Fujifilm GF 30mm F3.5 R WR field review

I have all the GF lenses except the 63 and have shot them all a lot. Your review was positive but I think you don't really grasp the DOF challenges we have with MF. The difference is dramatic when compared to Fuji X or FF. Many lens reviews talk about a slight fading of contrast wide open and some loss of razor sharpness on the corners and off the focus plane. That is MF DOF sliver of in-focus plane and OOF pixels. That lens is so sharp it will blind you, but it is not as good as the best prime in the world - the GF 45. But it is a superb lens that smokes any 24mm output from FF, and I think you missed a bit on the tone. No worries.
Greg Johnson, San Antonio Texas
https://www.flickr.com/photos/139148982@N02/albums

Jan 24, 2021permalink

Carey Rose

No worries, Greg, I really appreciate the feedback and will take it to heart as we work through more reviews like these. I'll especially keep it in mind for the next GF lens we look at. Cheers!

Jan 27, 2021permalink

jkokich

I like being able to jump to the conclusion.

Jan 23, 2021permalink

Welsh

Please clean your GFX 50R... it’s setting off my OCD!

Jan 23, 2021permalink

FujifilmXT3

It's on my list but I think the 50mm is more versatile. You can stitch for wider

Jan 23, 2021*permalink

Ilia Snopchenko

Am I the only one who thinks that the Fuji lenses shaped similarly to this one are fugly? :-)

Jan 22, 2021permalink

Frankinidaho

Yep.

Jan 23, 2021permalink

FujifilmXT3

Nope

Jan 23, 2021permalink

Rod McD

Who cares? Just a tool for a purpose, eh?

Jan 23, 2021permalink

Ilia Snopchenko

Rod McD:
Sure thing, but since I'm hardly ever going to switch to GFX, I can only contemplate these lenses as objects I have no direct (working) relation too, right? :-)

I wouldn't call my Canon 100-400 lens a paragon of beauty either, sure, although when thinking of it, I would say all of my other lenses look well, even the little 24-85 has a kind of charm. :-)

Jan 24, 2021*permalink

(unknown member)

Plungers are ugly but they get the job done.

Jan 31, 2021permalink

I like how the GF lenses have a distinctive look

Feb 3, 2021permalink

Joe Mckinney

The maximum aperture is f/2.8 FF equivalent which is what you’d find on a budget pancake lens. I must be missing the point because I don’t see the appeal of most of the G lenses.

Jan 22, 2021permalink

FF lenses won't work on these cameras. Well, they could, but then Fuji can't charge you preposterous amounts for no discernable improvement in image quality over a R5 or Z7 or A7whatever + 24 mm prime.

The medium format fan-children will be here shortly to attack our heresy with claims of superior tonality and the MF look and blah blah blah.

And I'll just laugh.

Jan 22, 2021permalink

PNad

Oh don’t worry you didn’t missed anything, you actually haven’t tried.

Jan 22, 2021permalink

Fuh if you use a gfx, preferably on a tripod with a cable release the results are jaw dropping and you find yourself losing interest in anything else, that's why fans are so keen on medium format

Jan 22, 2021permalink

Lolz, just keep telling yourself that. Humans are amazing at using illogical leaps to justify our irrationality.

No one can tell the difference between a 50 MP GFnoonecares and a Z7 or D850 at base ISO. The others are ever so slightly more noisy but good luck finding that noise. The 100 MP? Sure, there's a perceptible difference in resolution if you're printing enormous but otherwise that's just measurebation by a different name.

But sure, just continue your babbling. I'll be here laughing.

Jan 23, 2021permalink

I don’t think you know anything about cameras or photography, shoot a full length portrait on a gfx100 you can zoom in on the eyeball see the contact lens, veins in the eye, flecks of makeup... you don’t need to make huge prints to have those benefits. Incredible subject separation, huge dynamic range, zoom lenses that better primes from other manufacturers, I suspect you couldn’t afford it and it would be wasted on you :-)

Jan 23, 2021permalink

I think you're a measurebating faux-tographer troll.

