Fujifilm GFX50S II - Film Photographer's Perspective

Hashem takes a look at the Fujifilm GFX50S II medium format digital camera and discusses the usage experience in contrast to shooting film. As one of the most affordable medium format digital cameras released to date, I share some key points about my experience with this camera, including some comparisons to the usage of (and results from) my Pentax 645N 120 film camera.
Camera loan thanks to ‪@FujifilmAu‬
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►Video Chapter Markers:
00:00 - Intro
01:30 - Approachability
02:36 - Why Medium Format?
03:38 - Egonomics & Ergonomics
04:07 - Lenses
04:49 - Output
05:43 - Speed
07:20 - Compared to Film
08:26 - GFX vs 645 Nature
10:00 - GFX vs 645 Sarah's thoughts
10:26 - GFX vs 645 Street/General
11:18 - GFX vs 645 Summary
11:55 - Who is it for?
12:21 - Who is it not for?
12:53 - Alternatives
13:37 - Conclusion
#fujifilm #gfx50sii #mediumformat

[@_buttertigers]

Thanks for still uploading while youre on your trip and thanks for the detailed comparisons :) Been thinking about this a little bit for myself as well and good to get some detailed takes on it particularly against a MF film camera.

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks for watching Steven! Yeah I actually made this one last month and scheduled it before leaving 😁 Hope you get to try one some time 👍🏼

[@eatthetoast]

I’m on the market for one of these, so naturally you search KZbin for a video on the camera. This is by far the best I’ve found, good job man! Very enjoyable, no slow photo shoots and just straight up talking about the camera without getting too far into specs.

[@pushingfilm]

Hey, thanks so much! Glad you liked it.

[@anthonyritchie696]

Great Video Hashem thanks for sharing this.

[@outwithsara70]

Amazing pics. Interesting comparison. Great video as usual. Ciao, Rosaria

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks!

[@MeasuredLight]

Really great video, Hashem! Good review andbfun comparison! I have the GFX 50R and use it side by side with my medium format film cameras for landscape photography 🙂

[@pushingfilm]

Thank you!

[@Clayh1007]

Thanks for the comparison. It really helped me understand what the camera has to offer!

[@pushingfilm]

Glad it helped!

[@Jennifer_Prentice]

Wow I was shocked at how much better I liked many of the film photos over the digital.

[@thomastuorto9929]

I was surprised at how good they compared also. I think he did say the fuji photos were SOOC. I'm pretty sure he put some more effort into the film photos. But, that is to be expected because that is where it is at for him.

[@CianMcsweeney]

Other than film having a moire interesting look by default, medium format film is also a larger format than digital medium-format, so you get more of that really cool shallow depth of field look

[@chloescanlon1107]

I’m shocked that you are actually shocked when in fact there’s no difference 🙂

[@chrisbooeyl9754]

Good vid. Thank you. Cant wait to get mine :)

[@whispersilk13]

Awesome review, thank you for uploading while you're still on your travels. Increases the temptation to jump onto the GFX system. BTW the Nostalgic Negative film simulation is also available on the X-E4 so it must be on the newer camera bodies Fuji has released.

[@KingFiercer_zip]

Are you sure? Maybe you mean Classic Neg.

[@iefdelaender6224]

Nostalgic Negative is not possible with the X-E4

[@davegball]

That side by side portrait with the 645n in the first few seconds said it all to me. The film photo was gorgeous.

[@DanThomas1161]

I think the contrast in Fuji is very strong, film camera was quite a bit brighter in the shadows and just more colourful overal. Also Fuji colours were muted and not as vibrant, almost Canon like. On the other hand I thought portraits shot with Fuji were way better than Pentax. Great vid. Enjoyed it.

[@superbug1977]

Good video. Here you have my favorite old medium format film camera (I owned the Pentax 645NII--it is amazing). And you discuss a digital film camera I want but can't quite spend the money on (that involves negotiation with my wife).

[@chromagraphphotoart]

This was about the best and most balanced review of this camera I have seen yet. As a fellow film (and digital) shooter with a 645 system (Bronica) I'm thinking this camera will meet my needs, but I need more info on how it performs as a camera, not whether you can shoot action with it, or if it will shot f-log video. Thanks for this. A year on, it's even more of a bargain, so I suspect there is going to be a mk3 version soon.

