Fujifilm has released firmware updates for plenty of lenses that will make the autofocus more silent, the aperture operate smoother and also give better tracking performance while zooming.
That’s a very nice upgrade especially for video shooters.
Not all lenses will get all these three updates. You can find the full detailed list below.
I tried, but I failed.
And I failed in less than 48 hours.
I am afraid too many of you guys know what I talk about: try to resist to G.A.S!
It all started February 1st, when Fujifilm launched new deals here in Italy (and all over Europe). And to my surprise, the deals included one of my top 3 Fujifilm items on my 2022 wishlist.
Less than 48 hours after the launch of deals, I found myself at my local photography store, my credit card flying over the sales counter and in my bag a box containing the Fujinon GF50mmF3.5.
And don’t worry, my wife approved this purchase… now all I need is her to approve also my other two Fuji-dreams gear 2022, meaning this camera and this lens ;).
Here is why I bought it, and I am so excited about this lens.
As you know, last year I bought into the Fujifilm GFX system by treating myself with a Fujifilm GFX100S and Fujinon GF32-64mmF4.
My main application for this wonderful combo is landscape photography.
So how is that working out?
Well, my go-to bag for hiking is my Camslinger Outdoor. I love the practicality of it to a point, that I won’t buy gear (for landscape photography) that does not fit in there. And despite having a sensor about 70% larger than full frame, the GFX100S with GF32-64mmF4 still fits!
So, for me, this combo is compact enough, and I can easily make my usual 4 to 6 hours hike with the GFX100S and GF32-64 on my hips.
Why do I say this?
Because I want to make clear that I don’t perceive the GFX100S with GF32-64 as too big for the purpose of landscape photography, especially considering what it is: a 100 megapixel medium format system that I can carry around all day on my hips. It’s frankly amazing.
But while it is a surprisingly compact combo for the purpose of landscape photography, the GFX100S combined with the GF32-64mmF4 is not small enough for my taste to bring it with me for more casual shooting, may it be for my street photography or to document my family life.
By getting the Fujinon GF50mmF3.5, though, the whole combo gets substantially smaller and lighter, making it much more portable and easier to pick also for casual photography.
And to be clear: my well-equipped APS-C system is and remains king when it comes to flexibility, performance and value for money. I still take my X system with me on hikes, on my travels, on my day trips with family and I also blindly trust it in crucial moments like when I had to photography my first wedding.
But owning the GF50mmF3.5 simply gives me more options and opportunities to pick up my GFX100S more often if I want to.
I am very happy with my purchase and I can’t wait to use use it comprehensively starting with this weekend.
We (my family and me) are probably going to the town of Sirmione this Saturday. I have never been there and can’t wait to test my new lens in such a wonderful little lake town.
Do you remember when back in 2020, photographers using Fujifilm X and GFX gear creamed off tons of prestigious awards at the World Press Photo Awards, including the top spots for the two most prestigious categories, World Press Photo of the Year and World Press Photo Story of the Year?
Well, Yasuyoshi Chiba, the winner of the World Press Photo of the Year, who took this amazing image with his Fujifilm X-H1, has now been nominated “Agency Photographer of the Year” by The Guardian.
Congratulations again to Yasuyoshi Chiba and make sure to check out his instagram here, where all the images shared so far are taken with the Fujifilm X-H1 and Fujifilm GFX100.
As for the images in this specific reportage from Tigray (Ethiopia), Yasuyoshi Chiba used his GFX gear with the one lens I dream to own for my GFX100S, the Fujinon GF50mm f/3.5.
For the full article check out TheGuardian here.
One more thing:
Yasuyoshi Chiba is planning to do photo exhibition of the images of Tigray from Ethiopia (and Sudan for refugees) in February and March, both at Fuji’s imaging plaza (below is info, in japanese though). Pictures at the exhibition are all taken by GFX100+GF50mm.
Some Fuji Pro Work:
Not enough? Well, then know that photographers using Fujifilm cameras also…
Hey Jared… are you really sure about that Fuji, LOL? ;)
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I think I can say that in 2021 I’ve done a decent part in supporting Fujifilm with my hard earned money, as here is the Fujifilm gear I’ve purchased:
For as much as Fujifilm made medium format accessible to the masses, buying into the 100 Megapixel GFX system still requires a significant investment. It’s worth every penny, but it’s not cheap.
So in 2022 I will try to contain my GAS as much as possible and be cautious with my purchases (do I hear you guys laughing?? ;) )
And yet, there is some gear I’d love to buy in 2022. And I mean gear that is either already announced, available or at least on the Fujifilm roadmap for 2022. So this is not about rumored gear.
