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$1997 SAVE $600 = 23.0% $49 FREE ITEMS Nikon D850 DSLR IN STOCK in Cameras: DSLR
$1348 SAVE $150 = 10.0% Sony 85mm f/1.4 FE GM IN STOCK in Lenses: Mirrorless
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Fujifilm GFX100RF Aperture Series: Deck and Roof

Fujifilm GFX100RF

re: Fujifilm GFX100S II and Fujifilm GFX100 II

re: Fujifilm GFX100RF @ F/4 Is Problematic —  Lacks Image Stabilization (IBIS)

...

This series looks at overall lens performance from f/4 to f/11 while also assessing focus shift, a problematic behavior afflicting far too many lenses. Also assessed is the control of color aberrations.

Fujifilm GFX100RF Aperture Series: Deck and Roof

Includes images up to full camera resolution, plus crops.

CLICK TO VIEW: Fujifilm

CLICK TO VIEW: Hasselblad

f5.6 @ 1/30 sec lens shutter, ISO 80; 2025-12-01 11:48:07
GFX100RF + Fujifilm RF 35mm f/4 @ 28.8mm equiv (35mm)
RAW: Enhance Details, LACA corrected, distortion corrected, vignetting corrected, AI Denoise 10

[low-res image for bot]

Fujifilm GFX100RF: Distortion and Distortion Correction

Fujifilm GFX100RF

re: Fujifilm GFX100S II and Fujifilm GFX100 II

re: Fujifilm GFX100RF @ F/4 Is Problematic —  Lacks Image Stabilization (IBIS)

...

I take a rigorous look at the distortion of the Fujifilm GFX100RF 35mm f/4 lens, without and with distortion correction.

Fujifilm GFX100RF: Distortion and Distortion Correction

Examples shown at up to full camera resolution, without and with crops.

Not a fan. This is not a tradeoff I want to see. Reminscent of Leica Q3/Q2/Q. Software corrections are never a substitute for good lens design.

Hasselblad offers the extremely compact Hasselblad XCD 28mm f/4 P with far lower distortion as an interchangeable lens. You can then also add the Hasselblad 40mm f/4 P for a far more flexible kit (or others), and with superior pixel quality and fantastic IBIS of the Hasselblad X2D II.

Roy P writes:

Just a little over a week ago, I sold my last piece of Fuji GF gear (250mm f/4 lens). It is by and large a consumer-grade medium format system that showers megapixels on you, never mind the quality.

DIGLLOYD: Yes. The Hasselblad X2D II is the way to go, CCP risks aside. Pixel quality of the Fujifilm files is absolutely consumer-grade non-professional dreck compared to Hasselblad.

CLICK TO VIEW: Fujifilm

CLICK TO VIEW: Hasselblad

f8 @ 1/15 sec lens shutter, ISO 80; 2025-12-01 11:48:15
GFX100RF + Fujifilm RF 35mm f/4 @ 28.8mm equiv (35mm)
RAW: Enhance Details, LACA corrected, vignetting corrected, AI Denoise 10, diffraction mitigating sharpening

[low-res image for bot]
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QUICK REVIEW: LG UltraFine 32U990A-S 31.5" 6K HDR Monitor

re: LG 5K

LG 6K web page

About $2000 LG UltraFine 32U990A-S 31.5" 6K HDR Monitor.

AKA "32 Inch UltraFine™evo 6K Nano IPS Black Monitor with Thunderbolt™ 5"

How to setup, update firmware, manuals and software, etc...

The LG UltraFine 32U990A-S 31.5" 6K HDR Monitor offers a fabulous 6144 X 3456 = 21.2 megapixel view. This is considerably more than a 14.7-megapixel 5K display. Immersive, just as I found with the Dell 6K.

The working area at 2:1 Retina resolution is a “looks like” of 3072 X 1728. That is a LOT more working area than 2560 X 1440—44% more area for spreadsheets, images, etc.

Vastly superior image quality to the disgraceful Apple 6K Pro Display.

Specifications

  • 31.5" viewable diagonal 16:9 IPS Black Panel
  • HDMI | DisplayPort | Thunderbolt 5
  • UHD 6K 6144 x 3456 at 60 Hz
  • 5 ms GtG Response Time
  • 2000:1 Static Contrast Ratio
  • 450 Nits Brightness
  • 1.07 Billion Colors with HDR10
  • 98% DCI-P3 & 99.5 Adobe RGB Coverage
  • Thunderbolt 5 Out Port
  • Integrated Speakers, USB-C Hub & KVM
  • Physical measurements: 28 5/16" wide X 16 3/16 high, diagonal 32.25"

Physical design.

