Fujifilm's newest lens for the G mount is coming soon and it offers a mid-range prime between its two current options.
The go-to wider primes for Fuji's G mount are the Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR and the Fujifilm GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR. This left a reasonably sized gap between the two which could be filled by the Fujifilm GF 32-64mm f/4 R LM WR, but that would be giving up a prime for a zoom. If you're like me and you gravitate towards primes wherever possible, that wouldn't be an option.
Now, Fujifilm is launching a step between the 23mm and the 45mm which acts as almost an average of the two: the Fujifilm GF 30mm f/3.5 R WR. In both focal length and widest aperture, this lens sits between its two predecessors. It is markedly cheaper and lighter than the 23mm ($1,699.95 to the 23mm's $2,599.95 and 510 g to 845 g) which places it closer to the 45mm in consideration. The 45mm is almost identical in weight and price but the obvious different asides from the focal length that people will consider is the maximum aperture.
Personally, I'd be torn between these two. 30mm on a medium format sensor (the GFX range crop factor is 0.79 meaning this new lens is roughly equivalent to 24mm on a full frame sensor) which is really quite wide. I wonder if this step between the 24mm and the 45mm is really just a half measure. Landscape photographers are likely to want as wide as possible, but street photographers might prefer something a little longer and with a slightly wider maximum aperture.
What do you think? Will you be buying the 30mm f/3.5?
