One Year with the Fuji GFX 50S II: My Journey with Medium Format Photography

In February 2022, I jumped on the Fuji GFX 50S II camera bandwagon and boy, has it been a wild ride! This camera came with a trusty sidekick - the GF35-70mm F4.5-5.6 WR kit lens, but being the lens hoarder that I am, I couldn't resist adding two more to my arsenal - the TTArtisan 90mm F1.25 Camera Lens for Fuji GFX-Mount and the Irix 45mm f1.4 Dragonfly Fuji GFX lens. In this article, I'll spill the beans on my Fujifilm love affair and the exciting experiences I've had with my new camera and lenses. From chasing my corgi around to capturing stunning holiday snaps, the Fuji GFX 50S II camera has been my trusty sidekick. So, buckle up and let's take a closer look at my first year with this bad boy!

Unpacking the Key Features of the Fuji GFX 50S II Camera

The Fujifilm GFX 50S II is a medium format camera equipped with a versatile zoom lens, the GF35-70mm F4.5-5.6 WR, that offers a range of focal lengths and enables capturing various images. The camera boasts impressive technical specifications, including a 51.4-megapixel sensor, a 3.69 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder, and a 3.2-inch tilting LCD touchscreen. Its lightweight and compact design allows for extended use without causing discomfort.

The camera's autofocus system is both fast and accurate, leading to incredibly sharp images with high color accuracy. The GFX 50S II's dynamic range is noteworthy, allowing for the capture of a wide range of tones and details, even in difficult lighting conditions.

This powerful camera has been used for vacations, weddings, and family photoshoots, with breathtaking results. The stunning landscapes and portraits captured showcase the GFX 50S II's capabilities, and I am excited to continue exploring the possibilities of this camera in the future.

Exploring the Possibilities with the TTArtisan 90mm, Irix 45mm, and GF35-70mm Kit Lens for the Fuji GFX 50S II

When it comes to the Fuji GFX 50S II camera, the kit lens GF35-70mm F4.5-5.6 WR is a great starting point. However, I soon realized that I wanted to expand my lens collection to truly capture the images I was envisioning. So, I decided to invest in two additional lenses.

The TTArtisan 90mm F1.25 Camera Lens is a manual lens, and while it takes some getting used to, the results are breathtaking. With a wide aperture of f/1.25, this lens excels at capturing portraits with stunning bokeh. The lens is well-built, with a metal body that feels solid in the hand. The focus ring is smooth and responsive, making it easy to focus on your subject.

On the other hand, the Irix 45mm f1.4 Dragonfly Fuji GFX lens provides amazing sharpness and detail. With a fast maximum aperture of f/1.4, this lens is perfect for low-light situations and for creating beautiful bokeh. The lens also features weather-sealing, which is useful when shooting in less than ideal conditions. I found the autofocus to be quick and accurate, which made it easy to capture the perfect shot.

Overall, each lens has its own unique strengths and I found myself switching between them depending on the situation. The kit lens was great for everyday use, the TTArtisan for portraits, and the Irix for low-light and high detail shots. I also appreciated how lightweight and compact they were, which made them easy to carry around during long shoots.

Some of my favorite photos with the kit lens include a scenic view of the beach at sunset, a portrait of my corgi with stunning bokeh, and a family portrait in a park with a beautiful background. With the TTArtisan lens, I captured some incredible portraits of friends and family, showcasing the lens's ability to create stunning bokeh. Finally, the Irix lens was perfect for a low-light wedding shoot, where I was able to capture stunning detail and sharpness in every shot.

From Weddings to Vacations: Real-world Use of the Fuji GFX 50S II Camera

The Fuji GFX 50S II camera and lenses have accompanied me on a variety of photography projects, from family gatherings to weddings and vacations. The versatility of the camera and lenses has made them perfect tools for capturing life's most precious moments.