You wander around these comment sections pretending you know everything about everything because you have nothing better to do with yourself.

But perhaps I can educate whoever may read this inane blathering - subject separation is a function of the true aperture of your lens in mm. This is the focal length of your lens divided by your f number.

In the case of the Fuji attempt at medium format, there are zero Fuji lenses that do what a full frame lens can do for a fraction of the price.

For example -
The Fuji 110 f/2 (true aperture is 55 mm) is $2800. There is zero advantage between that and a full frame 85 mm f/1.4 such as the Sony GM (true aperture 61 mm) for $1800.

Indeed you notice that the Sony has superior subject isolation because of its 10% larger true aperture.

Canon RF 85 mm f/1.2 (true aperture is 71 mm) is $2700 and has the advantage of vastly superior AF on the cameras AND a much larger aperture.

Jan 23, 2021permalink

You’re the one answering a medium format related lens thread then rubbishing medium format. ‘The true aperture of 110 f2 is 55mm’ what are you talking about? ‘Zero advantage of 110 f2 over a canon 85mm 1.2’ ? Well apart from the much higher quality image at the end of course. You seem unaware that the GFX100 had PD autofocus and excellent eye detect. As I said you obviously don’t own one so you can’t comment. I do however own both, a comprehensive Sony a7R4 outfit and a GFX100, and I can tell you from someone who actually owns the gear, the medium format images are far superior both to look at and when exploring the files. You appear to be a classic example of the inverse ratio between the size of the brain and the size of the mouth

Jan 24, 2021*permalink

Fuyteng,
I have heard that a lot from FF shooters who have never shot GFX and have no idea what they are talking about.
The differences in image fidelity are profound. I still am blown away by it after shooting and peeping 50,000 GFX 50 and 100 shots in the past two years.
Why do you think we spend all of that money? To get the same IQ as high-res FF or to brag about our gear? No....
You are entitled to that misinformed opinion and to recite yet another mindless FF = MF rant, but no one who shoots Fuji/Hassy cares.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/139148982@N02/albums

Jan 24, 2021*permalink

Zinch

@FuhTeng: "Lolz, just keep telling yourself that. Humans are amazing at using illogical leaps to justify our irrationality.

But sure, just continue your babbling. I'll be here laughing."

The same exact argument can be said between FF and APS-C but something tells me you would be defending the FF then...

Jan 24, 2021permalink

For the measurebating troll's education, but I know full well you won't read it as you don't understand it because why bother learning when you can merely troll - https://www.dpreview.com/articles/2666934640/what-is-equivalence-and-why-should-i-care

For the guy who shows an album of shots that could have been shot with a D3 and an 85 f/1.4 in an attempt to justify his purchase of a camera he clearly isn't using to its fullest extent, congratulations for having far more money than sense. Fuji's MF business plan counts on suckers like you.

And for the guy comparing APS-C to full frame at base ISO - well no, not quite. Fuji has demonstrated quite nicely with their 50 mm f/1 that there are some things APS-C doesn't do yet, and is unlikely to do (sadly) - like a 105 f/1.4 equivalent, or 200 f2, or on other hand a 14-24 f/2.8. The reason I shoot full frame is the vast array of lens options, not because I necessarily want full frame.

Jan 24, 2021permalink

you seem to think everyone makes 10x8 prints and never explores or works on files. your next canon r5s will be 90mp are you going to say thats rubbish too? to say a FF 45mp sensor is as good as a 102mp medium format one makes you look foolish to say the very least

Jan 24, 2021permalink

MattiKJ

Initially I thought GFX is not really any different than hi-MP FF body with a good lens until I bought a used 50R and GF50mm lens. I wanted to see what it is all about. The difference is there and can be described with one word - brutal. It is impossible to create a properly focused start trails stack with the 50R + GF50mm, end result is so badly aliased that the star cirles looks like a fractal (50MP sensor is not enough for standard GF lenses). Raw details can be compared to Pentax K-1 pixelshift file with a modern good lens but with a single exposure. Pixelshift has the edge when it comes to moire and aliasing though (none).

