Fujifilm GFX100S Focus Stacking with Fujifilm GF 30mm f/3.5: Impressions vs 35mm

2021-12-23 • SEND FEEDBACK |
Related: focus stacking, Fujifilm, Fujifilm GF 30mm f/3.5 R WR, Fujifilm GFX100S, Fujifilm Lenses, Fujifilm medium format, Fujifilm mirrorless, Inyo National Forest, James K, medium format, peak bagging, White Mountains

re: Reader Comment: “is 4:3 image ratio is better suited for landscape photography?”
re: Reader Comment: Image Quality of 2019 Cameras

Having spent the latter half of the year on 35mm systems (Canon EOS R5 and Leica SL2), I thought revisiting my work from June with the 100-megapixel Fujifilm GFX100S medium format camera would be interesting.

Mainly, I have this nagging irritation shooting a 35mm sensor is a waste of my time when I could instead capture 100 megapixels for the same effort. More time has only made that feeling grow stronger.

I’ve added a new focus stacked image to this page, and I include two single frames, one near and one far for comparison, which illustrates how failure to master focus stacking deals a massive blow to total sharpness. Mastering focus stacking is an essential skill for medium format. Anything less is just playing around, at least for landscape shooting.

Can the Fujifilm GF 30/3.5 Deliver a Fully Sharp Image with Focus Stacking?

Includes images up to full camera resolution.

Earth Shadow Rising, White Mountains

f9 @ 1/4 sec electronic shutter focus stack 6 frames, ISO 100; 2021-06-01 20:04:24
Fujifilm GFX100S + Fujifilm GF 30mm f/3.5 R WR @ 24.7mm equiv (30mm)
ENV: White Mountains, altitude 11500 ft / 3505 m, 45°F / 7°C
RAW: LACA corrected, vignetting corrected, USM {8,50,0}, SmartSharpen{40,0.8,20,0}

[low-res image for bot]

White Mountains Bristlecones

f9 @ 1/10 sec electronic shutter focus stack 9 frames, ISO 100; 2021-06-01 19:48:27
Fujifilm GFX100S + Fujifilm GF 30mm f/3.5 R WR @ 24.7mm equiv (30mm)
ENV: White Mountains, altitude 110500 ft / 33680 m, 50°F / 10°C
RAW: LACA corrected, distortion corrected, vignetting corrected, SmartSharpen{40,0.7,20,0}

[low-res image for bot]

View to White Mountain Peak

f9 @ 1/180 sec electronic shutter focus stack 5 frames, ISO 100; 2021-06-01 17:53:38
Fujifilm GFX100S + Fujifilm GF 30mm f/3.5 R WR @ 24.7mm equiv (30mm)
ENV: White Mountains, altitude 11500 ft / 3505 m, 55°F / 12°C
RAW: LACA corrected, vignetting corrected, push 0.17 stops, +9 Whites, +20 Dehaze, +10 Clarity, USM {8,50,0}, SmartSharpen{40,0.8,20,0}

[low-res image for bot]

James K writes:

I always liked your medium format images.  Your 35mm is not as compelling.  It is time to go back to the larger sensor.

Your natural tendency is to see landscapes in 4:3 ratio.  The photos feel less strained than those shot with 35mm.  You have to force 35’s a bit and it shows.  Your photos reflect your thinking process at the time of exposure.  Relax and accept 4:3’s for 2022. :)

DIGLLOYD: the 4:3 ratio works better for me most of the time. With 3:2, I feel like I have to work harder to exclude unwanted stuff. I’m not sure if it’s more than that.

But what I do (mainly) is to evaluate gear. So I don’t have a choice on gear or aspect ratio.

OTOH, my 35mm work is often impacted by reviewing more lenses and more zooms, which is a different sort of job. And illness this year and last really slowed me down—not just about hiking but about the mental energy to even want to image a scene. Things are much improved over a year ago now, finally.

See also:

Reader Comment: Image Quality of 2019 Cameras

Landscape Photographers Looking for Superior Results and Lowest Effort and Fewest Problems Go with Fujifilm GFX100, not Sony A7R IV

Reader Comment: “is 4:3 image ratio is better suited for landscape photography?”