Fujifilm GFX just announced with 6 lenses (all available in 2017)

[Kevin Raber]

The short answer to much of what we asked is that a lot is still under development and what we saw today was a developmental camera. Also, this is the first camera in a series of cameras.  Yes, Fuji is looking at adapting other lenses to the G series. when and if they do it is up in the air. We had dinner with their engineers and managers and they are all ears and taking lots of notes.  I think we need to see where things go and what develops over the coming months. We will try to post a report tomorrow but internet, connections at the hotel as well as the press center are painful. 

We also looked at a lot of other stufff today.  We will do our best to get something up by morning.

[Paul2660]

Best not forget, that Fuji unlike any other company until Phase and the XF, has managed to pass on significant advancements to existing cameras via Firmware.  This was seen with the X-T1 and the electronic shutter, (plus massive AF improvements).  And will soon be done to the X-Pro2 (adding significant improvement).  I have never seen this type of rolling improvement from Nikon or Canon and especially Sony.  And with Canon, what could be added is huge (just look at what Magic Lantern can do).

It's safe to assume (IMO) that Fuji will continue this mind share into the MF world so that even after 1 year, you can expect improvements to the 1st body of the GFX. 

They have already stated (in a round about way in statements around lens design) that they are planning to also have 100MP in this body at sometime.  But that won't be by firmware. 

Even though personally I am not a fan of x-trans I love their product support and company focus on the photographer.  This will be a well thought out camera.

Paul C

[Theodoros]

My impression is that the camera won't be available until a year from now... ("in to 2017" is anything but specific for an announcement), but when it comes, it will be the "photographer's dream"... Well, it's a Fuji isn't it? ... the company that is known to revolutionize whatever task they are after!

I really expect the body to be compatible with 54x40 sensors (2.67mm flange distance? ...why? 33x44mm sensors require considerably less than that... and then the mount is too wide for a 33x44 sensor...), I expect it to work with leaf shutter lenses, (at least certainly with the HC/HCD lenses that they also make), I expect it to be the ultimate "back" for bellows cameras... (16.7mm minimum distance from lens rear element!), I expect it to have a version with multishot "true color" captures and then... detouchable finders, rear screen, revolutionary tethering abilities and perfect ergonomics with "built like tank" quality seems to be what completes the picture...

One system, one series of lenses (not necessarily "dedicated" to the camera) for all tasks that a photographer may face... and then all with "fuji" image quality...

[Hywel]

Well, my 2017 shopping list just got a lot more interesting! 

Great that we have a range of different systems to choose from now, each with strengths and weaknesses. I'm interested in the Fuji, but the draw of Hasselblad colours and leaf shutters is considerable.

The longer I use the A7RII, the less bothered I am about EVF vs optical... and the lack of a bloody great mirror going clunk before every exposure certainly helps hand-holding.

Really, we are absolutely spoiled. There's hardly such a thing as a bad camera on the market. I can see selling points just for my own photography for the 5D Mark IV, the 1DX2, the GH5, the H6D, the X1D, the Pentax 645Z, the GFX, the OM-D E-M1 II, and I'm sure the smaller-frame Fujis have their appeal too (as do Nikons and whatever Sony will come up with after the A7RII of course).

Actually my main hope is for a bit of convergence, so I can rationalise my lens collection. I've got the equivalent of 28 mm, 35 mm, 50 mm, 85 mm, 105 mm, 70-200 mm zoom and standard zoom in four different lens mounts already, not counting the case of "junk" glass M42 thread lenses I use on my RED when I want a softer film look, and a whole case of more exotic speciality glass like 180 mm macros and the like which I'm sticking to EF mount for, for the forseeable future (they're usable on the RED, and the A7RII with Metabones). 

... and that's probably the number one flaw in the GFX for me as announced- yet another lens mount to collect. A lot will depend on the price when they finally arrive. If they are circa the same as the Hasselblad lenses, I'll probably just stick with Hasselblad.

Cheers, Hywel

[wnichols]

4. Adapters for Canon & Nikon TS & PCE lenses as well as for Samyang (rokinon/wallimex) TSE lenses...

Just this alone would a great spot for me

[JeffS]

We will try to post a report tomorrow but internet, connections at the hotel as well as the press center are painful. 

I hope to read something related to the viewfinder experience, which is my initial priority for considering any system. I was underwhelmed by the X1D VF at the demo I attended, but that was admittedly a prototype version.

