Lens Reviews / Fujinon Lenses i Not yet tested

80mm	$1,966 average price

Updates:
03/24/2021: Field Test and Gallery Images added

 

Fujinon GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR Field Test

A very good prime lens for the GFX system

by Jeremy Gray | Posted 03/24/2021

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/8, 1/40s, ISO 1600. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The Fujifilm GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR is the 12th Fujinon GF lens and the ninth prime lens. What sets the GF 80mm f/1.7 apart from the rest of the GF lens lineup is its f/1.7 maximum aperture, making the GF 80mm f/1.7 the brightest autofocus lens yet for a mirrorless medium format camera.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/1.7, 1/60s, ISO 100. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Fujinon GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR Key Features

• Fujifilm G mount lens
• Short portrait-length prime
• 80mm focal length is equivalent to 63mm in full-frame terms
• 37.7° angle of view
• f/1.7-22 aperture range
• 9-bladed rounded aperture diaphragm
• 12 elements in 9 groups, including 2 Super ED elements and 1 aspherical element
• Weather-sealed design
• Dedicated aperture control ring
• L x D: 3.9" (99.2mm) x 3.7" (94.7mm)
• Weighs 1.7 lbs. (795g)
• 77mm filter thread
• DC motor for autofocus
• Minimum focus distance of 2.3' (70cm), resulting in 0.15x maximum magnification
• $2,300 USD

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/1.7, 1/250s, ISO 1250. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Lens design and handling: Well-designed lens with great build quality

The GF 80mm f/1.7 has the same overall styling as other GF lenses, including a satin black finish, chunky rubberized focus ring and a ridged aperture control ring.

The Fujinon GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR follows suit with each previous GF lens concerning its style and design, with a sleek, matte black finish. It includes a dedicated aperture ring, hence the 'R' in its model name, and the lens includes a wide focus ring.

The aperture ring has engraved markings for its maximum aperture and additional full stops. There's also a Command 'C' position on the aperture ring that allows you to control the aperture using a command dial on the camera, as well as an 'A' setting for automatic aperture. There's a distinct click as you adjust the aperture dial, which I like, although heavy video users may prefer a smooth aperture ring option, which isn't available.

On the GFX 50S, shown here with its optional vertical battery grip, the GF 80mm isn't a particularly large lens. It balances very nicely on the GFX 50S.

The focus ring has a ridged rubberized surface, which offers a good grip. The focus ring has nice rotation, which feels consistent with other GF lenses I've used. It isn't too stiff nor too light. The focus-by-wire lens doesn't have hard stops at either end of the focusing range or a focus scale on the lens itself. That said, the manual focusing experience is quite good on GFX cameras, thanks to focus peaking and focus magnification.

Without its lens hood, the GF 80mm f/1.7 lens is 3.9" (99.2mm) long.

On the Fujifilm GFX 50S, the GF 80mm f/1.7 balances very well. The lens isn't particularly compact and lightweight, but it's not large or heavy, either. The GF 80mm f/1.7 is 3.9" (99.2mm) long without its included lens hood and has a maximum diameter of 3.7" (94.7mm). The lens weighs 1.7 lbs. (795g). The lens hood is well-designed and adds a bit of length to the lens but is well worth using while outdoors.

The lens hood adds fairly significant length to the lens, although is definitely worth using when shooting outside. The lens hood itself is pretty good. It's built using a strong plastic and locks onto the end of the lens.

Like other GF lenses, the GF 80mm f/1.7 is dust- and water-resistant, and the lens can be used in freezing temperatures without any issues, as my hands-on time can attest. Overall, the lens is rugged, well-built and intelligently-designed.

Image quality and performance

With a dozen lens elements across nine groups, including a pair of Super ED elements and a single aspherical element, the GF 80mm f/1.7 promises strong sharpness and good control of lens aberrations. The lens mostly delivers on these promises.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/5.6, 1/160s, ISO 160. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

All the crops seen below are 100 percent crops from raw image files converted in Adobe Camera Raw. The images shot at f/1.7 and f/2 have their exposures reduced slightly to better match the rest of the test shots at smaller apertures. When the weather was acceptable for this test scene, it was a bit too bright for f/1.7 and f/2. I don't like using filters, such as an ND filter, for test shots, so I opted instead to darken the images shot at faster apertures. If you would like to see the original files, they're in the Gallery. Images shot using other aperture settings are also available in the Gallery.

Sharpness

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/1.7, 1/4000s, ISO 100. Full sharpness test scene. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

At f/1.7, the GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR lens is sharp, especially in the center of the frame. The extreme corners display a loss in sharpness, although it's not bad.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/1.7, 1/4000s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/1.7, 1/4000s, ISO 100. 100% top right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

By stopping down to f/2, you don't gain much in terms of center sharpness, which is really to say that the GF 80mm f/1.7 lens is already impressive at its maximum aperture. There's a slight increase in overall crispness at f/2, but it's not significant. Corner sharpness shows a bit more of an improvement, however.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/2, 1/4000s, ISO 100. 100% center crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/2, 1/4000s, ISO 100. 100% top right corner crop. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

At f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8 and f/11, sharpness is excellent. Diffraction is very slightly noticeable at f/11, but even so, the lens remains sharp. Performance across the frame is consistent as well. If you are shooting landscape images, any of these apertures should work well for edge-to-edge sharpness. With that said, you lose very little in terms of critical sharpness when shooting wide open, although you do give up a bit in terms of corner performance.

