Scenes Seen/Point & Shoot Overkill: Fujifilm GFX 50R + Rokkor 58mm f/1.2.
Subtitle: This Is Utter Nonsense.
- No one needs a medium format camera.
- I am abandoning AF on purpose.
What?
A full frame camera with a ridiculously fast AF lens…
…can muster a close enough approximation to a medium format depth of field to appease any customer.
Truth be told the customer does not care. They would be happy with a more common aperture.
If you insist on focusing for yourself, I have had some fun full frame option.
Sony not good enough for you? Strap the last lens on to a fancy pants brand.
For a sane, rational person this would be just fine. But, as it pertains to photography, I am neither sane or rational.
Even used Hasselblad is out of my price range, so GFX with an absurd SLR era lens it is.
Especially considering that the GFX system has a legitimate and satisfying alternative to the M rangefinder focusing experience. For me it has been very bit as satisfying to use as a rangefinder.
Equally impressive IQ.
Access to native GF medium format lenses.
Access to AF.
Leica even made a move that seemed to confirm my decision when 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 mentioned above.
How much do I like this rig?
I am glass I imagined that you asked.
From every day use…
…to scenarios where the smart money would say use a capable AF solution, I choose this rig. A prime example was a trip to Brooklyn for a World Photography Day event.
Luminaries would be in attendance. Living photography legends. Missed pics would trigger many regrets. I chose this set up and it was the right decision for that day.
That, along with the oddly organic feeling digital manual focusing aid, makes this a fine manual focusing setup. Again… To be clear…
This makes no sense. I would never advise anyone else to do this, unless you are one of a few who are similarly afflicted as I am.
All others should get themselves any number of perfectly fine AF body and lens combinations, brand of their choice and enjoy.
Godspe1ed.
But for me? This is the way to go.
I guess I should thank Leica for validating this new path forward.
Back to the task at hand.
The pics.
Camera shop run to secure more film. Another nonsense endeavor.
Headed home.
Thoughts.
I have already said more than enough.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
