Photography News Issue 62

Camera test 28

Photography News | Issue 62 | photographynews.co.uk

FujifilmGFX 50R This new camera is the second in Fujifilm’s GFX range, following on the heels of the 50S; will it convert you to medium format shooting?

Specs

Prices GFX 50R £3999 body only, GF 32- 64mm f/4 R LMWR £2149, GF 23mm f/4 R LMWR £2399, GF 45mm f/2.8 RWR £1699, GF 63mm f/2.8 RWR £1359, GF 120mm f/4 R LMOIS WR macro £2499, NP-T125 battery £119 Sensor 51.4megapixels, Bayer array 43.8x32.9mm 100-12,800, expansion to 50, 25,600, 51,200 and 102,400 Shutter range Mechanical: 60mins to 1/4000sec, 4secs-1/4000sec (Pmode) Electronic: 60mins to 1/16,000sec, 4secs to 1/16,000sec (Pmode) Electronic front curtain shutter: 60mins to 1/4000sec Mechanical + electronic shutter: 60mins to 1/16,000sec Front curtain shutter + electronic shutter: 60mins to 1/16,000sec Flash sync 1/125sec Metering system 256 zone, spot, average and centre-weighted Exposuremodes PASM Exposure compensation +/-5EV in 0.3EV steps Autobracketing AE (2/3/5/7/9 frames, +/-3EV in 0.3EV steps), Film Simulationmode, dynamic range, ISO sensitivity Monitor 3.2in, 2.36k dot OLED, touchscreen, 100% coverage Viewfinder 0.5in, 3.69million dots, 100% coverage Focusing TTL contrast AF Focus points Single point, 13x9, 25x17. Zone AF: 3x3, 5x5, 7x7 from 117 areas on 13x9 grid Video Full HD 1920x1080 29.97/25p/24p/23.98p Connectivity Other key features Storagemedia 2xSD slots Power NP-T125 Li-ion Dimensions (wxhxd) 160.7x96.5x66.4mm Weight 775g body with battery and card Contact fujifilm.eu Drivemodes 3fps maximum Sensor format 8256x6192pixels ISO range

Unlike the X Series, where Fujifilm X-Trans sensors with a 6x6 pixel array are used, in its medium- format series the sensors have the conventional Bayer 2x2 pixel array. The GFX 50R’s sensor is optical low pass filter free for maximum resolution. While many cameras are gaining curves, the GFX 50R has a distinctly angular, boxy look but a good grip is afforded by its contoured body and a raised thumb grip on the rear. While it’s not the most comfortable grip, I

was quite happy to carry the camera around in one hand. However, the handgrip could be more ergonomic for better purchase and enhanced shooting stability, especially when one of the heavier lenses is in use. The on/off switch is placed for the right forefinger and sits next to – but is separate from – the shutter button and start up is fast at just over 1sec. Nearby is the exposure compensation control that is typically Fujifilm. There’s the ability to adjust exposures by +/-3EV in 0.3EV steps and there is the C setting that delegates compensation to a command dial. There is no physical lock on the compensation dial, but it can be locked virtually – alongwith up to 37 other key camera features – using the lock menu item. Locking it virtually does mean the feature is totally locked and not accessible at all. The ideal would be to lock the exposure compensation dial, but still have the compensation feature available via a command dial or function button. The rear thumb grip has the Fn5 and quick menu buttons here. Using them does need a minor hand adjustment, while getting at the Fn4

Words and images by Will Cheung

The GFX 50R has a distinctly angular, boxy look, but a good grip is afforded by its contoured body

Announced last September and the second model in its medium format range, the Fujifilm GFX 50R is a 51.4-megapixel camera in the style of the brand’s old rangefinder film cameras. It is its styling that differentiates it from the first model, the GFX 50S, and it is also 145g lighter and 25mm thinner so portability is one of its attractions. That, however, is relative

because the GFX 50R is still a sizeable camera. But photographers don’t usually go medium format to save weight and space in the bag; it’s all about image quality and if a camera happens to be compact then that’s an added benefit.

The GFX 50R uses a CMOS sensor that measures 43x32.9mm, 1.7x larger than the 35mmfull-frame. Its effective count of 8256x6192 pixels means prints at 300ppi of 27.5x20.6in (69.8x52.4cm) without any software interpolation.

Left The GFX 50R, with its rangefinder design, is more compact than the 50S, although it’s still a sizeable camera.