skies were bright but not blown. The objects in the foreground were very dark. In this case the extra two bits paid off as the raised shadows had a smooth tonal gradation. The ability to raise shadows this sensor provides is frankly something I haven't seen before in any of my previous cameras including the Q2M which is very good but not as good as the GFX 16 bit 100 MP sensor. Again this is my first real look at this sensor - color me impressed.
End of Summary
Discussion:
The questions I had when I went into this process were:
1. How good is this sensor in lowlight.
2. How much of a compromise is the combination of f4 and lack of IBIS.
These are the my conclusions based on my anticipated use for this camera as a throw over the shoulder hacking around camera with some street, documentary, travel and from time to time landscape - hand held the bright light and off a lightweight tripod in lower light when a large DOF is desired.
First I was impressed with the lowlight ability of this camera. With all my previous color gear, Fuji and Nikon, 3200 was my upper ISO limit. I was comfortable using the Q2M at ISO 6400. With the GFX100RF, I would be comfortable running the ISO up to 12800, particularly on B&W.
Second, If you are really good, and use the best technique and maybe brace yourself against a solid object, one can get usable images at a ss of 1/15. Second if your technique is solid you can get images that rival my Q2M (which has OIS) at ss of 1/30. By ss of 1/50 with good technique the lack on IBIS is not a significant issue. You would have to have good technique at the lower end of that range.
That jives well with the information supplied by the camera product manger that was published in fujirumors.
However, for landscape where I might like to be shooting at f11, I would mount it on a tripod and use a timed release or a release from my iPhone. It would not take a large tripod because of the lack of shutter shock. This is no different from an SLR where I would put the camera on a tripod, compose and lock the mirror up and then use delayed release or remote release. However, in this case, a fairly hefty tripod would be required to mitigate the high frequency vibrations resulting from shutter shock.
It would have been nice to have a hybrid VF. On the other hand the ability to see outside the frame on a top of the line VF when you are composing with a crop is the next best thing and I can live with that with the high end EVF. The 5.76 EVF resolution on my XH2 is really sweet.
Roberts Photo out of Indianapolis, IN is who I normally sell my used camera equipment. They have always done right by me and are easy to work with. My Q2M is in shipment. They made me a really good offer. A GFX100RF should provide the same monochrome IQ of the Q2M with maybe a little better noise performance. Since the GFX100RF has base ISO of 80, and the sensor is larger than the FF in the Q2M, I have no doubt the GFX100RF can easily take the place of that camera and if I have the GFX100RF the Q2M would only collect dust.
In the back of my mind, I was assuming the new XPro used the 40 MP sensor this was also a comparison of signal quality and usability differences between the GFX100RF vs. the new XPro for my use. In other words if I got the GFX100RS, I will have little interest in the new XPro. While the hybrid VF is nice, the state of the art in EVF technology is on the verge of making an OVF obsolete. Since my use of the XPro is travel, street, documentary and an everyday over the shoulder knock around camera shooting primes - primarily my 35 f1.4 - I see little need for to have an XPro along with the GFX100RF. So this camera would mitigate any interest I had in the new XPro.
As soon as it was released for preorder before I sent off my Q2M, I preordered knowing I could cancel if after analysis of the raws I didn't see the benefit. After I determine that for me it was a significant upgrade to the Q2M and a good companion for the XH2 and Z8.
This was my thought process and my conclusions from looking at a number of sample raw files. Only two of the files were taken in good light at shutter speeds of 1/125 or greater. The rest were challenging images that tested the properties of both he sensor and camera. My conclusions are above. Is it a camera for everyone - of course not everyone's interest and requirements vary. It is for me. Of course everyone's mileage will vary.
Hopefully I got high enough on the list to get it shipped on release date. Hopefully it is expensive enough that the TicToc teenyboppers have second thoughts and don't jump on it like they did the X100VI and that Fuji does a better job estimating initial demand. After it arrives, I'll report back probably on the Medium format forum and supply a link here.
That's my long winded story and I'm stick to it.