[@vpr5562]

Lovely! Greetings from Bulgaria.

[@TopshelfJunior]

Been seeing these used, all over the place. Along with the GFX50R.. Some good deals out there !

[@JMaxwell1000]

Outstanding review! This is going to be my next purchase. I'd love to see the GFX 50S II used with vintage Hasselblad Zeiss lenses.

[@pushingfilm]

Awesome! that combo sounds great

[@smoothlennie]

Thanks a lot. Your comparison with the 645N is really useful. I wish I had not sold mine, especially for a song. Luckily I had not sold a final 645 lens (A150 f3.5) and that is working well on my new GFX50S II.

[@Finnurkg]

Thank you for a great video, I've been contemplating if I should go for the Fuji GFX 50S II or the Leica Q2. It mostly comes down to taking the camera with me everywhere I go. The GFX system seems mobile enough as a everyday camera + landscapes/architecture. This video swayed me a bit towards the GFX.

[@shaunyao3119]

gfx100s haha

[@ronaldt3422]

I will buy the GFX just for the Nostalgic Neg simulation. i love the rendering of the greens

[@davegball]

Film for the win. So much more pleasing to the eye.

[@shotbydmitry]

The very same day when I bought GFX50S II! What a coincidence.

[@andreymarassi3433]

I would love to see a comparison with the new fuji X-h2s. Great video

[@thomastuorto9929]

Decent review & excellent work on the film photos. I must admit, I was surprised at how good they were. With that said, I only shot maybe a dozen rolls of 35 mm film. OH, about 15-20 years ago. Didn't even know what aperture was for. Just started shooting & made adjustments to keep the meter zeroed. I did play a little developing a few rolls of B&W back then, (40 years ago) & made a few 4X6" & 8X10" photos from them.

[@pushingfilm]

Thank you!

[@dushysatkunanandan3921]

that local wetlands looks familliar, scocthmans creek in mount wavelley

[@josekaijiecastaneda6014]

Nice comparison. The film definitely looks warmer and more vibrant. Would you be able to share the files for comparison. Thanks

[@PabloSerranophotography]

shooting film will be more expensive in the long run. I like using film too but I almost don't shoot that anymore because it is getting just too expensive. You can go out with GFX 50S II and not worry about taking 500 photos, in film that would be very expensive.

[@Grumpygrumpo]

Film fanboys always fail to mention how much more expensive film is vs digital. When u want something that’s flexible and affordable, digital is the way to go. U can make digital look like film but it would be hard/expensive to do the reverse

[@mikeoshea12]

Depends on what you shoot. I would not take a film camera to an event photography gig. But I will use it for artistic images and portraits. i don't think you can shoot 500 portraits in a day. Also people don't keep their digital cameras very long. There is always a pressure to "upgrade"

[@rodrigovmartins]

I also have the Pentax 645N. It´s an awesome camera.

[@dylan.thissen]

Great video, would have been cool to see your pentax lenses mounted on gfx to see difference due to lenses with modern fuji glass and vintage pentax glass.

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks! I really wanted to do that... But couldn't get my hands on an adaptor for the couple of weeks I had the camera

[@scottsapp7340]

I picked up a gfx 50s with the techart ef adapter. I use my sigma 50mm art and 85mm art 1.4s. I can't go back to full frame for portraits.

[@agylub]

Played with one yesterday BUT to mirror the lens collection of my D850 is the deal breaker. But I still want one

[@ko.kurt2024]

Nice detailed, a decent comparison. For once a real talk, hard to find in any online source these days. I learned photography from the magazines and books that means I grew up on ‘prints’ however I used analog and digital systems professionally and for professional photography. IMO, the world moves on and we cannot stop it, we have to embrace whatever happens. Looking at your photos side by side on this test; I can clearly say that nothing beats film whether it is a still film or moving one. No it is not nostalgic, it is not because I grew up with it. It is the way it looks, the way it renders the colours, highlights and the shadows. As long as these elements are not fully filled in or lacking. You know my answer is. Thanks!

[@pushingfilm]

Well said, and thank you!

