Four Months with the Fujifilm GFX Eterna 55
After four months with the Fujifilm GFX Eterna 55, what stands out most isn’t just the image — it’s how the camera shapes the way you work. There’s something about the sensor, the lenses, and the overall feel that encourages a slower, more intentional approach to filming.
For documentary filmmaking, where trust, presence and timing matter, that shift is important. It allows you to stay focused on the person in front of you, rather than the camera itself — encouraging a more human approach that feels closely aligned with the stories I want to tell.
Letting The Story Shift
What started as further testing of my new FUJIFILM GFX ETERNA 55 over the holidays quickly turned into a small film about my father-in-law and his love of flying. We’d planned to go up in his plane and film inside the cockpit, but the weather had other ideas. Rather than forcing the plan, I let things shift and followed what was actually happening.
When we sat down to talk, the focus moved away from flying itself and towards what he does on the days when he can’t fly — building RC planes, flying his simulator, and staying connected to something he loves. What I value most about the film is its honesty, and how generous Mike was in sharing something personal. It’s also become a keepsake for my wife and her siblings, which feels just as important as the film itself.