The Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6 R LM OIS WR is a well built, versatile lens that will please Fujifilm GFX users.
Fujifilm are continuing to flesh out the lens lineup for their impressive GFX50S and the GFX50R Medium Format cameras, and the latest lens to join the GF family is the Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6 R LM OIS WR. I’ve spent the last three and a half weeks with the lens and have been able to put it through its paces. The lens has the equivalent focal range of a 79-158mm lens on a 35mm format camera, which really is quite unique. The lens lends itself well to portrait photography, but can also be used for landscape, wildlife photography, documentary photography and photojournalism too.
The Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6 R LM OIS WR is capable of producing some truly jaw dropping images. There’s no doubt that this lens has been made to get the most out of the monster sensors found in Fujifilm Medium Format cameras. Add in the fact that the lens has optical stabilization, constant f5.6 aperture throughout the focal range, weather sealing, and is relatively light weight, and you can begin to understand why Fujifilm’s Medium Format adopters are so excited about it. Let’s jump into the review.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Exceptional Sharpness
- Gorgeous color rendition
- Great build quality
- Ridiculously good image stabilization
- Good autofocusing speeds
- Weather sealing
Cons
- F5.6 aperture really limits how and when this lens can be used
Tech Specs
Technical specifications taken from the official Fujifilm website.
Type | GF100-200mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR |
---|---|
Lens configuration | 20 elements 13 groups (includes 1 aspherical element and 2 Super ED element) |
Focal length (35mm format equivalent) | f=100-200mm (79-158mm) |
Angle of view | 30.6° – 15.6° |
Max. aperture | F5.6 |
Min. aperture | F32 |
Aperture control |
|
Focus range | 0.6m-∞ (Wide) 1.6m-∞ (Telephoto) |
Max. magnification | 0.2x (Wide) |
External dimensions : Diameter x Length* (approx.) * distance from camera lens mount flange |
ø89.5mm x 183mm |
Weight* (approx.) *excluding caps |
1,050g |
Filter size | ø67mm |
Accessories included | Lens cap FLCP-67II Lens rear cap RLCP-002 Lens hood Tripod collar foot Lens pouch |
Gear Used
We used the Fujifilm GFX 50R, the Fujifilm 100-200mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR, and a Flashpoint XPLOR 400 Pro TTL.
Ergonomics
The Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6 R LM OIS WR is a big lens, but honestly it doesn’t feel unwieldy. In fact it’s very comfortable to hold and use, even for long periods of time. The lens looks and feels much like all other Fujifilm lenses, and that’s a good thing because it’s a winning formula. The first thing you’ll notice is the large rubber focusing ring followed by the iconic aperture control dial. The manual focus ring is a much smaller affair, but it is adorned with the same great feeling rubber grip as the zoom ring.
The lens weighs in at a healthy 2.3lbs, but as mentioned earlier, the lens is easy to use overall. The Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6 has a length of 7.7 inches and a diameter of 3.5 inches. As you can see in above image, the lens hood is quite big and will add some significant length (4.25 inches) to the lens when it is attached.
The Fujifilm 100-200mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR is really quite minimalist in design with only the left side having controls of any kind. Here you’re going to find the focus limiter switch, and the switch for the optical image stabilization. On the aperture dial there is a button that will allow you turn the ring past the stop for f32 so that you can put it in auto mode, or command dial mode. You can also see the tripod mount that comes with the lens.
The front element of the Fujifilm 100-200m f5.6 is not quite as large as you might think it would be on a lens of this size. At just 67mm it actually looks quite small compared to how big the body is. On the plus side, this means cheaper filters.
Build Quality
The Fujifilm GF 100-200mm F5.6 R LM OIS WR is a tank of a lens. This will likely come as no surprise to Fujifilm users as all Fujifilm lenses offer incredible build quality. From the moment you get your hands on it you’ll know that this is a premium quality lens. The metal housing feels nice to the touch, the zoom and manual focusing rings are buttery smooth when in operation, and the aperture dial is nice and firm. As you turn the aperture dial you get nice firm, quality clicks as the aperture is selected.
The GF 100-200mm F5.6 is weather sealed so you can use it out and about in the elements. While it did not rain while I had the lens in my possession, based off of our previous experiences with weather sealed Fujifilm lenses in the snow, the wind, and the rain, you will have no problems with the Fujifilm GF 100-200mm F5.6. The switches on the side of the lens body feel incredibly solid, and like the aperture dial, the switches snap into place with a satisfactory thud. The Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6 is without doubt one of the best feeling Fujifilm lenses that I have ever held in my hands.
Ease of Use
The Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6 R LM OIS WR is an incredibly easy lens to use. Attach it to your camera, point, focus and shoot. It’s really that easy. The large zoom ring is super smooth when turning, and the aperture control dial is easy to use too. All of the controls are well laid out and easy to access.
The optical image stabilization on this lens is really quite remarkable. The above image was shot handheld at 1/8th of a second. On a lens this large and heavy, this is quite a feat. The image stabilization will no doubt make your life easier when it comes to capturing shots in low light situations. The minimum focusing distances are 1.96ft on the wider end of things and 5.24ft on the telephoto side.
