A GFX Monochrome?

Hello everyone, especially my friends from the fantastic but defunct forum I need not name.
This is my first post and this time I bring Kuro, my Cocker Spaniel, a monochrome dog ,-)
Do you think it is plausible and/or desirable that one day we will have a GFX Monochrome?

Hi,

Well, these Sony sensors come in mono as well as color. They just omit the CFA step. And you can make one from an existing color unit. You can also choose to make one IR as well.

So, plausible, yes. I have my doubts that Fuji is going to do one. They've been out a while and they haven't yet, so I think that's telling...

Stan

I believe it has to do with manufacturing costs, in that it production is set up for runs of sensors and reconfiguring for what would be ultimately a small number of units just wouldnt be economically worth it. This is why you see monochrome sensors limited to specialty companies like Leica and Phase One.
It would be an awesome camera idea though.

If you have an extra Fujifilm 50R you can get it converted to monochrome by Dan here:
monochromeimaging.com/odering/

You will have to contact him to do it and for special pricing. I think it was around $2000.

If you want to buy one converted you can get one from this Dan here:
maxmax.com/maincamerapage/monochrome-cameras/fuji-monochrome/fuji-gfx-50

Bit more expensive though:
maxmax.com/shopper/product/16058-xnitefujigfx-50r-fuji-gfx-50r-51-4-megapixel-medium-format-monochrome-visible-light/category_pathway-9510

Hopefully Fujifilm will offer the 100 series in monochrome, that sensor can be bought from Sony as a monochrome version.

I would like to see the difference between a stripped sensor and a truely monochrome one with microlenses intact. I think my older lenses might work better on a stripped sensor (like film they were designed for) but newer lens would be better with microlenses.

Hi,

I can't see that. It's the same sensor. It goes in the exact same way. So, no mfg cost differential there. The sensor itself probably costs a little more unless the maker decides to add the mono in with the color for purchase quantities. There are always component price breaks based on purchase quantities.

The real difference is Fuji would have to add code into their processing firmware to deal with not having to process the color filter array. And that's probably the Why of those not doing it. You can modify as you wish and the use an alternative post processor on then the Raw file.

Stan

Agree. Little COGS difference but NRE goes up. And inventory, field service too.

Sony sells mono versions of all of the 3.76um sensors, through 40x54mm. A Texas Leica Fuji, (with a fixed (zoom?)?) lens, like an X100 would be compelling. The release of the M11 Monochrom perhaps indicates a market?

I would love that for B&W. oh to dream.

I presume Foveon chips are made in small batches? The way Sigma market, then eventually retire their models even if there is no replacement in the works strongly suggests they order a batch and keep making cameras until the sensors are used up. With sensor development less break neck pace than it used to be, could it be feasible to make a batch of say 10,000 mono sensors, then keep fitting them to special edition cameras until they are all used up, even if it takes 5 or 10 years. Like the 50MP sensor.... 😁

Maybe a raw only mono sensor camera leaving out all the jpeg firmware? More of a stripping out rather than writing new code?

I guess the problem there is Leica seem to be able to charge what they like for anything irrespective of its value. Other manufacturers would have to price their speciality versions not too far off the stock version. Maybe that discourages innovation and niche marketing? Pentax seem to have not added that much to the stock price and I see there are already disgusted whinges about the price (eg see TheOnlinephotographer blog)

You'd still have the firmware investment, negotiations with raw developer manufacturers, tech writing, test procedure generation, inventory of finished cameras, field training, etc. A new SKU is expensive, independent of COGS.

Like Porsche, they have figured out how to charge for leaving things out.

Er... what do those acronyms mean?

It has long been rumoured amongst Sigma owners that Sigma build their cameras as a labour of love or a hobby and don't make money on them.

Still, in a sparsely filled market, if you can get a monopolist position with niches products, you'd think there would be some way of it being financially feasible. And in Pentax's case, they must be pretty low volume.

Oh but Porsche, still love them

Charge extra for no video functionality 😁

Cost of Goods Sold, Stock Keeping Unit.

Thanks, gotta look those up. Ah, I see, SKU is kind of a bit like ISBN for books.

And COGS is something to do with working out the direct manufacturing cost of a unit so you can price it to be profitable.