There is no center hole in the stand to run the power cord through. The power input should be centered, with a hole to run the cord through. It might have cost another 25 cents. Inelegant at best, since on my setup the cord then has to run around the stand instead of through it.

The ports are also together vertically: input power mixed with USB-C mixed with Display Port. This gives no physical or visual separation as to functions that are quite different.

Nor do the USB-C ports acknowledge the realities of cabling drives, many of which come with with very short cables: the ports are tightly packed and grouped half-way up—things now dangle, with cords on top dangling on top of the others and the short-cable drives dangling in mid-air. This is just plain stupid design.

For my desk, the minimum height of the adjustable stand is still about 1 inch too high (6.5 inches to bottom of screen from desktop, 22.5" to top of display). Even with my desk chair at maximum height, it forces my head to angle up, causing neck pain after an hour or so. I was forced to add a cushion from an outside deck chair to accommodate this range limitation of the height adjustment. Again, poor design in practical terms, elegant as the adjustment mechanism is otherwise.

IMO, these are all the same root cause: sloppy design inattentive to real-world usage. And needlessly so; doing it right would cost would change little or not at all.

macOS requirements

To get it to work on my 2023 Mac Pro, I had to "upgrade" to macOS Sequoia, which has severe internet problems with Safari — works fine while it does, then fails outright with even quit/restart and reboot not fixing it. Or is the LG 6K causing the problem? Unsure, but Chrome works fine when Safari is totally unresponsive (rebooting, etc will NOT fix Safari's behavior). Recent versions of macOS are cockroach software design—bugs pop out all over the place.

USB-C ports non-functional (!)

Unlike the trusty LG 5K which I've used for years, the LG 6K is a compatibility headache.

  • The USB-C ports not only do not work (drives won't mount). Plugging them in chews up 6 or 7 CPU cores with massive kernel CPU usage.
  • LG’s support is intensely frustrating; you get sent to generic pages which apparently never heard of the new 6K model. And not clickable links but "go here and find shit that does not exist".
  • A brain-dead AI helper that cannot understand "LG 6K" and insists on the exact model number (only one model/SKU exists that would match!).
  • You are told to download the firmware that does not yet exist, as far as I can tell. Would it fix the USB-C problems? Dunno.
  • You are told to use an update process that does not exist on the LG 6K, using old screen shots from some other display.
  • "your PC".
  • Out of date web page ("will be available in Oct 2025").
  • Started a "Live Chat", clicked the wrong place, and all my input disappeared — never got to a person.
  • I don't want software ("LG Switch") that wants to take over my Mac and control it, but that's exactly what you're told to use to update the firmware. And unless you let it control your Mac (root kit?), you’re stuck for firmware updates—it will not launch—WTF?
    Actually,does firmware update exist for it or not? I still can’t figure that out. Why should I have to upgrade firmware on a just-released product?
  • LG Switch:
    NO, I DO NOT WANT SOFTWARE WITH a keyboard sniffer etc
  • On this web page, clicking the Download button just creates another window for the same page — never downloads. I tried 20 times or whatever. I had a devil of a time finding the "LG Switch" download page.
    Eventually I found LG display firmware update instructions... which do not correspond to anything for the LG 6K as far as I can see.
    LG 6K malfunctioning web page
    Is it needed or not?

※ Monitor Software Update Notice ※

The use of Studio Mode requires updating the monitor software to version 3.05 or later via the LG Switch software, which will be available in October 2025. The update can be performed automatically or manually via LG Switch when the computer is connected to the internet and the monitor using either (1) a USB-C to A or USB-A to B cable, or (2) a USB-C to C or Thunderbolt cable.

Conclusion

Fantastic image quality. No reservations there.

I was dead set on buying this display and making it my primary. But with the USB-C failures, I am wondering whether to send it back and wait a few months. Maybe I’ll just live without the USB-C ports and hope LG gets its act together.


Fujifilm GFX100RF: Design and Haptics

Fujifilm GFX100RF

re: Fujifilm GFX100S II and Fujifilm GFX100 II

re: Fujifilm GFX100RF @ F/4 Is Problematic —  Lacks Image Stabilization (IBIS)

...
I had the Fujifilm GFX100RF last May, but I was too degraded (ongoing illness) to do anything with it—it went back unopened.

