Tests of the new Fujifilm GFX 100 camera body with the Fujinon Premista 28-100mm zoom lens

By Stéphane Cami, AFC

by Stéphane Cami AFC newsletter n°305

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As a follow up to the Fujifilm X-T3 and the Fujinon MK zoom lens tests performed in May 2019, Fujifilm gave the AFC the opportunity to try out its new Fujifilm GFX 100 camera body and the Fujinon Premista 28-100mm zoom lens.

Jean-Louis Vialard and I tested out the video mode on this new, medium-format camera body with the zoom lens. These tests were presented during a screening at the Micro Salon and will soon be available for viewing on the AFC’s website.
The Fujifilm GFX 100 possesses a 44x33mm wide-angle sensor. It is capable of recording in 4K up to 60 fps in 10 bits 4:2:0 on the internal SD card or in 10 bits 4:2:2 via the HDMI port. As on the Fujifilm X-T3, this camera is equipped with Codecs H265, H264 and a bit rate of up to 400 Mbps. The F-Log, with its lovely dynamic range, enables color grading with a very fine color rendering. We appreciated its ergonomics (adjustable touch screen, menu access, and intuitive controls) and the excellent quality of its images even in high ISO.

The Fujifilm GFX 100 was equipped with an Alpa PL Mount which made it possible to mount the new Fujinon Premista 28-100mm zoom lens at a constant aperture of T 2.9. Note also that a Fujinon Premista 80-250mm T 2.9-3.5 zoom lens is also newly available.
These two Fujinon Premista zoom lenses have a coverage of a diameter of 46.3mm, which is well-adapted to the wide-angle sensors of the latest generation of cameras. These zoom lenses are compact, lightweight (3.8 kg), well-made with toothed rings, 280° rotating focus ring, no pumping, and a very good, even optical definition.

In sum, we enjoyed this light, compact configuration. The visual rendering – with the perspectives, the bokeh, and shallow depths of field that are unique to wide format—is quite comparable to that of “cinema” digital cameras. This equipment is a new configuration that will be well-suited to fictions, documentaries and advertisements.

Translated from French by A. Baron-Raiffe, for the AFC.