Fujifilm GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR review: A pimped-up prime with a classic effective focal length

For street photography and general shooting, a classic 35mm focal length is one of my favorites, at least with a full-frame camera. The medium format Fujifilm GF 45mm F2.8 R WR is as close as makes no difference, having an ‘effective’ focal length of 36mm due to the larger image sensors in Fujifilm GFX bodies, which are among the all-time best Fujifilm cameras. I’ve tested and reviewed nearly all of Fujifilm’s GF lenses and have been universally impressed. This 45mm prime is pretty mid-range in terms of size, weight and price but is a definite contender for taking up residence in the best Fujifilm GF lenses hall of fame.

Fujifilm GF 45mm F2.8 R WR: Specifications

Fujifilm GF 45mm F2.8 R WR: Price & Availability

In terms of size, weight, aperture rating, and purchase price, the GF 45mm sits between the slimline Fujifilm GF 50mm F3.5 R LM WR ($999 / £949 / AU$1,649) and the epic bokehlicious Fujifilm GF 55mm F1.7 R WR ($2,299 / £2,249 / AU$3,899).

Naturally, the GF 45mm has a slightly shorter focal length than both of these lenses so gives a little extra viewing width. It’s priced at $1,699 / £1,579 / AU$1,999. If you want to go wider still, prime options include the ultra-wide Fujifilm GF 23mm F4 R LM WR ($2,599 / £2,389 / AU$3,999).

Fujifilm GF 45mm F2.8 R WR: Design & Handling

There’s no getting away from the fact that medium format lenses tend to be quite bulky. It’s only natural, as they need to deliver a significantly larger image circle than lenses for full-frame cameras. Even so, I like that the GF 45mm is reasonably compact and lightweight for its class, measuring 84x88mm and weighing an easily manageable 490g. It’s certainly no burden, even when pounding city streets for hours on end, looking for photo opportunities. And the effective 36m focal length (in full-frame terms) is perfect for street photography.

I’m a sucker for the usual Fujifilm GF trappings. Typical of the breed, the lens features the usual aperture control ring, which enables hands-on adjustment in one-third f/stop clicks from f/2.8 right down to f/32. It’s often easy to nudge the aperture ring out of place accidentally, so I also like the inclusion of a ring lock release button, which operates in A or C settings. Auto enables the aperture value to be set automatically by the camera body, whereas Command allows aperture adjustment from the camera’s command dial. 

There’s no de-click option for the aperture ring, which would be useful for shooting video. Even so, Fujifilm’s GFX cameras haven’t historically been particularly well suited to video capture, although the Fujifilm GFX 100 II has changed that with strong video performance.

The optical path is based on 11 elements in 8 groups, with a well-rounded 9-blade aperture diaphragm. There’s an aspherical element and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) elements in the line-up, aiming to enhance clarity and reduce unwanted aberrations. 

Although fairly lightweight for a medium format lens, the GF 45mm feels sturdy and very well-engineered. Like other GF lenses, it’s extensively weather-sealed and has an ambient temperature rating that extends down to -10 degrees Celsius (14F).

Fujifilm GF 45mm F2.8 R WR: Photo Performance

I enjoyed testing the GF 45mm with a Fujifilm GFX 100 II camera body. The 102 megapixel image sensor of this camera certainly places great demands on the resolving power of lenses. The GF 45mm came through with flying colors, delivering exceptional sharpness and clarity even when shooting wide-open at f/2.8. Color quality is similarly impressive, and there’s good resistance to ghosting and flare.

There’s virtually nothing to see in terms of color fringing and distortion so, all things considered, the lens is stellar performer. Autofocus is very snappy and quick to lock on, making it hard to miss a shot even in rapidly changing street photography scenarios. The GF 45mm is simply a superb lens.

Fujifilm GF 45mm F2.8 R WR: Sample Images

The example images in the following gallery were taken in sunny conditions at Bristol Docks in the UK, using the lens with a Fujifilm GFX 100 II camera body.

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Fujifilm GF 45mm F2.8 R WR: Lab Results

We run a range of lab tests under controlled conditions, using the Imatest Master testing suite. Photos of test charts are taken across the range of apertures and zooms (where available), then analyzed for sharpness, distortion and chromatic aberrations.

We use Imatest SFR (spatial frequency response) charts and analysis software to plot lens resolution at the center of the image frame, corners and mid-point distances, across the range of aperture settings and, with zoom lenses, at four different focal lengths. The tests also measure distortion and color fringing (chromatic aberration).

Sharpness:

Levels of sharpness are spectacular across the whole image frame when shooting wide-open at f/2.8, and become even better when stopping down a little to f/4.

Fringing:

Color fringing is very negligible and generally impossible to spot even out at the edges and corners of the image frame.

Distortion: -1.49

There’s a little barrel distortion but it’s not generally noticeable and is of a very uniform nature, making it easy to correct.

Fujifilm GF 45mm F2.8 R WR: Verdict

The Fujifilm GF 45mm F2.8 R WR is one of my outright favorite GF lenses, and that’s really saying something because I’ve been highly impressed with all of them. I find the ‘effective’ 36mm focal length in full-frame terms makes the lens very versatile for street photography and walkabout shooting, the lens is relatively compact and lightweight, and image quality is superb. It’s a definite keeper.

Alternatives

The Fujifilm GF 50mm F3.5 R LM WR is the closest thing you’ll find to a ‘pancake’ lens for Fujifilm’s medium format GFX cameras. Measuring just 84x48mm (less than two inches long) and weighing a mere 335g, it’s particularly compact and lightweight, and comparatively affordable at about two-thirds of the price.

The Fujifilm GF 55mm F1.7 R WR is an absolutely fabulous lens. With an ‘effective’ 44mm focal length, it gives a very standard viewing angle, while its fast f/1.7 aperture enables a really tight depth of field. However, it’s comparatively weighty at 780g and costs about 50 per cent more to buy.