Fuji GFX 100II 6 months review

[@DM-dq1mh]

I always enjoy watching your videos😊 I always thought your studio was up in the tree canopy, but then. I saw the dog walking by…. On topic, I don’t regret upgrading from the 100s when I look through the Evf of the 100ii. Maybe you would outline your manual shooting process and any hits and tips one day .

[@paulschefz]

there is a ledge and somehow the dogs love to walk by, it is a 8ft drop, but they dont seem to care! yes, the EVF is a joy. I will keep that in mind and work it into the next videos!

[@aniachka]

Very thankful that you compare it to a 4x5 camera. This and the dynamic range is what interested me the most.

[@paulschefz]

I try to be careful when comparing digital to film and especially when it comes to film/sensor size. A good friend who shoots a lot of 8x10 just bought the gfx 100II and agrees, in terms of image quality (resolution and DR) and for final large print it beats 4x5 and compares to 8x10 but obviously the process is different and IMO there is just something about that huge film area. But being able to get this quality in that small size and never missing a shot ( for comparably little money/frame) is just hard to beat. I also really enjoy shooting the GFX with manual glass.

[@AmbientNoir]

Great video! It is not too often you find people that know the gear they use and KNOW how to use it. Great website!

[@paulschefz]

thank you!

[@renatojlopes]

Interesting you mention the angled top LCD. First thing I noticed in my Fuji X-H1. It’s not as pronounced as this one. It does make a difference. Sadly they have gone back to a flat top LCD on the new X-H2.

[@oman4229]

Question can you do a video & test with dji’s lidar autofocus on the gfx 100ii to see if that makes it viable for sports photography?

[@paulschefz]

sorry, as much as I would like to do that, I am not comfortable providing a review or test with gear I dont have enough experience with. I am really intrigued with the DJI lidar accessory, I think they are really on to something.

[@Mr-Royn]

Love the in-detailed review. But what tent were you in, in this video? Also if possible, please do some testing with cine lenses like Atlas or Arri or Leica, etc? Like compatibility and how much loss with the compatibility, and of course photo and video quality, etc

[@paulschefz]

😀 I am in an Ekodome dome, check it out! I dont have any real cine lenses but interestingly the AstrHori lenses I just tested both have de-clicked f stops and I really like them. I still have not really made a deep dive into the motion features but from what I have seen so far the camera is crazy good for motion. I think it has slightly different use then smaller mirrorless, but the IQ looks better then anything I have seen from smaller (Sony,....) files are great DR is the key.

[@Mr-Royn]

@@paulschefz yep. already saw those videos. really helpful. thanks

[@paulschefz]

@@Mr-Royn 🙏

[@nevvanclarke9225]

I really thought about this camera for a lot, but I decided to wait and just yesterday my GFX 100s ii arrived and personally I think it offers better value. I'm not a big fan of that EVF sticking out. I actually like the camera close to my face. I don't like something sticking out like that. It also makes it impractical putting it into my bag for landscape photography as well, while I think it's a really cool feature I don't think it was required. Plus, I'm not shooting video with a GFX. I have three other cameras that can shoot 4K 60 with no problem..... So I think it's not really a camera that I'm gonna use for video at all because the weight also. that said the 100 ii I think it would be an amazing camera. I'm loving my GFX journey. I also have the 50s ii two and if you just shoot stills and landscapes check that camera out people it's slow focusing not suitable for portraits but man pumps out some great images GFX has now joined the party, with full frame cameras and honestly they are better value in my opinion because of the image quality. I think now there's a third option which is the hundred 100S ii. so many great options

[@paulschefz]

the 100SII was not available when I got my 100II, I did not have the choice, it definitely is a great choice to have! I love the tilt finder, I agree with it being a pain when packing and storing the camera! I havent shot any video with the 100II yet. I have not needed that ultimate video quality, I also always use smaller cameras. with the latest canon/nikon/sony announcements it almost seems as if they are just handing Fuji that high end landscape/IQ with the GFX. I just saw that fuji released the SDK for GFX use on drones, this is big because phase still had that high end commercial/industrial covered. easy now to think of GFX for that use as well. great system getting better all the time!

