Be sure to free your morning onSeptember 12 – X Summit 2023 will be on air!
Twice a year, Fujifilm takes all its new products, services and ideas for a great show to share the best innovative practices and technologies with our partners. This time, X Summit will be hosted in Stockholm and broadcasted at Fujifilm House of Photography in Covent Garden, in London. Click to join us online and be the first to learn about main novelties and upcoming products!
The screening starts at 10:30 and runs till 12:00. It is followed by the X Summit group discussion, FREE QMS Services, and the private viewing of our upcoming ’44:33′ exhibition showcasing the winners of the GFX Challenge 2023.
Running order (CET)
10:30-11:00 – Arrival, food and beverages
11:00 – Screening starts
12:00 – Screening finishes
12:00 onwards – X Summit group discussion, FREE QMS Services, and private viewing of gallery
In today’s fast-moving world, businesses need the best tools to meet their constantly growing demands. This is especially true in the field of imaging and photography, where quality is paramount. With the GFX system camera and its accessories, Fujifilm Digital Imaging Solutions offers a versatile and unparalleled imaging solution that meets the diverse needs of commercial imaging applications.
At the heart of each GFX system camera is a 43.8mm x 32.9mm CMOS image sensor that delivers incredible image quality. This makes the camera ideal for a wide range of commercial imaging applications that require flexibility and versatility. From product photography to architectural photography and everything in between, the GFX system camera is designed to meet the needs of the most demanding professionals.
At moments when absolute color accuracy and pixel information are critical, Fujifilm’s latest Pixel Shift technology, available on the GFX100, GFX100 IR or GFX100S cameras, produces incredibly detailed images with a maximum resolution of 400MP. This is of immediate benefit to institutions or organizations conducting historical research, archival projects or scientific studies where accuracy and precision are paramount.
When absolute flexibility from production to output is required, the GFX system camera offers the perfect balance between performance and image resolution. Thanks to the camera’s autofocus capabilities and the ever-expanding selection of FUJINON G-mount lenses, image creators have complete control over their images from start to finish. In-camera images can be saved as JPEGs, 16-bit RAW files, or a combination of both. 8-bit or 16-bit TIFF files can also be created through in-camera processing. On a computer, a single high-resolution image can be cropped multiple times to create different versions for different needs. Regardless of workflow, the GFX system cameras offer all the options you need.
Fujifilm Digital Imaging Solutions’ unparalleled image quality is the result of using a large 43.8ｘ32.9mm CMOS sensor and imaging technology that has grown over 85 years of designing and manufacturing the highest quality photographic and film equipment. This know-how and heritage, combined with the latest digital imaging technologies, enables professionals to achieve the best possible quality for their needs.
The GFX system camera is complemented by Fujinon lenses designed and engineered to keep pace with the high-resolution image sensors found in all GFX system cameras. Every detail is perfectly resolved, and every color shift is beautifully reproduced. This ever-expanding collection of lenses for GFX system cameras will meet the needs of various commercial imaging applications for years to come.
In case studies conducted by Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. and the Tokyo National Museum, the GFX system camera proved invaluable for archiving and preserving cultural assets, valuable materials, and historical artifacts. In addition, photographers have used the GFX System camera to photograph the Gemenefherbak sarcophagus in the Egyptian Museum of Turin, highlighting the camera’s capabilities in reproducing intricate details and textures of historical artifacts.
Preserving the Legacy of Katsushika Hokusai’s Artworks
Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. is a renowned organization that specializes in the digital archiving, restoration, reproduction, and exhibition of cultural assets and valuable materials. Recently, we were privileged to capture the essence of a magnificent work by Katsushika Hokusai from the collection of the Sumida Hokusai Museum. Utilizing the advanced technology of the GFX series, we were able to produce rich and detailed data that not only safeguards cultural properties but also enhances their versatility in various domains.
Preserving History with 400MP High-Resolution Images
“Robe (Kosode) with Autumn Flowers” from the Tokyo National Museum collection features intricate designs painted by artist Ogata Kōrin in the early 18th century. Kōrin, born in Kyoto, later went to Edo (present-day Tokyo), where he stayed with the Fuyuki family, wealthy lumber merchants. As a token of gratitude, he painted the designs on the wife’s kimono. Before the garment underwent conservation work to prevent further wear and tear, we were granted permission to photograph it in ultra-high resolution. Archiving valuable cultural properties is crucial for future generations, and to this end, we employed the 400MP Pixel Shift Multi-Shot for the GFX system to create an accurate archive of the garment’s condition before restoration work began.
Egyptian Museum of Turin and the Power of FUJIFILM GFX100
After testing the new features of the Studio and searching for a subject to showcase the full potential of the new Firmware, we turned to the Egyptian Museum of Turin, the oldest museum dedicated entirely to the Nilotic civilization and considered second only to the Cairo museum in terms of value and quantity of artifacts. We had the opportunity to photograph the sarcophagus of Gemenefherbak, a vizier from the XXVI dynasty (664-525 BC).