I typically write a section about vignette, but there's not much to say here, as it's well-controlled, even when shooting at f/1.7. Likewise, there's little distortion to discuss. You may need a minor correction to vignette at f/1.7, but only in situations that make the mild issue more apparent. To download the original files for yourself, head to the Gallery.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/11, 4.3s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Aberrations

When shooting wide open, the GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR lens is somewhat prone to chromatic aberrations, particularly with purple fringing around high-contrast edges. In the test scene, you can see minor purple fringing around fence railings. I hesitate to consider it a serious issue, however, as it's not particularly distracting. Nonetheless, it is worth noting. By stopping down to f/2, the problem is better controlled, although still present to a minor degree.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/1.7, 1/4000s, ISO 100. 100% crop from f/1.7 sharpness test image. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Lens flare is a bit more of an issue with the GF 80mm f/1.7 lens, even when using the lens hood. The lens is somewhat prone to flare, so it's something to keep in mind. In the image below, you can see an instance of lens flare due to the artificial lights in the scene. Of course, the image also showcases a good aspect of the lens, its nice sun stars.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/6.4, 27s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/6.4, 27s, ISO 100. 100% crop. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/6.4, 27s, ISO 100. 100% crop. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Bokeh

There's a subjective aspect to evaluating bokeh. Not everyone evaluates bokeh in the same way. With that said, I think that the Fujinon GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR lens produces outstanding bokeh, especially at f/1.7, with its nine-bladed aperture diaphragm. Bokeh is smooth and consistent. Bokeh is very circular near the center of the frame, although it does display moderate cats' eye effect in specular highlights approaching the edges of the frame. Overall the bokeh is smooth and clean, with consistent brightness across the board.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/1.7, 1/4s, ISO 100. Bokeh test shot. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

I will note that if you stop the lens down, even to f/2, the bokeh loses some of its circular quality. In the comparisons below, the first is shot at f/1.7, the second at f/2. You can see a bit of edge to the bokeh at f/2.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/1.7, 1/1250s, ISO 100. Bokeh test shot. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/2, 1/900s, ISO 100. Bokeh test shot. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In a real-world example, this image showcases the bokeh at f/1.7. The transition from out of focus to in focus has a nice, natural transition. The depth of field at f/1.7 is quite shallow, and you can see falloff quite near the focal plane, especially when working at short distances.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/1.7, 1/250s, ISO 1600. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Overall image quality

In terms of image quality, the GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR earns high marks in most categories. There are some minor issues with aberrations and flare, but they're not bad considering the lens's fast maximum aperture. The lens is sharp, even at f/1.7. Further, the bokeh, a significant draw for a fast lens such as the GF 80mm, is very good.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/5.6, 4.3s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In the Field: Autofocus and the overall user experience

Everything I've said thus far about the GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR lens has been quite positive. Unfortunately, no lens is perfect, and the biggest weakness of the GF 80mm is its autofocus speed. Before getting into it, it's worth pointing out that I've only shot the GF 80mm f/1.7 lens on a GFX 50S, which includes a significantly slower autofocus system than the AF system in the GFX 100 and GFX 100S. That said, my personal experiences with the GF 80mm lens's autofocus performance are echoed by photographers who have shot the GF 80mm on a GFX 100 body.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/2, 1/680s, ISO 3200. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

The GF 80mm f/1.7 uses a DC motor with a high-precision GMR sensor. It's a different autofocus system than the GF 110mm f/2 lens, which uses a linear motor. The DC motor in the GF 80mm is slower and noisier. So, while the GFX 50S' AF system may partially explain the AF performance of the GF 80mm, it doesn't tell the entire story.

With that said, speed aside, the GF 80mm f/1.7 focuses very accurately, which is critically important given its shallow depth of field when shooting wide open. The lens has a minimum focus distance of 2.3' (70cm), which results in maximum magnification of 0.15x. It's a pretty typical maximum magnification for a GF lens.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/1.7, 1/250s, ISO 1000. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

In terms of overall user experience, slow AF performance is an obvious knock on Fujifilm's latest GF prime lens. However, there's a lot to like about shooting with the GF 80mm lens. It's incredibly sharp, for starters, and exhibits mostly good control over optical issues across the board. The lens also balances well on a GFX camera body and has great build quality.

