First test
PRICE: £2099
FUJIFILM.EU/UK
FujifilmGF80mm f/1.7RWR
SPECS
› Price £2099 › In the box Lens, front and back caps, pouch › Format 44x33mm sensor › Compatibility Fujifilm GFX › Filter size 77mm › Construction 12 elements in nine groups › Special lens elements Two super ED and one aspherical › Aperture range F/1.7-22, 0.3EV click-stops › Diaphragm Nine blades › Magnification 0.15x › Autofocus Yes, micromotor › Manual focusing ring Yes, internal focusing › Coating Fujifilm EBC › Minimum focus 70cm › Weather-sealed Yes › Dimensions (dxl) 95x99mm › Weight 795g › Contact fujifilm.eu/uk
Fujifilm’s GFX System continues to grow rapidly. With the GF80mm f/1.7 R WR, users now have 12 lenses to choose from
THE GF80MM F/1.7 R WR’S focal length is equivalent to 63mm in the 35mm format. That’s a little longer than a typical standard lens, but perfect for general use – whether your passion is scenic, portrait or documentary. Being coupled with the fast f/1.7 maximum aperture simply enhances its appeal and all-round potential. It also registers a record as the world’s first autofocus medium format lens at this speed. The lens has a fast aperture, while first-rate glass provides outstanding medium format coverage. On top of that, it’s robustly built, including environmental seals in ten locations. Unsurprisingly, a solid lens with such
heft is slightly front-heavy on the GFX100S and GFX50R cameras that were used throughout this test. The aforementioned sealing keeps out dust and water, while the front element is coated with fluorine, repelling dust and making it easier to clean. However, despite its size, handling is not compromised – and it rates very highly in that department. Autofocusing comes via the high-power DC torque motor. This drives the focusing group of six lens
elements quickly, especially on the GFX100S with its hybrid phase detect/contrast AF system. You get a ‘motor-whirring’ sound as the lens focuses, but this is low frequency. It’s not really noticeable when you’re outside. On video, though, an on-board microphone may pick it up. This lens supports face/eye detection AF and an advanced algorithm assists focusing, even as the subject is moving around within the frame. Its optical performance was first rate, starting at an impressive level around f/1.7. High sharpness across the image frame improves even further
with stopping down – it was only at f/22 that sharpness fell away. I could happily shoot at f/1.7 – unless I wanted greater depth-of-field – knowing images would be critically sharp, as long as focus was spot on. I honestly had no concerns over the lens’ performance wavering during the test. WC
ABOVE C setting means the aperture can be controlled from the camera. A setting accesses shutter-priority AE or program AE modes
ONTEST
These test chart pictures were shot using the GF80mm f/1.7 lens on a Fujifilm GFX100S body. The pair were attached to a Leofoto L-324C tripod and LH-40 ball head. Subsequently, the Raws were processed in Lightroom using the default settings.
F/1.7
F/1.7
F/2.8
F/2.8
F/4
F/4
F/5.6
F/5.6
ABOVE Shoot wide open, and you get to enjoy the heady mix of shallow depth-of-field and smooth background bokeh
F/8
F/8
F/11
F/11
Verdict
The combination of a fast aperture, autofocusing and impressive performance makes the Fujifilm GF80mm f/1.7 R WR a tempting proposition, despite its price tag. Its focal length suits a wide subject range, enhancing its overall appeal even more.
F/16
F/16
F/22
F/22
PROS Fast aperture, handling, optical quality, build CONS Quite big
Issue 88 | Photography News 37
photographynews.co.uk
Powered by FlippingBook