[@nicklaytonUK]

Thanks for this. I'm trying to find out if you can select a refined area to auto focus and/or zoom into the image on the back to check auto focus? I have some really nice Mamiya non auto focus glass I can use with this camera but would want to know I would have the confidence to get focus spot on. Thanks again. Lovely images. Love that Pentax.

[@pushingfilm]

Hey, thank you! I can't quite remember now, but I imagine it should have that feature. I've definitely used it on other Fujifilm cameras.

[@amberandindigosoul]

has anyone experience how the autofocus compares to a 5d mark iii who also uses contrast detection? would be my upgrade. Not so happy with the autofocus in low light with the mark iii. i mainly shoot portraits. thanks!

[@KNURKonesur]

Time for Fuji to release a camera with a 645 format sensor.

[@BK-it8ht]

no way without having the lens for it.

[@AlejandroGonzalez-AGS]

Spot on…great camera! I own one…you may be getting one (for your wife ❤️)! Be safe. Cheers..

[@gavinlagrange6322]

Nostalgic neg is really something in the right lighting conditions - wish I could have it in my x-pro3.

[@Zlaja192]

Yeah, sadly Fuji said in an interview that for Nostalgic Neg a large sensor was required 😄🤦🏼‍♂️ and it would not have worked out that well on their APSC lineup I see no logical sense in that statement from a technological standpoint, but in the end the message was clear. I guess the Bayer color filter array made it easier to achieve the look…🤷🏼‍♂️ Who knows, they might bring a slightly adjusted version of it for the x mount cams. For me its the best sim so far.

[@gavinlagrange6322]

@@Zlaja192 I saw that too - as it turns out the x-h2s has nostalgic neg, so I guess that was a bit of a fib on fujis behalf 😅

[@Zlaja192]

@@gavinlagrange6322 for its price it better have Super Nostalgic Neg 😄 But I did not know, thx for the info… thats a good sign😁

[@chrisjettofficial3056]

I've been thinking about getting the GFX, because I love Medium Format, but after seeing your comparison with your 645N, I may reconsider as I have two Hasselblad's (501/503), two Fuji GSW690IIs, a Mamiya RZ67Pro II, and two Rollei's. I think I'm just getting board and have gear acquisition syndrome (GAS). Lol!!

[@pushingfilm]

Haha it does sound likely! That's a nice arrangement of options 🙂

[@baladino]

Hashem did you get back from your holiday ? The GFX is a good system but somewhat slow to work with compared to the APS-C Fujifilm range. For a studio camera or even on a tripod framing landscapes the GFX possibly would be a great option. I’m off exposing negatives with my Leica MA and a Zeiss 35mm F2.8. I didn’t think after watching your video on it I’d have my own.

[@dennysachtleben3419]

curious to test both cameras with the same Pentax lens, it might get rid of this digital look from Fuji.

[@tosha3873]

I hope that Fuji adds Pro 400H color film simulation.

[@robdixon5016]

I actually preferred the film images. But I am biased to film so take that for what its worth. Great video!

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks!

[@CalumetVideo]

I would definitely go for this camera. But the price is the issue for me. I suppose I will stick with my Bronica SQ for now. I do think that a Digital Medium Format is the way to go if you have the money. I like film, but between being limited to 12 shots per roll and the cost of film nowadays! Digital Medium Format is a no-brainer.

[@jliang70]

I will probably go for the 100s just because I am used to the 61mp Sony A7RiV, I like Fuji's color over Sony, but there is no way I will not give up Sony because I have a large extensive collection of Sony E mount lens, it has good continuous shooting capability, great eye auto focus which make shooting portrait a breeze. I will buy 3 or 4 fuji GF lenses and then use a lot of manual lenses with this camera.

[@pushingfilm]

Nice, sounds like a good combo!

[@alanma3864]

Ooohhhhh this is so nice!!!!! I want 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 help!!!!

[@Stealther]

Ok I’m resurrecting this and just wanted to thank you for the comparison. I’m thinking of picking up one of the GFX series, but not sure which one. When looking at the comparisons the film photo looks at least a stop brighter than the digital. Did you overexpose the film shots?