Another great feature is the large opening on the top of the lens hood that can flip open quickly. This gives you easy access to any 67mm filter you may have screwed to the lens. The lens hood is held in place securely, and when you want to remove it you just depress the lock button and twist it off. Everything about this lens is well thought out, and has been designed to be easy to use.
Autofocus
Autofocus performance of the Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6 R LM OIS WR is very good. I was really impressed with how quickly the camera and lens combo was able to find focus, even in tough situations like the one above where there are multiple distractions in front of the Cardinal. The lens performed exceptionally well in good lighting situations and it rarely ever missed focus. In low light situations the autofocus speeds did drop a little, and I did notice a little hunting, but overall it still performed well.
The lens and camera combo really did a great job when it came to tracking fast moving subjects too. These geese were flying at a fair clip, and the combo was able to keep up really well. Once the lens was locked on, it stayed locked on. Using this lens for portraits, landscapes, and some wildlife photography will really not challenge this lens much at all.
Image Quality
You’re going to cry tears of joy. The image quality from this lens is outstanding. Those familiar with Fujifilm lenses will not be shocked by this. Fujifilm continue to make optically sound glass, and the Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6 R LM OIS WR is no exception to this rule. With an equivalent focal range of 79-158mm, this lens will become loved by those who practice outdoor portrait photography and wildlife photography. Overall the lens produces images that are incredibly sharp and detailed, colors that are a joy to behold, and some rather nice bokeh when shot at telephoto lengths. There are really no downsides when it comes to image quality with the Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6.
Bokeh
The bokeh this lens can produce is really quite nice, and when being used for portraiture you’ll be able to create some nice bokeh for sure when you shoot at the long end of the focal range. You’re not going to get the creamiest bokeh from this lens, but for a lens that has a constant aperture of f5.6 it’s really pleasing to the eye and is in no way a distraction. Get as close as you can to your subject and shoot. You’ll be pleased with the results you can get. I really wish this lens had a slightly faster aperture though, but then I’m sure the price would be nowhere near the level it’s at. As it is, if you buy this lens strictly for portrait work, you’re not going to get any complaints from your clients, and you’ll be impressed every time you use it.
Chromatic Aberration
During my time with the lens, I did not notice a single hint of chromatic aberration or color fringing. You’ve got absolutely nothing to worry about here. In regards to any distortions, there’s also very little to write home about here. It’s as close to perfect as it can be with both Capture One Pro 12 and Lightroom not being able to find anything to fix.
Color Rendition
This lens absolutely sings when it comes to color rendition. Yes, the colors produced do depend heavily on white balance, and the Fujifilm film simulation that you have chosen to work with, but I can honestly say I have not been left wanting more when it comes to colors. You’re going to get gorgeous colors that aren’t overly saturated and aren’t too muted; they’re just right, and true to life. Skin tones are also on point which is important as this lens will likely be used by many for portrait work.
Sharpness
My jaw continually hit the floor after seeing just how sharp images from this lens were. Just when I thought I had seen the sharpest image possible from the Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6, I’d open another and would have to repeat the whole process of being dumbfounded again. The image of the duck above is really quite ridiculous. I’m not a pixel peeper at all, but when I saw this image and cropped in 100% I was flawed with the intricate details that were captured in every feather, and the sharpness of the eye.
The levels of detail that can be obtained from modern lenses are reaching new heights, and the GF 100-200mm f5.6 is one of the lenses leading the way. The term razor sharp is used a lot, but this lens truly is. From f5.6 through to f18, images are sharp enough to cut. Add in a flash and the levels of sharpness go up another notch. Go past f22 and then you’ll start to see gradual softening from then on down to f32 due to diffraction. Overall though the levels of sharpness are incredibly high.
Additional Image Samples
Conclusions
Likes
- Incredibly sharp images
- Outstanding build quality
- Impressive autofocus performance
Dislikes
- Honestly, not a darn thing
The Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6 R LM OIS WR is without a doubt one of the nicest lenses I’ve ever used. Fujifilm GFX 50S and GFX 50R users are going to cherish the Fujifilm GF 100-200mm F5.6 thanks to it’s versatility, it’s stellar performance in regards to image sharpness, and its autofocus speeds which are remarkably quick for a lens being used on a Medium Format camera.
Images captured with this lens are so outrageously good, you’ll want to use it all the time. The colors are excellent, the bokeh that can be produced is great, it’s weather sealed, and at 2.3lbs it’s not unmanageable at all. There is no doubt in my mind that this lens has been aimed squarely at portrait photographers, but it can also be used for some wildlife photography too. If you need a little extra reach for the latter, you can use this lens with the optional Fujifilm GF 1.4x teleconverter which would turn the Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6 R LM OIS WR into a 140-280mm (111-221mm 35mm equivalent) beast. If you’re a portrait photographer who needs a lens that hits all of the important portrait focal lengths, and you shoot outside with lots of natural light, or with off camera flash, you will adore this lens.
We award the Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6 R LM OIS WR 5 stars out of 5. This lens is excellent in every single way, and it will serve anyone who uses well. You will be constantly floored with the images you can create with this lens. The Fujifilm GF 100-200mm f5.6 R LM OIS WR is available to buy on Amazon for $1,999.95.