The sarcophagus’s surface is strikingly smooth and velvety, despite being made of a very hard, dark green stone called “bekhen stone” extracted from quarries in the eastern desert of Egypt. Gemenefherbak is depicted on the cover of the sarcophagus, wearing a small image of the goddess Maat, symbolizing justice. His chest is protected by a winged scarab.
After two “reproductions” of the sarcophagus were made, we used post-production to cut out the front and back of the sarcophagus and placed the images side by side on a black background. The result was a stunning visual representation of an ancient cultural artifact, capturing its intricate details and historical significance.
The GFX System camera and its accompanying accessories provide a versatile and unparalleled imaging solution for commercial image-making applications. With its unmatched image quality, pixel-shift technology, and flexible workflow options, the GFX System camera is an indispensable tool for professionals who demand the best. For more information, visit Fujifilm Digital Imaging Solutions‘ website and contact their team to learn how they can help you meet your imaging needs.
The GFX Challenge Grant Program 2021, sponsored by FUJIFILM, is a grant program that awards 5 Global Grant Awards and 10 Regional Grant Awards to help aspiring creatives bring their imaging projects to life. It is designed to nurture and develop the skills of emerging and promising content creators, giving them the opportunity to create content on topics that have significant meaning to them, while gaining experience using FUJIFILM GFX System gear.
Proposed projects may be submitted as still photography or in a movie format. Submit a project proposal now for a chance to receive one of the desired awards, and take the first step in turning your creative idea into reality!
At the conclusion of the production period in August 2022, the award recipients’ final content will be showcased on the Fujifilm-X website.
Entry Period: November 10, 2021 to January 5, 2022
Fujifilm user and ‘Clowntographer’ Steve Best is no stranger to being both sides of the stand-up comedy lens. Having recently used the FUJIFILM GFX 50S, instead of his usual X-Pro2, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, we find out how he got on.
I’ve been a stand-up comedian for over twenty four years and I am also a photographer; a clowntographer! Usually I shoot with the FUJIFILM X-Pro2, but I recently took the medium format GFX 50S to the Edinburgh Fringe festival. This is not going to be a technical blog with numbers and facts but more of a touchy, feely one about how I got on. Continue reading “Stand up for the FUJIFILM GFX 50S”
X-Photographer Jamie Stoker is a freelance portrait and fashion photographer. In this article he gives us an insight into how he works as a professional photographer with the FUJIFILM GFX 50S.
X-Photographer Jamie Stoker is a freelance portrait and fashion photographer based in London. Having used the X Series ever since it was first launched, Jamie loves the combination of the range’s compact design, great image quality and colours. In this article, Jamie shares how he uses the cameras and an insight into how he works as a professional photographer.
A trip to Iceland never fails to provide interesting shots as Landscape photographer Mark Bauer demonstrates in this article, sharing some of his stunning shots captured on the medium format Fujifilm GFX.
Sunrise at the ice beach at Jökulsárlón, with waves washing around one of the many icebergs. GF23mm f/4, ISO 100, 2 seconds at f/16, LEE 4-stop ND and 3-stop reverse graduated ND.
I’ve been shooting with the medium-format FUJIFILM GFX 50S since early April 2017 and have been more than impressed with its performance as a landscape camera. But for a camera to be truly usable by landscape photographers it has to be able to withstand the elements and, until recently, it would be fair to say that my GFX had had a fairly sheltered life. I was keen to see how it would perform in harsher environments, so took it with me on a recent trip to Iceland; this also gave me the opportunity to test its high ISO performance while shooting the Northern Lights.
Dramatic light at Fjallsárlón, looking towards one of the outlets of the the Vatnajökull glacier. Adapted Mamiya 105-210mm, ISO 100, 1/60 second at f/11, polariser.
I’m lucky enough to have visited Iceland on numerous occasions and it remains one of my favourite destinations for landscape photography; there really is nowhere else like it. On this occasion, I was co-leading a workshop and we were based on the south coast, beginning the tour near the town of Höfn and working our way back west. On this trip, we were able to include the ‘must-see’ locations of the Stokksnes Peninsula, Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, the beach at Vik, with its dramatic rock stacks, and many places in between.
The dramatic sea stacks at Vik partially silhouetted against a colourful sky at sunset. Despite the extremes of contrast, the GFX was able to capture the full range of tones without the need for a graduated filter. GF32-64mm f/4 at 60mm, ISO 100, 2.5 seconds at f/22, LEE 4-stop ND.
