Fujifilm GF 45mm F2.8 R WR

Fujifilm G

Review

The Fujifilm GF 45mm F2.8 R WR is a versatile and well-crafted lens designed for the Fujifilm G mount system, aimed primarily at medium format photographers. This lens is known for its excellent build quality, image performance, and weather resistance, making it a compelling choice for both professional and enthusiast photographers.

Build Quality and Design

The GF 45mm F2.8 R WR features a solid metal construction that gives it a premium feel. Its compact design, especially for a medium format lens, makes it relatively easy to handle during long shooting sessions. The weather-sealed body is a significant advantage, providing protection against dust and moisture, which is essential for outdoor photography.

The lens has a well-placed manual focus ring that provides a smooth and precise focusing experience. Additionally, the aperture ring is equally responsive, making it easy to adjust settings quickly without taking your eye off the subject.

Image Quality

In terms of optical performance, the GF 45mm F2.8 R WR delivers stunning image quality. The lens captures sharp details across the frame, even at wide open apertures. Color reproduction is accurate, and contrast levels are impressive, making the images pop with vibrancy. The bokeh is creamy and pleasing, ideal for portraiture, while the lens also handles flare and ghosting reasonably well due to its advanced coatings.

Versatility

One of the main draws of this lens is its focal length, which translates to approximately 36mm in full-frame terms. This makes it a highly versatile option for a range of photography styles, including landscapes, street photography, and environmental portraits.

While it may not reach the extremes of ultra-wide or long telephoto lenses, the 45mm focal length strikes a perfect balance for general-purpose shooting.

Autofocus Performance

The autofocus system in the GF 45mm F2.8 R WR is fast and accurate, capable of keeping up with various shooting scenarios. However, low-light performance can lag slightly compared to other lenses in the GF lineup, which may frustrate some users.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptional build quality and weather resistance
• Sharp images with excellent color reproduction
• Compact and lightweight design for a medium-format lens
• Versatile focal length for various photography styles
• Smooth manual focus and responsive aperture ring

Cons

• Autofocus can struggle in low-light conditions
• Lacks some of the creative flexibility of more specialized lenses

Verdict

Overall, the Fujifilm GF 45mm F2.8 R WR is a fantastic lens for photographers looking to expand their medium format collection with a versatile and reliable option. Its impressive optical performance, sturdy build, and weather sealing make it suitable for a variety of conditions and shooting styles. While it does have minor autofocus limitations in low-light situations, the numerous benefits far outweigh this drawback. If you’re in search of a go-to lens that balances quality, functionality, and portability, this lens is definitely worth considering.