Photography News Issue 66

Photography News | Issue 66 | photographynews.co.uk

55

First tests

FujifilmGF 100-200mm f/5.6 R LMOISWR £1799

Fujifilm’s GFX system has brought medium format digital capture within reach of more photographers with a relatively affordable system. The GFX lens system has grown steadily and the latest arrival is the Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f/5.6 R LM OISWR which sells for £1799. This constant maximum aperture telezoom covers a useful range of medium telephoto settings – in 35mm format forms, its range is equivalent to 79mm to 158mm. So it essentially covers a really useful range making it ideal for portraits, scenics and general use but without the pulling power for action and wildlife. That said, suitability for such subjects is improvedifthislensiscoupledwith the Fujifilm GF 1.4x TCWR teleconverter which, in 35mm format terms, gives a focal length range of 111mm to 221mm. A larger image area means larger lenses so you won’t be surprised to learn that for 2x telezoom, this lens is quite a beast.

Specs

Prices

£1799

Format Fujifilm GFX (79-158mm in 35mm format) Mount Fujifilm GF, 44x33mm format Autofocus Yes, linear motor focusing Construction 20 elements in 13 groups Special lens elements Two super ED, one aspherical Filter size 67mm Aperture range F/5.6-32 Diaphragm Nine blades Internal focus Yes Manual focus Yes Minimum focus 60cm at 100mm; 1.6m at 200mm Focus limiter Full, 5m to infinity Maximummagnification 0.2x Distance scale No Depth-of-field scale No Image stabilizer 5EV benefit Tripod collar Yes Lens hood Supplied Weather-sealed Yes, sealed in ten areas Dimensions 89.5x183mm Weight 1050g Contact fujifilm.eu/uk

Images The lens’s OIS system works very well – the image left was taken at 1/4sec and 200mm

150mm and 200mm shooting sets of five exposures at shutter speeds down as low as 1/4sec. The GFX 50Rwas set to its mechanical shutter to give the OIS system a good test doing shots with and without OIS. In my test, getting razor sharp shots at 1/4sec and 200mm indoors or on a still day was perfectly achievable. The aperture ring is firmly and smoothly click-stopped in 0.3 EV steps. The lockable A and C settings are featured here too. Optically, the lens delivered a consistently fine performance especiallyat thewide tomidapertures. At 100mm and f/5.6 fine detail across the frame was resolved very crisply and was improved even further at f/8 and f/11. From f/16 onwards clarity dropped off. Wide aperture performance at 150mm was good at the centre and the edges and improved even further at f/8 and f/11, the latter being the optimum aperture for this setting. Diffraction kicked in at f/22 and f/32 which softened sharpness. A fine showing was also seen at the 200mm, with the apertures from f/5.6 to f/11 delivering crisp detail across the frame – f/8 was just about the best aperture. WC

That said, fitted on the GFX 50R, the lens combines well to give a nicely balanced package that’s neither front- nor back-heavy. Usefully, the lens’s focus and zoom mechanisms are both internal so the lens stays that same size during focusing and zooming. The lens is host to Fujifilm’s OIS system which offers a claimed 5EV benefit. Just above the OIS control – on or off – is a focus limiter which has two options, full and 5m to infinity. A deep, locking bayonet hood and a removable tripod foot, which is not Arca Swiss compatible, rounds off the lens’s physical attributes. I tried the OIS system at 100mm,

100mm

150mm

200mm

F/5.6

F/5.6

F/5.6

F/8

F/8

F/8

Verdict

F/11

F/11

F/11

Optically, this Fujifilm GF 100- 200mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR is an impressive performer and capable of very fine quality photographs packed with intricate detail. Throw in good handling and a highly effective OIS performance and you have a lens that represents good value at £1799. Pros Optical quality, effective OIS, fast and accurate AF, compatible with 1.4x teleconverter Cons Tripod foot not Arca Swiss compatible, modest maximum aperture

F/16

F/16

F/16

F/22

F/22

F/22

F/32

F/32

F/32

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