Even though slow autofocus can be frustrating at times, using the GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR lens was an enjoyable experience, and I liked the images I could capture with the lens. It's a good addition to the GF lens lineup.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/1.7, 1/250s, ISO 1250. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Before concluding this Field Test, I want to briefly touch on the GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR lens in the context of the GFX lens lineup. The GF 110mm f/2 R WR lens is similar to the new 80mm f/1.7 in terms of application. The GF 110mm is one of my favorite lenses in the GFX system. It delivers amazing sharpness, good autofocus and beautiful bokeh. The GF 80mm f/1.7 is a bit faster and also delivers excellent sharpness and bokeh. If I had to pick one to use, I think I'd go for the 110mm f/2, but that's not so much a knock on the GF 80mm as much as it reflects just how much I like the GF 110mm. With that said, if you want a fast lens that is smaller and more compact, the GF 80mm is a great choice.

Additional shots from the field

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/8, 1/60s, ISO 320. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/8, 3.7s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/8, 1/4s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/11, 3.5s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/8, 1/160ss, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/11, 13s, ISO 100. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/8, 0.5s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/11, 0.6s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/5.6, 1/8s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

Fujifilm GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR Field Test Summary

A fast prime lens with great image quality and slow autofocus

What I like most:

• Very good build quality
• Excellent sharpness
• Fast aperture allows for a lot of flexibility

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/8, 20s, ISO 100. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

What I dislike:

• Corners are a little soft when shooting wide open
• The lens is somewhat prone to fringing and lens flare
• Autofocus is fairly loud and rather sluggish

The Fujinon GF 80mm f/1.7 is a good lens. Like all the other GF lenses, it's sharp, well-built and captures nice images. It's imperfect, of course, and it may not stand among the absolute best GFX lenses available, but it's still a great addition to the GFX system.

Shot on Fujifilm GFX 50S at 80mm (63mm equiv.), f/5.6, 1/3s, ISO 100. This image has been converted and processed to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Click for the full-size image. Click here for the RAW file.

 

FUJINON GF80mmF1.7 R WR Product Overview

(From Fujifilm lens literature) Valhalla, N.Y., January 27, 2021 - FUJIFILM North America Corporation is pleased to announce that it will release its FUJINON GF80mmF1.7 R WR Lens (GF80mmF1.7), the world’s first*1 AF-capable F1.7 interchangeable lens for Large Format camera systems, including FUJIFILM GFX System digital cameras, in March 2021.

GF80mmF1.7 R WR has a standard focal length of 80mm (a 35mm equivalent of 63mm). Its large-diameter autofocus (AF) prime lens features a maximum aperture of F1.7, which also makes it the fastest lens among Fujifilm’s G Mount lenses.

“Portrait photographers using GFX System cameras can now choose FUJINON GF110mmF2 R WR for when they want images with a tighter angle of view or pick GF80mmF1.7 for when they want something slightly wider,” said Victor Ha, senior director of marketing and product management for FUJIFILM North America Corporation’s Electronic Imaging Division. “This choice will certainly give image-makers more options creatively, especially since the highly anticipated bokeh produced from GF80mmmF1.7’s wide aperture is sure to provide an incredible aesthetic quality to any image.”

Product features:

Optically designed for limitless creativity

・ GF80mmF1.7 R WR features nine rounded diaphragm blades that can be stopped down to provide edge-to-edge sharpness or opened up to produce images with beautifully smooth bokeh, with astounding separation between a subject and its background, from any GFX System camera. Comprising 12 lens elements in nine groups, including one aspherical element and two, Super ED elements, this lens is optimally balanced to control spherical aberration and deliver a quality of bokeh not able to be replicated by any other Large Format lens on the market.

・ Fujifilm’s ultra high-precision glass molding technology has been used on the two aspherical lens surfaces to produce a tolerance of 1/100,000th of a millimeter. This is five times more accurate than regular lens molding techniques can produce and serves to minimize the onion-ring effect that can how the lens handles the out-of-focus areas of an image.

The world’s first F1.7 lens with autofocus for a large format digital system

・ GF80mmF1.7 features a powerful DC motor that has enough torque to drive the focus group of six lens elements, including the aspherical element, to quickly deliver accurate and reliable autofocus, even when the lens is wide-open at F1.7 and when depth of field is extremely shallow. The lens also supports the Face / Eye AF function, which uses an advanced focusing algorithm to accurately acquire focus on a subject’s face or eyes even when they are moving within the frame.

・ GF80mmF1.7 brings low-light focusing capabilities of GFX100 and GFX100S to EV-5.5, which is a 0.5 stop improvement in the case of GFX100. With GF80mmF1.7, autofocus performance for both of these cameras is maximized in dimly lit environments.

Compact and practical size

・ Measuring at 3.9 in. (99.2mm) long and weighing just 1.75 lb. (795g), with a filter thread size of 77mm, GF80mmF1.7 is practically sized and suited for both on-location and in-studio applications.

・ Weather-resistant seals have been applied to the lens barrel at 10 locations on the lens to protect it against dust and water, while also providing it with the ability to operate at temperatures as low as 14°F (-10°C). The front lens element is also coated with fluorine to repel dirt, adding another layer of weather-resistant performance to the lens .

Pricing and Availability

The Fujinon GF80mmF1.7 R WR is currently expected to be available in March 2021 at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $2,299.95 and $3,250 CDN.