The weather in Iceland can be harsh, to say the least. On this trip we experienced winds which threatened to knock us off our feet and temperatures which dropped below minus 10. Perfect for finding out how tough the GFX is. Despite the unpredictable weather, winter remains my favourite time for visiting Iceland: changeable weather makes for dramatic conditions and the low winter sun means that there is a permanent ‘golden hour’ during the day.
The good news is that the GFX held up really well under some tough shooting conditions. The environmental sealing was given a severe test on a morning when there were gusts of wind so strong that we had to kneel down and cling on to our tripods to prevent kit from flying off into the distance. The wind whipped up the gritty, volcanic sand from the beach and sea spray coated all our gear. None of this bothered the GFX, which didn’t miss a beat and allowed me to grab some shots in between the gusts.
Early morning light warming the cliffs at Dyrhólaey, from Reynisfjara beach. GF32-64mm f/4 at 63mm, ISO 100, 2 seconds at f/11, LEE 4-stop ND.
On the days when we were able to stand up, we were treated to some exceptionally good light – a fabulous sunrise on the famous ‘ice beach’ at Jökulsárlón and a colourful sunset at Vik. Fujifilm has an excellent reputation for colour and it goes without saying that the GFX captured beautiful colour on these occasions, but the sensor’s wide dynamic range was also a key factor in being able to make the most of the conditions, especially at Vik. Because of the shape of the cliffs there, it wasn’t possible to use a graduated filter to darken the bright sky; however, filtration proved to be unnecessary, as it was possible to capture the full range of tones without a grad.
The ability to set different aspect ratios in-camera is a feature which frequently comes in handy and it did once again on the Iceland trip. Not all scenes will suit the native aspect ratio of your camera, whatever it is, so being able to experiment and see different ratios in the viewfinder, rather than having to try to visualise them, is a real boon. I found, for example, that a square crop or 3:2 ratio made for a better composition at Vik than the GFX’s native 4:3.
Looking towards the sea stacks at Vik, from Dyrhólaey. GF32-64mm f/4 at 57mm, ISO 100, 17 seconds at f/16, LEE 6-stop ND.
Of course, one of the main reasons photographers visit Iceland is the Northern Lights. I’ve been lucky enough to shoot some really good displays over the years, but sadly, that was not to be the case on this trip as we suffered a lot of cloudy skies and low activity on the nights which were clearer. On the one night that we had a reasonable display, strong winds restricted our viewpoint to a sheltered spot where it was hard to get a good composition. However, this didn’t stop me being able to assess the GFX’s technical performance and its suitability for astro work.
Northern lights over Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. GF23mm f/4, ISO 1600, 20 seconds at f/4. The GFX recorded plenty of detail with low noise levels in this low light, high ISO shot.
The main things to be aware of when shooting the Northern Lights are getting enough light on the sensor to record an image while keeping the shutter speed short enough to avoid star trails. Depending on the focal length used, 15-20 seconds is usually a good maximum. This means that in order to get a usable exposure, you will need to use a high ISO and open up your lens to its widest aperture. Having a lens with a fast maximum aperture such as f/2.8 is desirable and as there are no native Fujifilm wide angles faster than f/4, I had considered adapting a third party lens for the trip. In the end, however, I decided to take the GF23mm and trust that the GFX’s high ISO performance would compensate for not being able to shoot wider than f/4.
Northern lights over Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. GF23mm f/4, ISO 1600, 20 seconds at f/4. The GFX recorded plenty of detail with low noise levels in this low light, high ISO shot.
The GFX acquitted itself really well; high ISO noise is impressively low and the nature of the noise fine-grained and therefore easy to deal with in post-production; a fast wide angle lens is certainly desirable but you can live without one and I’d certainly have no reservations about using the GFX + 23mm f/4 combination on my next Iceland trip. Another important point to bear in mind when shooting the night sky, is being able to find true infinity focus – not always straightforward with modern autofocus lenses. Using the distance scale in the EVF meant that this was a simple matter with the GFX and GF23mm – another point in its favour.
The church at Vik, with its dramatic mountain backdrop. The low sun in winter means that you can get golden light throughout the day. Adapted Mamiya 105-210mm, ISO 100, 1/20 second at f/11, polariser.
Iceland is always great fun and I’ve never failed to come back with interesting shots. This trip was no exception and there was the added benefit of my gaining increased confidence in the GFX system.
A frozen rock arch at Dyrhólaey. GF32-64mm f/4 at 64mm. ISO 100, 120 seconds at f/11, LEE 10-stop ND.
The FUJIFILM GFX 50S delivers the world’s best image quality. It combines outstanding resolution of 51.4 megapixels with exceptional tones, advanced color reproduction and high-performance lenses. This level of image quality is purely motivational. The world around you changes the moment you hold this camera in your hand. Appreciate all that can be achieved with Fujifilm’s new medium format mirrorless camera system, GFX.
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