My Experience with the Fujinon GF55mm f/1.7 – Crafted to Trigger GAS

On Saturday, Fujifilm had one of its Italian Roadshow gear presentation in the lovely town of Trento just 30 minutes car drive away from my home.

Much to my surprise, they already had the Fujifilm GFX100II and the Fujinon GF55mm f/1.7 R WR there for testing. And I could test it for about 30 minutes only.

Now, initially I wrote an article that contained both, my GFX100II and my GF55mmF1.7 first impressions.

But I decided to split it up in two parts for one reason: the launch of the Fujifilm GFX100II has overshadowed what I believe is a true gem of a lens: the Fujinon GF55mm f/1.7.

So much so, that I believe Fujifilm should have given this lens a separate launch date.

But that’s how it is.

And that’s why FujiRumors wants to bring the GFX system world into the right balance again by giving the wonderful Fujinon GF55mmF1.7 the space it deserves.

So, here are my first impressions without GFX100II distraction.

Fujinon GF55mmF1.7 R WR – Perfection Achieved

INSANE!

I shot everything at f/1.7.

The reason?

It was so sharp wide open, that I was scared to stop down and to hurt my eyes with even sharper images (if that is even possible).

The good thing?

If you need to take a rest from all that sharpness, then just look at the background of the image and enjoy a massive relaxation for your eyes thanks to a wonderful, dreamy-creamy and buttery-smooth bokeh.

And the autofocus?

Surprisingly fast autofocus for a lens without linear motor in it. I mean, I used it initially on my Fujifilm GFX100S, and my first reaction was to read on the lens front element if there is really not “LM” (linear motor) written on it. I was very positively surprised. Having had experience with the GF80mmF1.7, I can say the GF55mmF1.7 is a significant step up compared to it.

Sure, Linear Motor lenses might still be faster. But shooting with the GF55mmF1.7 won’t be a frustrating experience in terms of autofocus. Actually quite a pleasing one it was for me.

I have also made a tracking test using the Fujifilm GFX100II and GF55mmF1.7. I will share the results in the second part of the review where I talk about the Fujifilm GFX100II, because I need to talk about settings, test conditions to put the results in proper context. So watch out for that one coming soon.

Two problems!

  1. The depth of field is very shallow. Used on my GFX100S, I had images where the top of the eyelash was in focus and the eye pupil itself not (see sample below). If you are going to shoot it wide open it certainly will help to have the best autofocus possible. And the best autofocus possible you get is with the GFX100II.
  2. True story: after my third “wow” while I was testing it and reviewing the images, my wife said: “but you are not going to buy it, right?” So now we have a problem. A problem that hopefully a nice dinner in a fancy restaurant and a couple of flowers will be able to solve.

Overall Conclusion

Not the lightest lens on the world, but it is also not too big for an f/1.7 lens. Well balanced overall with my GFX100S.

At f/1.7 it is so sharp that, true story, my wife complaint when she saw the images because she could notice every single little imperfection of her skin.

They say Bokeh is subjective, but this one is objectively very good.

Fujifilm said during X Summit that they use the aspherical lens manufactured with ultra precision resulting in the reduction of axial chromatic aberration and onion ring effect. it is also their first GF lens with 11 aperture blades for near perfect circular aperture.

If you love the versatility of the 40mm-ish full frame equivalent focal length, then this is the one!

And look, I own the Fujinon GF50mm f/3.5 and love it for its fantastic portability. But versatility comes not only from size, but also from speed. And at f/1.7 the GF55mmF1.7 opens up other possibilities in terms of low light performance and subject separation that make it just more suitable and flexible for more use cases.

I can totally recommend this lens if all you want in your life is the humble need for optical perfection in your images :D.

That’s at least my impression after 30 minutes of use. I had no time to test chromatic aberration, focus breathing and what not. So if those are critically important things for you wait for further reviews. Although what I’ve read so far is that also chromatic aberration is well controlled and Fujifilm actually emphasised during launch at the X summit the “reduction of axial chromatic aberration” and “less color fringe“.

Samples

Down below I will share three samples. All taken at f/1.7 using the Fujifilm GFX100S.

  • Sample 1 + Crop = shows how impressively sharp the performance is at f/1.7
  • Sample 2 + Crop = shows how shallow the DOF is and how that can lead to slightly out of focus images
  • Sample 3 = enjoy the smooth bokeh background

Get Yours

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BREAKING: This is the Name of the New Film Simulation Coming September 12

According to our trusted sources (thanks!) that the new film simulation coming September 12 will be called REALA.

