Fujifilm GFX 50s or GFX50r - How to choose

If you've decided to invest in a Fuji medium format camera, you now have two models to choose from. So which one is right? That's a tricky question, which I try to address in this video. I've been shooting with both cameras, and trying to sort out why you might spend $1000 for one over the other isn't easy.
If you're wondering why you might want to go to medium format at all, then check out my course Advanced Photography: Medium-Format Digital Cameras on Lynda.com. You can find it right here: www.lynda.com/Photography-tut...

[@lancerrr9]

I came here interested in buying a camera. Now I’m interested in buying a bird.

[@DirkSachse]

I kept watching the bird and not paying any attention to the cameras lol

[@eddiec4456]

Me too! I want that bird!

[@jimmypao5744]

same here! lol and just imagine shoot it with my prime lens! lol

[@delcambrem]

hahaha. totally.

[@nataliarobless]

Best comment ever 😂😂😂

[@VirtualS0lution]

I came for the camera but I stayed for that bird

[@bernios3446]

Yessss!

[@theresastone8832]

I'm not in the market for a medium format camera but I am ALWAYS in the market for a video featuring an adorable little birdie! Watch till the end for the Extreme Cuteness Close-up.

[@CRMayerCo]

Hey, Ben, great job. Hope to see you and the bird more often. Your new channel is a real winner!

[@sharetheblame]

Without question the best review I’ve come across. Having a sincere assessment of “specs”, with not even a burp of regurgitated bullet points, is so so so appreciated. I can say I now have a great real world sense of these cameras. One I didn’t have just a few minutes ago. Really fantastic. Thank you!

[@RedDeivid]

You are an amazing human being with a lot of wholesomeness thanks for this amazing video!

[@madmadboy]

I really like the way you talk about the equipment and photography. It is very solid and informative and you really cut off all the crap that is very common to the younger youtubers. I feel that from one your video I've learned more than 10 previous ones and you only touched ergonomics of those cameras. Instant sub. Thank you Sir and keep up the good work.

[@bcrigg9388]

Thank You Sir for mentioning the “In Camera Focus Stacking”! Very important feature to me as a landscape photographer & you are the 1st to mention this in over a dozen GFX videos I have viewed! Thank You Sir!

[@SD_Alias]

How does it work in camera? is the result a jpg? or is the camera stacking raws and the result is a raw? that feature sounds very interesting…

[@completedigitalphotography9495]

It doesn't actually do the merging for you, it just shoots the raw frames by bracketing focus. The feature is actually called "Focus bracketing." So you still need a merging step to process the files.@@SD_Alias

[@SD_Alias]

@@completedigitalphotography9495 thanks a lot!

[@richardbentley]

I have watched hundreds of camera reviews over the years and done a deal of presenting in my time. I love your natural style on camera, impartial review and the mini parrot was a genius touch. Bravo and thank you for a great real world review.

[@bvista58]

best introduction for these cameras yet!...and the birdie was so cute, he was probably bored because he knew that these cameras are not the tool to photograph birdies... :)

[@PentaconSixExpert]

Great review, thank you. 24×65 is the Hasselblad XPAN format that I miss since selling my XPAN camera and lenses, so being able to preview that at the composition stage is a plus for me.

[@massivan]

Birdie aside this has to be one of the best verbal based reviews. Subscription well deserved.

[@ChritsianBucic]

Difficult to focus on what you've said even it's clear and super informative, but the bird si cute! Thank you!

[@peterlucas6732]

I totally agree with your assessment. I couldn't justify the extra grand for the S, given the differences. I went with the R and I couldn't be happier with the results. Even pleasantly surprised by the speed of the autofocus and face detection after reading that it was terrible. It is not SLR, but it is quite useable in wedding/runway settings with reasonably paced action.

[@filipsalapa]

Your voice is freaking amazing! Thank you for making the video :)

[@jimbeam4736]

Great video, very informative and the bird is so cute that I shared it with everyone I know.

[@zenonbillings9008]

fabulous that I came across this video comparison, i'm just beginning to become interested in medium format, and specifically the fuji pair you have compared here ....so thanks very much!....its been a great help. zen billings

[@killpop8255]

One of the most useful comparisons. Nobody so far apart from you mentioned the tether being a possible problem. I always use a tripod so that's a real important point. Shutters always around 1/100 to 1/80 and ISO always 100 so a lot of the ergonomics to me are redundant.

