My evolving GFX system

[Jeffrey Behr]

After deciding that the GFX100S-based system will not be the only camera system I'll be using for a few years, I've lightened it a bit by returning the heavy Fuji 100-200 and replacing it with an old Canon 70-300 F4-5.6 L IS and Ommlite autofocus adapter...and no primes.. The Canon's optical quality is better than I expected and quite good, and it shows very little corner darkening...

• FUJIFILM - GFX100S
• Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM
• 300.0 mm
• ƒ/6.3
• 1/640 sec
• Center-Weighted Average
• Auto exposure
• ISO 100

My current lenses are the F. 20-35 and 45-100 zooms (the latter my EDC lens if there is such a thing) and the Canon long.

My other system is a 40MP Fuji X-H2 with Tamron 11-20 and Fuji 16-80/4 and 70-300/4-5.6 zooms plus a F. 33/1.4.. Weights for all the hardware of these 2 systems are 6 pounds/2.7kg and 9.3 pounds/4.2kg.

Here's a pic of my 2019 Porsche Cayene Turbo with the X-H2 and 16-80.

• FUJIFILM - X-H2
• XF16-80mmF4 R OIS WR
• 26.0 mm
• ƒ/5.6
• 1/200 sec
• Pattern
• Manual exposure
• ISO 125

 

[Jeffrey Behr]

...and I discovered that the X-H2 and 16-80/4 fit nicely in the ThinkTank Airport Roller.

• SONY - DSC-RX10M4
• 19.7 mm
• ƒ/4
• 1/60 sec
• Pattern
• Auto exposure
• ISO 400

 

[Jeffrey Behr]

Realized that my '100S with its cracked rear screen may die at ANY time so started shopping before the prices go up wildly.. Found a 'like new' GFX 100S II for a little off full-retail and ordered it.. Should be here in a week or so.. Also considered another used GFX 100S but but decided to buy the newer one.. We'll see!

 

[RWilsonL]

I never really understand those folks who buy an expensive camera and/or lens and then after just a few months, decide to sell it to someone else. It is good news for us others, who very rarely sell their camera gear and are able to buy these at well below list price. I have recently bought a used "mint" Hasselblad X2D-100C, with a low shutter count, plus an XCD-45P and XCD-28P lenses, again both like new. The only new lens I bought new was the XCD 35-75 zoom, as given these heavy zooms are a bit fragile and susceptible to damage from a relatively minor bump, I felt new was a safer option.

Wilson

 

[Jeffrey Behr]

Wilson, you're just not as flighty as I am! I hope this time it'll be a keeper.

And good for you U on the X2D.

 

[RWilsonL]

Hi Jeffrey,
I actually still have my grandfather's Leica Model 2 from 1935, my great uncle's Model 3 from 1934 with its Hektor 50/2.5 lens, my father's IIIa with MOOLY motor winder and 50/2 Summar from 1937 plus various other family cameras in my quite extensive collection, including 37 Leicas. Some sadly I did not manage to save from my mothers manic decluttering, like the Contarex Bulls Eye with 55/1.4 Planar and 21/4.5 Biogon, that was the family's 60th birthday present to my father in 1962, which we think went to the local church jumble sale - grrrrrr! Below 60+ years of collecting Leicas.
Wilson

• LEICA CAMERA AG - LEICA Q3
• SUMMILUX 1:1.7/28 ASPH.
• 28.0 mm
• ƒ/3.5
• 1/50 sec
• Pattern
• ISO 800

 

[biggles3]

Realized that my '100S with its cracked rear screen may die at ANY time so started shopping before the prices go up wildly.. Found a 'like new' GFX 100S II for a little off full-retail and ordered it.. Should be here in a week or so.. Also considered another used GFX 100S but but decided to buy the newer one.. We'll see!

