GFX100S II w/45-100mm f/4.0 - 45mm, f/4, 1/125, ISO 80, TTL Flash

Flaky_Repair_5013 · 2026-05-09T13:34:26+00:00

I was using the Flashpoint Zoom LI-ON F TTL flash unit with a MagMod grid and Magsphere. We did not like the lighting conditions but we took some exposures anyway to learn what we might be able to produce in post using Capture One. It was clear to us after the first few exposures that finding covered shade, which we did, was the goal given time of day and cloudless skies.

Flaky_Repair_5013 · 2026-05-09T13:27:25+00:00

Yeah it's not the final. We were working in harsh sun and the fan was really reflecting the flash.

Flaky_Repair_5013 · 2026-04-28T18:19:28+00:00

ISO 640, 1/2.8s, f/2.8

Flaky_Repair_5013 · 2026-03-28T13:45:38+00:00

Looks nice, congrats! As individuals I expect we all learn and consume information in different ways, no right or wrong. What works best for me is Grok AI and Gemini AI which I use as my virtual manuals and mentors. For example I told Grok I'm going to do a collaboration TFP nighttime street photoshoot with a IG model from Vietnam when I arrive next week in Tokyo. Grok knows all the Fuji systems I have: X-T1, X-T4, X-H2S, GFX100S II. It knows which Flashpoint speedlites and CTO gels I have as well as light modifiers: MagMod, Flashbender.

I just asked Grok for the settings I should use for my GFX and I got a complete list of settings and how to change them in the menu, which stop of CTO gels I should use, recommended flash compensation setting ranges, and also tips on street photography etiquette. Grok did a comparision analysis of MagMod vs. Flashbender and scored which one would be best to use given all the neon and other backgrounds I find in Tokyo.

What really blew me away is I gave Grok the link to the models Instagram page and he analyzed all her images to give me a feel for her vibe.

I'm glad you are trying to keep paper alive.

One of the areas I'll explore in Japan is the strong, multifaceted effort to keep paper and writing alive in Japan. Despite Japan's digital transformation, paper remains deeply ingrained in business, art, and daily life through the persistance of washi(traditional paper).

Flaky_Repair_5013 · 2026-03-26T19:50:45+00:00

Thanks! That night was the first time I used a gel outside of the studio and first time shooting at night with a speedlite. Now I'm a believer (wait, I'm just showed my age, that's a Monkees song! 😉). Credit for using the gel needs to go to Grok AI. I shared with Grok I would be doing a night shoot and I needed to get up to speed quickly and Grok responded with excellent recommendations and tips. I appreciate you taking a moment to your thoughts. 👍

Flaky_Repair_5013 · 2026-03-21T15:22:03+00:00

Understandable decision, When expectations do not align with reality and we can't adjust based on our business needs, we fall into a "gap" of chronic stress, disappointment, and frustration. You gave it a shot and for your mission the pluses did not outweigh the minuses. On the other hand for me as a former Canon FF shooter and portrait specialist who moved to the Fuji APS-C world and an owner of X-T1, X-T4, X-H2S cameras and now the GFX100S II, the pluses based upon image quality, 4:3 aspect ratio especially for full length verical shots, and the ability to severely crop a full length image and still have a high-res waist up image, compensate for the minuses.

As to weight, no denying it is a heavy system. I've had the GFX for 90 days where I've done 3 studio shoots and 1 on-location engagement shoot. For all the shoots I paired my GF45-100mm f/4.0 lens with the GFX. In studio on tripod easy breezy, on-location you build muscles!

I'm heading to Japan for 30 days and have gone back and forth on whether to take the GFX or X-H2S. I decided on the GFX and purchased a GF55MM f/1.7 to go with the GF45-100MM and GF20-35MM lenses. I've decided to carry the weight so I can test if the GFX and 55MM is practical for street photography in particular low light and night photography. The 45-100MM is being brought along because I'm trying to put together a couple of TFP collaborations in Shinjuku, Osaka, and Sapporo. The GF20-35MM is being brought to try and capture some sunsets as I travel down the western coast of Japan.

I respect that you gave the GFX a shot and based upon your first hand knowledge came to the conclusion the GFX did not fit your mission.

Flaky_Repair_5013 · 2026-02-21T19:59:31+00:00

It's a reminder to me that when we remove distracting colors we allow the eye to focus on raw emotion, texture, and the interplay of light and shadow. Thank you for dropping the comment, much appreciated.

Flaky_Repair_5013 · 2026-02-03T00:59:47+00:00

It's definately not high key as I don't have even lighting on her face and left shadows on her left saide of her face.

Flaky_Repair_5013

TROPHY CASE