Switch from Z7/D850/42MP Sony to GFX50 series is already like a switch from Canon 450D to Canon 5D. This is when comparing base ISO images. If one cannot see the difference, check shooting technique and fix eyesight problems first.

Jan 25, 2021permalink

I fully agree, we need a fast wide angle lens, like a 35mm f1.8 equivalent to 28mm f1.4 on FF ... I won't buy this GF 30mm f3.5 lens...

Jan 30, 2021permalink

Matt, you can't judge the move to GFX by star stacking with the GF 50 That is a very fine lens, but not for astro.....
And you are wrong. 50 MP is awesome with GF glass. Have you even shot in the day yet? Your post is baffling.

Jan 30, 2021permalink

Fujifilm, I need a GF 35mm f1.7 lens, equivalent to a FF 28mm f1.4...

Jan 22, 2021permalink

Unfashionable but exactly what I'd like too :-(

Jan 22, 2021permalink

vlado29

+1, but make it physically shorter than this one :)

Jan 23, 2021permalink

I am angry at Fujifilm because of the 58mm filter thread of this new GF 30mm lens... Their GF 63mm, GF 50mm, GF 45mm lenses all have a 62mm thread, and it would not have been any technical issue to adopt the same size...

Jan 22, 2021*permalink

Rod McD

Fujifilm are just not into filter thread consistency in their camera/lens systems. The XF platform lenses use every filter thread size from 39mm to 77mm (except 55mm, and we're all waiting for the lens with that size just to complete the series.) A 58-62 step up ring will cost peanuts and solve your problem.

Jan 23, 2021permalink

Scottelly

Yeah, it seems pretty silly. Why not just stick with the same filter thread size?

Jan 24, 2021permalink

Forget trying to get just one or two filters with Fuji. I have to have a spreadsheet to track all the filter sizes, but then again I had all the FX lenses and now have all the GF lenses.... I have a bazillion filters.

Jan 30, 2021permalink

Funny, I have a spreadsheet too... It already happened me to buy twice the same filter, it shouldn't happen again... ND, Graduated ND, red, yellow, polarizing, "cross", that are many filters...
Instead of buying the GF 30mm lens, I'll continue tu use my pentax D-FA 35mm f3.5 that has the same 82mm filter thead as the GF 23mm...

Jan 30, 2021permalink

saeba77

well sure not for all, cause if you don't crop and just see photos on tv or pc my smartphone shots seems better:)
Sure i refer to the sample gallery here

Jan 22, 2021*permalink

shineofleo

any comparison with Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR?

Jan 22, 2021permalink

Hm. Are we sure that the form factor makes this a good travel lens?

Jan 22, 2021permalink

Roland Karlsson

If you want a medium format digital camera, yes.

Jan 22, 2021permalink

CTMRIGuy

I’m loving these GF lens reviews. Keep it up!

Jan 22, 2021permalink

Fed up the 28mm equivalent focal length is neglected by manufacturers....

Jan 21, 2021permalink

I agree. I really miss that. Even on the X System its pancakes or adapters only..

Jan 22, 2021*permalink

CaPi, apparently an XF18mmF1.4 releases this coming week

Jan 22, 2021*permalink

ogl

I can't see sharpness

Jan 21, 2021permalink

Buy glasses... and have again a look at the photos in the forest ("sharpness" paragraph...)

Jan 31, 2021permalink

ogl

https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/6977297246/DSCF1104.acr.jpeg
it's absolutely bad IQ - pay attention it's JPEG from RAW in ACR... I know what the sharpness means - it's unacceptable for me. The lens is really weak.

Jan 31, 2021permalink

DuncanIdaho

These these photos with their MF look really convince me that I need a MF camera. Uh ... actually no...

Jan 21, 2021permalink

I would wait for the next generation of bodies. There is room for improvement in the handling side.

