Medium format cameras (opens in new tab) are more accessible than ever before, yet they remain a fairly niche area of the market. Any medium-format optic is going to be large when compared to the latest crop of APS-C mirrorless lenses or even full-frame models, due to the larger image circle.
The Fujifilm GF 32-64mm f/4 R LM WR fits this description – it is not a small lens by any means. However, it’s still surprisingly lightweight when you pick it up – it almost feels hollow despite the quantity of glass inside, which is impressive. No construction compromises have been made, though, and it is incredibly solid, being perfectly balanced on a Fujifilm GFX 50R (opens in new tab) body. As expected there is a metal lens mount and tough metal barrel, which feels as if it can withstand the punishment of professional outdoor assignments.
The barrel does extend when zoomed, but focusing is internal. It essentially handles like any recent Fujinon X-series lens (opens in new tab). All of the controls are comfortable to operate, with just enough resistance. The front filter thread is also of a manageable diameter, so many photographers' existing filters should be compatible.
Specifications
Mount: Fujifilm GF
Compatible cameras: Fujifilm GFX 100, GFX 50S, GFX 50R, GFX 100S
Elements/construction: 14 elements in 11 groups
Autofocus: Yes
Image stabilization: No
Angle of view: 81°- 46.3°
Max aperture: f/4
Min aperture: f/32
Min focus distance: 50cm
Filter size: 77mm
Length: 116mm
Diameter: 93mm
Weight: 875g
Performance
Even wide open this lens is razor-sharp at the center, revealing tremendous levels of detail, with superb contrast. There is a slight drop-off at the edges, but this is minimal and the results remain stellar. Medium-format optics need to perform well at small apertures too, and the 32-64mm does not disappoint.
Wide open there is significant depth-of-field fall-off behind the subject, thanks to the larger sensor area, and bokeh is deliciously smooth. The lens doesn't focus particularly closely, only allowing a minimum focussing distance of 50cm, so it can be difficult to fill the frame with smaller subjects.
Distortion is all but absent, and regular users may forget what chromatic aberration looks like. Even on high contrast edges, towards the periphery of the frame, there is not detectable coloured fringing in our sample images. Vignetting is barely visible at all f-stops too, while autofocus is smooth and quiet. The AF operation is particularly impressive considering the volume of glass that requires moving within the barrel.
Verdict
An excellent performer, this lens is designed to make the most of the high-resolution medium-format sensors of the Fujifilm GFX series. Importantly it's sharp throughout the aperture range, allowing tight depth-of-field control wide open and front to back sharpness at f/16-f/32, without excessive softening due to diffraction. A great overall performer which will make an ideal 'standard' lens for your GFX camera, especially the GFX 50R (opens in new tab) or GFX 50S, on which it is ideally balanced.
Read more:
• Best medium format cameras (opens in new tab)
• Fujifilm GFX 100 review (opens in new tab)
• Fujifilm GFX 100S vs GFX 100 (opens in new tab)
• Fujifilm GFX 50S review (opens in new tab)
• Fujifilm GFX 50R review (opens in new tab)
• Fujinon GF lens roadmap (opens in new tab)
