I spent 5k on the gfx 50s MKII kit today, I saw a bunch of videos of people talking sh*t about the autofocus being slow. So when I actually got the camera and took a picture, I was blown away. In my head, I was saying, are you serious these people are complaining about the autofocus. Yes, it is slow but compared to what, apples and oranges? The sales guy said "man people to love to complain." I was like "here, take my money now!"
Really interesting thoughts man. Love the videos you make and your approach to everything - it is super refreshing. I also follow (closely) a lot of the people you support on RU-vid and enjoy yourself. Love seeing their influence in your video(s). But I will say, like others, I was in the X system for a long time and recently got the GFX50S II and have fallen in love. Just an enthusiast as well, but, I do think it's a whole different world but for me, I am not that interested in features and more interested in experience and IQ. You make a lot of good points here but I think there's this strange subset (very small) of enthusiasts like me that just love shooting Fujifilm equipment and glass, who will love the GFX system. But yes, for most people, this is absolutely not where they need to even spend a dollar. Keep the content coming man - you deserve all the success!
Yes there is a large group of you who would love the GFX system AND it won’t kill you financially. It all comes back to that. I just don’t want people getting into debt for something they’ll never use to its fullest or be upset that it doesn’t do what an A1 or A7iii will do. It’s all about helping people understand you don’t need this even though it’s amazing. But to have it is joyous.
Great Info! TY! I own the GFX 50R, the GF 110mm 2.0 and the GF 45MM 2.8 which are just absolutely wonderful, the GF 110mm, is the best lens on planet earth IMO. The photos are just unreal! Nothing Matches Medium Format these days! NOTHING!
Funny. When I bought my D1H and D1X a buddy who had been doing commercial digital for a while advised me: "Digital is like Chrome. If you blow out the highlights you'll never get them back. Your base setting should be 1/3 under." That advice has served me well for 20 years and a succession of digital cameras.
Been seeing used 50Sii for $2300 - $2500 and LIKE NEW ones, for $2800 - $2900.. Seems like a great time to be copping those. Especially with the way film prices are set up right now lol. Imagine shooting 120 film for the next 5-10 years, how much $$$ is that ?! Medium format might alleviate that lol.
Dee - your content is great, and always interesting. I’m an enthusiast - never thought it was only paid photographers who should enjoy using great equipment? 😳 But otherwise, your comments are spot on. My GFX100s is perfect for my landscape and urban interests - and the prints are great. BTW: its also about the lens - GFX is a great system.
It’s a great system indeed and no it isn’t JUST for those that are paid but I don’t want to recommend it to anyone especially for those who shoot once or twice a month and they don’t even view the files. Going into debt or sinking money into something you seldom use is bad in my book and you can get the same joy with something more affordable. I’m just trying to combat the idea of BUY BUY BUY and help people THINK.
Hey, Dee - Just watched the video and found your opinions very interesting. I don't make much money from photography, but I recently purchased a 50sII and here's why. I've been shooting X-series cameras for about 8 years having moved to that line from Canon. I shoot 80% landscape and tabletop with the remainder shots while walking around. I had an X-T2 and a Pro3 but found the few prints I did sell were expected to be 24" or larger. The X-T2 handled most of it, but I was pushing it pretty hard so I wanted to get a higher pixel count and if possible a larger sensor. I spent the better part of a year going over my options and in the end I was looking at the Canon R5 and a GFX 50R/S/SII. In the end I determined that with the R5 I was paying for features I'd never use - I shoot zero video, mountains and trees don't move very much so ultra fast focus and framing mean little, and my biggest 'want' was recoverable highlights and shadows. The 50sII costs a hundred or two more and the lenses will be more expensive from a thinner offering, but I think I came out on top with the larger sensor at a similar pixel count.
Not so much about making much money being the deciding factor. The point of my channel is to help people make rational buying decisions and to not go into debt. You had valid reasons for your decision and you spent time to make it rather than jumping in and buying something just because it seemed like the cool thing to do. I just want to help people avoid mistakes I made as a young photographer. I’d love to see your work and I’m interested in where I could possibly buy a print if you have any available.
@@DeeRosa In a way, I'm coming from a similar place. Up until 2011 I managed camera stores and a nationally distributed photo catalog. My goal for our team was always to fit the equipment to the need. I can't begin to count how many times we recommended "learn the camera you have now" versus buying new equipment. Hell, we offered free classes just for that purpose. Help someone become successful and you have a friend and client for life, just sell them equipment everytime they get GAS and all you have is a camera-junkie whose only loyalty is to the lowest price. Tweak, copy and paste to any seller/client relationship in any industry.
