Fuji’s GFX medium format cameras promise superior picture high quality over the corporate’s APS-C X system, however that benefit comes with important trade-offs in weight, lens choice, and price. Most photographers contemplating the improve focus solely on pixel counts and dynamic vary whereas overlooking how these sensible limitations have an effect on real-world taking pictures eventualities.
Coming to you from Andy Mumford, this trustworthy video breaks down three years of real-world expertise utilizing each the Fujifilm GFX medium format and X techniques aspect by aspect. Mumford would not simply pixel-peep at 100% magnification or recite specs from knowledge sheets. As a substitute, he reveals precise comparability pictures taken with the X-T5, GFX 100S, and GFX 50R throughout completely different eventualities, from broad angle landscapes to excessive ISO efficiency. The picture high quality variations are actual, however they don’t seem to be all the time as dramatic as you may anticipate. Extra importantly, Mumford addresses whether or not these variations truly matter to your particular kind of images.
The lens choice actuality examine may shock you. Whereas the GFX produces gorgeous picture high quality, the system launched with restricted lens choices, and Fuji sometimes provides solely two new lenses per yr. Examine that to the mature X system’s intensive telephoto choices: 4 zoom lenses versus the GFX’s single 100-200mm zoom. For those who want critical attain for wildlife or distant landscapes, this limitation turns into an actual downside. The GFX additionally lacks quick aperture lenses, although this issues much less for panorama work. Mumford shares particular examples of when he chooses the X-T5 over the GFX purely primarily based on lens necessities.
Weight turns into the deciding issue for a lot of taking pictures conditions. Mumford’s three-lens X system setup overlaying 10-200mm weighs about the identical because the GFX physique with a single lens. For his current Patagonia journey involving 8-10 hour hikes, the selection was apparent. The fee distinction extends past simply digicam our bodies, as GFX lenses sometimes value double or triple their X system equivalents. Most GFX zooms exceed $2,000 whereas glorious X system lenses could be discovered for half that value. Mumford additionally tackles the depth of discipline variations that pressure him to focus stack regularly with the GFX for broad angle panorama work, one thing he hardly ever must do with the X system’s deeper depth of discipline. Take a look at the video above for the complete rundown from Mumford.