The Reala film stock (sold with the name Reala Ace and Reala Superia and discontinued in 2012), was a aimed at professional and enthusiast photographers and it was Fuji’s first film with 4th layer technology for exceptional color accuracy, especially in fluorescent lighting (no greenish cast). The 4th layer technology would make also the 400H film so popular.

The original film was very loved by wedding photographers and seems to be ready to make its comeback in form of a new film simulation.

Let’s hope it will find its way in as many older Fujifilm cameras as possible. But so far I have no rumors about any firmware updates in this regard.

Fujifilm X Summit September 12 at 5 AM New York Time
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Which Film Simulation Would You Like to Get Next?

We have shared the rumor that Fujifilm will launch a new film simulation on September 12.

So the question now is: which film would you like to get on Fujifilm cameras in digital format with the next film simulation*?

It does not have to be an original Fujifilm film stock, but it can be inspired by film of any brand.

Just note that if Fujifilm would use a competitors’ film stock as base for the new film simulations, for legal reasons they  would change the name into something else.

For example, Classic Chrome is inspired by Kodak emulsions as Fuji insiders explained us here.

So, feel free to let us know in the comments down below what you’d like to see next.

*usually film simulations are inspired by film emulsions (Velvia & Co), or by certain photographic movements, as it was the case for the “American New Color” inspiration for Nostalgic Negative (full story here).

 

Fujifilm to Launch New Film Simulation on September 12

Usually it goes like this.

Fujifilm launches a new sensor/processor platform and gives us a new film simulation along with it.

But that did not happen with the launch of the Fujifilm X-H2S back in May 2022, and also not with all the other 5th generation gear that followed (X-H2, X-T5, X-S20).

That sucked, and I started moaning about it after the last X summit in May 2023.

But things are finally going to change on September 12.

According to our trusted sources, Fujifilm will launch a new film simulation on September 12.

One more thing to look forward to on September 12.

  • click here – How 3 Dollar Saved my Fujifilm X-T5 and Re-Discovering Classic Negative in Vietnam
  • click here – Welcome to the World of VELVIA Film Simulation
  • click here – An Introduction to Fujifilm’s Film Simulation Modes
  • click here – I photographed my first wedding and here are the Film Simulations I loved most
  • click here – Vote Your Favorite Film Simulation!
  • click here – Fujifilm Colors Science: GFX vs X Series, From Superia to Classic Negative, More Film Simulations
  • click here – Fujifilm Managers Talk Film Simulations: Origins, Evolutions, Goals, Misunderstandings, Bold Classic Negative and Much More
  • click here – The Power of Fujifilm Colors: Why I LOVE Fuji Colors and See Them in Action at Our Film Simulations Group
  • click here – Meet Minami-San, Fujifilm’s Color Guru Since 50 Years and Now Bringing Fuji’s Color Science from Film to Digital
  • click here – Fujifilm asks what’s your favorite film simulation (and I tell you mine)
  • click here – Fujifilm Rethink RAW :: JPEG is Your Friend and Fuji’s Film Simulations Rock
  • click here – This Guy Fine Tuned his Fujifilm Film Simulation Settings Inspired by the Work of Great Film Photographers. See “Chrome Eggleston” & More
  • click here – An Ode To ACROS: “A Game Changer, My Favorite Film Simulation by far!” :: And about the Best ACROS (or B&W) Settings!

Fujifilm X Summit September 12 at 5 AM New York Time
GFX100II Rumors & More

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The 3 Biggest Fujifilm X Summit Disappointments

Fujifilm X100V Successor in Early 2024 :: X Summit on September 12 :: New Firmware :: Oppenheimer Fujifilm :: Disney X100V and More – Top 10 July

Here are the top 10 posts for July. And hold on tight, because August will be very hot ;).