Great video, Dee. I beg to differ about the effectiveness of the GFX 50Sii IBIS. I've had the camera now for two months and I find the IBIS better on the 50S ii than the Sony a92 and Nikon Z7ii, both of which I've owned..It's not as good as the IBIS in the Canon R5 and the X-T4 but still impressively good, especially with vintage lenses.
GF Lenses with the Linear Motor (LM) will focus faster than the older lenses. I have the GF110mm f2, GF45-100mm f4, GF50mm f3.5, and the GF 63mm f2.8 (the 63mm does not have the LM and it focuses slower).
Brilliant, thoughtful, and no nonsense video Dee! Great job breaking down the real world use case for this line of cameras! I completely agree with you, if you are not printing your images for ad campaigns or doing paid commercial work then the justification for this camera is not there. I am a freelance portrait photographer who is in a lot of portrait groups and many of the members have transitioned to this system. The image quality is so beautiful! I was seriously considering making the transition from my XT-3 but the cost benefit is not there for me. I realize that chasing that "medium format look" is overrated and doesn't make me a better photographer. Not to mention all of the additional costs associated with the camera system purchase I would have to incur. (New computer, Lenses, Etc). Thanks so much for this reality check! Keep up the great work!
Glad you enjoyed it and I’m glad you were smart about your money! The goal for videos like this is for people to look beyond the lust they have for certain gear and look at the financial and workflow ramifications.
This gives me hope for the IBIS in the XH2, purely so that Fuji can get to boast about it to the big boys. I still like what the XH1 IBIS does for me in video when I shoot within its limits.
It’s not top of the line but they’ve improved it with every iteration! My Fuji rep also continues to say “it may not be an XH2” being released in May so just be on the lookout. Could be something way different.
People who have no understanding of the varying resolutions vs sensor variations mistaken depth of field for format "looks". If the destination is purely online then even aps or apsc and in some cases mobile phone taken images suffice. If the destination is known to be print and varied scale print in meters for example then GFX, phase 1 etc make more sense . I'd the job and client level pays properly then this all matches. My system paid for itself and this was the case when I ised 35mm film, then again with 120 film then digital with the d810. Native lenses matched to systems will always do best but as you said it well unless you got it for free or can afford it like a hobby toy, it can be a waste. If someone doesn't see the value, it simply isn't for them because like buying carbon fibre golf clubs to because you want to try out mini golf for the first time...
concise and to the point, well done, I have several different cameras but I find myself reaching for my 100S more than any of the others, the quality can't be beat in video and specially in photos
I was about to buy the 50sii. Thinking that it would be great to add this system. But after I watched this, I realized, Idon’t need it. Thanks for the real talk, Dee. I subscribed.
Thank god a thorough review of the camera! It was at 22:47 I hit subscribed & decided on getting the GFx 100s & 45mm f/2.8 for my workhorse. Works well for everything I do.
@@DeeRosa nah you kept it real, & highlighted exactly what I wanted to know. My clients are black women in skin care, but it’ll also slow down the way I’m shooting & make me more intentional because I like to run & gun. Great review. Expensive but it’s an investment for me.
Send FujiFilm them that & tell them it’s my mother’s favorite brand of camera. My father is a Sony guy, I’m a nikon aps-c 35mm f1.8 guy very specific & transitioning into a medium format was a 13 year long decision for the rest of my career. At least the next 15-25years I don’t like changing cameras. This makes sense to me at this stage of my career. I’m 30, 92’ baby for Long Island, NY.
Tried to explain it the best I could in a sensible fashion! Videos showing people how it focuses in one instance doesn’t do it justice but I just wanted to give something tangible. It’s not HORRIBLE but you’ll notice where it struggles.
Some very valid points about owning a gfx system 👌 I agree with you about waisting money if your not using it enough but as a camera nerd myself I bought the gfx camera and lenses used at half the price and I’m in love with the images it produces 📸 keep the videos rolling as you are honest and make a lot of sense
Out of curiosity, what screen/monitor were you reviewing these images on? (i'm still on a screen that is not even 1920 or on the higher side) I ask because I use a Sigma sdQuattro for my hobby stuff and I wanted to understand where my laptop screen is falling short.
