Fuji GF 45-100mm F4 R LM OIS WR Lens Review
Fuji GF 45-100mmF4 R LM OIS WR Lens
If you're a Fuji GFX shooter, you know how crucial it is to have the right lens in your kit. The Fuji GF45-100mmF4 R LM OIS WR is often touted as one of the most versatile zoom lenses available for the GFX medium format system. But does it live up to the hype? In this comprehensive review, we’ll dive deep into every aspect of this lens, examining its build quality, image performance, versatility, and more. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of whether this lens deserves a place in your photography arsenal.
A Glance at the Fuji GF45-100mmF4
At first glance, the Fuji GF45-100mmF4 R LM OIS WR may seem like just another zoom lens, but it’s far from ordinary. This lens is designed to deliver high-quality images across a wide range of focal lengths, making it ideal for everything from landscape photography to portraiture. The focal length range of 45-100mm (equivalent to 36-79mm in 35mm format) covers some of the most useful and frequently used perspectives, giving photographers the flexibility to capture a variety of shots without changing lenses.
Key Features:
Focal Length: 45-100mm (36-79mm in 35mm format)
Maximum Aperture: Constant f/4
Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Up to 5 stops
Weather Resistance: 11 weather seals for dust, moisture, and cold temperatures down to -10°C
Linear Motor: Fast, quiet autofocus
The constant f/4 aperture throughout the zoom range ensures that you get consistent exposure and depth of field control, which is particularly beneficial when working in changing lighting conditions. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is another standout feature, providing up to 5 stops of stabilization to help counteract camera shake, especially useful when shooting handheld.
Build Quality and Handling
One of the first things you'll notice about the Fuji GF45-100mmF4 is its solid construction. The lens is built to withstand the demands of professional use, with a rugged exterior that is both dust-resistant and weather-resistant. There are 11 seals placed throughout the lens to ensure that dust and moisture don’t creep in, and it’s also rated to function in temperatures as low as -10°C.
Handling:
Despite its robust build, the lens is surprisingly light for its size, weighing in at just under 1,005g. This makes it a manageable option for long shooting sessions, whether you're in the studio or out in the field. The zoom and focus rings are smooth and well-damped, giving you precise control over your compositions. The addition of a linear motor means that autofocus is fast and silent, which is particularly useful when shooting video or in quiet environments.
What About the Size?
Yes, it’s a hefty piece of glass, but considering what it delivers, the weight and size are justified. It balances well on GFX bodies, and after a few minutes of shooting, you’ll find that it becomes second nature to handle. If you're used to full-frame systems, the size might be a slight adjustment, but the image quality payoff is well worth it.
Does It Deliver the Legendary Fuji GFX Sharpness?
Image quality is where the Fuji GF45-100mmF4 R LM OIS WR truly shines. Fuji’s GFX lenses are known for their incredible sharpness, and this lens is no exception. The images produced are tack sharp, with excellent detail rendition from edge to edge, even when shooting wide open at f/4.
Sharpness:
Across the zoom range, the lens delivers consistent sharpness. From the center to the corners, details are rendered with impressive clarity. Even at the 100mm end of the zoom, which is often a weak point for zoom lenses, the GF45-100mmF4 maintains sharpness, allowing you to crop without worrying about losing image quality.
Color and Contrast:
The color rendition is classic Fuji—rich, vibrant, and natural. The lens handles contrast beautifully, with deep blacks and well-defined highlights that give your images a three-dimensional quality. Whether you're shooting in bright daylight or in challenging low-light conditions, the lens delivers consistently great results.
Bokeh and Depth of Field:
One of the joys of shooting with a medium format system is the ability to create a shallow depth of field, and the GF45-100mmF4 excels in this area. The bokeh is creamy and smooth, with a pleasing roundness to the out-of-focus areas. This makes it an excellent choice for portraiture, where subject isolation is key.
Chromatic Aberration and Distortion:
Chromatic aberration is minimal, even in high-contrast scenes, thanks to the advanced lens elements and coatings used by Fuji. Distortion is well-controlled across the zoom range, with no significant barrel or pincushion distortion to worry about. This makes post-processing easier, as you won’t need to spend time correcting these issues.
The All-in-One Zoom for Every Occasion
What makes the Fuji GF45-100mmF4 R LM OIS WR particularly appealing is its versatility. It’s essentially an all-in-one lens that can handle a wide range of shooting scenarios. Whether you're capturing sweeping landscapes at 45mm or getting up close and personal at 100mm, this lens has you covered.
Ideal for:
Landscape Photography: The wide end of the zoom is perfect for capturing expansive scenes, with plenty of detail and sharpness.
