Fujifilm’s Secret Weapon? Let’s see why the GFX100RF’s Aspect Ratio Dial Could Revolutionize Your Photography. The Fujifilm X Summit was packed with exciting reveals—but one moment at minute 39 quietly stole the show. While tech specs and megapixel counts made headlines, it was a tribute to legendary photographer Josef Koudelka that may hold the real key to understanding Fujifilm’s boldest creative gamble yet: the Aspect Ratio Dial on the new GFX100RF.
It’s not just a dial. It’s a philosophy. And it might just reignite your passion for photography.
The Hidden Story Behind the GFX100RF
In a powerful segment of the X Summit, Fujifilm took us inside Josef Koudelka’s exhibition Ruins, showcasing breathtaking images captured in his favorite format: 6×17. But here’s the twist—it wasn’t always his favorite.
Back in 1986, while working on a landscape project in France, Koudelka casually picked up a Fujifilm 6×17 panoramic camera. He asked to borrow it for a week. That week turned into a transformation.
“The change in format was essential for staying fresh and looking at things in a new way,” Koudelka later said.
That simple shift to a new aspect ratio didn’t just change his compositions—it reinvigorated his entire creative process.
Why This Matters for You
The GFX100RF’s new Aspect Ratio Dial is more than a novelty. It’s a tribute to Koudelka’s belief that committing to a format changes how you see the world.
Sure, you could crop your images later. But that misses the point.
“Many photographers stopped photographing,” Koudelka explained. “But I did not stop because I started to use a panoramic camera… I realized I could do something different.”
By selecting your aspect ratio before you shoot, you’re making a creative decision that reshapes how you frame, focus, and feel. The dial forces you to be present, intentional, and innovative. It’s a reminder that every shot is an opportunity to challenge your perspective.
PetaPixel has easily got the best review I’ve seen so far on the Fuji GFX100RF
A Bet on Creativity
Will Fujifilm’s gamble pay off? It’s too early to say. But if Koudelka’s journey is any indication, this tiny dial could spark big changes for photographers willing to embrace it.
As Koudelka himself said of the GFX100RF:
“You made a fantastic camera. I think it is going to be very successful because people are going to discover that they can do something that looks different.”
In a world of filters, presets, and post-processing, the GFX100RF’s Aspect Ratio Dial might just be the tool that brings pure creativity back into focus.
