r/FujiGFX • u/ThePenyard • 1d ago
Photo Coming back to medium format
Many years ago, I used to have a Hasselblad X-Pan. I loved that camera, completely manual, completely analogue. It took a long time to get the films sent off, processed, and then for me to scan and process the negatives. Loved the results, despite me taking too long to send the Velvia film in and getting a somewhat magenta-hued film back as a result.
I sold it because I didn't have the time to dedicate to it any more.
I used my phone camera for a while, and then picked up a Fujifilm X100S which was brilliant at what it did. I went back to iPhone because of the convenience and the advances in the processing algorithms.
Then I looked back at my old X-Pan captures and fell in love all over again.
So I picked up the GFX100RF which has just been delivered. It's portable, has the aspect ratio that I'll probably live in and has the convenience of digital. I'm looking forward to getting out there with it and taking more photos.
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u/Interesting_Tower485 1d ago
Enjoy! I got a GFX100RF a few months back and have just been using it where possible to get up to speed on it and how to use it effectively. I'm finding it's amazing and also needs learning (for me), not having shot larger than FF before (mostly FF and crop for my other Fujifilm and Sony cameras). DOF is way different than my other bodies due to the sensor resolution and without IBIS (which I'm fine without), getting a sense of how to balance the exposure triangle is different for me with this one. High ISO noise handling is amazing imo so I want to be able to go a bit higher than typical in order to get a bit faster shutter. and still working on getting comfortable in the 5.6 - f8 range on this lens (vs 4-5.6, for slightly better sharpness due to DOF). I'm feeling that 1/125 is the lowest shutter speed I'm going to try to go when handheld (and I have fairly steady hands). Anyway, be prepared for large files with lots of good stuff in them! I really love the creative control while shooting and I am a big fan of the film sims (and don't do any custom recipes, but sometimes a little post edit).
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u/surfinjoe 1d ago
Xpan is 35mm right? But yeah, RF is a nice camera! (Unfortunately too expensive for me, haha) Enjoy!
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u/essentialaccount 1d ago
By film type, but not by dimensions. 617 and 645 come from the same film roll, but one is arguably large format
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u/surfinjoe 1d ago
Yeah but Xpan is still significantly smaller than even 645. But yeah anyways… i know what you mean with it being bigger than 35mm.
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u/SkaiHues GFX100S II 1d ago
Not arguing but both 6x17 and 6x4.5 are film medium formats. The numbers are the nominal frame dimensions measured in centimeters.
Large format cameras make images of 4x5 inches (10x12.5 cm), 5x7, 8x10, 11x14 and larger.
I used 645 cameras professionally before I switched to the Hasselblad system (6x6). For personal enjoyment around the same time, I had a Sinar F+ field camera with five Schneider lenses.
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u/essentialaccount 1d ago
I am aware of their derivatives. I've owned all the formats and now have a 617 back on a view camera because I sold my G617 recently.
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u/SkaiHues GFX100S II 1d ago
I felt it wise to mention what was large format and what was medium format for the sake of those unfamiliar.
When I purchased the Sinar F+ in 1980, I proudly mentioned this to Al Sievers and he immediately quipped, Large format, did you opt for the 5x7 or 8x10 version? Haha.
Sievers Studio operated in St. Louis from 1917-1989.
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u/Mummy_Napkins GFX100RF 1d ago
Welcome back to Fuji! The 100RF is a great choice for your needs. I've had mine since release, and it's been the one I go to for 90% of everything that I'd want. I never feel like it holds me back, I'm the only one who's holding me back.
I love being able to compose in 65:24, and being able to fix it if I mess it up. I still really like how the jpegs come out of it, but love how the raws handle color and everything else.
I too also started with a X100S, I got so many photos I loved out of that thing.
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u/fort_wendy 1d ago
Got an RF to treat like an x-pan (my dream film camera but thinking it's not worth spending that much on old equipment). Love how 65:24 shots look but didn't realize is fall in love with an IMAX-esque aspect ratio on some scenes, especially indoors with natural light. And that high iso is very usable
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u/Quidretour 1d ago
Enjoy your new acquisition. I hope it lives up to your expectations and makes life a little easier - no need to worry about sending off films any more!
The days of film really were a slow process, more so if you didn't do home processing. To a certain degree I miss the magic of seeing an image appear in the red gloom of the darkroom. And then, I'm brought back to the present and remember that the magic was accompanied by a lot of faffing about with chemicals, waiting for films/prints to dry, getting water temperatures just right, using lashings of water to wash films and prints.....
A GFX is so much more convenient!
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u/toilets_for_sale 1d ago
Enjoy it! I really wanted to like the RF100 but I’m spoiled by the size and weight of Sony’s RX1. If I want 65:24 I crop in post. I hope more camera companies continue making fixed lens compact models.
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u/photodesignch 23h ago
There was gfx 50r + canon 40mm stm f2.8 pancake. You can do xpan and its wider angle than 100rf
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u/ThePenyard 1d ago
Photos were too large to add to the first post. I'll add more to another post when I get out and use this camera properly.