[@pushingfilm]

Most likely. I usually shoot 400H at 200

[@MarcS4R]

did you rate the pro400h at box speed ? you are getting really nice colors out of it

[@pushingfilm]

I rated it at 200... I've always found that to be a better speed rating for 400H

[@kichaa13]

Thanks for the decent review, it was so frustrating watching the usual guys complain about fps and try to compare it to 35mm. It's minblowing that there is a $3k medium format camera today, I remember when the pentax was considered groundbreaking for being

[@pushingfilm]

Absolutely!

[@marklike3]

Which should I choose between GFX50SII and A7RV? I usually shoot people, group activities, and landscapes.

[@pushingfilm]

If you aren't shooting for paid or commercial work, I think the A7 would be a better all-round choice.

[@marklike3]

@@pushingfilm Ok I got it! Thank you so much for your answer.

[@thomaseriksson6256]

What about GFX 100S. I'm thinking about getting the 50Sii for my old MF lenses

[@pushingfilm]

I haven't tried that one 🙂

[@ampm7906]

Not too many photographers are able to obtain such excellent 645 format film results as your presenter here, there just isn't the lab infrastructure present for medium format film anymore. That being said, I was very impressed that the new Fuji system comes so close to the film result, that it deserves a pass. Well done, Fuji for lending the equipment to enable this test vs. medium format film.

[@Irnbruist]

I never get this "medium format space rendering" you mentioned; doesn't the small aperture make up for the whole effect of the larger sensor? Like a 1.4 on FF is about the same like a 2.8 on MF?

[@KNURKonesur]

Depends on which specific MF you're talking about. 1.4 to 2.8 is 2EV. FF to crop MF (Fuji GFX) is +0.75EV FF to 645 MF (Pentax 645N) is +1.44EV FF to 6x7 MF (Pentax 67) is +2.18EV So a 1.4 lens on FF would give the same DOF as a 2.3 on 645 MF given you have a lens with the same angle of view. I think the space rendering has more to do with how big the sensor is, how far you are from the subject and how depth of field falls off because of that combination. It's much more visible when shooting on 4x5" large format, you can have a lens that technically gives bigger depth of field, but the smoothness of the focus falloff and the gradient of shadows is noticeably different.

[@Irnbruist]

@@KNURKonesur thanks mate for your explanation, really appreciated 👏🏼

[@executor966]

hashem, which protactic bag is that 350 or 450?

[@pushingfilm]

It's the 450 🙂

[@executor966]

@@pushingfilm thanks, you're a legend

[@garethVanDagger]

Shout out to Springvale ✌️

[@humandroid53]

Judging by this I much prefer the rendering of the film. More luminosity. Is the Fuji a Bayer sensor? Were you shooting in jpg!? Not Raw? Surely you need to shoot RAW to properly compare? Thanks for the video.

[@pushingfilm]

Thank you. I shot raw

[@carltanner9065]

What are my thoughts? Sarah has a very good grip on your arm and is twisting it even harder :) :P :P Jokes aside, one of these cameras would be great for myself, but I can't afford one, either. Can dream about it, though :)

[@AdamAllen]

As a recent owner of the 50R, I find that Fuji seriously needs faster glass for these GFX cams, which is very surprising since they were able to corner the APS-C market by providing stellar fast glass for the FX line, something that no other crop cam brand provided at the time.

[@Juventinos]

sorry mate you don't get it. the fastest hasselblad H system lens is a 100 f2.2 fuji makes that one too.great lens not the best lens though, the hasselblad 120 mm v2 f4 is the best lens imo, that and the 50mm 3.5. all of them are made by fuji. all of these lenses are north of 5000$ you can't just put out a 0.95 lens for medium format, it doesn't work like that.

[@BK-it8ht]

The larger the sensor, the larger the lens at same speed. You want a 1.2 lens on GFX? Sure they can do it, but be prepared to pay premium and to carry around a 2kg lens. I'm sure fuji has found a balance between speed/weight/price. Fuji f1.7 is still the fastest of 33x44 sensors. As soon as that 55 1.7 hits the market, I'm buying.

[@CianMcsweeney]

Fuji has plenty of fast glass for this system, their 1.7 primes being the fastest, which in terms of depth of field is equivalent to a full frame ~ f/1.3 lens

[@doozledumbler5393]

Still a bit steep. I've never spent over 2K for a camera and this is just over 6K. My only interest in it would be to scan some medium format negs.