[@GOVAUS1]

Man, you don't have tats showing everywhere and you are a photographer? Not possible. Excellent video, thanks. I am considering MF Fuji and this really helps.

[@jenniferwills9583]

Sticking with the X-T3 for now but great info. And the bird is the best!

[@medallionmotionpictures]

Hay Jennifer have you experienced any overheating issues with your X-T3? If so what happens if it does and how long before it goes back to normal? Thanks

[@veteq101]

Great review, thank you

[@claravannieuwerburgh2280]

I'm subscribing to your channel, immediately! Thank you for your sincere review. This camera will be my first professional camera, and as it is a huge investment, I wanted to be sure about my choice. You have all my sympathy from Belgium!

[@endnami]

beautiful bird and great review thank you!

[@MrMick560]

Thanks for a brilliant comparison, really sensible and easy to understand, I'm going for the cheaper as usual, I think the bird loves you.

[@sarahdippity]

This is a terrific review! Thank you!! I’m dreaming of owning a M format cam one day. :)

[@HamiltonSRink]

Great cameras. Adorable little green guy!

[@mauromatalone3011]

Great review thanks a lot.

[@larryroccostudio]

Thank you! I bought the S.

[@zawajzzabahs9494]

You got my like from the cool bird alone!

[@DJLazinator]

What an insightful, concise video. As good or better than Ted Brownstone or Ken Wheeler... without the meandering! Kudos!

[@robertdeans9934]

Great video Please tell me, what bird is that? It’s the cutest thing ever, include it in every video! I have subscribed just to see that bird again 🤣🤣🤣

[@completedigitalphotography9495]

She's a parrotlet! They're all the attitude of a full-sized parrot in a very small, economical package. She's also very old, which is why she likes to sleep so much, and why her feathers are so ratty. But she's a great flier and is still loads of fun, in addition to being the cutest thing ever. I'll try to hire her for another video.

[@szarbaba]

its a parrotlet, the Micro Four Third version of a Parrot!

[@salpatalano2306]

Hello Ben, great video.

[@crystalous]

i fell in love with your little bird

[@darun225]

thanks for your video!! I will save for the 50r :-)

[@steves1066]

I love that shot at 5:54

[@elderinmoi1571]

I was leaning to the 50r because I thought it would be the much better travel companion but the difference in size and weight is not big enough to make a decision based on this. All the rest speaks for the the 50s except price so I think the 50s is for me. Thanks for the video. Oh and yes, long live the parrot :)

[@BartRos1980]

I am a Sony shooter...but the medium format are very interesting. And Fuji is great. Might give one a try as a rental. Thats said...kinda in love with the Sony sensors.

[@thomastuorto9929]

Great review. Wish I could justify the purchase.

[@jgranseth]

Hi Ben, nice comparison. I actually have both cameras, and I think they each have their strengths and weaknesses, just like you do. I just wanted to point one thing out. You may know this, but if you set the ISO dial to C on the 50s, you will be able to control ISO with the front command dial, just like on the 50r. Oh, and also I would never dare to use the strap lugs on my 50s without the little safety chips that are supposed to go into the strap lugs to prevent them from accidentally opening. You seem to be doing that?😱 So yeah, I prefer the lugs on the 50r 😉

[@hieulavoce]

Thanks for sharing the information. Love the little bird 😄😂

[@cesarebonazza]

I think the EVF on the 50s is better more possibilities and centrally located especially when you tilting camera your eyes goes right to middle compared to 50R far to the left, not a very good position on a tripod when you set the camera vertically. By the way, that bird is too cute I think you found a new friend!

[@AAA.23.23.]

That baby bird is sooo cute😘😘😘

[@TheEastbelfast]

Great comparison and very well explained Still considering one of these against the D850 But between the two it’s hard to decide but until I get to physically hold and try them Its like a Bird in the hand is worth two in the Bush 😁

[@completedigitalphotography9495]

Ha! I didn't have the nerve to work that cliché in, but I'm glad you managed to do it for me.

[@BartRos1980]

eastbelfast Belfast years of experience

[@annjessup1670]

EastBelfast, I have both the Gfx50s and D850. I would say the D850 is a better all ‘rounder, but the Gfx50s makes gorgeous images and it’s lovely to shoot with.

