When Fujifilm announced their latest GFX100RF, and when I saw how compact the camera is, the size of a Leica M with a medium format inner beauty, my heart missed a beat. Just how cool is that ?
But then I noticed the camera has a fixed, non-interchangeable lens, I admit I was a little put off. I'm nostalgic, I still believe in optical zoom. Though I have nothing against cropping, but I genuinely believe we should avoid relying on it too much. More on photography and less about computer graphics, yes ?
I always find fuji cameras to be excellent, the Xpan especially. I bought the camera new, and I'd use n' abuse it non-stop through out the years, and it never failed me. In Japan, the camera is branded under Fujifilm TX2. For the rest of the world, it's Xpan. I'm not sure what the relationship was between Fuji and Hasselblad , but I'm pretty sure the camera is made by Fujifilm.
I consider the GFX100RF to be an update for their past GW690, the Texas Leica: a proper solid piece of photographic equipment. I wasn't a fan of 120 film, so naturally I'd spent my precious time with the Xpan more so than the GW690.
I do hope Fuji or Hasselblad would continue the Xpan family line.
As for the GX617, I'd shot probably less than 80 rolls only. One roll of 120 makes 4 shots, I spent most of the time loading new film, and eventually I got really annoyed with the camera. So that's that.
All these cameras are still working great today, maybe a little CLA is needed to bring the shine out once again. I don't think I would ever use them again, but it sure feels nice to own a piece of history.