Jan 22, 2021permalink

Kinematic Digit

Can we bring back using the vernacular "135 format" instead of saying "Full Frame" equivalent? Medium Format itself has a "Full Frame" equivalent as well, where the GFX is a crop of that already, so I find it confusing when it's mixed into this description.

Jan 21, 2021permalink

MF fuller frame equivalent 😂

Jan 21, 2021permalink

Old Cameras

One vote from me!

Jan 22, 2021permalink

Yes, and as I recall, the GFX sensor also matches 127 format, so all the semantic tussling there could also be dispensed with :)

Feb 3, 2021permalink

light_bulb

FF was originally meant as an abreviaton for 'fool frame'. Now we are enjoying the result of a marketing stunt.😷

Feb 10, 2021permalink

yayatosorus

In an effort to stay fair, let's compare it to its closest matches on the market.

Mirrorless:

FUJIFILM GF 30mm f/3.5 R WR
Price: $1,699.00
Weight: 1.12 lb / 510 g
Maximum Magnification: 0.15x
Advantage: Weather resistance.

Hasselblad XCD 30mm f/3.5
Price: $3,995.00
Weight: 1.21 lb / 550 g
Maximum Magnification: 0.1x
Advantage: Leaf shutter (up to 1/2000).

SLR:

Leica Elmarit-S 30mm f/2.8 ASPH Lens
Price: $8,095.00
Weight: 2.33 lb / 1.06 kg
Maximum Magnification: 0.09x
Advantage: Faster aperture

1/2

Jan 21, 2021*permalink

yayatosorus

2/2

Hasselblad HCD 28mm f/4
Price: $6,250.00
Weight: 1.87 lb / 850 g
Maximum Magnification: 0.14x
Advantage: Leaf shutter (up to 1/2000); Works on the 6x4.5 H6D

Pentax HD PENTAX-D FA645 35mm f/3.5 AL [IF]
Price: $1,596.95
Weight: 1.25 lb / 570 g
Maximum Magnification: 0.25x
Advantage: Cheapest

All in all, the 30mm f/3.5 seems, on paper. like a pretty good compromise.

Jan 21, 2021*permalink

The hasselblad is a thing of beauty. Just saying.

Jan 22, 2021permalink

yayatosorus

I'm sure it is. Specs comparisons are pretty much pointless without comparing the handling and the look lenses produce.

Jan 22, 2021permalink

kolyy

Samyang AF 24mm F2.8 FE
Price: $300
Weight: 93g
Maximum Magnification: 0.13x
Advantage: much better optically (just kidding...)

Jan 25, 2021permalink

Clint Dunn

Looks like a decent lens but it seems to me the focus was missed on numerous shots. I really wonder whether 100MP is really desirable over the 50MP version of the Fuji sensor.

Jan 21, 2021permalink

From someone who has both, YES. If you go further with a tripod and cable release the results are jaw dropping :-). Oh and it’s a Sony sensor, Fuji have to buy them in. I got an a7R4 afterwards because I was so impressed with Sony’s sensor in the gfx.

Jan 21, 2021*permalink

The bodies MF without image stabilization are not easy to use handheld. Takes quite some getting used to

Jan 22, 2021*permalink

left eye

I only use my GFX handheld with EFCS (so zero mirror shock), and have found that at 1/(FL*2) second, all shots are tack sharp, at a slower 1/FL most are tack sharp, or all are with some elbow on knee or fence etc. But at 1/(FL*2) second, no problem. Also the larger the sensor size the slower the shutter speed is possible hand-held - as shake is spread over a larger area so appears less at the same image/print size. Hand-holding non-IBIS MF is easier than non-IBIS APS-C or FF.

Jan 22, 2021permalink

Bigsensorisbest, I understand that Fuji designs and modifies aspects of the sensor - for instance making use of their advanced pigments (i.e. from their chemical industry expertise.)

Apparently, one of the main differences between the first releases from Fuji and Hasselblad was that (pre-DJI) Hasselblad had to use the Sony sensor off-the-shelf.

