Fujifilm has announced a major firmware update to its flagships, the GFX 100 cameras, that will unlock BRAW (Blackmagic RAW) capabilities from these medium format beasts. Read the company statement below.
Fujinon GFX 100: A revolutionary medium format lineup
The Fujinon GFX 100 and 100S incorporate some solid characteristics revenant for filmmakers that want to shoot with ‘very’ large-format sensors. Although the main difference is the price (the Fujinon GFX 100 costs $10,000 compared to just $6,000 for its little brother – the 100S), both of them share similar advantages for filmmakers. They both use Fujifilm’s 102MP, 43.8×32.9mm medium format CMOS sensor, and both offer uncropped 4K 30p video capture, with some minor differences.
With the GFX, not only do we aim to attract the creators in the world of still images, but also video.
Fujinon
GFX 100 as the first medium format camera to shoot RAW
A year ago, the Fujifilm GFX100 became the first medium format camera that can shoot RAW. In that case, it’s ProRes RAW with the help of ATOMOS via the Ninja V 5” HDR monitor-recorder. The Ninja V records up to 4Kp30 12-bit Apple ProRes RAW video from the GFX100’s medium format CMOS sensor. That made the GFX 100 the world’s first commercially available medium format RAW video shooting system available to buy.
To understand the main power of the GFX 100 series which is its sensor, explore the chart below which shows a high-level comparison of the large sensor sizes. Focus on the right where the GFX 100 is located. Note that its sensor it’s larger than the RED Monstro and the ALEXA LF. In fact, the only sensor that is larger than the Fujinon GFX 100 (and 100S) is the sensor of the ALEXA 65, which is a huge sensor.
A major firmware update for the GFX 100 and GFX 100S
In order to support advanced video features for professionals that seek the large-format look, Fujifilm announced a new firmware update that further unleashes its video capabilities. As stated by Fujifilm: “For our next update, we’ve decided to support the Blackmagic RAW (BRAW). This codec has an excellent compression ratio, low processor load, and is suitable for post-production work”. Fujinon adds that: “By supporting this codec, you will be able to enjoy more flexibility in video production”. The BRAW recording will be executed via the Blackmagic Video Assist which supports other popular cameras such as Sigma fp, Panasonic LUMIX S1H, LUMIX S5, LUMIX S1, Panasonic AU-EVA1, Nikon Z models, and Canon C300 MK II. However, if I’m not mistaken, this is the first time the BRAW is recorded from a medium format sensor.
Support of XLR inputs
In addition to the added BRAW (in the next firmware update), Fujinon is planning to develop an adapter to support XLR inputs which will allow professional quality audio from the high-end microphones to be recorded directly into video files. That will eliminate the need for filmmakers to synchronize the sound with video in the tiding process.
The new firmware is scheduled to be released in October this year.
For our next update, we’ve decided to support the Blackmagic RAW (BRAW). This codec has an excellent compression ratio, low processor load, and is suitable for post-production work…By supporting this codec, you will be able to enjoy more flexibility in video production.
Fujifilm
Summary
To sum it up, we can quote Fujinon’s statement: “With the GFX, not only do we aim to attract the creators in the world of still images, but also video”. Allowing RAW recording (BRAW and ProRes RAW) from medium format sensors are definitely constituted as a big deal for filmmakers. Check out the Fujifilm X-Summit Prime 2021. Click ‘Play’ to listen to the announcement regarding BRAW:
Have you been shooting with the Fujinon GFX 100 and 100S? Did you utilize their ProRes RAW recording mode? What do you think about shooting BRAW from that medium format sensor?
Product List
Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.
- FUJIFILM GFX 100 Medium Format Mirrorless Camera
- FUJIFILM GFX 100S Medium Format Mirrorless Camera
- Atomos Ninja V 5″ 4K HDMI Recording Monitor
- Blackmagic Design Video Assist 7″ 12G-SDI/HDMI HDR Recording Monitor