Now I have the Fujifilm GFX100RF, and I'll be shooting it on my trip. Still exteremely weak, but I will do what I can on the days I can hike.

As I woke up feeling like death warmed over, you get extra cranky rant today:

  • EVF with ~4mm of recessing lacks an eyepiece, so that sidelighting will be a eye-fatiguing disaster. In other words, all the time when hiking. A blatant design flaw by morons who provide no eyeshade. Maybe one could be snug-fit, if developed.
  • EVF not up to my specs here in 2025. It's high magnification and 9MP or bust. The 5.76MP is like the Fujifilm GFX100S II — inferior and approaching 5-year-old tech. Lame.
  • Buttons and dials are all right-handed and nothing like the Fujifilm GFX100 II. One handed only impairs operating efficiency.
  • The grip (the bump that passes for one) is a joke. Was this to save weight or WTF.
  • Once the lens shade is added (I'm after actual image quality), the absence of a grip is revealed for the idiocy it is — it would have added no meaningful bulk to the camera.
  • Dual SDXC cards instead of CFExpress Type A sucks in a 2025 camera having a 100MP sensor.
  • Can't add my preferred strap without special attachments to the small-hole eyelet design; the provided strap is garbage. Such designs should be banned by law.
  • A dial to control aspect ratio of the image is fucking stupid. Like I change my mind on aspect ratio every few shots,vs just cropping the fucker post-capture.
  • Sharp edges on top with no beveling enhance its crudely-built feel.

Frankencamera — no elegance at all, a caricature of an older film camera by some retarded designer.

Fujifilm GFX100RF
Fujifilm GFX100RF

Sony RX1R III Examples: Eastern Sierra

re: Sony RX1R III

 
Sony RX1R III

Added 3 images to my page for Sony RX1R III.

Sony RX1R III Examples: White Mountains + Eastern Sierra

Includes images up to full camera resolution.

Most people will love this little camera.

CLICK TO VIEW: Sony RX1R III system

f7.1 @ 1/125 sec handheld lens shutter, ISO 100; 2025-08-16 17:41:34
Sony RX1R III + Zeiss 35mm f/2 Sonnar
ENV: Conness basin SE, altitude 10200 ft / 3109 m, 70°F / 21°C
RAW: Enhance Details, LACA corrected, WB 5000°K tint 19, +10 Whites, +10 Clarity, AI Denoise 10

[low-res image for bot]

Sony RX1R III Aperture Series: Late Day, High Sierra Lake

re: Sony RX1R III

 
Sony RX1R III

This near-far scene shows optical performance from f/2 through f/8 as a classic landscape photo.

The massively inconsistent sharpness across the frame is brilliantly demonstrated here (which stopping down does little to mitigate). It explains the oddities observed in other series.

Sony RX1R III Aperture Series: Late Day, High Sierra Lake

Includes images up to full camera resolution from f/2 through f/8.

CLICK TO VIEW: Sony RX1R III system

f5.6 @ 1/320 sec lens shutter, ISO 100; 2025-08-16 17:25:28
Sony RX1R III + Zeiss 35mm f/2 Sonnar
ENV: Conness SE basin, altitude 10200 ft / 3109 m, 70°F / 21°C
RAW: Adobe Landscape, Enhance Details, LACA corrected, push 0.27 stops, +10 Whites, +10 Dehaze, +10 Clarity, AI Denoise 10

[low-res image for bot]

Sony RX1R III Aperture Series: Starlink Setup, Dusk

re: Sony RX1R III

 
Sony RX1R III

This near-far scene shows optical performance from f/2 through f/11 on a closer range scene. It affords insight into secondary color, focus shift, and sharpness.

Sony RX1R III Aperture Series: Starlink Setup, Dusk

Includes images up to full camera resolution from f/2 through f/11.

Starlink Mini high in the White Mountains is faster than many home wired setups. Shown are the Starlink mini, two X Anker C-300 that provide power 24 X 7, charged during the day by one Ecoflow 110W solar panel (with a great deal of excess power that could power additional devices, at least during the day). One C-300 is drained during the dark hours with the other at 75% or more as the sun begins recharging; a USB-C cable transfers power from one to the other.