During vacations, I found the camera and lenses to be particularly useful for landscape and street photography. The camera's 51.4-megapixel resolution allowed me to capture stunning detail in every shot, while the kit lens provided a flexible range of focal lengths for capturing everything from wide-angle scenes to close-up details. I was also impressed with the performance of the Irix 45mm f1.4 lens, which allowed me to capture stunning low-light images with ease.

For wedding shoots, the camera and lenses proved to be reliable tools for capturing high-quality images. The fast autofocus of the camera and the sharpness of the TTArtisan 90mm F1.25 lens were particularly useful for capturing portraits of the bride and groom. The Irix 45mm f1.4 lens also came in handy for capturing low-light shots of the reception.

Finally, I also used the camera and lenses for family photos, and they performed admirably. The burst mode of the camera allowed me to capture multiple shots in rapid succession, ensuring that I never missed a moment. The TTArtisan 90mm F1.25 lens also provided a beautiful bokeh effect, making portraits of my family look particularly stunning.

Overall, I found that the Fuji GFX 50S II camera and lenses were versatile tools that performed exceptionally well in a variety of scenarios. Whether I was capturing stunning landscapes or precious family moments, I knew that I could always count on the camera and lenses to deliver top-quality results.

Deciding Between Fujifilm Cameras: Understanding the Differences between the GFX 50S II, GFX 100S, GFX 50R, and GFX 100

The Fujifilm GFX 50S II camera, along with its accompanying lenses, has proven to be an excellent addition to any photographer's toolkit. In the previous sections, we've discussed the camera and lenses in depth and shared some of our favorite photos. In this section, we'll compare the GFX 50S II to other Fujifilm cameras on the market.

Fujifilm has a strong lineup of medium format cameras, and the GFX 50S II is just one of the many options available. Here's a brief overview of some of the other Fujifilm cameras on the market:

• GFX 100S: This camera is the flagship of Fujifilm's GFX series. It features a larger 102MP sensor and offers 5-axis in-body image stabilization. It's also more expensive than the GFX 50S II.
• GFX 50R: The GFX 50R is similar to the GFX 50S II in terms of specifications and features. However, it has a rangefinder-style design, which may be more appealing to some photographers.
• GFX 100: The GFX 100 is similar to the GFX 100S in terms of features, but it has a larger body and is more expensive. It also offers 5-axis in-body image stabilization.

When it comes to comparing these cameras, there are a few key differences to keep in mind. Here's a side-by-side comparison chart of some of the most important specifications:

As you can see, the GFX 50S II is an excellent choice for those who want a high-quality medium format camera with in-body image stabilization, but don't want to spend a fortune. The GFX 100S is the flagship model and offers more megapixels and a larger sensor, but it comes with a higher price tag. The GFX 50R is a good option for those who prefer a rangefinder-style design, but it doesn't offer in-body image stabilization. The GFX 100 is the most expensive and offers similar features to the GFX 100S, but with a larger body.

Overall, the Fujifilm GFX 50S II is an excellent choice for photographers who want a high-quality medium format camera without breaking the bank. Its combination of features and specifications make it a versatile option for a variety of photography scenarios.

Reflections on One Year with the Fuji GFX 50S II Camera and Lenses

Overall, my first year with the Fuji GFX 50S II camera and lenses has been a fantastic experience. From its high-quality images to its ease of use, this camera has exceeded my expectations. The kit lens provided with the camera was a great start, and the addition of the TTArtisan 90mm F1.25 and Irix 45mm f1.4 Dragonfly Fuji GFX lenses have opened up new possibilities in my photography.

Throughout my various scenarios, including vacations, weddings, and family photos, the camera and lenses performed exceptionally well, and I am pleased with the results.

If you are considering purchasing a Fujifilm camera, I highly recommend the GFX 50S II. While other Fujifilm cameras, such as the GFX 100S, GFX 50R, and GFX 100, have their advantages, the GFX 50S II strikes the perfect balance of high-quality images and user-friendliness.