Sneak Peek on the Upcoming Fuji GFX Eterna Cinema Camera

Last night time, I were given an opportunity to have an early peek on the upcoming Fuji GFX Eterna cinema digicam. Set to be launched later this 12 months, the digicam places a big layout sensor in a cinema-focused frame that guarantees to be a major instrument for fine quality filmmaking.

Now, to be transparent, I haven’t examined the digicam but. The ultimate unlock date of the digicam remains to be but to be set. But, following the advance announcement overdue ultimate 12 months and what we realized at NAB this 12 months, I used to be excited to get an opportunity to talk with the Fuji crew ultimate night time to get an replace and sought after to fill you in on one of the issues you’ll be expecting.

Of direction, there are some things we’ve already identified. For example, the GFX Eterna cinema digicam shall be targeted round the similar sensor as is within the Fuji GFX 100 II medium layout stills/hybrid frame. So, whilst the corporate has now not launched lab exams for the brand new Eterna as of but, we’ve some baseline when it comes to symbol high quality and dynamic vary in line with its predecessor.

One variable that shall be thrown into the combination this time with the GFX Eterna is the advent of a brand new log layout, F-Log C. The new F-Log C will supply a much broader colour gamut, taking into consideration additional colour separation and density to get precisely the colour renditions you consider. From proudly owning the former GFX hybrid fashions, I’ve at all times been inspired with the colour accuracy, and it kind of feels as although that may proceed with the Eterna.

One of the questions I had when the advance announcement was once made was once how the ergonomics of the digicam would play out. Getting a hands-on glance ultimate night time, I will be able to ascertain that the digicam frame has been neatly concept out with filmmakers in thoughts. The frame is in field shape, as you may be expecting. The digicam comes with each SDI and HDMI connections. It has devoted timecode and genlock.

The digicam can run on exterior energy whilst, internally, it’ll use NP-W235 compatibility, which permits sizzling swapping of exterior batteries/transition to DC enter. The NP-W235 battery can even price from an exterior energy supply robotically. One of the issues I used to be more than pleased to look is the integrated V-mount plate at the again of the unit that are supposed to stay the digicam powered for prolonged sessions of time whilst permitting you to glue more than one equipment.

There is a conventional mic jack at the digicam frame itself. However, the product ships with an extension deal with with XLR connections and a sizzling shoe for extra audio features and compatibility with equipment just like the Tascam XLR Microphone Adapter.

In-camera formats come with Apple ProRes 422 HQ, 422, 422 LT, HEVC/H.265 (4:2:2 10-bit), all with Linear PCM stereo sound in 24-bit. You even have Apple ProRes Proxy and H.264 Proxy recording choices. You can document 12-bit uncooked externally by way of the HDMI output. The unit data to at least one USB Type-B slot and one SD slot.

Unlike the GFX 100 II, the Eterna could have an optical low-pass clear out. Due to the built-in nature of movie manufacturing, the place taking pictures a challenge with more than one several types of cameras concurrently is not unusual, having an OLPF permits you to extra simply combine your GFX Eterna photos with different in style cinema cameras right through manufacturing.

Speaking of collaboration, the Eterna has integrated community interfaces (Wi-Fi/Ethernet) that may can help you make the most of camera-to-cloud workflows reminiscent of Frame.io.

Of direction, the primary promoting level of the unit is the massive sensor dimension. Once launched, the Eterna could have the tallest sensor lately to be had in the marketplace for filmmakers. Making use of the added actual property at the sensor, filmmakers have a bevy of codecs to make a choice from, together with GF 4:3 Open Gate (as much as 48 fps), GF DCI, Premista DCI, 35mm DCI, 8K DCI, and Super 35mm DCI. You even have anamorphic choices of 8K (8,192 × 2,968) and 4.6K (4,664 × 3,380). In-camera desqueeze codecs at release would be the similar because the GFX 100 II. While taking pictures, you’ll customise your body guides to make sure right kind composition for quite a lot of facet ratios.

Building on Fuji’s wealthy historical past of manufacturing bodily movie, the GFX Eterna will include a wholesome number of movie simulations. Twenty are integrated at release. You also are in a position to load as much as 16 customized LUTs, both the usage of the integrated Fuji LUTs as your base or uploading your personal display LUTs from some other supply. The corporate guarantees further 3-d LUTs and picture simulations are at the approach.

There shall be a Remote Rec serve as permitting the digicam to connect with different gadgets by way of a router. While the digicam has a integrated timecode port, it may well additionally attach by way of Bluetooth to equipment just like the Atomos AirGlu UltraSync Blue for extra synchronization.

The unit comes with a 5-inch touchscreen with 2,000 nits and 6.22 million dots of answer this is simple to reposition on an extension arm. There may be an onboard menu (at the First AC facet) on a 3-inch touchscreen to regulate digicam settings. Speaking of changes, the digicam features a integrated variable ND starting from ND0.6 to ND2.1.

They have now not but mentioned what the associated fee shall be at release.

As I discussed, I haven’t gotten my palms at the unit but to check. But we did get to look just a little of take a look at photos ultimate night time that was once in actuality spectacular. Looking ahead to striking the digicam thru its paces as soon as the manufacturing fashions get started transport. But it kind of feels as although they’re headed in the appropriate route.