Fujifilm is adding new dials to its professional cameras; the GFX100RF, for example, has an aspect ratio dial and a film stock dial. This has generated significant discussion: many professionals view it as unnecessary, while others have embraced the idea. Some believe these dials serve only Instagrammers who are constantly posting, but others see the value of quickly experiencing the aspect ratio in-camera rather than in post. The film stock dial, which adjusts the JPG image while leaving the RAW file untouched, can be used by professionals to either assess a scene’s tonal values by viewing it through a black-and-white film stock or to gauge the colour range by using film stocks like Velvia. Both features give the photographer quick access to tools for exploring image elements in the field.

It was questionable whether these ideas would catch on. The Leica D-Lux 8 appears to embrace one of these concepts by adding an aspect-ratio slider to its camera. Granted, this is a pocket 4/3 sensor camera, not full-frame or medium-format, but professionals often carry these small cameras for day-to-day use.

All modern cameras have these sorts of features either in their menu system or in their quick menu. Having access to these features is not new; however, navigating a menu system to set them up is distracting and can disrupt the flow of a creative process. One could argue that many buttons and dials on these cameras can be customized to enable one of these features, but that is also limiting.

We will have to see what Nikon, Sony and Canon do with their future cameras. Keep in mind that such changes take time: the switch from DSLR to mirrorless cameras by Sony and Fujifilm required risk-taking, but they persisted, while Canon and Nikon lagged far behind. In the end, making a significant change like this paid off for both companies, resulting in a greater market share. Given that most photographers reluctantly want to spend time in a menu system, I could see this eventually catching on.