GEAR
FUJIFILM GFX100 II
shooting a lens wide open. Our test subject was never out of focus, even when her eyes were obscured for a short time. This is fast and accurate AF for sure, but you need to tweak it for different scenes. Aimed at a hedge that was moving slightly due to a breeze, it did hunt around. There are lots of different autofocus options including speed, so this can be dialled out. You need to learn the camera to get the best out of it. There is also subject tracking where you select AF-C + Wide/ Tracking AF mode then touch the rear screen to lock onto the subject. This was effective, too, but you need to set it up right. Swapping to manual focus is easy thanks to the small dial on the rear of the camera, but the GF lens did have a very fly-by-wire feel to it. This is customisable, but still doesn’t give the tactile feel of a real cine lens. The camera offers a new focus map function, which overlays a series of squares over the frame. These squares change colour depending on whether the area is in focus or not, and it works well as an alternative to peaking. The camera also features in-body image stabilisation in both stills and video users that is claimed to offer an eight-stop correction, while an IS Boost option for video emulates the super-smooth look from a gimbal. The IS is a welcome boost but eight stops seems a little ambitious. It makes the camera a superb-quality handheld tool helped by its lightweight body. The 9.44m-dot EVF is detachable, while the screen does not fully articulate but does flip out. Filmmaking professionals will love the GFX100 II’s waveform and vectorscope displays as well as zebras. And the camera also supports timecode sync with an Atomos Airglu Ultrasync Blue. For those real-time workflows, this is the one of the first Fujifilm cameras to offer native integration with Frame.io Camera to Cloud technology. The camera connects wirelessly or via Ethernet, allowing files to be uploaded to Frame.io for viewing or editing remotely. The test of any camera is in the images it produces – and for stills and video, the GFX100 II is impressive. The shallow depth-of- field from a fast lens shot wide open helps the unique cinematic look. At
any setting, it just produces great colours with an organic look that doesn’t look too ‘digital’. The camera has a range of baked-in Film Simulations to give decent-looking footage straight out of camera, including the new Reala Ace option and the Eterna Film Simulation with low saturation. Usually, experienced filmmakers wouldn’t even try these, preferring to stick to Log options for greater flexibility in grading thanks to extended dynamic range. On the GFX100 II, though, don’t write them off before you try them as they give pleasing results. For more traditional control, there is now a choice of two Log settings. F-Log is joined by F-Log2, which gives 14+ stops of dynamic range when D Range Priority mode is on. The footage is easy to colour balance and grade and plays well with other cameras, even from rival brands. That indicates the quality and depth of the GFX100 II files.
THE VERDICT
HOW IT RATES Features: 9 Lots of codec choices but no internal Raw Performance: 9 The footage is sharp and has a natural, organic feel Handling: 8 It’s chunky but easy to use and ergonomic Value for money: 9 Not cheap but great value compared to large-sensor rivals OVERALL RATING: 9/10 A fantastic camera that can give your images a real edge Pros: Affordable large-sensor filming Cons: No internal Raw or stacked sensor
While most manufacturers lord it up with their full-frame cameras that are great for stills and video, Fujifilm blows them out of the water with the affordable GFX100 II. It’s a camera purchase that could give your work the edge by offering a look that’s pretty much impossible to emulate. OK, the GFX100 II is not for everyone. It’s not the best run-and-gun camera or for shooting fast-paced sports or news where speed is of the essence. But, as a high-quality image-making tool for stills and video use, it stands alone.
More information
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NOISE ZONE The sensor is good in low light (top) and the menus are easy to work out
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