Imaging Resource had an interesting article a couple of years ago about how Nikon worked with Sony on their sensors, and the science journalist was surprised by the extent to which Nikon authored the production. It would be indicative of Fuji and others, too.

Edit: Having said that, Fuji have stated that their initial prototypes used the Pentax 645Z, so the bespoke design elements probably apply more to the 100mp sensor.

Jan 22, 2021*permalink

PhotoRotterdam

Great sample images to highlight the subject addressed in each part of the review.

Jan 21, 2021permalink

Flare seems worse than other recent mirrorless wides...

" You can also customize the focus ring direction on all GFX cameras, and on the GFX 100 you can set the focus ring to have a linear response for predictable and repeatable manual focus pulls. " -Carey

That's a nice perk of the GFX system I haven't seen elsewhere tho, the ability to switch lenses to linear MF in particular (which every lens would have to support).

Jan 21, 2021permalink

-Well most "digital" focus clutch lenses by Olympus, Sony, Panasonic, and Fuji have linear response
-Sony also adopted linear focus rings on pretty much all their new G and GM lenses
-Canon let's you choose in the menu for their RF lenses if you want linear response or accelerated response
-Panasonic does the same in the S-mount for non-clutch lenses

Jan 21, 2021permalink

I was well aware of the first two points, the problem is neither was implemented evenly throughout those particular systems... Oly/Pana haphazardly added clutches to some lenses and not others (love it on my 12/2, would much rather have it on my 75/1.8 tho!), and as far as I'm aware there's literally 1 lens in the whole M4/3 system without a clutch that still features linear MF (the PL25, original & Mk II both), that always struck me as kinda odd...

Sony's been pretty consistent with going w/linear MF lately, even on some non-G/GM lenses like the 35/1.8, but of course many of the third party options skimp on that. Obviously 3rd party options are kinda moot for GFX but still... 3rd party options are one of E mount's strongest attractions, if they'd added support for switching it on the body maybe it could've turned into something more manufacturers zeroed in on.

Wasn't aware Pana/Canon were doing that with their FF MILCs tho, will be interesting to see how/if third parties support it.

Jan 21, 2021*permalink

As an aside, the only convincing rationale I've heard for the acceleration effects is using cheaper fly by wire sensors (yet an old $600 M4/3 prime managed to have linear MF..?), but it seems to be loathed by just about everyone and by a lot of DSLR converts in particular... You'd think this would be something MILC makers would wanna focus on (no pun intended!).

I'm glad I don't need MF more often, but when I need it to run some lens tests to satisfy some curiosity the acceleration effects and delayed response are always super irritating, and that's just me focusing on a still subject with plenty of time to waste...

Jan 21, 2021*permalink

"the only convincing rationale I've heard for the acceleration effects is using cheaper fly by wire sensors"

The reason is precision and focus throw. Getting high precision on a fly by wire sensor requires a long focus throw which is counterproductive for fast focusing. A modern FF lens (here the Leica sl lens as an example because we have the data for that) has 12800 different focus positions.
Even if you have a long focus throw of 180° that would require a readout precision of 0.014° something no current fly by wire ring delivers.

Jan 21, 2021permalink

I don't get it, the granularity (or lack thereof) in the throw seems plausible, but using any fly by wire lens with acceleration effects just consistently fights your ability to focus precisely...

At least on the ones I've used, small focus movements tend to be ignored about as often as they're picked up, which makes precise focus super irritating, and anything but fast. I'll take linear focus with some skipping in the mapped positions over that any day...

Edit: Are there better fly by wire implementations w/acceleration where said effects are not actually a constant hindrance? Is anyone able to MF relatively fast with the usually crummy implementation? Just curious if my skill with it is just *that* bad heh.

Jan 21, 2021*permalink

"small focus movements tend to be ignored about as often as they're picked up"

That's exactly why you have accelerated rings. No movements need to be small.
-Fine movement >large but slow
-Big movement >large but fast

The inability to pick up small movements is exactly what accelerated rings set out to solve

Jan 21, 2021permalink

That's fine in theory, do you find it works well in practice tho? The acceleration effects start kicking in too quickly for me, so I just end up with fine moment > nothing and then I adjust and use more movement > instant acceleration and overshoot, but maybe it's just a matter of practice... Haven't found many that liked it tho.