[@KNURKonesur]

I'd be first in line if this was 6k but the sensor was 645, not cropped to 44x33mm.

[@pablovi77]

If you have a 645N, better get a 645D or 645Z, you already have the lenses, and they’re like 10 times cheaper.

[@timothyj.2937]

Why get this over the 100s? Just curious

[@pushingfilm]

Fujifilm Australia didn't have one of those to loan me at the time

[@wh0tube]

Although it costs almost the same as a small hatchback, the GFX 50 S II is a lot more portable! 😉👍 Stunning photos 🙏

[@pushingfilm]

Thanks! 👍

[@raddyxx]

How come you're becoming more and more handsome from video to video ...?

[@davidmurray5926]

He the spits of Jamie Dornan

[@vangstr]

Film is still so much better. There’s a warmth and glow to it.

[@weisserth]

I was thinking the same looking at the images side by side.

[@dylan.thissen]

Have to consider if that’s also due to lenses and editting though.

[@davidmurray5926]

Except you need an additional mortgage to pay for it.

[@jackofblades6736]

The sad part is that you still use have to edit with film the same way in digital. My gfx 50s holds the shadows and highlight details.

[@Grumpygrumpo]

U know editing exists right?

[@hyprz]

The film shots look magical and the GFX shots look like a DSLR lol

[@davidmurray5926]

Fool

[@hyprz]

@@davidmurray5926 fool

[@RodUSMC75]

Damn Fujifilm is really pushing this GFX, every "KZbinr" is pushing a video on this system. So "they" Fuji start discontinuing their film and are pushing this system.

[@pushingfilm]

I reached out to them and asked if I could borrow it, which I did with no conditions to make a video or anything.

[@RodUSMC75]

@@pushingfilm Oh not on your Brother, I just noticed that quite a few KZbinrs are making videos on Fuji systems at the same time. Your video was wonderful. Cheers!

[@Juventinos]

lovely camera. is it medium format though? meeh.. not really.

[@MrLaloapatzingan]

They still cannot match the natural dynamic range that film cameras have. 10:50

[@kristoffergo6294]

Those colors from the film is outstanding. But the GFX comes close.

[@truetothegame2928]

i bought a GFX however these things are quickly becoming obsolete; hence the price depreciation - most people nowadays are viewing pictures /photos on a 6 inch screen .. MF is overkill..

[@bbones3318]

the digital and film comparison are easy to match in digital.

[@goldenhourkodak]

This is all part of Fuji's plan and all the KZbinrs are buying into it

[@pushingfilm]

Except I reached out to them and asked to borrow it

[@CalumetVideo]

I do think that Fuji is moving more into digital. But, Kodak and many others still make film.

[@acmdv]

I still can't believe Fuji were so stupid in putting contrast-detect auto focus in this camera, they could have at least given it the same autofocus tech. as the X-T3/4. The size of the sensor is just a little bit smaller than a 6x45 negative so you can adapt 645 lenses on it with focus peaking & no vignette problems. The sensor isn't a Fuji sensor, in fact I believe it's the same sensor that you would find in a Pentax 645Z.

[@celestialemissary4934]

They were not "stupid". It's just the limitation of this sensor. It's old as you said it is in Pentax 645Z

[@gavinlagrange6322]

All fuji sensors are sony sensors - fuji only designs the color filter array that goes over the top on the x-trans models.

[@ReinoldFZ]

What do you need fast autofocus for? Just curious, because usually that is expected from people photographing their children, sports or so.

[@acmdv]

@@ReinoldFZ Better autofocus = more accurate especially when it comes to shallow depth of field portraits (nailing focus on the eye) and less hunting.

[@ReinoldFZ]

@@acmdv I understand, thank you. You are right, the bigger the sensor there is less margin for focus inaccuracies.

[@nothingness.emptiness]

i dont think it has a medium format look. its barely larger than fullframe so calling it medium format is missleading. 50r is a better camera for film photographers.

[@davidmurray5926]

Exactly the same sensor, so how’s that Einstein?

[@letmebereal]

@@davidmurray5926 haha like it