What is clear about this thread is that people have suited their needs to a tee. with all the choices, budgets, pros, amateurs, etc, everyone seems to have gotten what works best for them. I have spent 50 years as a commercial professional, 34 in my own studio, and shot mostly with a 5x7 Linhoff using a 4x5 back. First Hasselblads, then a Mamiya 6x4.5 with everything they had. I still have this, I still use a 6x9 Brooks Veriwide with, a Schnider 5.6 90mm , but a Nikon 810 gets the paid work done. I am mostly retired, but still shoot tires on a regular basis. I have Leicas, Deardorfs, Graphics and more. There never will be one do it all camera
Great article. And interestingly, right now I'm testing a GFX 50s II that Fujifilm was kind on lending for a week. I have the "kit" lens and the macro 120mm. This is 50 meg sensor but it blew me away with the details. And the so called "kit" lens is better than most of my Canon L glass. I too think dynamic range is critical for my work so I'm looking forward to when I will be able to get this nice camera. This is a more affordable entry into Fujifilm medium format.
Pierre, yes the Fujifilm GFX system is without a doubt a terrific system, at least for my needs. I hope you get town the system soon. Let us know how it goes, okay?
I have had the GFX 100 for about four years and love it. Routinely make 40x50, 40x60 prints. I am curious about the high panoramic images you are printing. Are those stitched frames, or are they a cropped single frame?
Hi Lee; You obviously know what I'm referring to when I talk about the GFX files. Anyway, depending on which lens I use for a specific pano, I may just use 3 images, but the majority of the time I take 2-3 rows across, anywhere from 5-7 images a row but sometimes 10-12. Most of my panos lately have been with the 120mm macro, which is arguably the finest lens ever made. I plan to soon get the 100-200mm and use it at 200mm for panos.
So 2-3 exposures high and 5-7 wide.. That is 10-21 exposures total you are incorporating into one pano. Who means you are getting composite image files that are 17471h x 58240w [2x5 array] up to 26208h x 81536w [3x7 array] pixels dimensions. [I realize that actual dimensions will be smaller due to overlap at the seams..] That is a -lot- of pixels. I have scanned a lot of 6x17 film at 3200 DPI, giving me files that are about 6900px x 21200px, and printed those up to 30x90 in. to great effect. I have never stitched GFX files. I'd be interested in talking to you about your methods if you are willing. Offline, email? Also would be interested in talking about that 120 macro .. never used it ..
The Fuji is an extraordinary system. No doubt. And, it is worth every $$$.
My Pentax 645z was used, but 'like new,' and I paid $3000. The legacy lenses are very good, and for less than $1000 I have a full range of lenses in my kit. And I don't mind manual focus for the deliberate work a MF is used for in both studio and the field. And, their 'digital' autofocus and zooms are also affordable, so I keep a 150mm and 400mm in my arsenal.
It is a DSLR, so more bulky than the Fuji, but the same sensor.
As for Dynamic Range, the smooth tonal transitions and shadow detail are clearly evident in the prints.
Retired, I'm used to shooting TLR MF, MF SLR's like the Bronica GS1, and 4x5. And, yes, the menus and features on any digital camera take some time to learn.
One of the challenges I'm pursuing with the 645z is astrophotography and night landscapes.
Ps. I agree that slowing down is super important for many photographic and artistic endeavors. That is precisely why I happened to choose the medium format kit that I ended up with. I am a very very different shooter with it than when I have my Canon cameras in my hand. I also happen to LOVE some of my more classic lenses in terms of the overall look at various distances, perspectives, and apertures.
I wish I weren't such a pain in the rear. I like the 645z, but I also like my creature comforts, especially when I'm out in the field under adverse conditions. Nothing like just pressing a button to bring up a function without going through contortions. However, we all know, or should know, that it's never the camera, it's the eye behind it.
Your recap and report matches up very well with all of the reviews I have read and watched. Your summary and dollars and cents (sense) are spot on. Thanks
Terrific article Les. I’m starting to shoot more MF. Love the detail and DR. Using the Hasselblad X1Dll. Like it’s size and interface. Nice files as well.
Coming from a photographer as accomplished as you I'm happy you liked it. You are the third photographer I know who now uses the X1Dll. Look forward to your next book.
That camera is SO SO SO nice! It suffered from the onslaught of digital... if only it were established a few years earlier. Probably the pinnacle of the medium format system camera? One of the cameras that is on my list of "must have" some day. (Yes I still shoot film here and there)
What is clear about this thread is that people have suited their needs to a tee. with all the choices, budgets, pros, amateurs, etc, everyone seems to have gotten what works best for them. I have spent 50 years as a commercial professional, 34 in my own studio, and shot mostly with a 5x7 Linhoff using a 4x5 back. First Hasselblads, then a Mamiya 6x4.5 with everything they had. I still have this, I still use a 6x9 Brooks Veriwide with, a Schnider 5.6 90mm , but a Nikon 810 gets the paid work done. I am mostly retired, but still shoot tires on a regular basis. I have Leicas, Deardorfs, Graphics and more. There never will be one do it all camera
Great article. And interestingly, right now I'm testing a GFX 50s II that Fujifilm was kind on lending for a week. I have the "kit" lens and the macro 120mm. This is 50 meg sensor but it blew me away with the details. And the so called "kit" lens is better than most of my Canon L glass. I too think dynamic range is critical for my work so I'm looking forward to when I will be able to get this nice camera. This is a more affordable entry into Fujifilm medium format.
