In The Field: Low-light Photography with the Fujifilm GFX 100

On its release in 2019, the Fujifilm GFX 100 grabbed the attention of photographers due to its 100-megapixel sensor—and its price, which was far more affordable than its fellow medium-format competitors from Phase One and Hasselblad.

Why shoot on a medium-format digital camera? If you’re used to shooting on crop-sensor or even full-frame cameras, it isn’t always easy switching to large files, slower autofocus, cumbersome bodies and unforgiving detail. However, the benefit is huge. If you want ultimate image quality, large print resolution or display, dynamic range and highlight rendition, then the medium format is definitely worth considering.

In this article, MPB resident photographer Ian reviews the Fujifilm GFX 100 for low-light photography.

When the subject was static, and I was able to shoot at low ISO values and small apertures, the detail is breathtaking. And that’s something worth bearing in mind with a high-res sensor—it’s best married to a good lens, able to resolve the outstanding amount of detail. The Fujifilm GFX 100—and the Fujifilm GF 32-64mm f/4 R LM WR zoom we used—really don’t disappoint.

The dynamic range is incredibly impressive. Even with the gradation on the misty skies, colour is rendered smooth. The medium format sensor manages perfect transitions between luminosity and colour.

The amount of colour depth is phenomenal, there’s a richness that isn’t as simple as just saturation. Put simply, it’s more colour data spread out over a larger area, allowing for more tonality in the subtleties of each colour.

Even at relatively high ISO, the image stays relatively noise free. But I would argue that due to the larger sensor and the resolution available, it’s able to ‘hide’ noise more efficiently than a camera with a smaller sensor.

The dynamic range remains impressive, even beyond the ideal 100 ISO. Here, at ISO 2000, there is still plenty of detail in the shadows. Between you and me, I actually crushed the blacks a little to add more contrast.

The colour remains impressive too. Very little suffers, in fact. Does anyone remember pushing a Canon EOS 5D or a Nikon D700 beyond 800 ISO?

Things get a little more complex when you try to incorporate the night sky. Trying to get stars to stay round requires shutter speeds below 25 seconds, ideally, and this might even mean shooting at ISO above 3,200. At this point, most modern cameras will tend to introduce a little noise. The GFX 100 is no different. However, this is still relatively low for the GFX. And, even viewing at 100% crop, the images are still pleasing.

I’m not afraid of noise. Sometimes, I prefer to have a little more sharpness than less noise. However, with the GFX lenses being so good—even shooting at f/4 on the 32-64mm—the GFX 100 still renders a sharp image. In this case, though, depth of field was my biggest concern. So, we opted for a smaller aperture and higher ISO to try to get everything sharp. I popped a bit of flash and red gel to create something a little more unusual.

While I’d never call these images ‘astro’, there is an element of astrophotography involved. But, as everyone knows with astro, the key is to achieve a specific look. For me, it’s to have the stars as round as possible rather than have them trail. And when light is at a premium, this usually means high ISO, relatively wide aperture and slow shutter speeds.

Going a little bit wider to show off a scene sometimes calls for more detail. This is where the GFX 100 really shines. It has the ability to provide a combination of fine detail, due to the sensor and incredible optics, with its dynamic range and low-light abilities.

Even in images where the sensor is being pushed beyond its limits—4,000 ISO to expose for light even when there is simply darkness in the shadows—it manages to pull detail, where it would otherwise just turn into a muddy mush of digital noise and softness.

And the best part? Should you need to, the sharpness can even be toned down—either in post or by using adapted lenses. There are mounts available for Hasselblad and Carl Zeiss V-series lenses, as well as vintage Nikon glass if you can find the ones that will cover the larger image circle.

When you buy used, the Fujifilm GFX 100 is far more affordable. So, if you value detail and image quality and you’re not too bothered about speed, then the GFX 100 might be exactly what you’ve always needed. 

Thanks, Ian.