Fuji GF 100-200mm f/5.6 OIS WR Field Test: Fuji’s new GF telephoto zoom delivers excellent image quality
posted Friday, March 22, 2019 at 4:45 PM EDT
Click here to read my Fuji GF 100-200mm Field Test
As Fujifilm continues to expand their GF lens lineup for the GFX medium-format system, photographers have more options than ever. Until the new Fuji GF 100-200mm lens debuted, however, there was only a single zoom lens for the system, the GF 32-64mm f/4. While this new 100-200mm zoom isn't as fast as the GF 110mm f/2 or GF 250mm f/4 lens, the new GF 100-200mm f/5.6 mid-telephoto zoom occupies a unique role by offering a fairly flexible 2x zoom range in a weather-sealed and well-balanced form factor. During my Field Test with the GF 100-200mm lens, I was particularly impressed with its versatility and image quality.
The lens is well-suited to landscape and nature photography in particular, although its maximum aperture of f/5.6 can be somewhat limiting when shooting in low light. I had some apprehensions about how a 100-200mm zoom lens would perform on the high-resolution GFX 50S, but my fears were unfounded as the Fuji GF 100-200mm proved to be very sharp throughout its entire focal length range, even when shooting at f/5.6. There are a few issues with corner sharpness, although they are minor.
The lens has built-in optical image stabilization (OIS), which works nicely and helps make the lens a viable choice for travel photography or when hiking. It is not compact enough to easily slip away in a bag or be carried around your neck all day, but considering its focal length and that it is a medium-format lens, it's still reasonbly small and easy to use handheld.
Ultimately, with the GF 100-200mm lens, you get a versatile optic that delivers excellent image quality. It is not the perfect solution to every telephoto situation, especially considering its f/5.6 aperture, but it is a very good tool to have in a GFX user's kit. For my full thoughts on the lens and to peruse real-world sample shots, head to my Fuji GF 100-200mm Field Test.