[@bsmukler]

I especially like that you’ve made this comparison video after having used the 50S extensively. One thing I wonder about is the internal difference between the viewfinders. There is a lot that went into developing the one on the 50S (Fuji posted an article about it), and it is not clear to me whether the one on the 50R is the same inside. REALLY cute bird by the way :)

[@Zakalwe-01]

Get the GFX 50s, and then add the 50r. I carried the 50s for 9 hour music gig and was never aware of its bulk or weight. I might as well have had an A7r in my hands.

[@tchin2020]

Thank u for a great review...I’m itching towards the GFX 50R for sure...

[@theone614]

That little baby bird is so cute

[@thegreatvanziniphotos5976]

Wonderful compare & contrast. Thank you. Even though these are the least expensive ones out there I am waiting with the hopes of someone putting something more affordable out. Give me a digital Yashica 124 g. Heck, a L44! Anything.

[@citizenwolf8720]

Gorgeous little bird!! :D

[@AelielAT]

The biggest difference for me is the grip. And of course the viewfinder.

[@depotmsa2362]

this was a good video cool bird !

[@markbuckley1151]

Beautiful bird.

[@linghang78]

You seem to have the same hairstyle as the birdie :D... Thanks for the comparison!

[@limro]

thank you mr goldblum

[@tanweercaa]

Sooooperb and interesting comparison Ben, what made you do so? Have you done this before?

[@cleverghostcinema]

Really great review. What the significant differences in image quality with the gfx100

[@ryanflemingdesign]

love the bird guest :)

[@BenjaminKanarek]

The Bird is soooooooooooo Cute!

[@SD_Alias]

At 50S i prefer the tiltable VF, the more flexible display and the better Handgrip. The 50R looks better and reminds me to old film texasleica. But i would choose the S for more flexibility...

[@fullandstarving]

yes, i have the 50s and never go back for 50r

[@RawGreySun]

What are differences in lenses to full frame? Just learning about medium format.

[@JungleEddie]

I don't imagine it is any harder than choosing between the X-T2 and the X-Pro 2. They seem to make everything in both the SLR style and the Range Finder style. I prefer the range Finder style. I shoot the X-E2. If I won the lottery I would get the GFX 50R with the GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR.

[@automat8]

Thank you. Is S better for strobe shooting? 1000 difference?

[@Introdigitalarts]

Thank you for the video, finally i decided to buy a green bird.

[@tjmanou6422]

S is for Studio, R is for Rangefinder. Pretty much says what they amide for.

[@garbhanmyles]

No further forward on my 50s vs 50r to buy, but i am certain that I really fancy getting a wee bird.

[@SD_Alias]

Can a faster Tele lens lets say a FF 4/600 be adapted to the GFX? Or a faster WA Lens like a 2.0/28mm FF lens? Or is the imagecircle to small for that bigger sensor? I am faszinated by this system, but i find the native lenses are a little bit to the slow side and i like to shoot in low light situations… excuse me, my english is not so good…

[@irenedp4947]

Thanks for your review, very nice and very well done. I've had a 50s for almost two years now.. I do landscape and documentary, and for events I use a Nikon D850. The Fuji is a wonderful studio and landscape camera. I see the 50r as an oversized range finder with can work for travel and street photography, but there's much better, lighter and more discreet cameras to do that (starting with the x-100f, and all the way to the Leica Ms, the Q, or the Sony RXIR. I am looking forward to the 100s, and probably will keepl the 50s. Sincerely with all due respect to its lovers, I see the 50r as a curiosity, like the old Fuji 6x9s

[@benlong1000]

I love the old Fuji 6x9 and it was the first thing I thought of when I pulled the 50R out of the box! The 50r is a very striking camera, but I'm gonna stick with the S.

[@thevalleywalker]

great video... :)

[@ourworldujjwalmistry6610]

Sir , if possible please make a video on FUJIFILM GFX 100 Medium Format Mirror less Camera ; and thank you very much for this video .

[@robiulahmed]

From the thumbnail, I thought you were Hugh Brownstone!

[@johnsmith1474]

And it turns out, he's better than Hugh, who is good, but endlessly annoying with the dramatic eye rolls etc.

[@chloescanlon1107]

Nah... this fella doesn’t want to eat himself like a Hugh hold that thought.

[@maze400]

Loved the video and WISH money was no object. 50R for me......

[@strenuousbobbykushner]

Ben, I own a few editions of your book "Complete Digital Photography" :)

[@benlong1000]

Thanks for buying them, Bobby! Working to get a ninth edition out.

