Scenes Seen/A GFX100RF Alternative: GFX100S + GF 50mm f/3.5.

I landed on the GFX system by an indirect route.

Step 1. I want that GFX100RF.

Sell everything!

Step 2. A voice of reason.

Hamish steps in with:

“I dunno man, I’m not convinced for myself… I think if I was going to go MF digital, I’d want to be able to mount random lenses to it.”

Before You Click Buy On The New & Shiny Thing…: GFX100, RF & S.

Dang it, Hamish.

Step 3. A better option.

Step 4. Thank you, Hamish.

The main reason it is a better option for is, as Hamish rightly pointed out, being able to use other lenses. But there is more than that.

This day I used the lens purchased to most closely replicate the GFX100RF spec. The GF 50mm f/3.5.

A better option for me. For me. Please notice those last two words. I am not saying one is a better camera than the other.

First, the pictures, and I will share the why after.

Thoughts.

These two cameras have a lot in common.

Same AF.
- The RF has added a few more tricks learned with the 100S II, but for all practical purposes I noticed no difference in real world conditions.
Same IQ.
Similar lenses.
- 40mm f/4 and 50mm f/3.5.
Same tilt screen.
Touch screen.

The differences. What I like better about the GFX100RF.

Smaller.
Leaf shutter.
- Flash sync up to shutter speed.
- Thought it would be more quiet, but I do not notice any difference in noise levels.
It. Is. Gor-jus.

For me, that is about it. GFX100S advantages.

You can use many different lenses.
- Native AF GF.
- Third-party GF.
- Any number of lenses adapted.
- And as a result…
Access to much faster glass.
Better lens for me.
- 50mm is a better focal length for me.
- f/3.5 is a bit faster.
Less expensive.
- Much less expensive.
- Prices shift like crazy, but as of the writing of this post, a GFX100S (No choice other than used since it is first gen.) and a GF50mm f/3.5 used cost about $700 less than a used GFX100RF and about $1,100 less than a new one… Again. Same sensor. Similar performance. You can switch lenses.
- And if you are willing to go to 50MP models, you can save even more. AF suffers on those models, but if you are mainly adapting manual focus glass, that will not matter.
- And then there is the big one for me.
IBIS.
- Less money for IBIS is huge for me personally.