  1. Fujifilm X100V successor coming in early 2024
  2. Oppenheimer Movie Photos Taken with Fujifilm X-H1 and These XF Lenses
  3. New Firmware Updates for Fujifilm X-T4, X-T3, X-T30 and X100V
  4. New Firmware Updates for Fujifilm X-T5, X-H2, X-H2S, X-S20, GFX100S, GFX100, GFX50SII and GFX50R
  5. Fujifilm X100V Limited Disney Edition Launched
  6. Fujifilm X100V Successor Coming Early 2024: The Hottest Name Speculations (and Vote Your Favorite)
  7. Sony A6700 Announced and it Makes the Fujifilm X-S20 Look Even Better ;)
  8. Fujifilm Announces Plan to Deal with Parts Shortage Issue
  9. Fujifilm X Summit on September 12: What Camera are You Hoping for to Come? VOTE NOW
  10. Firmware Suggestions, Lens Wishes and More – FR-readers Wishlist Corner

As far as the videos goes, since I was on travel I’ve shared them from all over Italy

You can see the videos below, also ranked by views and you can check out my YouTube channel here.

Oppenheimer Movie Photos Taken with Fujifilm X-H1 and These XF Lenses

Oppenheimer

Here is a little story for all those, who keep repeating the mantra that you need Full Frame cameras to get professional work done.

The official images of the blockbuster movie Oppenheimer have been taken with the following Fujifilm X series gear by the photographer Melinda Sue Gordon.

That’s according to Fujifilm Ukraine’s post on Instagram, which you can see down below.

And that’s not a surprise, as Melinda also took the backstage images of another Nolan blockbuster, Dunkirk, with Fujifilm X gear. In that case the camera used was the Fujifilm X-Pro2.

And keep in mind Melinda is doing this professional work with a camera, the X-H1, which according to the competent testing of photography master Jared Polin does not even allow you to move the focus point with the joystick. Yep, the same camera that snapped the top winning award at the World Press Photo.

So will this finally end the debate if you need Full Frame for professional work?

Certainly not. The internet world lives in a bubble created by influencers that not even reality is capable of bringing to reason.

And yet, the reality looks like this:

Not enough?

  • won the world wildlife photography award (story here)
  • made the cover of the TIME magazine (story here)
  • won the World Photography Arts&Culture Award 2015 (story here)
  • won the First Prize of the World Press Photo Category “Stories (stroy here)
  • made the front page of the Wall Street Journal (story here)
  • were good enough for God’s work (story here)
  • captured America’s most hated man (story here)
  • distracted a French presidential candidate during his interview (story here)

 

Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an

 

Ein Beitrag geteilt von FUJIFILM Ukraine (@fujifilm_ukraine)

RUMOR: No Fujifilm X100V Successor in 2023 (X200, X100VI or X100W-hatever)

Everything is Possible (almost)

FujiRumors broke the rumors:

But we also know one more thing. Fujifilm two registrations filed so far: the Fujifilm FF230001 and FF230002.

Now, assuming that one of the two will be the Fujifilm GFX100 replacement, this leaves all possible options open for the second one.

Well, not really all options. I mean, I simply can’t see a Fujifilm X-H3 or Fujifilm X-H3s coming in September, as those cameras are hardly 1 year old (or less).  And also not the Fujifilm X-T6 or Fujifilm X-S30.

But other than that, we can hope for:

  • a Fujifilm X-T5s with 26MP stacked sensor of X-H2S
  • a Fujifilm X-Pro4 maybe with some curious solutions as many hope for example a monochrome sensor
  • a Fujifilm X-E5 which is not a dead line according to Fujifilm managers
  • the long awaited Fujifilm X-T40
  • the much wished Fujifilm X80 or Fujifilm XF20
  • the revival of Fuji’s entry level cameras with the Fujifilm X-T300, Fujifilm X-A8, Fujifilm X-A30 or Fujifilm X-M2
  • less likely in my opinion the Fujifilm GFX100S successor, Fujifilm GFX50R successor or Fujifilm GFX50SII successor, as I can’t see Fuji launching two GFX cameras on the same day (they never did that in the past, but never say never)

And in fact, I asked you to vote on which camera you’d like to get on September 12 and you can see the results here.

X100V successor is NOT possible

At this point you’ve noticed something: there is no Fujifilm X100V successor (X200, X100VI, X100 whatever it will be called) in the list.

Why?

Well, because despite being one of your top wished cameras (second only to another camera), and despite fake rumors already being shared about the X100V to come on September 12, I can now tell you with 110% certainty that there will not be any Fujifilm X100V replacement coming in 2023.

Trust me on this guys. No X100V successor in 2023.

