OFG Customs 65 Explained – Custom Cinema Camera Based on FUJIFILM GFX100 II Sensor

by Francesco Andreola15 days ago

At NAB 2024, OFG Customs – a sibling company of LA-based rental house Old Fast Glass – is showcasing a “nearly 65mm” custom built digital cinema camera that is designed around the FUJIFILM GFX100 II. Let’s take a look!

While rehousing lenses is a fairly common practice, taking a camera system and rehousing it to meet your specific needs is a totally different game. However, that seems to be exactly what OFG Customs has done with their latest custom build project.

Indeed, the company has modified the FUJIFILM GFX100 II (our Lab Test / Review) to offer cinematographers a (nearly) 65mm format camera with a unified body that – unlike the original mirrorless camera – is designed specifically for use on professional film sets.

OFG Customs 65 – 65mm cinematography on the rise?

With the recent announcement of the Blackmagic URSA Cine 17K with a 65mm sensor, it truly seems that we are entering a new era in digital cinematography. And now, OFG Customs’ latest custom design project seems to confirm this feeling.

According to the company, the idea behind this custom build is to leverage the full capabilities of the GFX100 II, which can still be used as a B- or C-Cam next to the OFG Customs 65.

Essentially, OFG Customs’ camera uses exactly the same 102MP sensor found on the FUJIFILM GFX100 II (43.8mm×32.9mm), but packs it into a custom-built aluminum housing with an integrated Atomos RAW recorder. This means that the camera can still shoot 12-bit ProRes RAW in 8K up to 30fps and 4K up to 60fps.

Moreover, the body has built-in I/O connectivity, power distribution, cooling system, and comes with an EVF as well as an aluminum cage with a top handle and ARRI BUD-1 baseplate. This makes the build much more streamlined for use on set, compared to the original GFX100 II form factor.

The OFG Custom 65 camera comes with a LPL/PL combo mount, but the camera’s original FUJIFILM G lens mount can still be accessed for use with autofocus lenses. Given that 65mm cinematography seems to be on the rise, I guess we will see prices of medium format vintage glass go up in the next few years.

When it comes to power, the camera has a Gold Mount battery plate built-in, accepts power inputs via 4-pin XLR AC, and also offers 3-pin Fischer, 2-Pin LEMO, D-Tap power, and remote Run/Stop. On top of that, we can find 3 SDI as well 2 HDMI outputs.

OFG Customs 65 – features

• Nearly 65mm Format Sized Sensor, larger than FF, LF, and VV
• 14+ Stops of Dynamic Range
• Dual Stainless Steel LPL/PL Combo Mount
• Custom Integrated Aluminum Housing & Cage
• Integrated ARRI BUD-1 Base Plate and Accessories
• Gold Mount Battery Plate with Remote RS
• 3-Pin Fischer, 2-pin LEMO, & D-Tap Power
• 3x SDI and 2x HDMI Outputs
• 4-Pin XLR AC Power Input
• 2 Cooling Fans

Price and availability

Currently, the OFG Customs 65 custom built digital camera system is a rental-only item. However, the company is looking to find a way to make it available to the general public. We will update the article as soon as we have more info on price and availability. If you’d like to put your hands on it, the camera is currently on display at NAB Show in Las Vegas (Center Hall, near the FUJIFILM booth) until Monday, April 15th, 2024.

For more information, please visit OFG Customs’s website here.

What do you think of this “nearly 65mm” custom built digital cinema camera system by OFG Customs? Do you think 65mm will soon take over as “the new standard”? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!