CLICK TO VIEW: Sony RX1R III system

f2 @ 1/5 sec lens shutter, ISO 100; 2025-08-06 20:11:27
Sony RX1R III + Zeiss 35mm f/2 Sonnar
ENV: White Mountains, altitude 11800 ft / 3597 m, 55°F / 12°C
RAW: Enhance Details, LACA corrected, WB 5500°K tint 19, +10 Whites, +10 Dehaze, +10 Clarity, AI Denoise 10

[low-res image for bot]

Sony RX1R III Aperture Series: White Mountain Road, Dusk

re: Sony RX1R III

 
Sony RX1R III

This near-far scene shows optical performance from f/2 through f/8 across the frame and near to far, demonstrating the optimal and not so optimal apertures.

Sony RX1R III Aperture Series: White Mountain Road, Dusk

Includes images up to full camera resolution from f/2 through f/8.

CLICK TO VIEW: Sony RX1R III system

f2.8 @ 1/10 sec lens shutter, ISO 100; 2025-08-06 20:06:10
Sony RX1R III + Zeiss 35mm f/2 Sonnar
ENV: White Mountains, altitude 11800 ft / 3597 m, 58°F / 14°C
RAW: Enhance Details, LACA corrected, WB 5000°K tint 19, +10 Whites, +20 Dehaze, +10 Clarity, AI Denoise 10

[low-res image for bot]

Sony RX1R III Examples: White Mountains + Eastern Sierra

re: Sony RX1R III

 
Sony RX1R III

Now published is a page of examples which do a solid job of exploring the lens performance and the overall image quality of the diminutive Sony RX1R III.

Sony RX1R III Examples: White Mountains + Eastern Sierra

Includes images up to full camera resolution.

Most people will love this little camera.

CLICK TO VIEW: Sony RX1R III system

f7.1 @ 1/500 sec handheld lens shutter, ISO 100; 2025-08-16 14:51:54
Sony RX1R III + Zeiss 35mm f/2 Sonnar
ENV: Conness SE basin, altitude 10300 ft / 3139 m, 72°F / 22°C
RAW: Enhance Details, LACA corrected, AI Denoise 10, USM {8,50,0}

[low-res image for bot]

Reader Comment: “Zeiss images... wonderful”

re: Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4 Distagon

 
Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4 Distagon

Jason W writes:

Just was looking through your old Zeiss images and had forgotten how wonderful a lot of them are. While I've always been a big fan of Zeiss, I now notice these circa 2018 shots have acquired a bit of nostalgia for me.

In simpler times, when I was a new engineer, I spent a lot of hours at my desk looking at your Zeiss images and dreaming about taking trips to the desert and mountains and debating which camera and lenses to own. A lot of my emails to you were from that time.

The bittersweet thing is looking at the images now, a weird thing happens. I'll briefly remember what it was like to have not seen the subjects in the image. They abstract for a second, just lines and color, and the photo exists in this dreamworld, but then I remember being somewhere similar and the photo snaps into reality and I go "oh, I kindof know where that is."

I turn 42 in a week and these kinds of experiences seem to be more and more common. Curse of having lived well I suppose. The type of hikes that you went on in the mountains were entirely beyond my comprehension back then, but having done a couple high altitude treks, I now know what the experience is about. Looking at your old Zeiss images and being able to say I know what the landscapes there are really about is both cool and depressing. The mystery of not knowing is most of what makes youth fun, I think. Eventually, you have to know the truth though, since to never know is more depressing because then you never lived out your dreams.

There's still things for me to do. Trying to do my first 14er this year. Also taking other folks places. Hoping next month to take friends who have never seen the US395 up to Alabama Hills and the Bristlecone Pine forest. I haven't shot for a long time either, so I'll bring my camera.

I'm still a Zeiss fan boy. In a weird twist of luck and questionable decision making, I ended up with a couple Otus and Milvus lenses last month, all pretty cheap, and they go with my second hand Z7II. So, perhaps new Zeiss images coming :)

DIGLLOYD: somehow I wish that Nikon would make a Nikon D850E, with the same DSLR mount but an EVF for ease of shooting. This was the right path years ago, and they screwed it up.

I agree that something has gone missing. My Sony images do not have the feel I always liked with Zeiss lenses on Nikon. But at this juncture, I am not about to use a Nikon Z8 with a clumsy lens adapter.

The Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4 made every image lovely — even old industrial scenes eg below.

f1.4 @ 1/8000 sec, ISO 100; 2017-05-30 08:05:18
Canon EOS 5DS R + Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4

[low-res image for bot]
f1.4 @ 1/1600 sec, ISO 100; 2017-05-30 07:24:34
Canon EOS 5DS R + Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/1.4

[low-res image for bot]

Sony RX1R III: Sunset

re: Sony RX1R III

 
Sony RX1R III

A little (a little) energy returned today

If time allows (my phone also failed so my day is fractured), I will publish an aperture series and impressions.

My preliminary comment, all brands, is that fixed-lens cameras costing $5000 on up should have far fewer limitations and compromises, and that manufacturers are getting lazy.

Also, Sony left out focus bracketing for focus stacking, an unforced error that limits the shooting envelope considerably. As well as no IBIS and the same old lens, a very inadequate pat of butter for my bread taken together. But it is sure small and light.

CLICK TO VIEW: Sony RX1R III system

 
f7.1 @ 1/640 sec handheld lens shutter, ISO 100; 2025-08-16 17:20:23
Sony RX1R III + Zeiss 35mm f/2 Sonnar
ENV: Conness SE basin, altitude 10200 ft / 3109 m, 65°F / 18°C
RAW: Enhance Details, LACA corrected, AI Denoise 10

[low-res image for bot]
 
f5.6 @ 1/60 sec handheld lens shutter, ISO 100; 2025-08-12 19:43:42
Sony RX1R III + Zeiss 35mm f/2 Sonnar
ENV: White Mountains, altitude 11800 ft / 3597 m, 58°F / 14°C
RAW: LACA corrected, USM {20,50,0}

[low-res image for bot]

Sony RX1R III: 61MP Sensor ARRIVED

re: Sony RX1R
re: Sony RX1R II
re: Sony RX1R III

 
Sony RX1R III

UPDATE 2025-08-26: I shot some good material (not easy for me physically), but am currently too degraded/impaired by illness to do more than simple daily needs. My apologies.

...

Should arrive today. UPDATE: camera has arrived after one failed attempt. I had forgotten how tiny it is—at least by memory it seems far smaller than similar cameras such as Leica Q3, more like an RX100 than a Q3. Let's see how it performs!

Taking it with me on a trip to White Mountains, where I will rest, and hike to the extent I can.

  • 61MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI Sensor
  • 35.7 x 23.8 mm sensor is a very slight crop equating to a 1% focal length crop.
  • ZEISS Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 Lens
  • BIONZ XR & AI Processing Unit
  • 693-Point PDAF & Real-Time Tracking AF
  • 4K 30p 10-Bit & FHD 120p Video
  • 2.36m-Dot 0.7x OLED EVF
  • 3.0" 2.36m-Dot Touchscreen LCD
  • Step Crop Modes and Creative Looks
  • Updated Design, Improved Battery Life
  • SD UHS-II Slot; USB-C, HDMI, Mic Ports

Given my weakened state*, I promise nothing in advance or during, since I cannot gauge what energy I will have. Nor do I yet know if Adobe supports its raw files.

* I have been in aseverely weakened state for many weeks now. The change of environment and walkabout time perhaps will allow my body to strengthen.

Analysis

It appears that Sony has done little more than shoehorn a 61MP sensor into the camera, along with the latest focusing and video support.

One battery, no charger supplied, no usable grip, no lens shade supplied plus a low-res EVF, all for the bargain price of $5098. Pushing $6000 by the time you add the lens shade and thumb grip and extra battery. Does Sony think they are Leica?

  • No grip
  • Lens shade not included.
  • LOW RESOLUTION EVF eg 2.36 megadot vs 9 megadot in Sony A7R V.
  • No IBIS greatly diminishes its operational range.

The lens

Lens is unchanged. Can it deliver for a 61MP sensor, at least by f/4 ?

ZEISS Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 Lens

  • Bright f/2 maximum aperture is ideal for working in a variety of lighting conditions and also offers extensive control over depth of field, for highlighting subjects with selective focus.
  • Optical design includes a series of aspherical elements to render images with a high degree of sharpness and accuracy.
  • Nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a smooth bokeh quality.
  • Dedicated macro position on the lens barrel allows focusing close-up subjects from a 7.9" to 11.8" range; when set to normal position, the lens focuses down to 11.8".
  • Leaf shutter design enables flash sync at all mechanical shutter speeds up to 1/4000 sec.
 
Sony RX1R III
 
Sony RX1R III

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