I guess Fujifilm has no hurry at all to come out with a successor, given the fact, explained by Fujifilm managers, that if the world would stop to order X100V today, it would still take them 3 months to be able to ship all X100V orders placed until yesterday.

Seen from this perspective, the biggest problem of the Fujifilm X100VI (or whatever) is the terrific success of the X100V.

Feeling Lucky?

“I feel lucky and will click the links to see if the X100V is in stock” :)

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Firmware Suggestions, Lens Wishes and More – FR-readers Wishlist Corner

I get many emails from FR-readers with wishes about all possible things regarding the Fujifilm system.

Today I decided to catch up with and share some of those wishes.

This time we don’t share camera related wishes, but only lens, firmware and more, as otherwise there would be simply just too much to cover and discuss at once. An additional wishlist roundup with even more wishes will follow later on.

Wishlist Roundup

** CLICK HERE to Read the Rest of the Article **

Fujifilm X Summit on September 12: What Camera are You Hoping for to Come? VOTE NOW

So, we just leaked the date of the next Fujifilm X Summit, which will happen on September 12.

Now I am curious to know what you guys are hoping for to come.

That’s why I have now launched a survey that includes plausible, less plausible and borderline impossible options.

I’ll not include 110% impossible cameras, which would be for example a Fujifilm X-H3 or Fujifilm X-H3s, as those cameras are hardly 1 year old (or less). Or the Fujifilm X-T6 or Fujifilm X-S30.

What we will inlcude are the Fujifilm X-T5s (X-T5 with 26MP stacked sensor of X-H2S), Fujifilm X-Pro4, Fujifilm X-E5, Fujifilm X-T40, Fujifilm X100V successor (X200, X100VI, X100 whatever), Fujifilm X80, Fujifilm XF20, Fujifilm X-T300, Fujifilm X-A8, Fujifilm X-A30, Fujifilm X-M2, Fujifilm GFX100 successor, Fujifilm GFX100S successor, Fujifilm GFX50R successor and Fujifilm GFX50SII successor.

I will give you two options to vote on, because Fujifilm has so far registered two yet to be released cameras.

Have fun voting :)

On September 12 I would like to Get the Following Cameras (max 2 votes)

View Results

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EXCLUSIVE: Date of Next Fujifilm X Summit LEAKED

X Summit Date Leaked

Thanks to our amazing sources, we have now received the date for the next Fujifilm X Summit.

But before I share it, one important disclaimer.

You know better than me at this point, Fujifilm X Summit dates are nothing 100% sure, even if it’s Fujifilm itself to tell you the date. In fact, the officially proudly announced April X Summit has been canceled and on the last day of April Fujifilm announced its cancelation.

So, I am going to share the date with you today, but I can’t 100% exclude that there will be changes. And if there will be, I will let you know.

With that said, here is the date.

According to our trusted sources, the next Fujifilm X Summit will take place on September 12.

Yes, that’s still quite far away. And yes, that makes it even more “risky” for me to share, as there is lots of time until that date and changes can happen anytime.

But if I share the date anyway with you, it means that I have good reasons to be confident about this date. A confidence that is given to me by our trusted sources.

Déjà vu Anyone?

Some of you guys might have some Déjà vu now and remember that date from somewhere.

Well, I actually have reported about that date a while back here, when thanks to our reader, who digged in the depths of the registration, we spotted the registrations for two new cameras, the FF220002 on May 26 and the FF230001 on September 12.

In that article I warned you though that usually registrations don’t actually fit with the real announcement date. I’ve checked back and here are some examples:

  • X-S20: registrations says May 26 / reality May 24
  • GFX100S: registrations says January 29 / reality January 27
  • X-T200: registrations says January 24  / reality January 23

And in 90% of the cases registrations don’t even give any date at all (or even become public only AFTER the camera has already been announced, as it was the case of the X-E4 registration).

But this time around the registration could well fit the real announcement date according to our sources.

Don’t Miss Out on the Fun

Don’t miss out on the fun ahead of the X Summit, with LOTS (!!!) of rumors to come (I promise ;)) only here on FujiRumors and, if you want, also on my YouTube channel, where not only you will get all the rumors, but often also some travel tips as I will show you around one of the most beautiful places the world has to offer.

Because new gear is nice and good. But investing in experiences and travels is just as gratifying if not more. And it’s one of the best ways to make good use of our awesome gear.

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