Fujifilm FUJINON GF 80mm F 1 7 R WR Review | 54 Data compared

The Fujinon GF 80mm F1.7 WR is a short telephoto prime lens designed for Fujifilm’s medium format GFX camera system, offering a 63mm full-frame focal length equivalent. The reviewer notes that while the F1.7 aperture produces an extremely shallow depth of field for portrait work, the physical build is relatively squat and heavy at 795g. Optically, the lens delivers stunning center and mid-frame sharpness, exceptional detail, nearly zero distortion, well-controlled vignetting, and smooth background bokeh. It features a professional-grade weather-sealed construction, a manual aperture ring, and a 77mm filter thread. However, the lens falls short in its autofocus and video capabilities due to a primitive DC motor system. The autofocus process is slow, audibly noisy, prone to visible stepping, and exhibits a distinct double-clutch shutter lag during still photography. Video performance is highly frustrating, as the system frequently refuses to execute smooth focus pulls or misses focus directions entirely. Optically, the corners lack sharpness when shooting wide open at F1.7, and stopping down the aperture can introduce a prismatic grid pattern in high-flare scenarios. Retailing at $2,399 USD, it is...

The Fujifilm GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR is a premium medium-format prime lens listed at $2,299.00, providing a 63mm full-frame focal length equivalent that makes it highly versatile for portraits, street documentary, and landscapes. Weighing 1.7 lbs (795 g) and measuring 3.7 x 3.9 inches, it feels substantial and robust on cameras like the GFX 100S. The lens delivers a distinct film-like character with breathtaking 102-megapixel sharpness and a beautiful, smooth bokeh transition across an f/1.7 to f/2.8 range. While it feels quite heavy for extended daily street use compared to smaller APS-C systems, its fast aperture ring and top-notch dampening make it an exceptional tool for studio and professional environments. The lens exhibits clear advantages in build and optical performance but possesses a notable drawback regarding its internal motor. The main pros highlighted in the review include its phenomenal, durable build quality, full weather resistance, exceptional image quality that avoids looking clinically harsh, and a wonderful bokeh rendering. It also features a dampened aperture ring that prevents accidental adjustments. Conversely, the primary con is that it lacks the swift...

The Fujinon GF80mm F1.7 R WR is an optically exceptional medium-format lens that delivers sensational, razor-sharp resolving power even when shot wide open at f/1.7. It is highly praised for its gorgeous, smooth bokeh and unique rendering capabilities that make everyday subjects look beautiful. Despite its fast maximum aperture, the lens remains relatively compact and manageable at 795 grams while maintaining a robust, weather-resistant build. Its shorter focal length (63mm full-frame equivalent) makes it highly versatile for intimate, personal portraits and visual storytelling with fine details. However, the lens has notable drawbacks regarding its mechanical autofocus and optical aberrations. Lacking a linear motor, the autofocus is audible, exhibits a slight "pumping" sensation, and is not fast enough for high-speed tracking or demanding fashion work. Additionally, it suffers from longitudinal chromatic aberrations (LoCA), which can introduce green and purple color fringing in high-contrast situations, such as shooting backlit branches. The aperture ring is also described as somewhat stiff with less prominent tactile clicks compared to other Fujifilm lenses.

The Fujifilm Fujinon GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR is an optically outstanding medium-format lens offering a 63mm full-frame equivalent view, featuring exceptional build quality, weather resistance, and an, at times, audible yet accurate DC autofocus motor. It delivers superb sharpness from f/1.7 to f/8, with near-zero distortion and beautiful bokeh, marking it as a "Highly Recommended" lens for portraiture. Key limitations noted in the review include the lack of built-in image stabilization (relying on in-body systems) and a minimum focusing distance of 70cm. While the AF is reliable, it operates at a moderate speed rather than being blistering fast.

The Fujifilm Fujinon GF80mm F1.7 R WR is a premium medium-format prime lens that delivers exceptional optical performance, making it a must-have for GFX system users. Weighing 795g, it is far from petite due to the large glass elements required to cover a medium-format sensor, but it remains well-balanced on cameras like the GFX100s. The lens boasts outstanding pros, including superb edge-to-edge sharpness, gorgeous contrast, low distortion, and virtually no chromatic aberration. Additionally, its physical design offers a high-end user experience with a solid metal lens mount, a tactile "manual" aperture ring, and robust weather sealing for outdoor or studio use. However, the lens does come with some notable cons, primarily centered around its speed and focusing mechanics. Because it utilizes a DC motor to move heavy glass rather than Fujifilm's Linear Motor, the autofocus is slow and produces a noticeable whirring noise, making it highly impractical for video shooting or capturing fast action. It also lacks Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), relying entirely on a camera's in-body image stabilization (IBIS). At its maximum f/1.7 aperture, users will experience noticeable vignetting,...

The ePHOTOzine review of the Fujifilm Fujinon GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR lens highlights its exceptional optical performance, featuring outstanding central sharpness from f/2 to f/8 and excellent edge-to-edge results. Key strengths include beautiful bokeh, robust weather-resistant construction, and minimal chromatic aberration, distortion, and flare. The lens is highly accurate in autofocus, though its DC motor produces moderate speed and a gentle sound, and it lacks internal image stabilization, relying on camera-based systems. Additionally, with a 70cm minimum focus distance and 0.15x magnification, it is not optimized for close-up photography.

The Fujifilm GF 80mm F1.7 lens is highly praised as a premium, flexible prime lens for the digital medium-format GFX system, delivering an equivalent focal length of 63mm. Weighing nearly 800 grams, this beefy, Japan-made lens boasts top-of-the-line build quality with impressive weather sealing that holds up exceptionally well against rain and dust. Its standout feature is its "bokeh-licious," super-wide f/1.7 aperture, which creates a beautifully smooth and predictable background falloff while maintaining incredible edge-to-edge sharpness and clarity when stopped down to F4.0. The lens easily resolves 102-megapixel sensors with extreme accuracy, making it highly valuable for professional portrait and controlled lifestyle photographers who want tightly framed, natural-looking images. Despite its stellar image quality, the reviewer notes several specific drawbacks and functional quirks. When shooting wide open at high-contrast angles, the lens is prone to excessive purple fringing that becomes noticeable when zooming into the frame by 100% or 200%. Additionally, because Fujifilm utilized a DC motor rather than a linear motor, the autofocus is slightly noisy and lags in speed compared to other GF lenses. The aperture ring is...