Fully unleash the power of medium format Fujifilm GFX 100II Singapore Airshow shooting experience

On February 20, 2024, the new Singapore Airshow kicked off successfully at the Changi Convention and Exhibition Center in Singapore. The Singapore Airshow is one of the most well-known airshows in the world, ranking among the best in the world in terms of coverage, exhibitor strength and overall influence. Riding on the momentum of this Singapore Airshow, my country's domestically produced C919 civil trunk airliner, which has just been put into operation, also participated in the overseas exhibition for the first time, making its debut in front of the people of the world, demonstrating its charm and strength. This move has been described by many international media and institutions as the most prominent highlight of this air show and a milestone for Chinese manufacturing to go overseas. As an aviation enthusiast, I brought a Fuji medium format camera GFX 100II to shoot and record this air show. Now I will share with you my shooting experience at this air show.

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/2500s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 200

C919 is the star of this air show

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/2500s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 320

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/2500s, aperture : f/4, sensitivity: ISO 200

Fuji GFX 100II

Traditionally, the focusing performance of medium format cameras is not considered to be the focus of "Air Shows and Birds" shooting The best choice, but old concepts and impressions are always waiting for new technology to break. The main camera I carried at this air show was the Fujifilm 100-megapixel medium format camera GFX 100II. In order to obtain better comprehensive shooting effects, I used a third-party adapter ring with a 600mm f/4 telephoto fixed-focus lens and a 100mm -400mm f/4.5-5.6 telephoto zoom lens. For medium-format cameras, using a "heavy gun" can make up for the lack of focal length, while using a medium-weight, large zoom ratio lens can improve the device's "aiming" ability and make it more flexible in formation shooting.

1. Image quality advantage

Compared with traditional full-frame or cameras with smaller sensors, the biggest advantage of medium-format cameras for shooting air shows is: high pixels and high image quality .

Fuji GFX100II has an ultra-high pixel of 100 million pixels, which means we can shoot clearer pictures and obtain clearer details. In this way, we can display the dynamic flight scene more clearly, and the details such as the cockpit, tail nozzle, and rivets will be more clearly visible when zooming in.

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/1600s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 160

For example, when we took this photo Shot using 600mm focal length. If we zoom in on the red box area, we can get the picture below.

You can see that the enlarged picture still retains extremely high definition, whether it is the Jupiters logo, the cockpit, or even the rivets on the nose. You can see clearly.

When we shoot a fast-flying jet fighter, it will be more difficult to take clear and detailed pictures because it flies faster and farther. At this time, the medium format camera's ability to display details becomes even more valuable. For example, if we zoom in on the nozzle design at the tail, we can see clearer details of the parts.

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/4000s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 160

The high pixels of GFX 100II can be better Showing the details of the aircraft

#This picture is a 100% partial enlargement of the previous one, and the fine quality of the picture is evident.

In addition, another advantage of medium format is that the image quality is exquisite, there is less noise, and there is more room for post-processing. Of course, there is no flight show at sunset at this air show, so the maximum sensitivity when shooting is not high. But correspondingly, there are more backlit scenes during air shows, and more adjustments are often required in the later stage. As a medium-format camera, the Fujifilm GFX100II has advantages in color performance and latitude. After adjustment, it can bring more delicate shadow quality.

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/2500s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 320

When Apache performs, many parts will be located in the shadow area

This is a full-size enlargement of the previous picture. You can see the rich details on the Apache gunship,

and the excellent noise control in the shadow area after adjustment.

Although the GFX100II can only use the 14-bit RAW format when shooting continuously, compared with the RAW image quality when shooting with many full-frame cameras, the 14-bit RAW format can still bring quite good post-production space, and for The color retention is also more complete, and more color processing can be provided during adjustments. More adjustments can be made when the weather is bad, which can bring cleaner post-production photos as much as possible.

Original photos taken under backlight conditions

The color of the sky and the details of the shadows of the fighter jets can be restored through post-production details

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/2500s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 250

Shot with a medium format camera, the overall color of the picture The texture is very outstanding

2. The strongest focus in medium format, powerful focusing and continuous shooting performance

In the past, medium format cameras were not suitable for air shows. The most fundamental reason for the body was focus. Can't keep up with the continuous shooting speed.

The Fujifilm GFX100II uses the same type of AI focus recognition as the professional speed model X-H2s, with sensitive aircraft recognition. And in medium format mode, the continuous shooting speed using the mechanical shutter can reach 8 frames per second, which is fast enough for air show shooting.

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/2000s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 100

Capture hedging, interference bombs and other scenes , a higher continuous shooting speed is required to ensure the success rate

Military aircraft performances, especially high-mobility performances accompanied by special-shaped aircraft, often have characteristics such as huge speed differences and huge differences in flight postures, and require more performance space and safe distance. The signature flying maneuver of this Singapore Airshow is the complex trajectory mixed performance of the AH-64D Apache heavy-lift helicopter and the F-15 heavy jet fighter. Among them, the cruising speed of the helicopter is only 300km/h, while the performance speed of the fighter jet is between 200km/h and 800km/h. The flight trajectories of the two are also carefully designed in a staggered form, making the shooting distance long and difficult. When shooting these scenes, the overall performance of the GFX100II is good. Although it cannot be compared with cameras such as the X-H2s that emphasize speed, it is enough to meet the needs of normal shooting.