[@strenuousbobbykushner]

Ben, do you sell any photo books too? I see none posted on your website. Can you recommend a few if you don't sell any. Contrary, I periodically check your social media for new resources. The last manual I purchased was the eighth edition. All the best, Ben :)

[@lusean193]

Like you vid thanks

[@Lumenatic]

Ben, would you recommend any of these models if you need to kill ambient light while using flash? I am a motorcycle photographer (Lumenatic.com), so I need to light fairly large objects both on location and in the studio. Using HSS would reduce the available power of my flashes (Dodox AD600Pro 600 Ws).

[@VolkerAStark]

Cool

[@sharondaatlagniappe]

Nice bird!

[@juliussternfeld428]

I watched your videos on Lynda.com . The sensor size comparison looked strange. I examined a screenshot. Not even close to an accurate comparison of sensor sizes. But generally liked it.

[@wordwarrior2350]

Thanks for NOT being an AmaZOMBIE. I am waiting for a GFX100R with a battery grip and a job where I can make $15,000 on. Right now I am very satisfied with my Nikon D850 and D750 with the FX 18mm-35mm, DX 18mm.105mm and Zeiss 21mm 2.8 Distagon. The DX was a kit with an older Nikon D7100 the other two bought used in A condition. All together $5,825. Since trading can kill you and I am too old to switch now. To anyone with the money or someone who would give them $4,500 for the lot and is under 60, my personal advice is ether wait for GFX 100R or buy a 50R especially if you can get a good used one and/or 23mm or lens of your choice for under $6,000...

[@deluxelex9056]

I had to watch the video two times ... the second time to learn about the camera

[@belowaverage7539]

That bird is so dang cute.

[@bubuli]

What you're talking about seems interesting but I'm looking at the bird the whole time. And to be perfectly honest, I clicked on the thumbnail because "Oh, cool! Adam Savage is reviewing cameras now..."

[@FinalLugiaGuardian]

Would the bird pose for photos with one of these Fuji medium format cameras?

[@benlong1000]

Maybe once she's fallen asleep. I'll give that a try

[@Stevie_jr]

It would been cool to take a shot of that bird that would been cool see how would the picture come out

[@marknadirworx]

who holds a parrot in their hands when reviewing a camera LOL subscribed..

[@demize6]

is it amazing to me how people complain so much about having to look away from the viewfinder to change your iso when you can literally have your ISO visible in the evf. I have had to look away when changing my iso in any camera I've ever owned

[@GeorgeStar]

You need to make Ms. Parrot a regular guest!

[@tedtedsen269]

why is the 50s 1000 usd more expensive than 50r what do you pay for

[@sculpherphotography4835]

As photographers used to say "Watch the Birdie"

[@TrapPhoneLoveMelodiesss]

The bird is the real MVP here… 😂

[@BenjaminKanarek]

I just got my 2 x GFX 50S bodies and 6 now 7 lenses... 43, 63, (80mm) now 110, 120, 250 and 32-64 🙂 By the way, has anyone ever told you that you look like a younger David Letterman?

[@SSchithFoo]

Birb!

[@bernios3446]

Cameras are fascinating, but clearly the little bird totally stole Fuji's thunder here...

[@Luigi13]

I am not sure why Fujifilm skipped in introducing a full frame camera which would be in my opinion a lot better in terms of speed and weight all around. I still hope Fujifilm would introduce a full frame camera similar to the XT4 with IBIS and a large battery.

[@jeffreyallen3461]

#TexasLeica

[@PPAATTful]

Eye view finder, the biggest difference, hello, talk about it.

[@tmlucatube]

Sorry cannot stop watch that cutie

[@EricLouisYoung]

The "rangefinder" style in both ugly and uncomfortable. The only thing that makes sense on it is the viewfinder location. In a mirrorless world the evf should only be located there on every camera, like the a6000 series.

[@gerardferry3958]

Fuji let you borrow for free or rent a week

[@Ranger4564]

1 is clearly a range finder, 1 is clearly an slr, that could be a pretty big difference for some people. Thank you for the video. :-)

[@Bongo2k]

Uh no, they're both mirrorless

[@Ranger4564]

@@Bongo2k Doh, I knew that actually, but the centered viewfinder threw me. Thank you for correcting me. My real point, if it in fact applies, is that one has the viewfinder off to the side and the EVF may act like a range finder, whereas the other has the centered EVF and may present the image similar to an SLR.

[@christofferpedersen3939]

what kind of parrot is it ?

[@benlong1000]

She’s a parrotlet. With a lot of attitude!

[@benlong1000]

She's a parrotlet