Is the Fujifilm GFX 50R still worth it?

The Fujifilm GFX 50R is part of Fujifilm's digital medium format camera line-up and has some impressive specs. A 51 Megapixel sensor, 425 AF Points and some nice pro features. But there is more to this camera than meets the eye. In this video I do some automotive photography and review the GFX 50R, is it still worth it several years after release?
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[@nicedaygraphics]

I owned, and still own, many Sony cameras. As well as GFX50R. Full frame don't come even close to the tone rendering and colors of GFX50R. Sony give you this detailed, clinic, robotic look every youngster without taste goes for. =) Not nailing autofocus? Just get better at taking photos and rely less on gear. And I really liked you comparing photos from full frame and meduim format. Sure, you don't see difference if both photos are of the same red brick wall, for example. Go out and take a snap of a high contrast scene and see how that's working out for full frame. GFX50R are for people who want absolutely best of Fuji colors, tonality, dynamic range, not APSC, put in this particular style for affordable price. I use it every day for 4 years now and it's been the best camera I 've ever had. And I've had many.

[@michaelj7069]

I concur

[@jorgemoro5476]

As the owner of both the 50r and the 100s I still feel the 50r is more organic whereas the 100s is so amazing it’s more clinical. If I had to choose between my 50r and 100s I think I would stick with my 50r

[@shang-hsienyang1284]

Organic? Clinical? While I enjoy the 50r, this is probably one of the worst abuse of these two words.

[@MattiusGlutius]

I know you just borrowed this camera and don’t own it. You used for just part of a day, but you decided to make an opinion video so I will be honest. You missed the point of this camera. You don’t understand the camera, and it’s painfully obvious. Ergonomics: there exist a $15 grip that solves this. Speed and autofocus: Not what this camera is for. Make a video about screwing in screws with a hammer and it will add about as much value as your points here. Lenses: heavy and the only option are native. Bad point again, the advantage is adapting glass to mirrorless sensor. Heavy: you clearly haven’t used other medium format cameras. Things you either didn’t mention or overlooked. -dual card slots -sensor size -battery life -Fuji jpg options (panoramic) -fuji film simulators (you used presets…big yikes!) -mirrorless (advantages for size, lens mount and adaptability, ISO capability, ect) -Format (Crop, ISO capability, lens mount, ect) -Color reproduction -Working with files -Dials and viewfinder -workflows Suggesting a camera is too expensive, not good enough when a Sony a7iv can do it all. Is completely missing the point of other cameras. Use the right tool for the job. Sorry for the harsh point, but the I figured you’d like feedback as you’re new to this.

[@Dan-jg7zl]

Of course it's still worth it. It will be still worth it in 10 years time to get a GFX50R. Do people really think cameras become obsolete in 5 years? And the best thing about the GFX system is the GF glass. Don't waste time adapting FX glass because it won't resolve the resolution of the camera. The GF lenses are amazing!

[@JoerivanderKloet]

Heavy? This is about as heavy as a 35mm mirrorless camera, like the Leica SL. Ergonomics? Buy a grip and/or hand strap. You seem to be comparing the 50R to 35mm cameras in the same price range, but in doing so, you're missing the point. The 50R isn't about lightning fast AF (even though it's plenty good enough). The 50R is the most affordable and most lightweight MF camera that you can get. Lenses too heavy? Check out the 30/3.5 and 63/2.8. And it IS MF, no quotation marks needed. If you think the difference between 35mm and MF is in 'sharpness' or bokeh alone , you're again missing the point. No-one can see the difference in resolution or sharpness in a KZbin video, but as soon as you start printing them big, you will. What about dynamic range? That difference is huge with 35mm. Again, comparing the 50R with a Sony A7mkVIVM doesn't make any sense at all.

[@TheRebelBagel]

I agree completely with you 100%. I switched to the 50r from a Nikon Z6 & Z5 combo and based on his comments I made a bad call but compared to all my FF cameras I see a major difference in over image quality and rendering. I didn’t buy the 50r expecting it to be the fastest camera for $2,300 but something with great detail and amazing rendering with vintage glass. It’s comfy to me with most of my lenses and I love the styling.

[@oetproductions8101]

100% agree. The Xpan mode alone makes it worth it for me. Went from a Panasonic S5 to this camera and I think the difference in Image quality is pretty huge. I love adapting vintage lenses and alot of them even cover the whole sensor.

[@hanselong]

Gold comment.

[@kichaa13]

People have no idea what theyre reviewing.

