Back around 2024, I reviewed the Fujifilm GFX 100S II. And since then, the review has been updated by more than just me. As I look through the images that I’ve shot, I really do like the images. Yet at the same time, I also really do wonder about why someone would ever consider buying one of these cameras. And essentially, it comes down to the workflow.
The Fujifilm GFX 100s II in 2026
Recently, I was going through all of our reviews and noticed that the Fujifilm GFX 100S II hasn’t gotten a firmware update in a while. But more than that, I wanted to see if my feelings on the camera had changed at all.
Truthfully, they have.
Last year, I bought my first DSLR in years: the Nikon D850. In combination with that and my Leica SL2S as my main cameras, I’ve been shooting and making photographs in a very old-school way. It’s counter intuitive to the way that photographers shoot these days with Servo and continuing autofocus on at all times. Don’t get me wrong, when I need those tools then I reach for my other Nikon and LUMIX camera bodies. But shooting in AF-S and in a slow, and very deliberate manner is where I sometimes think I make my best photographs in the fewest frames.
For documentary work, I think that the GFX 100S II has indeed improved when it came to autofocus performance. The above image is one that I’ve made of photographer Jamel Shabazz in his home. It was a slowly made image where I set up a flash, he grabbed one of his albums, and I did minimal posing. But this frame was made after four shots.
There’s something about the way that the medium format GFX 100S II renders and translates light into an image that you don’t quite get from full-frame and that APS-C can’t do at all.
The previous work that I’ve done where I’ve actively documented people moving around is where the GFX 100S II might’ve really improved. But I didn’t do any of that work recently. For posed portraits, which are indeed a major part of photojournalism, I think it does a great job.
Is it enough to justify the size, weight, cost, and the huge RAW files? I don’t quite believe so.
The last person I talked to who owns the GFX100S II bought it for fun as part of his photography hobby. He’s not doing serious work with it. And you know what, that’s just fine. In today’s world, photographers sit there and critique each other too much thinking that they’ll find value. What they often find is just veiled jealousy and bitter spite.
If you want the GFX 100S II and like it, you should buy it. But know that almost any camera can do what this does — though not with the same rendering and quality of light. More importantly, know that you will get the most out of this camera if you understand light.
Get rid of the ads!
Did you enjoy reading this article as much as we enjoyed writing it? There's a way to support us and our reporting, getting ad-free navigation and more as a bonus. Subscribe to us for less than a coffee per month —just $3.99— or take advantage of our yearly subscription with a hefty discount for only $25.- An ad-free experience
- A free mystery box for Lightroom or Capture One
- All the books in our store
- 20% discount on Capture One
- 30% discount on Imalume Photo Theft Protection
- 20% off Herbs and Kettle Tea Company.
- 20% off your order from MPIX printing services.
- 5% off Viltrox Products via their eCommerce store.
- 10% off all film developing, printing and scanning services from Blue Moon Camera and Machine
- 15% off 7Artisans products: The lens and accessory maker is offering a sweet discount for Phoblographer's readers.