Jan 21, 2021*permalink

Panasonic S-series cameras have very advanced settings for this. Not only to choose Linear Focus, but also to specify very short or very long focus throw depending upon the use-case. They have many focus-oriented features - perhaps brought over from EVA etc.

Jan 22, 2021permalink

(unknown member)

It seems that the prevalence of phone images has widened viewers expectation of what a normal image should look like. 24 is the new 35 and 35 looks normal to many viewers.
If I were going with a 24 mm equiv for casual shooting I think I'd prefer the FujiFilm 16 f 1.4 for Fuji X. It's closer focusing ability and wider aperture create more opportunities for interesting photos. Of course, the GF and it's associated 4x larger sensor will have superior image quality but there's more to photography than pixel peeping.

Jan 21, 2021permalink

F1.4 is ~F2.7 in GFX terms, so the additional shallow DOF of the Fuji 16mm isn't that big.

That said, smaller price, size and weight, etc... make the 16mm a great option

Jan 21, 2021permalink

(unknown member)

Yes I know how to use a calculator thanks. The combination of a stop wider aperture and dramatically closer focusing make a significant difference in the kind of images the two lenses can achieve.

Interesting to read someone on this forum saying a full stop doesn't make any difference in DOF when differences as small as a tenth of a stop are vigorously debated.

Jan 21, 2021*permalink

Right? I recall recently being rather sternly corrected that the difference between APS-C is 1 and 1/6 stop (not just one stop) and that's super important because it makes FF even better.

But the 2/3 stop Toneh advantage to Fuji GFX is "insignificant."

Jan 21, 2021permalink

@Mr Bolton
?
None of the numbers here are FF numbers

Jan 21, 2021permalink

The numbers I mention aren't for a specific lens, but the 2/3 stop advantage in DoF compared to full frame, is still significant.

My point isn't the numbers themselves, but that us crop shooters have been put down for a decade because "FF advantage." Now that Fuji GFX is, with the impending new camera, becoming ever less rarified while still having significant advantages in DoF, resolution, tonality, and dynamic range those same forum warriors are all about how the difference is "insignificant" compared to full frame.

The differences are not insignificant, they are notable, and for those who need it are quite valuable. This is evidenced by Fuji's inability to keep up with the demand for GFX.

The criticisms leveled at crop sensors compared to full frame seem leveled again against GFX, except that GFX has the advantage-but somehow it's.. not an advantage because FF is lighter?

Jan 21, 2021*permalink

The F2.7 is the equivalent IN GFX TERMS. Nobody here mentioned any FF numbers.
The Fuji APS-C would be equivalent to F2.1 in FF terms, the Fuji MF would be equivalent to F2.8 in FF terms. You are the first in this thread to bring up FF. Nobody overlooked any conversions here. You are fighting for some weird cause that nobody asked for

Jan 21, 2021permalink

Lowpassfilter was the first to bring this debate up, above in this very thread. He didn't mention FF specifically, but did make a valid point about how tiny amounts of f stop are rigorously debated.

I expounded on this point, didn't start it.

Jan 21, 2021permalink

(unknown member)

It is a little amusing that when the Fuji X lens is faster by a full stop, the difference is judged to not be significant. But, when a Fuji X lens is slower by a fraction of a stop it's offered as evidence that the entire system is fatally flawed.

Jan 21, 2021permalink

@LowpassFilter

You are aware that we are arguing about Fuji vs Fuji here. Fuji can only come out as a winner

Jan 21, 2021permalink

(unknown member)

I get the irony and I'm not arguing I'm commenting.

I wasn't knocking the GF lens. My point was that the other Fuji 24mm equivalent lens seems to be a more interesting choice for casual shooting despite being for the smaller format.