I wish I could afford either of the GFX 100S models but am obliged to stick with my trusty old 50S but I do miss in-body IS though... I'm surprised you find the 100-200 heavy but to be fair, even though I'm positively ancient, I still lug around a Fuji GX680 III with the 100-200 and by comparison, the GFX and 100-200 is a breeze... I've been augmenting my GFX lenses with those of the Contax 645 Zeiss range using a Fringer AF Adapter. If I can ever afford any of the later GFX bodies, with their inbuilt IS, I'll also use my Mamiya 645 (non-AF) gear including the Auto-Bellows N with its swing/tilt/shift movements for both architecture and macro work. I've also used some of my Contax 35mm Zeiss lenses using a Fotodiox Pro adapter to good effect. I've been using Fuji medium format gear for over 40 years and for me the GFX range is simply continuing the development of a great tradition. But I have to admit, I envy you the 100S II...

 

[Jeffrey Behr]

ANOTHER version! Yes, Wilson, another one, but this one is simpler.. I must confess to being compulsed for decades to trying other-brand, older lenses, and the last month I've gone thru, to some degree, both Pentex 645 and Mamiya-6 lenses.. I also verifed that my Contax645/Zeiss/fringer combos did or didn't work well* on my NEW GFX100s II.. Finally I tired of fooling with all these alternatives and ordered the Fuji 1.7s in 55mm and 80mm, and I'll retire my F. 45-100.,. What will be in the system are Fujis in 20-35, 55/1.7, and 80mm/1.7, and Canon EF 70-300/4 IS L.. I'm finished screwing around with lenses and am ready for the Palouse!!!!!!!!!

• SONY - ILCE-7RM3
• TS-E24mm f/3.5L II
• 24.0 mm
• ƒ/8
• 1/250 sec
• Pattern
• Auto exposure
• ISO 200

Going in early June.
.

* Results among the three lenses, 50-, 80-, and 140mm, were consistenlty inconsistent.. On my camera with my adapter, I shot 9 frames with each lens, and each lens produced 4 frames that were correctly focused and 5 frames that were not in focus.

 

[biggles3]

Hi Jeffrey, your issues with the Fringer adapter are interesting. Were you using the original version or the MkII and had you updated the firmware? I'm assuming when you mention the 50 that you are referring to the 55mm - curiously it's the one lens I decided to dump, primaril6y in favour of the 45-90. I now only have 8 of the 9 Zeiss lenses but the only one I've had issues with using the adapter has been the 350mm. I will be getting an opportunity to try the Kipon C645-GF adapter shortly as I met a woman at a photo-fair who says she's been using it with the 350mm and never dropped a shot. Fingers crossed... I look forward to hearing of your experience with the two f1.7s!

 

[RWilsonL]

I would like to get the Fotodiox 645 Contax to Hasselblad X adapter and get a Zeiss 210/f4 Sonnar lens but neither of the suggested UK stockists now carry any Fotodiox adapters and the main German one, Lumière, who list it on their Website, don't reply to emails. Obviously I would want to buy it tax free for export from Germany to the UK, as due to the stupidity of Brexit, I will be charged VAT when it arrives in the UK. I might send another email to Fotodiox (who responded very quickly) to my original query, suggesting that they appoint a new dealer in the UK and in the meantime, can they please sent a rocket up their German agent. I even went as far as to email the German agent in German, so they would not have an excuse to reply to an English language query.
Wilson

 

[RWilsonL]

I have ordered a Contax to Hasselblad X adapter direct from Fotodiox in the US. The only problem is that oddly they use USPS as their carrier, who in my past experience have been very poor.
Wilson

 

[Jeffrey Behr]

biggles: Original and no.. Yes, the 55/3.5.. TY; me too.. The 55s are not exactly thick on the ground, to use a term I heard first from my late-BFFL/fellowfotog from 'back east'; B&H claims they'll have some in about a week.. Of course, with no new ones around, the used ones are almost the same price as the unavailables.

FWIW, I'm also refining my 40MP Fuji X-H2-based system, adding two primes to 'replace' the excellent Fuji 16-80/4, in an effort to make it as highly resolving as I can.. I really like that body; it fits my hand VERY well, and the entire system is lite in weight.. But after a shooting trip, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to find that I prefer the zoom to fiddling with the 2 primes; patience is not one of my strenths.

And speaking of weight, the X-H2 body, 4 primes, and a F. 70-300/4-5.6 weigh only a bit over 6 pounds/2.84kg.. The GFX system weighs 10.6 pounds/4.8kg with the '100s II, F. primes in 55 and 80, and the Canon 70-300/4-5.6 L IS and fringer adapter.