The Fujifilm GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR lens stands out for being one of the smaller, more lightweight options in Fuji's medium format lineup. This great video review takes a look at this affordable option and how it stacks up in usage.
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this thorough video highlights why the Fujifilm GF 50mm f/3.5 R LM WR is an appealing option. Despite its compact size, the lens has a solid, mostly metal build, with some high-quality plastics. Weighing in at 335 grams, it’s not feather-light, but it's manageable for medium format gear. The weather-sealing is a plus, especially if you shoot in various conditions. The aperture ring features clicks, making it easy to set and adjust, while the manual focus ring, although smooth, has a slight lag when used. The autofocus is quick and generally quiet, though you might hear a slight hum, but it's unlikely to distract anyone around you.
Frost explores how the lens handles image quality, using a Fujifilm GFX 100 to test its limits. He notes that at f/3.5, sharpness is good, though corner quality could be better. However, by f/5.6, the lens delivers sharpness and contrast across the entire frame, even on a high-resolution sensor. He emphasizes that while it’s the most affordable lens in Fuji's medium format range, it’s still capable of impressive results. If you’re shooting at f/3.5, you might see some corner softness, but stopping down clears this up, making it a versatile option for a range of situations.
One area where the GF 50mm f/3.5 falls short is its minimum focus distance of 55 cm. This isn’t ideal for a wider angle lens, especially if you want to get closer to your subject. Frost mentions that while this distance limits certain types of shots, the ability to crop on a 102-megapixel sensor can compensate somewhat. He also discusses the lens's performance against bright lights, finding it handles flares and contrast well, although it does show some smearing at f/3.5 when it comes to point light sources. Stopping down to f/5.6 improves this considerably.
Frost also explains how the lens manages background blur, noting that while f/3.5 isn’t a particularly bright aperture, the medium format sensor still provides a nice separation. The bokeh remains smooth, even with challenging backgrounds, and there’s minimal issue with specular highlights. He addresses the chromatic aberration, which is barely noticeable, a testament to the lens’ design. You’ll get sharp, clean images from f/5.6 onward, and that’s where this lens truly shines. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.
