Fujifilm GFX 50s II vs Canon R5 - A Portrait Photographer's Perspective

[@RichardJPhotog]

Hi Pete! Good info. Ironically, I ditched my R5 for the GFX 50sII. For old school guys like me, its not tech. I dont need it. I manual focus 80% of what I do. What sealed the deal was the IQ. There is no comparison. To be honest, tech asside, the R5 IQ is the same as a canon rebel.. Each to thier own. Keep plugging along and have a great holiday!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks, Richard! There's definitely no comparison to the GFX image quality. I love the look. It's still on my radar, I'm just waiting to see what 2024 brings. Happy holidays to you as well!

[@iragrahamiii6367]

Great video. I use the GFX100S and love it. I don't have a mirrorless full frame camera and still use the 5Ds when I decide to use full frame. I mostly do portraits and special events. My next camera will be either the GFX100SII or the R5II whenever they come out. I mostly do portraits with the GFX so have no issues with autofocus. I here it is better than the 50sII in terms of focus. I use the GFX for special events 50% of the time. Thanks for this video.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks! I'm trying to get a GFX 100 II to test out. R5II is sure to be a great camera as well. All good choices to make!

[@macwestcanon]

Beautiful family Mr. Coco , I had the GFX 100s and my Canon R3 . After my Grandson started walking recently I never touch the Gfx . The autofocus just cant do it. Do I miss the 100mpix? No, I discovered the secret sauce Topaz photo Ai I run it as a plugin with Lightroom Classic along with Topaz studio 2. It is so fast and renders the files beautifuly it wasnt cheap I think I paid 200.00 dollars for both programs but is the best software I have ever used . I no longer use capture 1 because it is slower to use the plugins in it.Also you will have to tweak the settings in both programs to your liking. Try it I belive it has a trial . Happy Holidays to you and yours . Such a beautiful Lass. Mac

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thank you! I agree that the 100mp is not needed except for very specific studio purposes and is way overkill. Must be fun using the R3, that is a great camera!

[@MichaelFrederickPhoto]

Having researched the 50ii a ton, seems like it’s more suited for very slow fine art model or headshot work vs anything needing quick AF, feels like it behaves like an older DSLR. Now that I have a full shooting season with the XH2 under my belt, I feel it’s the same that I NEED the R6’s faster/more reliable AF for my client work. The Fuji has its place knowing its limitations.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

The difference between the R6II and XH2 will be much closer regarding speed but as you say, there is a place for everything. Canon still wins on AF speed and accuracy.

[@CryptoJones]

I found a KIPPON EF -> GFX Autofocus adapter for 220 shipped on eBay. I’m going to rent a 50s II to test. If I did move to Fujifilm I would miss my RF 28-70.

[@dr7319]

I just purchased a GFX 50S II and I think it's amazing. (Yes, you can select either the right or left eye detect focus.) I developed the habit of using the center spot focus and I quickly reframe while holding the shutter button halfway down and I miss very few shots. Granted, I started shooting professionally with a Mamiya twin lens 2-1/4 back in the day, so I was accustom to slow handling medium format cameras. Also, since I shoot portraits with flash, I meter my lights to F 5.6 or higher and the variable aperture of the 35-70 MM lens never comes into play. My other Pro camera is an Olympus EM-1 Mark III which is the best handling and fastest shooting camera I've ever tied. These two cameras at different format extremes compliment each other very well and I love shooting them both!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I couldn't find a way to map a custom button for left/eye select. I used to shoot the same way - single af, select center point, and refocus. I did that up until I purchased the R5. Previously I was using a 5Diii but I became instantly spoiled with the R5 haha. I haven't tried the Olympus but I hear a lot of good things.

[@MaGic-tf3by]

Merci ! Car j'ai un om1 markii très impressionnant à plein de niveau et bien en avance par rapport à certains appareils d'autres marques niveau computationnel. Et je suis entrain de faire exactement le même choix du gfx 50sii que vous car je trouvais ça complémentaire donc merci vous êtes le premier qui me rejoint dans ma réflexion ! Bonne journée from france

[@outwestjim]

Great images of your beautiful family Pete! Try out the GFX 100 with the 45-100 for similar shots in the future, it will not disappoint. For headshots, the GF110 is exceptional.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thank you! I tried that exact combination recently and you are right, I was blown away, and it kept up much better than the 50s II.

[@stanvandersluis8486]

You can do the 3d effect in post on the r5 , extra blurr of the background ect

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

You mean like adding fake bokeh?

[@mk0x55]

Thanks for the comparison. I have two thoughts: (1) Wouldn't it help you to color-profile your camera using X-Rite ColorChecker or something similar? I shoot a 5DsR and even an old 5D2, made a bunch of ICC profiles for CaptureOne, and find it really helps me get much more realistic colors. (2) Also, I wonder whether the pop (separation of subject from the background) is not due to the lens rather than the sensor itself (as long as it it not only about the colors)? I started to use Zeiss Milvus lenses more than my EF Canons and find that they have a lot of beautiful qualities to them... like more resolution, better contrast, nicer bokeh, etc. On the flipside though, they are manual focus only, so that might be a dealbreaker for you as you mentioned the importance of autofocus performance...