Bonus
Related Article
The Gear
*From the Interview “Fujifilm Manager: GFX Triumph and Full Frame Attack Strategy, Shrinking IBIS, AI Future, Fuji X-H2 Needs Breakthrough, COVID and More”
Lots, if not everything, has already leaked here on FujiRumors about the upcoming Fujinon GF35-70mm f/4.5-5.6.
We know about the collapsible lens design, we know about its size (see above), we know it will not have OIS and no aperture ring, we know its price.
Another tidbit, though, we can add today, is that the Fujinon GF35-70mm f/4.5-5.6 will weight less than half than the one Fujinon G mount lens I own and I am totally in love with as it is a prime lens that can zoom: the Fujinon GF32-64mmF4 R LM WR (which weights 875g).
I see what Fujifilm is trying to do here.
I mean, how the heck can any zoom lens compete with the stellar GF32-64?
Certainly the GF32-64 is unbeatable in terms of image quality. I mean, have you seen the image I’ve shared of the village I live in and I did a massive crop and you could still clearly recognize the curtains on my sleeping room? And the lovely pop it has even when shot af f/5.6?
If you can’t beat it in terms of image quality, then beat it in almost everything else: make it much smaller, much lighter and much more affordable, and it will have a chance to carve out its niche among Fujifilm GFX shooters.
I personally will stick with the Fujinon GF32-64mmF4. Mainly because I already own it, and because I used it on a 6 hours hike recently. I packed with my GFX100S in my small Camslinger Outdoor bag (yep, it still fits in that small bag !!) and hiked no problem with it.
So for now I don’t see the need for the GF35-70mmF4.5-5.6, although having such a light and compact G mount zoom would certainly be a temptation for those looking to make their GFX system as portable as it gets, maybe in combination with the super small GF50mmF3.5 prime.
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According to information we have received, the upcoming Fujinon GF35-70mmF4.5-5.6 will cost $999. However, you can get it for $500 if purchased in kit with a GFX body.
This makes it the most affordable G mount lens along with probably the next lens I’ll buy for my GFX100S, the Fujinon GF50mmF3.5.
And you have no idea how tempted I am by the GF50mmF3.5. Just don’t tell my wife about it ;).
So, my Fujifilm GFX100S just arrived as well as my Fujinon GF32-64mmF4.
The original plan was to hit the mountains and go full into landscape photography mode as soon as I have my GFX gear. But my wife decided she needed to take a 3 week long intensive course in Italian language starting exactly this week, which means I basically have to stay at home to take care of my son while she studies. Unluckily not the best timing ;).
But the summer is long and I’ll get my hiking opportunities. And it never hurts to have quality time with my son, too :).
Due to the shortage in parts announced by Fujifilm (an issue that every electronic company in the world has right now), lots of Fujifilm gear is hard to find in stock.
Especially the most recently announced gear is widely unavailable.
Little curiosity: a long time and good friend of mine owns a little company that makes graphite components for the ovens needed to make silicon wafers, and he told me he has so much work right now that semiconductor facotries worldwide are tring to match the chip-demand.
With that said, one of the gear that is hard to find in stock, is the Fujinon XF70-300mmF4-5.6, which is not available at BHphoto here and Adorama here, but a limited number (4) is available at the time of this post at AmazonUS here.
In the last few weeks, I see more and more images taken with this lens at our facebook groups. And I must say what probably most impressed me, are its macro capabilities. Just go to any of our X series facebook groups linked below, search inside the group for “70-300 macro” and be amazed by what you’ll see,
And just overall, the XF70-300mm seems to be a great performer. Down below you can see some customer review ratings.
Gosh, I spend all my holiday/tavel/free time/restaurants money saved in 2020/2021 in gear already (GFX100S, GF64-32, XF80 macro, XF27mmF2.8MKII), and I am trying to save my marriage by not purchasing any new gear this year, but the XF70-300mm is one of my top temptations of 2021 along with the GF100-200, the GF50mmF3.5 and also my Nr.1 temptation, the X-E4.
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I get it that the brand new Fujifilm GFX100S and the Fujinon GF80mmF1.7 get all this attention.
But the Fujifilm GFX system is more than that.
Hence, here is a roundup that includes lots of GFX gear, not only the GFX100S and the GF80mmF1.7.
Warning: it is a massive roundup!
In Stock Check
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ZP productions tested the GFX100S and GF80mmF1.7. He loves both, and owns both.
But there is one note he makes.
He says that when Fujifilm launched the GFX system a few years ago, it had sheer perfect lenses. But he noticed that with the latest lens releases, Fujifilm traded in a bit of that perfection to release less perfect, smaller and more affordable lenses.
In this context, he compares the GF110mmF2 to the GF80mmF1.7, the first one being expressions of Fuji’s perfection, the second one, while still being excellent and he actually totally loves to shoot with it, just not being just as perfect as the GF110mmF2.
I’ll make a summary down below of his 17 minutes long video below and would love to hear what you guys think about it.