Jeff

[Kevin Raber]

I hope to read something related to the viewfinder experience, which is my initial priority for considering any system. I was underwhelmed by the X1D VF at the demo I attended, but that was admittedly a prototype version.

Jeff

As far as the viewfinder it is not finalized.  They smile a lot when asked about it so they have something up their sleeve. Simply they won't share specs yet but when pushed they smile which is as good as saying they have plans they aren't sharing yet but should make us happy.

[MoreOrLess]

My impression is that the camera won't be available until a year from now... ("in to 2017" is anything but specific for an announcement), but when it comes, it will be the "photographer's dream"... Well, it's a Fuji isn't it? ... the company that is known to revolutionize whatever task they are after!

I really expect the body to be compatible with 54x40 sensors (2.67mm flange distance? ...why? 33x44mm sensors require considerably less than that... and then the mount is too wide for a 33x44 sensor...), I expect it to work with leaf shutter lenses, (at least certainly with the HC/HCD lenses that they also make), I expect it to be the ultimate "back" for bellows cameras... (16.7mm minimum distance from lens rear element!), I expect it to have a version with multishot "true color" captures and then... detouchable finders, rear screen, revolutionary tethering abilities and perfect ergonomics with "built like tank" quality seems to be what completes the picture...

One system, one series of lenses (not necessarily "dedicated" to the camera) for all tasks that a photographer may face... and then all with "fuji" image quality...

Certain lenses in the roadmap are marked "late 2017" so I'd imagine the body and the first few might well be in the first half of the year.

In terms of flange distance and mount size my guess is that it will be limited to the existing sensor size but that Fuji have given themselves a bit more space to work with in order to make lens design easier.

[Theodoros]

Certain lenses in the roadmap are marked "late 2017" so I'd imagine the body and the first few might well be in the first half of the year.

In terms of flange distance and mount size my guess is that it will be limited to the existing sensor size but that Fuji have given themselves a bit more space to work with in order to make lens design easier.

2.64mm flange distance on a mirrorless  doesn't make lens design any easier... It only makes compatibility with bellows cameras harder and thus it is not desirable. It is only desirable if one has a larger sensor in mind for future use.... 

[hubell]

As far as the viewfinder it is not finalized.  They smile a lot when asked about it so they have something up their sleeve. Simply they won't share specs yet but when pushed they smile which is as good as saying they have plans they aren't sharing yet but should make us happy.

Having just experienced yet another complete failure of a modular medium format digital system (Hasselblad body with Phase IQ180 back), my priorities for my next medium format system are on weatherproofing and size/weight. Fuji's decision to use a detachable viewfinder is a red flag to me. It creates a connection point that exposes the camera to moisture, and for what benefit? I am also interested in how the weight and size of the Fuji camera and lenses compares with the X1D and its lenses. I wish they would publish that information.

[eronald]

Having just experienced yet another complete failure of a modular medium format digital system (Hasselblad body with Phase IQ180 back), my priorities for my next medium format system are on weatherproofing and size/weight. Fuji's decision to use a detachable viewfinder is a red flag to me. It creates a connection point that exposes the camera to moisture, and for what benefit? I am also interested in how the weight and size of the Fuji camera and lenses compares with the X1D and its lenses. I wish they would publish that information.

Yeah,

 We're back in science fiction territory with the Fuji; by the time they bring it out, chip costs will be 40% under the present point so it will be very profitable.
 In fact the budget should allow for a really decent EVF.
 I wonder whether the lens mount is dimensioned for sensor stabilisation - the last unclimbed mountain of the medium format move to mirrorless?

Edmund

[Kabraxis]

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed the most important feature of the GFX. In the video they have posted of the fashion shoot, the photographer is quite clearly shooting tethered to C1 PRO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think they use a firmware similar to the APC Fuji Cameras. As they do for the 645z Phase One will build an active restriction to Block the FGX.