I am hesitating to buy a second hand GFX50s and I do cat photography. Would the GFX50s be a good choice? The cat photography is done in a studio environment
I’m thinking about going with the GFX line soon because I think it is time to upgrade from my Nikon d3400 😅 Auto focus isn’t a problem for me because manual focus is there for a reason! Lol 😂
Hey Dee, big fan. Gfx r being discontinued, you think it’s still worth getting ? Also as far as firmware updates 50r will still be getting one? Thnx bro
No idea if it will get a lot of updates and I guess it’s a good buy? I don’t know your situation but if you’re not printing large or if you’re not making money from shoots I don’t think it’s a great purchase.
bro this is sucha good video, I shoot on an x-t2 and the 18-55 and a 7artisans manual lens, it's more than enough for me, although I need a telephoto lens because I have to borrow my friends camera sometimes, ill probably get the 55-200 this summer
Sorry but I like the original 50s the best. I like doing adjustments with buttons instead of digging through menus. Also, you can swap the battery while the camera is on the tripod because of a battery door on the side instead of the bottom. For me MF is largely a tripod camera for landscape and planned portraits.
Agree that too many online reviewers, and even photographers now and then, review the GFX, as-if it’s purposes are equal to FF or APSC cameras -they’re misdirected reviews
Good video, thanks! I will take issue with your monetizing a gfx camera criteria given at the end, though. Not every serious photographer is a professional photographer. I’m a visual artist who recently bought a a 50s II as a tool to go further exploring landscape imagery . That may ultimately feed in to my painting and be indirectly monetized, but whether that happens or not, I felt there was a sufficiently good chance that having and using the camera would be enriching and inspiring. Your caution to less serious folks is well-taken, though.
Deadass. Only people who have SEEN that quality can tell that’s what it’s from. Man I was passing some shit off as GFX when it was the X100V for a hot minute lol
Got a 50Sii and a 35-70 for $1800 with 7300 clicks. Picked up the 50mm (almost pancake) for $400 and use my Canon EF 135mm f/2 as a portrait lens. No brainer. Those guys (it's always guys) who say there's no difference between full frame and medium format, *have never shot medium format digital* or they'd hush. No issues keeping up with my kiddos, then again -- no, I don't shoot birds in flight or F1 racing or step on the shutter and take 200 shots in 30 seconds. I'm an AFS kinda guy, most of the time.
By your logic, anybody who buys a car with more than 150hp for going to the grocery store is “taking a paycut”. You seem to not realize that not all enthusiasts live on a coffee barista paycheck.
@@DeeRosa he's right though. Most of the people watching this review have the money to spend on the camera but don't make money from their photography. You're taking a pay cut by excluding them from being a potential subscriber.
@@DeeRosa because you're eliminating part of your fan base for no reason. Part of an already small fan base. Not many people are interested in these cameras in the first place.
Something that this video did not give consideration to, and it's not a critique it's already long for youtube standards, is the future of the platform. Will Sony create more MF sensors?
I gave consideration but until Sony formally says they will who cares about speculative nonsense. They don’t have the glass. Do you want Sony just because the AF on their FF lineup? Do you assume they’d have the same AF? Think of how long it took for Sony to get their FF mirrorless right before they became top dog. They’d have to start all over with MF. Fuji is already ahead with lenses and algorithms. Why not bet on them?
Oh cmon, a few missed shots of dogs. I would call 50II manual only focus camera. And GFX 100 II is just become usable, somewhat behind the very first Canon R. I would say it’s like Sony A6000 with eye detection. It’s a great system with stunning image quality but AF is nowhere near Canon or Sony.
Lol love the honesty but if people wanna drop the money and enjoy their treasure and keep this economy running, by all means, drop that bread lol. I hate the question of “is something worth it?”
Yes. Yes it is. As the owner of a GFX50r and 100s I say YES it is. I’ve shot MF since 1982. Shooting events and weddings all night then racing home and developing the film in my bathroom/darkroom. I went digital in 2002 and HAVE NEVER LOOKED BACK. Film sucked back then and today.
That blown out look is so out of fashion and so not being used extensively in my fashion community and I have worked for the likes of vogue Harper’s BAZAAR ELLE etc. I mean you can do a few images in the story, if you’re doing an eight or ten page spread you might have a couple of images with a blown out background, but it’s a question of what’s appropriate. It is no longer systematic, and it just stinks of provincial “me to” crap 😊
So your position is to 'always make more money' eh ? To be frank that sounds like the sort of shit photographer I wouldn't ever employ. The position of a photographer, 'pro' or otherwise should be to 'always strive to take better images'. If you can do that then the money side of it will look after itself...Perhaps you should think of doing something else where you can 'make more money'...
Bro I don’t need your employment; I’m glad you have that position - I hope your portfolio backs it up but get off my lap and get you some bxtchs. aLwaYs sTrIvE tO mAkE bETteR IMaGes… shut up.
