Medium format lenses promise unparalleled image quality, but they also come with a steep price tag. The Fujifilm GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR, priced at $1,700, sits on the more affordable end of this spectrum. It offers a versatile wide angle focal length and a relatively lightweight design, but does it live up to expectations?
Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this thorough video evaluates the Fujifilm GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR. The lens provides a 36mm full frame equivalent focal length with a maximum aperture of f/2.8, allowing for moderate depth-of-field control. While it is compact for medium format standards, weighing 1.08 pounds, its plasticky feel might disappoint those expecting a premium build. The lens features weather-sealing and a useful aperture ring with locking mechanisms, but its electronically coupled focus ring delivers jerky manual adjustments. Autofocus is fast and accurate, though video creators may notice some focus breathing.
The image quality, however, is where expectations falter. When tested on a Fujifilm GFX 100, sharpness at f/2.8 is only decent in the center and weak in the corners. Stopping down improves performance, with excellent sharpness achieved by f/5.6 in the center and f/8 in the corners. Even then, the lens doesn't fully utilize the 102-megapixel resolution of the GFX 100. The heavy vignetting at f/2.8 and average barrel distortion further add to its limitations. These flaws might be manageable with software corrections, but they’re disappointing given the lens's cost.
Key Specs
- Focal Length: 45mm (36mm full frame equivalent)
- Maximum Aperture: f/2.8
- Minimum Aperture: f/32
- Angle of View: 62.6°
- Minimum Focus Distance: 1.48' / 45 cm
- Maximum Magnification: 0.14x
- Optical Design: 11 elements in 8 groups
- Diaphragm Blades: 9
- Filter Size: 62 mm
- Dimensions: 3.31 x 3.46" / 84 x 88 mm
- Weight: 1.08 lb / 490 g
When working with bright lights, the lens handles flares adequately, though it’s not exceptional. Similarly, coma is mild at wider apertures and disappears by f/4. For sunstars, you’ll need to stop down to f/22, but the results are lackluster. On the positive side, bokeh is a strength, with smooth and pleasant out-of-focus areas typical of medium format lenses. However, chromatic aberration is present at f/2.8 and only disappears by f/5.6.
The GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR has practical uses for general photography, offering portability and flexibility. Yet, its technical performance might not justify its price tag. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.
