I often shoot weddings and portraits with the Fujifilm GFX medium-format camera, and my favorite lens right now is the Fujinon 55mm f/1.7. If I can only bring one or two lenses to a shoot, this lens would be my go-to for several reasons.
My name is Petronella Lugemwa. I am the owner and creative director of Petronella Photography, a destination wedding and portrait photography studio based in the New Jersey area that specializes in capturing and celebrating spectacular multicultural wedding and family stories around the world.
I’ve been photographing weddings and portraits for 13 years. Capturing the feel, emotion, and celebration of two people coming together still moves me. Whether it’s during a wedding, engagement, surprise marriage proposal, or when I am capturing the personality and essence of a person in a portrait.
My work requires a lens that keeps up with my subjects’ changing expressions and emotions. This is especially true when I see fleeting moments when people reveal themselves or let their guard down in front of the camera. Those are the moments and shots I live for. During a shoot, I’m always thinking about which lens will best tell the person’s story and give the viewer a glimpse into who that person is, the shoot location, and any close-up details that tell the story of the people.
Beautiful Bokeh
The main reason is the bokeh is simply stunning and creates these dreamy bokeh yet sharp images at 1.7 aperture. Its ability to separate the background from the foreground really draws in the viewer and makes the photos feel more intimate and gives them a feeling.
Versatile Focal Length
Another reason is that it has a focal length of 55mm, which is a full frame equivalent of 44mm, so the focal length is not so cropped in, and it’s also not all the way wide; it’s something in between, which makes for an exciting sweet spot. Before this lens came out, my favorite lens was the GF80mm f/1.7, which was my go-to, but the 55mm allows some more breathing room to capture the environment, and it has a similar bokeh. For me, the 55mm medium-range focal length means I can keep it on the camera longer and move around without having to change lenses often because it allows me to get really close and capture some smooth, buttery details or step back and capture portraits. I can also use it as a storytelling lens to capture wider shots and tell the story of the environment.
Master of Low Light
With the wide f/1.7 aperture of the Fujinon GF 55mm lens, shooting in low light is a breeze. As a wedding photographer, I often find myself in challenging lighting conditions. However, I can clearly capture every detail with this lens, even when the light is less than ideal. It’s a game-changer for me, ensuring I never miss a shot, no matter the lighting situation. It’s well built with thick glass, so it has some weight to it at 780g, but it’s still compact for a large aperture, full frame lens, and is light enough to shoot on the go.
Conclusion
Overall, the Fujinon GF 55mm f/1.7 lens is my new best friend for capturing stunning wedding portraits and candid moments. This lightweight cine-style prime lens, crafted for GFX-system cameras, is a game-changer for wedding and portrait photographers on the move. Its wide f/1.7 aperture excels in low-light conditions and offers exquisite depth-of-field control, ensuring your subjects pop against beautifully blurred backgrounds. With 11 aperture blades delivering smooth, rounded bokeh, every shot becomes a masterpiece. Equivalent to a 44mm full-frame lens, it’s versatile enough to tackle everything from wedding to street photography to intimate portraits. If you’re a wedding or portrait photographer who needs flexibility without sacrificing quality, this lens is the perfect go-to lens for your GFX camera.
