Shooting Landscapes with the FUJIFILM GFX 50R

It’s been almost a week since I got my new medium-format camera, the FUJIFILM GFX 50R, and just had to give it a test-run shooting the sunset. So, I had to wait for the right weather (took a few days) and headed to Israel’s Pora national reserve (just north to Be’er Sheva).

This time of year you can find a lot of fields of golden wheat. As most of them are harvested by now, some are still intact, and lucky me just found one.
I’ve done a short video of the way I photographed it. My apologise for it’s in Hebrew.

Here’s the final result.

Medium-Format

Perhaps not a lot of people familiar with the term ‘medium-format’ in the world of photography.

Historically, this term refers to the 120 film size that was used by some camera systems (e.g., Hasselblad) as opposed to traditional 35mm film cameras that we used to shoot with back in the analog era. Today, in digital photography, medium-format refers to any digital camera that has a sensor size that’s bigger than the 35mm full-frame sensor (e.g., Canon 5D Mark IV / Sony A7R III / Nikon D850).

I first heard this term about 9 years ago when I took a crash-course in photography and was awed by the system and the results (I used to shoot back then with an APS-C sensor of the Canon 7D). Because of various reasons, medium-format systems were (and still are in fact) extremely expensive and most of enthusiast, and even professional, photographers are unable to purchase them. So, for me, it was like a far dream.

And then, several months ago, I surfed the web and came across this weird item - a medium-format mirrorless system by FUJIFILM that was around 6,000$ (roughly 24,000 NIS) which was, for the first time, attainable (compared to other medium-format systems). Not long after that, FUJIFILM released another medium-format camera, only this time it was even cheaper (around 4,500$).

FUJIFILM GFX 50R. A medium-format system with the FUJINON GF110mmF2 R LM WR lens.

At that point, I knew that I can make some adjustment and sell my current photo gear and get, for the first time for me, a medium-format system. And so I did.

I got my FUJIFILM GFX 50R medium-format camera that has a 43.8mm x 32.9mm sensor (1.7 times larger than a full-frame sensor) with 51.4 megapixels.

The FUJIFILM GFX 50R is a mirrorless system, so it benefits from some technological advantages compared to DSLRs (such as active Live-View and eye-tracking auto-focus).

For me, it’s a game changer. I’m really excited with this system and can’t wait to start shooting awesome landscapes and portraits.

Don’t forget to dream big ;)

Landscape photography in Eilat

It’s been a few days now that I’ve been in Eilat, Israel for a resort and decided to make the most out of my stay here and do a lot of landscape photography. I always travel with my camera, recently the FUJIFILM X-T3. Combining it with the XF10-24mmF4 R OIS makes it a perfect system on the go that can deliver awesome image quality in a light package.

A lot can be said about landscape photography guidelines, but perhaps the most important one is HARD WORK, in my honest opinion. Like everything else in life where you want to succeed, landscape photography requires a lot of effort and investment. Most of it is physical, actually. I had to scout, drive, climb, endure uncomfortable conditions and wait for the right moment.

Eilat Mountains, Israel. Shot with the FUJIFILM X-T3 | XF10-24mmF4 R OIS

This was an amazing trip for me as I was visiting great locations that most people would normally just drive by. Of course I had to climb a couple of mountains along the way to get to the spot that had the best view and composition potential. Sometimes the sun wasn’t exactly where I wanted it, and sometimes there where not enough clouds to create a dramatic effect, but still there where some great moments that I was able to capture thanks to my FUJIFILM X-T3 that was light enough so I could carry it around. The 26 mega-pixels sensor with no low-pass filter that allowed me to more details compared to other conventional DSLRs.

Eilat Mountains, Israel. Shot with the FUJIFILM X-T3 | XF10-24mmF4 R OIS

Eilat Mountains, Israel. Shot with the FUJIFILM X-T3 | XF10-24mmF4 R OIS

Emily

About a week ago I had the chance to photograph the beautiful Emily Helmer. For this session I’ve chosen an open field during the sunset to get a more pleasing look as the light became warmer.

Emily Helmer. Shot with FUJIFILM X-T3 and XF56mmF1.2 R

Shooting her was a delight as her gentle beauty merged with the surrounding and the calmness of the sun as it started to set.
The FUJIFILM X-T3 and the XF56mmF1.2 R lens allowed me to get accurate focus on her eyes (with Eye-AF) and get a pleasing skin tones with the Pro Neg. Std and the ACROS films simulations, which in my honest opinion is FUJIFILM biggest advantage over other manufactures.

Medium Format Delight | The FUJIFILM GFX 50S

So, a few days ago I got the amazing FUJIFILM GFX 50S medium-format camera system for a little test. I think it’s been 9 years since I’ve first heard the term medium-format and for me it was like science-fiction.
For those who are less familiar with this type, it’s what you would call a camera system which sensor is larger than 35 mm (Full-Frame). The advantages of having a lager sensor are having a broader dynamic-range, larger amount of details and larger image dimensions in pixels.

The FUJIFILM GFX 50S with the GF63mmF2.8 R WR lens

About two years ago FUJIFILM launched the GFX 50S which is their first digital medium-format system and about several months, they launched it’s sibling, the GFX 50R, which has a more of a range-finder style to it.
From my short experience with the 50S, it’s amazing. It’s the first time ever with a medium-format camera and I was not disappointed. The 50 plus megapixels sensor does the job. So, when shooting the lovely Michal Barzovsky, I was able to pull every freckle she had with astonishing details.

The amazing Michal Barzovsky with her freckles.

It’s not for everyone though. The extremely high price-tag makes these cameras less appeal to general photographers, but rather high professional would appreciate.