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/4000s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 250

This kind of machine with too big speed difference Photography is difficult, and the GFX 100II captures it smoothly.

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/2500s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO200

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/4000s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO400

Secondly, compared to traditional medium format cameras, the AF-C continuous tracking focus capability and higher continuous shooting speed are a huge improvement. The focus system of the Fujifilm GFX 100II supports tracking and identification of aircraft. For large aircraft, it can stably track its driver's side window. For fighter jets and trainers, it can stably track its bubble canopy when the distance permits.

Fuji GFX 100II focus screen recording animation

You can easily identify and focus even at a long distance

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/2500s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 320

High-speed AF-C focusing allows us to capture Wonderful moments

With the support of good body performance, GFX 100II can obtain good results by adapting several current telephoto large aperture "cannons" Focusing experience, when using a super telephoto lens, the overall benefits are surprising.

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/1600s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 160

Focal length: 600mm, shutter : 1/2000s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 125

High-speed continuous shooting is helpful for freezing intense action

Focal length: 600mm, shutter : 1/1250s, Aperture: f/4, Sensitivity: ISO100

Focal length: 600mm, Shutter: 1/1250s, Aperture: f/4, Sensitivity: ISO80

The continuous shooting speed of GFX100II reaches 8 frames per second (under mechanical shutter). The continuous shooting capability of the body buffer of GFX100II is also quite impressive, surpassing many Full-frame high-end cameras, supported by the extremely high speed of the CF Express Type B card, can ensure long-term continuous shooting, efficient and durable, and avoid missing the wonderful moments caused by the continuous movement of the subject.

High-speed continuous shooting to freeze wonderful moments

Aerobatic performances at air shows are always the highlight. Fujifilm GFX 100II’s intelligent high-speed focusing and high-speed continuous shooting allow I can freeze the most exciting scenes in the performance, and these fleeting moments are also the charm of aerial photography.

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/2500s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity Speed: ISO400

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/2500s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO125

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/2500s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO100

3. Is the transfer reliable?

Regarding this shooting, many friends must be concerned about whether the GFX100II adapter lens is reliable at present?

This shooting used a full-frame super telephoto lens for transfer. If shot directly, the picture will have certain dark corners. But as the saying goes, the value of the camera body is greater than the lens. We can remove slight vignetting through post-production. In addition, we can also turn on the 35mm full-frame mode for shooting. After turning on the in-camera 35mm crop mode of the GFX 100II, the pixels still exceed 60 million, which is higher than the pixels of most full-frame cameras, so it can still bring very delicate imaging quality.

Photos taken normally after transfer

Using 35mm full frame shooting still has more than 60 million pixels

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/2500s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 125

GFX 100II image quality is very delicate

This is a 100% enlargement of part of the previous picture

In addition, the GF lens system of Fuji medium format cameras is also constantly being constructed and improved. , it is reported that a GF telephoto lens with a focal length of 500mm is also planned. I believe that in the near future, you will be able to use original Fuji equipment to shoot air shows, and use the full strength of GFX 100II to bring 100 million pixels. image.

According to the previous Fuji lens roadmap, the GF500mm lens is also coming soon, which will bring a new experience to the air show

The above is this time in Singapore The entire experience of using the air show, let’s show you some of the photos taken this time.

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/1600s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 200

Focal length: 600mm, Shutter: 1/2500s, Aperture: f/4, Sensitivity: ISO250

##Focal length: 600mm, Shutter: 1/2500s, Aperture: f/ 4. Sensitivity: ISO160

##Focal length: 600mm, Shutter: 1/2500s, Aperture: f/4, Sensitivity: ISO 200

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/2500s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 160

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1 /2500s, Aperture: f/4, Sensitivity: ISO 160

##Focal length: 600mm, Shutter: 1/2500s, Aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO160

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/2500s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 160

Our own big aircraft——C919

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/4000s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 400

Focal length: 600mm , Shutter: 1/1600s, Aperture: f/4, Sensitivity: ISO 100

Focal length: 400mm, Shutter: 1/4000s, Aperture: f/5.6, Sensitivity: ISO 400

Airbus A350-1000

Focal length: 600mm, shutter: 1/1600s, aperture: f/4, sensitivity: ISO 200

Aerobatic Indonesian Zhu The Pitt Air Force Demonstration Team

This year's Singapore Airshow exhibits a wide range of aircraft models, and both the excitement of the flight performance and the difficulty of filming left a deep impression on people. With its excellent focusing and continuous shooting performance, Fujifilm GFX 100II gave me strong shooting confidence and confidence when shooting air shows. It is a very useful productivity tool. At the same time, the ultra-high image quality and resolution of 100 million pixels also gave the photos I took this time greater record value, leaving me with a very special memory during the air show shooting journey.

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