Portrait Photography: At 100mm, the lens is an excellent portrait option, offering beautiful subject separation and flattering compression.
Event Photography: The zoom range allows you to adapt to different situations without needing to change lenses, which is a huge advantage in fast-paced environments.
Travel Photography: While it might not be the lightest lens for travel, the versatility it offers can reduce the need for carrying multiple lenses.
Limitations:
While the lens is incredibly versatile, it’s worth noting that it’s not the fastest lens out there in terms of aperture. With a maximum aperture of f/4, you may find it limiting in extremely low-light situations, especially if you’re trying to avoid bumping up your ISO. However, the inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization helps mitigate this to some extent.
Autofocus Performance
The autofocus performance of the Fuji GF45-100mmF4 R LM OIS WR is another strong point. The linear motor ensures that focusing is both fast and quiet, which is essential when capturing fleeting moments. Whether you’re shooting stills or video, the autofocus is responsive and reliable, locking onto subjects quickly and accurately.
Video Work:
If you’re a hybrid shooter who also does video, you’ll appreciate the silent operation of the autofocus. There’s no audible motor noise to interfere with your audio, and the focusing is smooth, avoiding any jerky movements that could ruin a shot.
Face and Eye Detection:
On Fuji’s GFX bodies, face and eye detection work seamlessly with this lens. It’s able to track moving subjects with ease, making it an excellent choice for shooting portraits or capturing moments at events.
Optical Image Stabilization
Handheld shooting with a medium format camera can be challenging due to the larger sensor size, but the Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the GF45-100mmF4 is a lifesaver. The OIS provides up to 5 stops of stabilization, which means you can shoot at slower shutter speeds without worrying about camera shake.
Real-World Use:
In real-world use, the stabilization works as advertised. You can confidently shoot handheld at 1/15th of a second and still get sharp images, which is particularly useful in low-light scenarios or when you want to avoid using a tripod.
Built for the Elements
If you’re the type of photographer who shoots in all conditions, the weather sealing on the Fuji GF45-100mmF4 R LM OIS WR will give you peace of mind. With 11 weather seals throughout the lens, it’s designed to resist dust, moisture, and cold temperatures down to -10°C.
Field Testing:
During field tests in various conditions—from a dusty desert to a rainy cityscape—the lens held up remarkably well. The seals kept out dust and moisture, and there was no fogging or condensation, even when moving between extreme temperatures.
Is It Worth the Investment?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the price. The Fuji GF45-100mmF4 R LM OIS WR is not a cheap lens, but considering the image quality, versatility, and build quality, it’s a worthy investment for serious photographers.
Who Should Buy It?
If you’re a professional photographer or a dedicated enthusiast who demands the best from your gear, this lens is worth every penny. It’s a lens that can stay on your camera for the majority of your shoots, reducing the need for multiple lenses and allowing you to focus on capturing the moment.
Alternatives:
If the price is a concern, you might consider some of Fuji’s prime lenses, which offer exceptional quality at specific focal lengths. However, you’ll lose the versatility of having a zoom range, which is the key advantage of the GF45-100mmF4.
A Must-Have Lens for GFX Users
The Fuji GF45-100mmF4 R LM OIS WR is a standout lens in Fuji’s GFX lineup. It offers an unbeatable combination of versatility, image quality, and build quality that makes it an essential tool for any GFX shooter. Whether you’re a landscape photographer, portrait artist, or event shooter, this lens will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
FAQs:
Is the Fuji GF45-100mmF4 suitable for video work?
Yes, the lens is well-suited for video thanks to its fast and silent autofocus, as well as its smooth focus transitions. The Optical Image Stabilization also helps in handheld video shooting.
How does the lens perform in low-light conditions?
While the maximum aperture of f/4 may be limiting in very low-light situations, the Optical Image Stabilization allows for slower shutter speeds, which helps mitigate this limitation.
Can this lens replace a set of prime lenses?
The GF45-100mmF4 offers the versatility of a zoom while maintaining high image quality, making it a great alternative to carrying multiple prime lenses. However, if you need extremely fast apertures, primes may still be necessary.
Is the lens heavy to carry around?
At 1,005g, the lens is relatively heavy, but it balances well on GFX bodies. For extended shooting sessions, the weight is manageable, especially considering the versatility it offers.
How effective is the weather sealing?
The lens is highly effective in harsh conditions, thanks to its 11 weather seals. It’s designed to withstand dust, moisture, and cold temperatures, making it a reliable choice for outdoor photographers.
What is the focal length equivalent in 35mm format?
The 45-100mm focal length on the GFX system is equivalent to 36-79mm in 35mm format, covering wide-angle to short telephoto perspectives.
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