[@stefankost3071]

Hello. Is the new surface coating on the camera body of the Fuji GFX 100II durable? Or is the coating more sensitive than on the GFX 100S.

[@paulschefz]

I think it is a little early to say how the surface will hold up, I honestly have not had any durability issues with any of my GFX bodies, I do like the new surface better, it is nice and "grippy" without being rough, I also think the texture looks cool!

[@oman4229]

What monitor do you use to edit the 16bit photos?

[@paulschefz]

I use an older LG graphics monitor, it's ok, not the latest greatest but calibration is the key anyway. there are no 16bit monitors and sometimes I wonder if the much larger file size is worth it compared to 8bit TIFF but once you start tweaking color, you just have to stay in 16bit. as far as true 16 bit capture vs 14bit, (or compressed vs uncompressed raw) really digging into the shadows often shows the small difference.

[@oman4229]

@@paulschefz thank you very much for all the insight!!!

[@gondokingo3931]

This is like my dream camera rn. Wish i could afford it

[@paulschefz]

100s is a great, great camera as well!

[@tuhkathri9126]

Just wait a few years and it's will drop in price by half of more like all other cameras 👍🏻

[@jaguaro85]

Thank you for sharing, do you have any sample images?

[@paulschefz]

check my website for my work, I honestly feel like this camera is past pixel peeping and images quality should not be judged on KZbin. I find it easier to compare lenses and show the differences there. for brick walls and resolution charts there are so many samples already online and there are a lot of people who do purely technical reviews much better. thank you!

[@doogieham]

Thanks, Paul, for your thoughts and reflections. I agree with your summary point that it is important to be very clear about your own “use case” for this camera given the investment you’re making in it and the GF ecosystem. Also, I had to laugh when you commented at 18:06 on the fact that the tilt adapter hides the Fuji logo and that this was a good thing. I was in the store last week talking to the Fuji rep and we both observed that from a strictly aesthetic point of view, the front of the adapter looks kind of blocky and naked without the Fuji logo but from the practical perspective, it does let you go rather unnoticed in public.

[@paulschefz]

@@doogieham I honestly just realized that! but yes, either with the tilt adapter or without the evf, the camera does not show a brand!

[@doogieham]

Yes, very much unlike the new Leica SL3 which seems to have the logo stamped everywhere it can fit!@@paulschefz

[@paulschefz]

@@doogieham I like Leica, have unfortunately had some bad experiences with them and months long repair times (at least in US) make it difficult to use if you need it for work. in regard to Logos, you could say that that is partly what you are paying for?

[@SuperSuperka]

It only can film good video in panoramic 5.9K mode. I think this is the main really interesting feature for me, as I love panoramic aspect ratio. 4K with crazy Rolling Shutter, or line-skipping/pixel binning, 8K with crop - not good at all.

[@paulschefz]

I am definitely not a cinematographer and honestly havent really shot much on the 100 II (coming from the 100s which just wasnt really interesting for motion). I thought it was interesting that these guys (OldFastGlass) who deal with high end motion capture saw something unique in the 100 II. from what I have seen so far is that the bigger sensor with its crazy DR can have a very pleasant (here we go: "film like" ) look unlike smaller sensors for a (relatively) small price. we just saw the release of all the new BM cameras which will definitely cover more bases but I am not sure they will produce a "prettier" image?

[@SuperSuperka]

@@paulschefz I think panoramic aspect ratio for video - is what makes GFX100-II unique. in terms of Dynamic Range, exposure latitude, any other video quality - absolutly nothing special, about avarage or worse then avarage (in 4K, 8K) - watch CineD test.

[@paulschefz]

@@SuperSuperka like I said I havent done much testing, so far I like what I see, I was surprised to see OFG use the GFX! I will watch the CineD test, thx!

[@p_adam19]

I probably wouldn't buy a 100S right now, the 100S II is just around the corner, it will have some of the 100 II features, like the AF system and some of the video features. Edit: the 100S II is only 600$ more than the 100S despite fixing important things like the EVF and AF system, 100S values will drop significantly, making it more attractive.

[@paulschefz]

there is always a new one coming!

[@asamxs]

Canon, nikon too low dyamic range compare Medium format. it's the fact of ditortion when you shoot on full frame senson.

[@Yupthereitism]

Wrong