The Fujifilm GFX100RF challenges the way you think about medium format. A camera like this doesn’t simply compete with interchangeable lens systems. It pushes you to consider portability, design, and shooting style in ways that matter when you’re out in the field.
Coming to you from Jason Friend Photography, this thoughtful video takes you through real-world use of the Fujifilm GFX100RF medium format camera. At first glance, the fixed 35mm lens (28mm full frame equivalent) may look limiting, especially compared to the flexibility of the GFX100S II. Friend argues the opposite. Cropping into the 102-megapixel sensor essentially transforms the camera into multiple focal lengths while still delivering file sizes that remain highly usable. This means you can treat it as a compact, lightweight system without sacrificing the quality expected from medium format. For landscape work, that balance between portability and resolution becomes a serious advantage.
The video shows how Friend uses the built-in aspect ratio modes to replicate the feel of classic Fujifilm film cameras. The XPan crop, for example, creates panoramic-style compositions right in camera. This isn’t a gimmick. It changes how you frame your shots, encouraging you to see differently. Add to that the reality of hiking long distances: a single camera with a fixed lens is easier to carry than a bag stuffed with multiple lenses. Friend makes it clear that the trade-off in flexibility is worth it when weight and mobility are at stake.
Key Specs
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Effective 102 MP medium format CMOS sensor (11,648 x 8,736)
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Digital image stabilization (video only)
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Fixed 35mm lens (28mm equivalent), f/4 to f/22
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ISO 80–12,800 (40–102,400 extended for stills)
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DCI 4K and UHD 4K video, up to 29.97 fps
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Dual SD UHS-II card slots
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3.2" tilting touchscreen LCD, 5.76M-dot EVF
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Weather-resistant body, 735 g with battery and card
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Leaf shutter with electronic options up to 1/16,000 second
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Built-in 4x ND filter for long exposures
Friend also highlights features that make the GFX100RF unexpectedly suited for landscape shooting. The leaf shutter produces less vibration than a focal plane shutter, making slower shutter speeds more reliable when handheld. While the lack of in-body image stabilization will deter some, the trade-off again comes back to weight and design simplicity. For tripod users, IBIS is far less critical. And for those who love long exposures, the internal neutral density filter is a rare and useful feature that makes setup faster and less fiddly.
Perhaps the most practical takeaway is how Friend stresses exploration. The lighter your bag, the more ground you can cover. With the GFX100RF, he emphasizes that compositions become the hardest challenge, not the gear. That shift of focus is what turns a technical tool into something that actually reshapes your creative process. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Friend.
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