Fujifilm GF 35-70mm F/4.5-5.6 Review
The Fujifilm GF 35-70mm F/4.5-5.6 lens is a versatile, lightweight zoom lens designed for Fujifilm's GFX medium format system. This review delves into its build quality, performance, image quality, and overall value, providing a comprehensive understanding for potential buyers.
Introduction
When it comes to medium format photography, Fujifilm has been a prominent player, consistently expanding its lineup of lenses. The GF 35-70mm F/4.5-5.6 WR is positioned as a more accessible and versatile option for photographers entering the medium format world. But how does it stack up? Let’s explore.
Build Quality and Design
First impressions often set the tone, and the Fujifilm GF 35-70mm doesn’t disappoint in terms of build quality.
Lightweight and Compact: Weighing only 440 grams, this lens is remarkably portable. Its retractable design allows it to be compact, making it an excellent choice for travel photographers. When retracted, it measures 84mm in diameter and just 75mm in length.
Weather Resistance: The lens features a weather-resistant (WR) design, which is crucial for photographers who shoot in varied environmental conditions. While it lacks some high-end features like an aperture ring, its simplicity keeps the weight down.
Practical Design: The lens uses a stepping motor (STM) for autofocus, ensuring smooth and reasonably quick focusing. Though it lacks an aperture ring and physical switches, its minimalist design appeals to those prioritizing ease of use and portability.
Performance
The true test of any lens is its performance, both in controlled environments and in real-world scenarios.
Versatile Focal Range: Covering a 28-55mm full-frame equivalent, the lens spans essential focal lengths for a variety of shooting styles, from landscapes to portraits. This makes it an excellent all-around lens, especially for those new to the GFX system.
Autofocus: The STM focus system, paired with the Fujifilm GFX50S II, delivers reasonably smooth and quick autofocus. While not the fastest, it’s adequate for most uses. Some inconsistencies were noted, but these could be attributed more to the camera’s outdated Contrast AF system than the lens itself.
Image Quality: At 35mm, the lens is extremely sharp, though it exhibits some barrel distortion and vignetting. These issues decrease as you zoom in, but the lens is softer in the middle range. Stopping down improves sharpness at the telephoto end. Chromatic aberrations are well controlled, and the lens boasts high flare resistance.
Macro Capabilities: The lens offers a 0.28x magnification at a 35cm minimum focus distance. While contrast is not stellar wide open, it’s capable of capturing beautiful, detailed images.
Image Quality Analysis
For many photographers, image quality is paramount. Here’s a closer look at how the GF 35-70mm performs in various aspects:
Sharpness: At the wide end (35mm), the lens is exceptionally sharp. The sharpness decreases slightly as you zoom in, particularly in the mid-range, but it improves when stopped down at the telephoto end.
Distortion and Vignetting: Barrel distortion is noticeable at 35mm, accompanied by vignetting. However, these issues are less pronounced as you zoom in. Correcting these aberrations in post-processing is straightforward, especially with modern editing software.
Chromatic Aberration and Flare: The lens handles chromatic aberrations well, with minimal fringing even in high-contrast scenes. Flare resistance is also impressive, allowing you to shoot in bright conditions without significant loss of contrast or ghosting.
Color and Contrast: The GF 35-70mm delivers rich, vibrant colors and excellent contrast, enhancing the overall quality of your images.
Related: Fuji GF23mmF4 R LM WR Review
Practical Use and Versatility
Beyond technical performance, how does the GF 35-70mm fare in real-world use?
Portability: Its lightweight, compact design makes it ideal for travel and street photography. You can carry it all day without fatigue, making it a go-to lens for spontaneous shooting.
Weather Resistance: With its WR design, you can confidently use this lens in challenging weather conditions, from light rain to dusty environments. This adds a layer of reliability for outdoor photographers.
All-Rounder: As a jack-of-all-trades lens, it excels in versatility. While it may not be the best at any single task, it performs well across a broad range of scenarios, making it a valuable addition to any photographer’s kit.
Value for Money
When considering value, it’s essential to look at both standalone and kit pricing.
Standalone Purchase: At $999, the GF 35-70mm is not cheap, but it’s a reasonable price for a medium format lens. It offers good value for its versatility and performance.
Kit Purchase: The real value shines when purchased as part of a kit with the Fujifilm GFX50S II. The price drops significantly, making it an attractive option for those entering the medium format world.
FAQs
Is the Fujifilm GF 35-70mm F/4.5-5.6 suitable for professional use?
Yes, while it’s positioned as an entry-level lens, its performance and image quality make it suitable for professional use, especially in versatile and dynamic shooting environments.
How does the autofocus performance compare to other lenses in the GFX lineup?
The STM autofocus is smooth and quick but not the fastest in the GFX lineup. It’s more than adequate for most uses, though some focus inconsistencies can occur.
Can this lens handle extreme weather conditions?
Yes, the weather-resistant design allows it to perform well in challenging conditions, making it a reliable choice for outdoor photography.
What are the main image quality concerns with this lens?
The primary concerns are barrel distortion and vignetting at the wide end, and slight softness in the mid-range focal lengths. However, these issues are manageable and can be corrected in post-processing.
Is it worth buying this lens as part of a kit?
Absolutely. Purchasing it as part of a kit with the GFX50S II offers significant savings, making it an excellent value for those new to the medium format system.
How does the lens handle close-up photography?
The lens provides a decent 0.28x magnification at a 35cm minimum focus distance, making it capable of capturing detailed close-up shots, though contrast can be lower when wide open.
Conclusion
The Fujifilm GF 35-70mm F/4.5-5.6 is a versatile, capable lens that offers excellent value, especially when purchased as part of a kit. Its lightweight, compact design, combined with good image quality and weather resistance, makes it an ideal choice for both amateur and professional photographers entering the medium format world.
// Related Posts About Photography