[marc aurel]

I've seen the GFX at Photokina yesterday. Like it very much. Some observations and calculations concerning the use with other lenses:
1. After looking at the datasheets from Rodenstock (maybe someone can crosscheck): wide angle view camera lenses won't work. Digaron W-32, 40 and 50 need shorter distances to the sensor than 26,7mm and would protrude into the camera. And the diameter of the rear housing of these lenses is too large for that.
2. Canon lenses on bellow cameras like Cambo Actus and Arca Universalis: the Canon lens boards of both systems take most of the difference between the flange distances of Canon EF and Fuji GFX (44mm - 26,7mm = 17,3mm). So it's a very close game. Both companies said they want to check if it could work. For the Universalis the Lens board interferes with the grip additionally, probably not possible to work around that. But the Cambo lens board is not very wide, it will probalby not collide with the Fuji grip. See attached image, where I tried to scale all to the same size.
3. I very much hope for an adapter with control of the electronic aperture of the Canon lenses.
4. With a Jasring adapter (Contax 645 to Canon EF) you could problably even use Contax 645 lenses. Depends on if the narrower mount of the Canon would cause vignetting. Anyone ever tried to check that?

Marc

[Theodoros]

I've seen the GFX at Photokina yesterday. Like it very much. Some observations and calculations concerning the use with other lenses:
1. After looking at the datasheets from Rodenstock (maybe someone can crosscheck): wide angle view camera lenses won't work. Digaron W-32, 40 and 50 need shorter distances to the sensor than 26,7mm and would protrude into the camera. And the diameter of the rear housing of these lenses is too large for that.
2. Canon lenses on bellow cameras like Cambo Actus and Arca Universalis: the Canon lens boards of both systems take most of the difference between the flange distances of Canon EF and Fuji GFX (44mm - 26,7mm = 17,3mm). So it's a very close game. Both companies said they want to check if it could work. For the Universalis the Lens board interferes with the grip additionally, probably not possible to work around that. But the Cambo lens board is not very wide, it will probalby not collide with the Fuji grip. See attached image, where I tried to scale all to the same size.
3. I very much hope for an adapter with control of the electronic aperture of the Canon lenses.
4. With a Jasring adapter (Contax 645 to Canon EF) you could problably even use Contax 645 lenses. Depends on if the narrower mount of the Canon would cause vignetting. Anyone ever tried to check that?

Marc

Hi Marc... lucky you being there...

1. The rear element of the lenses may protrude in the mount, but the mount is too wide (it looks around 70mm judging from the pictures).... several mm of shifts will be allowed... but other than that, lets not forget that Fuji also makes the Hasselblad HC/HCD lenses (of which the series go down to 24mm) and then there is the Canon TSE, Nikkor PCE (the sharpest out of all) and Samyang TS lenses...

2. One would expect the camera not to be mounted on the rear frame of a 6x9 camera, but instead, "directly" on the bellows of it... just like with all other "DSLR" type of cameras... so the grip won't be a problem....

3&4. Kevin already reported that Fuji aims for lenses of other makers to be used on the camera... I would therefore expect all Canon TSE & Nikkor PCE to be directly compatible with it on a bellows camera, without the need for one to use dual adapters in series... (only external wiring for direct mount communication). It may take sometime... but like with the Sony a7 series, it is natural to expect an "army" of adapters targeting the customers of the camera.

I even expect the camera to be able to work with leaf shutter lenses (at least with HC/HCD for sure...) via official adapters... 

[marc aurel]

Hi Theodoros,

1. the mount is not that wide. The foto by fuji shows the front of the camera with the sensor. Sensor diagonal is 55mm. So the inner red circle in the image (with dots) is 55m, the outer one about 67mm I estimate. So generally you're right, it's close to 70mm. But keep in mind that the bayonet part on the lens side makes the room narrower. And you should not touch the lens contacts with the lens housing. The diameter of the rear housing is listed with 56mm for Digaron W 32 and 40. The 50 is a little smaller with 51mm. If the lens housings fit in at all there will be nearly no room for movements, at least not in all directions. How sad.

2. The grip will only a problem with that specific canon lens board that arca has (announced at photokina 2014, they said they finally start to deliver). It has to be very close to the body because of the small difference in flange distance. So close that you get near to the grip.
Regards -
Marc

Hi Marc... lucky you being there...

1. The rear element of the lenses may protrude in the mount, but the mount is too wide (it looks around 70mm judging from the pictures).... several mm of shifts will be allowed... but other than that, lets not forget that Fuji also makes the Hasselblad HC/HCD lenses (of which the series go down to 24mm) and then there is the Canon TSE, Nikkor PCE (the sharpest out of all) and Samyang TS lenses...