[@bushbeatnik4480]

Love Fuji but yes very slow for your application here. I would rent the RF 50 1.2 and 28-70 f2 and test drive them. I don't own the 28-70 but have used it. You can have ease of use of the R5 and get closer to the GFX pop. I only suggest it because I went through the same thing you are doing. If you can, keep them both. If not, get the RF glass, custom white balance, and don't look back. best.

[@selishots]

I'd be super curious to hear what you think of the new GFX100ii as its supposed to be a much faster experience

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Yeah I would love to get one to check out. I have asked Fuji we will see what happens!

[@selishots]

@@PeteCocoPhoto hope you get the chance! I'm dying to try a GFX camera out

[@nevvanclarke9225]

I own the XT5 as well as the 50s ii... I actually agree with Pete. This is not the ideal camera for portrait photography. Im a semi professional landscape photographer in Australia... I don't do it full-time but I make a decent income from my landscape photography and I can highly recommend the gfx 50S ii For landscape or product photography (stuff that isn't moving) but not for portrait work. I do think with a 1.7 lens like the 80 mm or 110 f2 It would probably be faster. I'm going to be dabbling in Portrait photography soon and I will be using my XT5.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks, Nev! I think it can suit certain kinds of studio photography, but if you are doing a lot of family shoots or fast paced location gigs, it's definitely on the slow side. But it's perfect for you amazing landscape photography as you already know!

[@jaegerschtulmann]

Mmm famous portrait photographers use the contrast detect AF hasselblads and have no issues. I think we all got spoilt when eye AF was released in most full frame systems.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Yes, the eye AF can spoil you, but why go back to older tech when you can use something better? I honestly don't care what a "famous" portrait photographer is doing. There are many, many, more portrait pros using full frame over medium format as well.

[@keithnisbet]

Megapixel count is very close between the two sensors, but the Fuji format is much larger. So, given the lower pixel density of the Fuji, I'd expect to see the less clinical and richer image vs. the Canon sharpness. Certainly, the Fuji isn't meant for pets or moving subjects like kids. I think it's a matter of the right tool for the job. Let's wait a couple of years for the Fuji Gfx 100 ii to drop a couple of thousand dollars, then jump!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

The R5 has been the best all around camera for me considering the speed, af, consistency, and the image quality. But I agree with you - GFX 100 II would be awesome and probably do it all.

[@charliejg]

Nice comparison and honest analysis. It all depends upon the use you have for a camera and ...... budget of course! LOL! BTW, love the quality of this video. Was it shot with the X-T5? Have a great week!

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks, Charlie! I shot this vid on the R5. I've been experimenting with lighting setups and simplifying my setup for vids.

[@charliejg]

@@PeteCocoPhoto The lighting really made some nice separation.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

@@charliejg Thanks dude, I will attempt to replicate this next time.

[@marcusbeasley3212]

You might like the GFX100S or you might want to see if you can get your hands on the GFX100II. Both cameras did a good job, but I was honestly shocked on the color reproduction differences on your wife. Her skin tone was a lot more pleasant on the GFX than it was on the Canon.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I would love a GFX 100 II to try out. I think it would probably be the one for me.

[@Burritosarebetterthantacos]

I wanted to love the Canon r6 mark ii but its been a tough transition and Im ultimately regreting it. No support for tethering and super expensive lens has gotten to me.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

What system were you using previously?

[@commenter4799]

I've had good luck with EF lenses on my R5. I've also had good luck with the relatively inexpensive RF 28mm, RF 16mm, and Sigma 150-600mm C.

[@Alien-Only]

Very good and important perspectives

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Thanks!

[@samatchaapaisuwan7671]

If you looking for speed, MF is the last system you should looking for, that's why the 35mm system development grown so fast in the film days

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I'm not looking for it to be on the level of FF, but when I tested the GFX 100 I found it to be very fast and accurate for an MF system.

[@Pixelpeeps-69]

Great video 👌 you really need to use prime gf lenses as the image quality is another level up from the gf zoom lenses and yes focusing is super slow compared to the canon but editing in 16 bit in post is just amazing compared to the 8bit canon

[@macwestcanon]

14 bit

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

I tested the GFX 100 with the 45-100 f/4 zoom and it was amazing and fast!

[@mbismbismb]

I like camera that shoot and tell story with movements and awesome pictures... so Canon for me

[@Безобразов]

Благодарю!

[@iaincphotography6051]

Get the 100SII, go on spoil yourself.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Haha all I need is $10k of disposable income lol

[@iaincphotography6051]

@@PeteCocoPhoto I know how you feel I do have a love for the Leica Q3, but I don't want a divorce lol.

[@AllCarsUnited]

People still shoot canon?

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

😂

[@pianofinger]

Yes, yes we do! 😂 R5 and Riki user here

[@lumberjack3008]

Recycling an outdated sensor wasn't a great idea from Fujifilm. Even the excuse "it's MF" doesn't work.

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

Hmm is that what they did? LOL I didn't know that. I mean it creates beautiful images but as I said, it's too slow for my purposes.

[@russellbaston974]

Fuji did a lot of searching for a better sensor and didn’t find one they were convinced was any better than what they already had.

[@mikkirurk1]

This is missleading. WTF are you talking about showing 2 different pictures?

[@PeteCocoPhoto]

It's because this entire video is a psyop