Turns Out The Digital Rangefinder For Me Is Not A Rangefinder: Fujifilm GFX 50R Update; Part 2.

Turns Out The Digital Rangefinder For Me Is Not A Rangefinder: Fujifilm GFX 50R Update; Part 2.

Subtitle: This Is Utter Nonsense, But A Lens Really Sealed The Deal.

First, a recap from earlier posts.

I spent a long time fighting off and eventually falling down the digital rangefinder rabbit hole.

Vintage Digital: A Year of Leica M Type 240 Ownership Update.

I had no interest in upgrading to a newer M. So… I am good, right?

Nope.

That is why we are here. Me writing, and you reading.

After some time, I realized something.

This is just a camera.

A wonderfully made one.

A wonderfully looking one.

A wonderful creative device.

But it is just a camera.

So I kept using it… and kept looking.

And what I eventually saw was the GFX system. Have supported this pivot in long form over many posts. The abridged version goes like this.

• First and foremost, a legitimate and satisfying alternative to the M rangefinder focusing experience.
  • Now that some time has passed, I am happy to report that Fujifilm’s manual focus aid is every bit as satisfying to use as a rangefinder.

• Equally impressive IQ.

• Access to medium format digital.

• Access to AF.

But there was one thing that remained.

Form factor.

Silly?

Yes.

But it matters to me.

I had let it go. But, as covered here,…

So… The GFX 50R Intro: Or How A Leica Camera Release Freed Me Up To Get A Fujifilm Camera.

…Leica made a move that freed me up. They released an EVF-equipped M.

A beautiful thing. But my reaction went like this.

Take away the mechanical rangefinder, and only the rangefinder form factor remains.

You know.

• Rectangular build.
• Offset EVF.

• Physical controls/dials, please.

And on top of that, not only can I use M lenses adapted,…

…once I realized I could now adapt anything, I pivoted to other capable SLR glass.

Then, courtesy of an offer I could not refuse from Kipon…

A Bridge Between Analog & Digital Medium Format: KIPON BAVEYES Hasselblad V-Fuji G 0.8x.

A Bridge Between Analog & Digital Medium Format: KIPON Baveyes Pentax67-Fuji G 0.62x Focal Reducer.

…vintage film medium format lenses were made available.

But wait! There’s more! (OK. That was over the top.)

But on top of all of this rangefinder cosplay action, let us not forget a few things.

I will break in here for a moment with the start of my updates. This comes in the form of adding a number 5.

1. This is a medium format camera for Pete’s sake.
2. This camera has AF.
3. Fujifilm AF lenses are bargains compared to top end M glass and, in my humble opinion, are comparable IQ wise.
4. And last but not least, it costs thousands less.
5. It can do video.

Sure, purists will scoff. In fact, the M 240 above was the first and last digital M to have video capabilities because M purists did scoff…

Me? No scoffing.

The idea of a more expensive camera removing features that one could just ignore, as I did with the M 240 because its video chops were below basic. Serviceable… But not something I would use.

But the GFX system. Not bad, actually. And even though AF is on the table, I had no issues with manual focus either at a recent event. I had an AG lens on me, but MF worked just fine.

Plus… that lens. That wonderful ROKKOR 58mm f/1.2. It pretty much stays on the camera.

And that is a strong endorsement when you have access to two of the finest AF lenses I have ever had the pleasure of using.

Why?

I am glad I imagined that you asked.

Nonsense ahead.

It makes purdy images.

I even like its faults.

There are only a few, really.

Vignette. But I like it.

Flare when shooting directly into the sun.

I like it at times. And it is easily remedied by raising a hand over the lens…

…ot by adjusting your angle so you are not shooting directly into the sun.

The last is barrel distortion. Not noticeable when you are not photographing lines through a scene head on.

But when it is noticeable, it is easy to tweak in post.

No surprises. This is not to be a technically perfect lens. Far from it. It is from a different era. And I have other lenses that fill that brief.

This lens makes images that are special to me.

I always look forward to seeing how it captures a scene that I framed.

That, along with the oddly organic feeling digital manual focusing aid, makes this a fine manual focusing setup. Again…

Back to the question of this camera or that.

Is this a solution for all who have an M problem?

Nope.

Some will always prefer an actual rangefinder experience. Some just want a Leica. And I get it. I have been there.

Godspeed.

But for me? This is the way to go.

I guess I should thank Leica for validating this new path forward.

Happy capturing.

-ELW