It wasn’t very long ago that medium format digital photography was beyond the reach of many photographers, but Fujifilm has helped pave the way for many photographers to enjoy the benefits of medium format with its GFX line of cameras and beautiful GF lenses. Adding to its lineup, Fujifilm has announced the Fujinon GF30mmF3.5 R WR wide angle lens.
With a field of view equivalent to 24mm on a smaller-sensored, full frame digital camera, this lens is be a welcome addition to any GFX shooter’s kit. This super high-resolution lens is made up of 13 elements in 10 groups, and can easily resolve 100MP. I already know it will be a great fit for both GFX50 and GFX100 photographers.
Landscape photographers generally prefer larger imaging formats similar to Fujfilm’s GFX camera aystem (just think of Ansel Adams climbing with huge view cameras), so when Fujifilm sent me the GF30mmF3.5 lens and the GFX50R, I decided to head out on a hike and see how the lens performed.
This is not my first time using the GFX system, so I was not surprised at the simple functionality and beautiful image quality. However, it has been a while, so I was momentarily surprised by how lightweight the system is! The GF30mmF3.5 weighs in at only 510g and balances well on the GFX50R body.
While my initial plan was to hike out and do some structured “on tripod” shots, the camera-lens combo was so easy to have over my shoulder that I found myself stopping to catch details along the trail that caught my interest. Bits of light and texture from falling trees and newly sprouting plants were captured quickly and beautifully by the lens.
The GF30mm feels very nicely matched with the GFX50R and reminded me somewhat of my Fujifilm X100. This is the kind of lens-camera combo I would have as my everyday-carry camera in my backpack or over my shoulder, capturing my world as I moved through it without too much effort. Simply, this is the camera becoming an extension of the photographer.
As a landscape lens, the GF30mmF3.5 performed perfectly. The ability to stop down to F/32 helped with longer exposures and the low breathing ensured my compositions stayed true. With punchy contrast and great color, this lens allowed me to bring home some of the beauty I saw on my hike.
While I went out on a beautiful spring day, the GF30mmF3.5 can operate in temperatures as low as -14 Fahrenheit (10C), which makes this combo even more appealing for outdoor and adventure work.
While 24mm in full frame is a classic field of view, especially for urban landscape and street photographers, I could also see using this lens for environmental portraiture and travel photography. The amazing resolution might draw many of us in, but it is the compact size that really blew me away. To be able to just sling a medium format camera with 30mm lens over my shoulder and shoot all day is just awesome.
All in all, I am impressed with the Fujinon GF30mmF3.5. It is a worthy addition to the GFX system and I can see myself using this combo quite a bit in the future.