Pierre, yes the Fujifilm GFX system is without a doubt a terrific system, at least for my needs. I hope you get town the system soon. Let us know how it goes, okay?
I have had the GFX 100 for about four years and love it. Routinely make 40x50, 40x60 prints. I am curious about the high panoramic images you are printing. Are those stitched frames, or are they a cropped single frame?
Hi Lee; You obviously know what I'm referring to when I talk about the GFX files. Anyway, depending on which lens I use for a specific pano, I may just use 3 images, but the majority of the time I take 2-3 rows across, anywhere from 5-7 images a row but sometimes 10-12. Most of my panos lately have been with the 120mm macro, which is arguably the finest lens ever made. I plan to soon get the 100-200mm and use it at 200mm for panos.
So 2-3 exposures high and 5-7 wide.. That is 10-21 exposures total you are incorporating into one pano. Who means you are getting composite image files that are 17471h x 58240w [2x5 array] up to 26208h x 81536w [3x7 array] pixels dimensions. [I realize that actual dimensions will be smaller due to overlap at the seams..] That is a -lot- of pixels. I have scanned a lot of 6x17 film at 3200 DPI, giving me files that are about 6900px x 21200px, and printed those up to 30x90 in. to great effect. I have never stitched GFX files. I'd be interested in talking to you about your methods if you are willing. Offline, email? Also would be interested in talking about that 120 macro .. never used it ..
Would welcome that conversation. If you go to my website: lesterpickerphoto.com you can email me and we can take it from here.
Found a gmail address on the residential art page, sent you a test ..
Got it! I’ll reply tomorrow.
Not seeing how to contact or email on web site ..
you can send an email to news@paperartscollective.com or info@lesterpickerphoto.com and les will see it. If all else fails I can get whatever info you'd like to les, my personal email is rwboyer@mac.com
The Fuji is an extraordinary system. No doubt. And, it is worth every $$$.
My Pentax 645z was used, but 'like new,' and I paid $3000. The legacy lenses are very good, and for less than $1000 I have a full range of lenses in my kit. And I don't mind manual focus for the deliberate work a MF is used for in both studio and the field. And, their 'digital' autofocus and zooms are also affordable, so I keep a 150mm and 400mm in my arsenal.
It is a DSLR, so more bulky than the Fuji, but the same sensor.
As for Dynamic Range, the smooth tonal transitions and shadow detail are clearly evident in the prints.
Retired, I'm used to shooting TLR MF, MF SLR's like the Bronica GS1, and 4x5. And, yes, the menus and features on any digital camera take some time to learn.
One of the challenges I'm pursuing with the 645z is astrophotography and night landscapes.
Ps. I agree that slowing down is super important for many photographic and artistic endeavors. That is precisely why I happened to choose the medium format kit that I ended up with. I am a very very different shooter with it than when I have my Canon cameras in my hand. I also happen to LOVE some of my more classic lenses in terms of the overall look at various distances, perspectives, and apertures.
I wish I weren't such a pain in the rear. I like the 645z, but I also like my creature comforts, especially when I'm out in the field under adverse conditions. Nothing like just pressing a button to bring up a function without going through contortions. However, we all know, or should know, that it's never the camera, it's the eye behind it.
I personally like the simplicity of cameras like the 645z and others on my list... One of the reasons I still love and use my 500 series cameras.
Your blog makes me want to rush right out and get one...love your work.
Well... you only go around once ;-)
Ps. I have other rationalization techniques if you ever need them. I use them all the time to acquire objects I do not need nor should.
Ruth, thanks for writing. BTW, they are cheaper by the dozen!
Thanks.
Got to sell one of my kids. They’re over 40 so a bit used.
Steve, still laughing. But, please, do not put in writing which of the kids you are thinking of selling. Better to keep them all on their toes.
It's ready. I'll send you a copy. Let me know what you think.
Your recap and report matches up very well with all of the reviews I have read and watched. Your summary and dollars and cents (sense) are spot on. Thanks
Thanks, Steve. Making this kind of investment should be a very considered decision, so gathering as much data as one needs is important.
Terrific article Les. I’m starting to shoot more MF. Love the detail and DR. Using the Hasselblad X1Dll. Like it’s size and interface. Nice files as well.
Coming from a photographer as accomplished as you I'm happy you liked it. You are the third photographer I know who now uses the X1Dll. Look forward to your next book.
Use several Fuji GX680 with digital backs but thinking about something smaller in the medium format size for the field.
Ps. I never considered the GX680 a "field camera"... then again I like to work indoors for portraits/still life.
That camera is SO SO SO nice! It suffered from the onslaught of digital... if only it were established a few years earlier. Probably the pinnacle of the medium format system camera? One of the cameras that is on my list of "must have" some day. (Yes I still shoot film here and there)