2. One would expect the camera not to be mounted on the rear frame of a 6x9 camera, but instead, "directly" on the bellows of it... just like with all other "DSLR" type of cameras... so the grip won't be a problem....

[Bo_Dez]

So far, this seems like the camera I have been waiting for. It seems like the future of cameras also, as 35mm sensors crammed with pixels gets problematic and this gives some more room for that. I'm really excited about it and how it could be used, adapted and so forth, for example with 645 speed boosting adapters etc. Fuji lenses are beautiful, I've been using them a long time since my GX680 and they are incredibly sharp. That 110mm f2 looks like a total future classic and has me salivating. The finder is a work of genius also. I can't see a reason why I won't be buying it at this point.

[Kevin Raber]

Just posted a show report with more photos of the camera.  I have held it and had longs talks with Fuji about the camera and the future.  We will have a video interview at Photo Plus.  By then they will have more to share.  Exciting to see a new format take shape.

[Chris Barrett]

Theo,

Even though camera bodies mount on the view cameras via the bellows, the grip can be a problem with the FRONT standard.  I noticed how the A7r2 had more of an issues with this than the A7r1.  The A7r2 just barely works on my Universalis with Canon lenses.  If the Fuji does indeed have a deeper sensor to flange distance, then I don't think it's going to be compatible with view cameras using Canon lenses.

This is all moot until we have real world testing, tho...

[Theodoros]

Theo,

Even though camera bodies mount on the view cameras via the bellows, the grip can be a problem with the FRONT standard.  I noticed how the A7r2 had more of an issues with this than the A7r1.  The A7r2 just barely works on my Universalis with Canon lenses.  If the Fuji does indeed have a deeper sensor to flange distance, then I don't think it's going to be compatible with view cameras using Canon lenses.

This is all moot until we have real world testing, tho...

Hi Chris...  I was thinking about you paying particular attention on this camera...

But since I'm personally involved on a project about a "perfect" camera (which I will ask you -among other photographerss- to test soon) I can comment on the following...
 It is really important how the lens mount it is designed to be on the front standard... in my design, there is an adjustment where the frame can be adjusted back and forth on the front standard, so that one can adjust the entrance pupil of the lens (any lens) as to be positioned exactly at center of the entrance pupil... Now, because on retrofocus designs the entrance pupil of the lens is several centimeters inside the lens barrel (lens focused to infinity), this means that (depending on the size of the surface of the standard - mine is 6.4x6.4cm) usually, the mount of the lens will be positioned outside the projection of the block's surface and into the bellows area...

Thus, if one takes care that the lens mount is on the back of the lens frame, there should be no problem with any lens that has flange distance of more than 42mm, no matter the amount of tilts/swings used... Note that there will be no problem with near symmetrical designs either, although the entrance pupil is usually in the center of the shutter... this is because the rear cell of the lens usually protudes considerably behind the lens mount, but on my design, one will be able to slide the camera towards the bellows area and compensate for the rare case that the lens rear element doesn't protude enough... Then, he'll only have not to use tilts or swings on the rear standard (but only on the front) as to retain a completely distortionless operation...

[Theodoros]

Besides... on Fuji's design, the lens mount has been designed to protrude outside the camera body... Thus, it is taking space that would be lost from the grip size anyway... The grip's extra length added (from the lens mount) is much less than one should think of, if he judges the distance from the body...
Ι would dare to say that it is no more than Sony α7 II and that the maximum sensor to grip protruding from it distance, is not that much more than what it is with an α7ΙΙ Sony...
After all, one must notice the generous space that Fuji engineers gave as for one to use circular disks instead of square shaped frames... Lets not forget that the 85mm front frame hole that the Rollei e-xact2 & Novoflex Balpro uses, tends to be a "standard" (much like the Arca plates) as it can take all shutters in it.... ALPA uses the same on their new "Serpent" camera (I also use it in my design)... What is stopping someone to use circular "disk" front frame with 85mm inside and 95mm outside diameter?  The Fuji will definitely recess the grip by a 95mm diameter disk...

EDIT: Even if one uses a square frame with 85mm hole mount, any of the Nikon, Canon or other DSLR mounts can be designed as recessed boards... it won't matter to the geometry of the camera if the frame can be adjusted on the standard for the entrance pupil of the lens correct positioning... The lens will still be in the same position, it's the frame that will get "out of the way"...