Jan 21, 2021*permalink

"It is a little amusing that when the Fuji X lens is faster by a full stop, the difference is judged to not be significant. But, when a Fuji X lens is slower by a fraction of a stop it's offered as evidence that the entire system is fatally flawed."-LowPassFilter

THIS. Thank you for making my point more clearly than I did.

Jan 22, 2021permalink

I was reading phone reviews, and one phone had a standard lens module and a telephoto lens module. The "telephoto" was FOV 52mm...

Jan 22, 2021permalink

Low Pass, you said that well and I agree with most of it. You know I loved the Mighty 16 and Fuji X. I shoot GFX now but I hear what you are saying. Besides the stunning GFX image fidelity (and yes I pixel peep every shot because it is so mind-blowing and I just can't stop), the other big thing about X vs GFX is DOF. That uber-fast XF16 (the mighty 16 - one of the best primes in the World) still can't match the shallow DOF of the much slower 30 (also one of the best primes in the World). Why? Because MF lack of DOF is so insanely profound - much more than any table would suggest and more than the two stops science professes. Take that to the bank. I have shot more with GFX and X than almost anybody (not very well but a Hell of a lot). I know.

Jan 24, 2021permalink

-510g
-"slow" F3.5
-large build
-low max magnification
-1699$

With so many concessions shouldn't people demand outstanding optical quality? The con list seems kind of long for that

Jan 21, 2021permalink

DrCastle

Again, not for the people who complain about the specs comparing it to FF. To look at this the other way around...
+ Resolves image for the 100MP GFX100
+ Phase-detect AF enabled
+ Durable and light mag-alloy build
+ Only $1699 for the newest(modern) medium-format optics

Jan 21, 2021permalink

@DrCastle
I haven't compared it to anything in my comment
-Phase detect AF enabled is not a lens feature
-light and cheap are relative, but to me, this lens is neither. Maybe my expectations are wrong

Jan 21, 2021permalink

DrCastle

Just talking in a broader sense. Also, it IS a lens feature. To be AF-enabled, the lens must accommodate for great mechanical designs whose size grow more than linearly as the size of the optical elements grow.
Also the only direct competitor may be Hasselblad's XCD 30mm f/3.5, which has similar weight but is more than twice the price(@ $3995).

Jan 21, 2021*permalink

NexUser

If you have a GFX100, you can't use smaller format lenses and expect 100MP.

Jan 21, 2021permalink

@DrCastle
A lens can be AF or not AF. But PDAF or not is not a lens feature and instead a body feature

Jan 21, 2021permalink

PhotoRotterdam

Panther fan: Do point my at any comment coming from your fingers that seems to exhibit any form of enthusiasm for any piece of gear. I cannot recall.

Jan 21, 2021permalink

NexUser

Panther fan, phase detect AF is a camera and lens feature. Olympus 43 (DSLR) lenses are phase-detect only so contrast-only AF bodies work horribly with those lenses.
For example Olympus 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 has a very fast AF on E-5 but very bad AF on Olympus EM5. On EM1 II with phase detect AF, it still has great AF.

Jan 21, 2021permalink

@NexUser
All AF lenses are great with PDAF, so that's not a feature

Some lenses are great with contrast AF, so at most that is a feature. But it is more that lenses with good Af motors work great with CDAF. So not really a feature in itself

Jan 21, 2021permalink

halfaman

If you have a GF camera this lens is a great an exciting addition. It doesn't make sense to look from "outside", from a no-owner perspective. Similar to the Leica world, MF has never intended to be a popular product for generak use by the people. It is a niche market mainly targeted to some kinds of professional use.

For example, in MF a wide angle with f/3.5 is quite "fast". If you need more than this then you are looking in the wrong place.

Jan 22, 2021permalink

You’d probably prefer the Sigma I-24mmF3.5 instead then: 0.5x magnification, 225g, compact all-metal build, cheap for FF, and the MFD affords plenty of bokeh despite the slow aperture.

Different market, of course, and not in the same league being a Contemporary-lens, but may suit you.

Jan 22, 2021*permalink