Review: Fujifilm GFX50S II 35mm camera
The exhilaration of the end of lockdowns was perfect timing for snapping the world with the Fujifilm GFX50S II 35mm camera.
It was the afternoon before “Freedom Day” NSW, with the benefit of the beginning of the lifting of restrictions. Some NSW residents could leave their local government area from the following day.
And like some form of miracle, Santa Clause arrived, carefully camouflaged as Australia Post and dropped off a Fujifilm GFX50S II together with a couple of Fujifilm lenses for me to test. It’s a medium format camera boasting a mouth-watering 50 megapixels of image sensor. What a way to kick start some travel and photography after months of lock down.
The Fujifilm GFX50S II is game changer in the world of photography, a medium format mirrorless camera at a price that rivals the top end 35mm cameras from rivals Canon, Sony and Nikon. It’s a camera with a sensor 1.7 times larger than its 35mm rivals.
The camera in the hand looks and oozes quality. You immediately notice just how much larger the lens mounting flange is compared to a 35mm camera body. The lenses that accompanied this body were a GF23mm f4.0 and a 250mm f4.0. While the lenses are characterised in 35mm terms, when attached to a medium format body these two (2) lenses effectively become an 18mm f3.2 and 198mm f3.2 lens.
A medium format does the very opposite of an APS-C camera with gives a cropped field of view effectively zooming in on the subject, whereas a medium format provides a wider field of view.
So, a quick charge of batteries, a scroll through the menu and I prepared to head out to shoot some on the Newcastle / Port Stephens / Lake Macquarie landmark icons. The menu system was easy to navigate however it is fundamental to acquiring excellent images that you have a good grasp of the 3 pillars of photography, namely ISO, Aperture and Exposure.
Complimenting the menu system, which can be operated by touch control, there are front and rear command dials, and the AF Joystick and the monitor is adjustable. There is a large range of customisation available to the serious shooter.
The attached images were all shot at an ISO of 50 and an aperture of f11.00. Graduated filters were used to balance sky and foreground and the exposure was adjusted in camera immediately before each image was taken. As I did not have a shutter cable release, I set a two second delay to offset vibration.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO VIEW IN FULL SCREEN MODE
First up, Merewether Baths, the epicentre of Newcastle’s surfing scene and a photographer’s delight. I arrived prior to first light, and the pump house was bathed with light from the amenities block. I began shooting as the first signs of daylight appeared.
The image quality was outstanding.
A wander around Lake Macquarie with the 250mm f4.0 lens was equally eye catching. I snapped these handheld and shot using the 250mm f4.0 lens. The camera captured the guy ropes on this yacht, and they are pin sharp. Focusing in these situations was fast and accurate.
Next up I visited Catherine Hill Bay, one of Lake Macquarie’s most visited and photographed locations. Simply known as Catho, Catherine Hill Bay is a small heritage listed mining town located just south of Swansea. Renowned for the Coal Loader wharf that protrudes some 300 metres into the ocean, this town boasts superb beaches and an idyllic way of life resembling a bygone era. It’s a photographers dream.
In 2013 the coal loader was severely damaged by fire. It remains as a historic link to coal mining in the district. Catherine Hill Bay was named after the schooner Cather Hill which floundered here in 1867.
This visit provided an opportunity to assess the GFX50S II capability to handle direct sun flare from the rising sun. The result was outstanding.
Along Stockton Beach lies Tin City, a place founded when two shacks were constructed to hold provisions for shipwreck victims as shipwrecks had become common along this stretch of coastline. During the great depression, a group of squatters constructed a series of tin shacks.
These shacks were torn down during WWII to make way for an army camp. Today 11 shacks remain, and no new shacks are allowed to be constructed and no existing shack can be replaced should one be destroyed by any natural disaster.
Several people continue to live here.
Several scenes from Mad Max were shot here in 1979. Today the area is managed by the Worimi Land Council under the National Parks. Stockton beach forms part of the sand dunes that are believed to be over 100,00 years old and they are the largest moving land mass in the southern hemisphere with some dunes reaching more than 40 metres high.
This is an absolute must visit location, please be aware you will require a permit to enter.
Photography here is simply amazing and again it provided an opportunity to capture some images of this amazing location.
After two weeks of shooting with this camera, I have fallen in love with it. Image quality is simply breathtaking as you would expect. The ergonomics are very good and handling and general access to all controls is good.
The focus proved tricky on a couple of occasions, particularly when using ND or graduated filters. There appeared to be some hesitancy to lock focus. This only occurred in low light and when using ND filters. It did not cause any real issues as I was able to review the shot and where necessary take another shot.
Yes, it is larger and heavier than the 35mm range of mirrorless cameras, but not in any way did it feel cumbersome or out of balance. The battery grip provided an ideal carrying solution when it was in my hand. The B&W images were shot deep in the dunes and there were several kilometres of walking involved. At no time was either the weight or bulk an issue.
To summarise, the Fujifilm GFX50S II offers stunning image quality in a mirrorless medium format at a price competitive with professional 35mm cameras and lenses. Someone who takes the photography seriously will revel in the ease of use and the fantastic results obtained. It’s time to clear some wall space for a few prints of images taken with this camera.
Fujifilm have been very active in recent times and continue to produce an outstanding range of cameras and lenses, suitable for pros and casual happy snappers. Build quality is excellent.
Price is $6499 (body only), or $7299 in a kit with a GF35-70mmF4.5-5.6 WR lens.