[@mikenicholas8375]

100% agree. You can’t judge this camera on a 3 hour car shoot…try landscapes or portraits, it will blow you away! Coming from Nikon and Sony, the detail and dynamic range is not even close, especially when you blow it up for prints. My favorite digital camera, and I’ve had it over a year now…

[@yourgirlsfavoritepizzaboy]

I will be purchasing a 50R either this month or the next. Understandable it’s a slower, bigger camera. But I’m a slower shooter along with Fuji’s jpegs, it’s more for me. I shoot a crap ton of film in general. Different strokes for different folks. I used to shoot Sony and I hate it.

[@jorgemoro5476]

Yes it is worth it! I own both the 50r and the 100s. I find the 100s to be very clinical when I shoot. It’s amazing. But I love the organic, rangefinder feel of my 50r. As a matter of fact tomorrow I’m shooting a track event. I’m only taking my XH1 w the 50-140 and I’m also taking the 50r with my 50mm; one of the four GFX lenses I own. I just love the feel and texture of my 50r and if I were forced to choose between it and my 100s I do believe the 50r would win out.

[@douggottlieb]

Great video. Thanks for posting

[@amirulizzad6122]

It looked like you set the autofocus area too small. The camera determine focus slower with an area that small. Granted, I've never used this camera but the XT series camera has that problem anyways.

[@MortenRasmussen]

I find your review a bit off actually. I totally agree that the camera has it’s limitations but if you know the basic rules you will be hard pressed to find better image quality at that price. In the video you complain about the autofocus, which is limited to contrast autofocus, and to show it’s shortcomings you try to focus at objects that are back with no contrast at all. I think even a phase focus camera would have problems in that scenario. I think you should do yourself a favor and borrow the camera again and then take the time to get to know it better. Nice photos in the video! You have an eye for the details in these cars. And I like how you edit your photos too. Really nice colors! All the best from Morten

[@futc.photography]

I appreciate you taking the time to write this and I’m glad you like the photos 😄 1. I totally agree that my examples were the worst case scenario for contrast AF, but just while walking around and taking photos on that day I had a lot of hunting and the AF missing, and having used my Sony A7RII in the exact same environment I knew that it didn’t have those problems. My comments on the AF come from my experience that day not from my clips illustrating the AF problems. 2. As I said in the video, I believe the Sony A7RIV delivers very similar image quality, it has a 61 MP sensor so even more resolution than the 50r and on ebay it can be had for around 10% less than the 50r. I don’t think the 50r’s image quality is unique at this price point. I agree that I, or anyone, could probably learn to live with the shortcomings of the 50r and take amazing photos, it obviously has fantastic image quality. But from a price to performance ratio and versatility standpoint it just doesn’t make sense compared to the A7RIV. Not only does that camera have on-par image quality, it also delivers better performance in so many other aspects. That’s why I can’t recommend it, that doesn’t mean it is a bad camera just that it financially doesn’t make a lot of sense at this point in time. If it is the camera that you like using the most then more power to you, everyone just has to find what is important to them in a camera.

[@F15IDriver]

great video....thanks for talking me out of the "medium format" on Fuji!

[@CryptoJones]

I went with the original 50s vs the 50r because the ergonomics on the 50s are sooo much better.

[@jorgemoro5476]

Oh. Use Capture One for processing. Trust me. LR is great for cataloging but C1 is outstanding for editing.

[@Dan-jg7zl]

LR is garbage. I recently found out how bad it was when began using Silver Efex for editing.

[@ccigot4855]

You are right. This fact should be more widely known. The X system doesn't look unnatural, but when GFX is opened in LR, the colors are ridiculously bad.

[@danbrovont1148]

I own one these cameras and primarily use it for landscapes. Yes it isn't as fast to use, but it slows you down and makes me think more about each shot. So I enjoy using the camera for a change of pace and shooting experience.

[@futc.photography]

Thank you for sharing! I can see it working in that context but I would still pick a more versatile camera at this price point, it is still too expensive to be a secondary camera. At least for most people.

[@LiamPhotoATL]

I love the design but the grip is small for someone like myself with big hands so I got an L bracket with a nice wooden grip for mine.

[@khanscombe619]

I agree. Its output is beautiful. But ja, you got to really love the glass you're putting on it. I'm trying to decide what full frame sensor I wanna move to if Nikon doesn't improve enough for my like. I'm liking what you've shown us of FujiFilm lately. I like the old canon EOS system & it's flexible to take w/ to other body mounts .

