Current GF lenses for Fujifilm GFX cameras are fantastic, but there’s a serious lack of fast glass, and that needs to be changed.
We absolutely love Fujifilm GFX cameras. We applaud them for their innovation. What’s not to love? The image quality that comes out of the almost Medium Format sized sensors is brilliant. We also dig the GF mount lenses currently available. However, as great as the lenses are, there’s a big need for fast glass on the platform. Fortunately, IRIX has seen the need for speed, and they have made a new fast prime that we think will be well received. Head on past the break to find out about the new IRIX lens and to see why we think Fujifilm needs to start innovating when it comes to their GF lenses.
The news about the new IRIX 45mm f1.4 Dragonfly was recently shared by Videomaker. This prime lens for Fujifilm GFX cameras will have an equivalent 35mm focal length of 36mm, and an aperture with the equivalent value of roughly f1.2. In true IRIX fashion, this will be a manual focusing lens. It will also have the same weather sealing we have sung praises about in the past. The lens will have a 9-bladed design and will feature eleven elements in nine groups. IRIX also states that this lens will make full use of the 102 Megapixel sensor found in the Fujifilm GFX 100. The IRIX lens will set you back $1,022, and it is available now.
This is fantastic news for current owners of Fujifilm GFX cameras. IRIX has shown that it is indeed possible for there to be nice, fast glass on this platform. They’ve also demonstrated that they can keep the size down too. The issue of fast glass, or a lack of it, is not just one that plagues Fujifilm Medium Format cameras. To date, you can count on one hand the number of lenses across multiple Medium Format platforms with aperture speeds faster than f2. At the time of writing this, the fastest Fujifilm branded lens for GFX cameras is the GF110mm f2 R WR. This, of course, is a brilliant lens for portraits, but we have always wanted greater depth of field and more bokeh from GF lenses.
It’s Time to Step Up, Fujifilm
We have zero doubt that Fujifilm can create even faster lenses than they already have for their GFX cameras. If they do this, they will likely find that many more photographers will seriously consider making the jump, especially portrait photographers who want to mix Medium Format goodness with beautiful shallow depths of field. If Fujifilm really wants their GFX cameras to become more mainstream, they will have to start innovating in the lens space. They will also have to find a way to bring the size down a tad and include top-tier weather sealing. We’re hoping we see more fast lenses going forward.