Now the Sigma ART 105 mm f 1.4 - that monster lens with a huge diameter, and a weight of 1.6 kilo - is a star on the mediumformat Fujifilm GFX system. It turns into a 85 mm f 1.1 lens basically - giving that gorgeous look we know from the Canon 85/1.2 L lenses !

With the Fringer Pro adapter, the lens actually works well in terms of hitting the proper focus. You can tell that it is a more modern lens in that regard. But it is also NOT a speed demon in terms of AF speed - on the contrary. But for me it is even more important that the lens focuses correctly when adapted on the Fujifilm GFX camera. And remember the GFX 50s II is only a contrast based AF camera, and not equipped with PDAF like on the latter 102 MP sensors.

The image above

is made with manual focus bracketing, and then stacked together. I did notice that the Zerene Software also affects the bokeh [Note: that only happens when you use the DMax type of stacking, while the DMap stacking preserves the original shallow bokeh ! Good to know - because I didn't when i wrote this entry)

Which at ƒ1.4 is so blurry - but when you stack let's say 7 or even 14 images, while the focus goes backwards (further away from you), the bokeh also becomes less blurry. And that too, is added to the photo stack, which means the end result looks as if you stop the lens down... some of the super dreamy bokeh gets lost.

So, it works well for a few bracketed, stacked images - but once you add too many - the bokeh also gets affected. Sometimes the attemp fails, especially when things move, you move, or the details are simply too small. Then you just do another or third attempt.

(Note: Zerene Stacker has also the "DMap" type of stacking, in which it preserves the original shallow bokeh; which means, it doesn't get lost)

It is still cool that when you work - even with manual focus - that you can stack a few photos, and extend the abysmal depths of sharpness just a little bit deeper, so it covers fine details in a flower more than it would with one single photo taken at ƒ1.4 aperture. I mean it is cool that this can be done even manually.

• Manual focus bracketing and then stacking of 5 images, with Sigma 105/1.4 lens, wide open aperture ƒ1.4 / Fujifilm GFX 50s II camera.

Working nicely

This far, I must say, both the Canon FD 85/1.2 L as well the huge Sigma Art 105/1.4 do very well with this kind of photography. So, therefore I really have no reason to look at that focal length, such as Fujifilm GF 80/1.7 or 110/2 - at least not for what i am doing - i can literally do with manual focus with the aforementioned lenses (canon 85/1.2 L and Sigma 105/1.4)

I am not big on portraits

with the Fujifilm GFX camera + portrait lens. I mean, i don't really have many occasions to do portraits like that. At my work, at our lunch room ? Oh no, I don't think so.

I wouldn't use the GFX for occations where the light is that bad. It just doesn't work well. I rather use the Canon R6 with the RF 50/1.2 L or EF 50/1.2 L or the Leica Noctilux-M 50/1. all of which work better in that regard.

Subway Lunchroom Light conditions

You have generally lower light levels there, with several spotlights coming right from above - which is a horror port portraits and exposure latitude. Daytime is weird as well, because here light comes horizontally in from two sides - which means people often are dark against a light/bright-ish background. Also the light levels are still dull-ish with that light setting.

Our lunchroom have always been a place with most difficult lighting most of the time. Now, since I only worked night shift during past years - I rarely see my colleagues in the lunchroom, and when I do, it is always night time. Therefore I rarely do portraits anymore (The good thing is, that i did make many lovely portraits in the past 27 years).

Especially with the Leica Noctilux-M 50/1 lens, despite low light levels in the lunch room, winter time, and weird spotlights from above - but that lens knows how to compress harsh spotlight into something that reminds me of "Ol' Hollywood" luminous flair in portraits.

A rather stunning feat, i think

Christmas Eve 2013

With Leica M9 + Noctilux-M 50/1 at our Subway lunchroom in Stockholm City.