[@futc.photography]

To be honest, if you just want a solid, dependable camera with the best AF you could wish for and with good price to performance you can't really beat sony. All modern mirrorless cameras are a bit clinical and that's why I enjoy cameras like my Fuji X-T30. But if you want a Full-Frame hybrid work-horse, Sony is where it's at.

[@KevinSaruwatari]

I agree with you, the sensor just isn't big enough for the big camera look which is about image circle. I shoot 6x9 on 120 film and it's barely big enough (a little more than 2 stops) to see the focal length effect over 35mm. A Leica at native ISO 50 or a Nikon at 64 are pretty much on par for light strength/IQ. I was hoping they would give the GFX line and honest ISO 25 or 32 and then they would probably have a tangible difference. The sync speed of this camera also keeps them out applications where they really should excel also.

[@futc.photography]

Yes, unfortunately it's a long way off actual 120 film :/ There isn't really any digital competitor to medium format film. I appreciate your input!

[@anta40]

I still prefer the 50S: interchangeable finder and bigger grip. The 50S is overall still pretty lightweight.

[@Prinz-19]

I really liked your storytelling and just like you I wouldn‘t spend the money on this system again. I‘ve owned the camera as well for a short period of time, and came to the same conclusion.

[@futc.photography]

Thank you 😊🙏 I think there would be a place for this camera if really good full-frame cameras hadn’t gotten a lot more affordable. Sony was very early to the mirrorless, high-megapixel cameras game and everybody else just spent the past few years catching up.

[@Prinz-19]

You had some footage of the hasselblad h3dii in your b roll. Can we aspect a video on that one as well?🙌

[@futc.photography]

Yes! I will be making a video on the Hasselblad H3Dii 😉

[@stevofoo]

120 film getting expensive and developing as well, so I am think to buy 50r. after watching this review, I really need to think about it, as the sensor is not that large like Pentax 67 and its to get the great separation. Thank you for the review.

[@futc.photography]

Thank you for watching! The sensor in the 50r is definitely far away from the size of 6x7 medium format film, you won't be able to achieve the same look. Unfortunately, there isn't a great digital alternative to something like the Pentax 67 :(

[@Lochnil]

Gen z = camera review: I ve scratched my hands on the hand rail so I was in a bad mood 😂

[@futc.photography]

Yeah I still have 2 scars there, I was right to be in a bad mood 😂

[@kuroexmachina]

10:40 ngl i identified all of them, even the trick. there's def a look to it.

[@ahaka2022]

wish i could buy one.

[@AlexOnStreets]

Thanks for the honest in-depth video!

[@futc.photography]

Thanks for watching! 😊

[@_o__o_]

too many pockets

[@ImperiousImages]

Great points. I use a 50s with medium format film lenses because of the better balance. I’ve considered a 50r but would only mount 35mm lenses.

[@maximilianfaust9378]

1:20 courageous :D

[@aleksandrsafonov3207]

Did you asked your friend (camera owner) why he is using gfx 50r instead of switching to full frame Sony with all the extras? ;)

[@futc.photography]

He just briefly owned it and sold it again for pretty much the same reasons I mentioned in the video :/

[@stonepillowband]

You forgot to mention the looks Sony achieves is terrible vs Fuji

[@faynan4165]

Fujifilm: Ouch! You are too honest young man!

[@futc.photography]

Thank you for watching!

[@Snapit551]

Fuji gfx is for professionals and not for people who think are professionals like who use full frame Sony

[@marcusmichel84]

Sehr gutes Video ....aber bitte lerne den Autofocus zu benutzen ....so wie du da in dem Video versucht hast was zu treffen ist es klar das da die Fuji nicht mitmacht.

[@zztokutozz5702]

I have a A7R4, and my friend owns a gfx50s.The quality of images is nearly same. I think the reason that gfx50r does not have much better quality to Sony is that the cmos in fuji is too old (2014!). Actually, I think it's fantastic if such an old cmos could competes with one of the newest cmos, isn't it? Its 8 years ago......Think about the iPhone 6 and iPhone 14......

[@TrapPhoneLoveMelodiesss]

I love the photos but this is the most negative complaining video I’ve ever seen…

[@nelsonZeledon]

Got it for 1700$ then the kit lens for 500$

[@winheiMR]

Eigentlich bist du noch viel zu jung um mit so einer Erfindung von Fuji spielen zu dürfen, sei dankbar und arbeite fleißig mit ihr, man lernt im Leben nie aus, nicht denken es braucht niemand, zu lernen.

[@seebbii]

Was hat die Kamera mit dem Alter zu tun???